McMath Democrats

Beebe continues to lead ASA!

2006-01-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

As all the other polls have shown, Mike Beebe still leads Asa Hutchinson in a comfortable margin. Even when the poll has a small sample (500 registered voters), a 3.5 margin of error, and favors the Republicans.

The latest is the Rasmussen Report which reports that the state's Attorney General, Mike Beebe, holds a 46%-40% lead over former U.S. Congressman Asa Hutchinson. Even the Rasmussen Report acknowledges that if the "Hamlet of the Hills" Bill Halter gets in, it's still Beebe v. Hutchinson.

Meanwhile, Asa Hutchinson is releasing his "JOBS" Program. We find that laughable since Asa is on the one hand taking another multi-million consulting job with an out of state company, and he is opposing a raise in the Minimum Wage, but Asa Hutchinson feels qualified to talk about jobs.

Poor Asa, after losing two local races, a U.S. Senate race, a race for Attorney General, I think the boy is playing too much political football without a helmet!

Five Days and the Republicans Attack but Don't Give Back.

2006-01-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

For Five Days now the Arkansas Republican Party continues to hold out, not returning any of the $61,000+ money that admitted felon Jack Abramoff gave to the Arkansas Republican Party.

Their main attack blog, Arkansas Family Coalition, is attacking Jimmie Lou Fisher for $3,000+ she returned in illegal donations from her 2002 race.

2002 was the year that Jack Abramoff gave the Arkansas Republican Party $61,000+ in illegal donations. Thats the largest amount given to any state Republican party.

Clint Reed claims theres none of the money left. Yet they attack Jimmie Lou Fisher for $3,000.

Hypocrites as usual. If you are as mad as I am, call 1-501-372-7301 and tell Clint Reed to stop being a wimp and give the $61,000 to charity!

Four Days of Shame for the Arkansas GOP

2006-01-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

For Four Days the Arkansas Republican Party has stalled, switched blame, feigned ignorance, and been downright arrogant about the $10,000 donation to them from the admitted felon Jack Abramoff.

The RPA has admitted to receiving a $10,000 contribution directly from Jack Abramoff on 10/15/01. [AR SoS filing by RPA, 1/15/02] Associated Press, 1/5/06

"Arkansas' Republican Party accepted a $10,000 donation from Abramoff in 2001. Clint Reed says if the party had any of the contribution left in its accounts, they would gladly donate it to charity. However, he says that's not the case."
January 5, 2006

"If that money was still in bank accounts, we'd donate it to charity. Elected officials who are returning the money are returning contributions from the 2004 election cycle," said Clint Reed, state GOP executive director."
January 6, 2006

In addition, the Arkansas Times has uncovered an interesting tidbit.

The $10,000 contribution by Abramoff to the RPA is the single-largest payment ever by Abramoff to a state party or state candidate. [Institute on Money in State Politics, through electronic records available at the website (http://www.followthemoney.org)

Abramoff’s 10/15/01 contribution to the RPA mistakenly gives his name as Ambramoff.

What is the Republican Party of Arkansas and Clint Reed trying to cover up?

The RPA also received two contributions from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. A $30,000 contribution was given 11/2/01 and appears in the RPA’s 1/15/02 filing to the AR SoS. Another contribution in the amount of $25,000 was given to the RPA by the group less than a month before the November 2002 general election, on 10/10/02, and appears in a 1/17/03 filing to the AR SoS.

For the 10/10/02 contribution of $25,000, the RPA did not print the full name of the Mississippi tribe. It listed the contribution as having come from a donor named “Mississippi,” with an address of PO Box 6090 in Philadelphia, Mississippi. That, according to the RPA’s 1/15/02 filing, is the same address as the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

The $65,000 from the Mississippi tribe and Abramoff represents over 61% of all the money ($105,970) given by the tribe to state parties during the 2002 election.

Arkansans Deserve Better!

ASA! oh FLIP FLOP ASA! What are you up to????

2006-01-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

ASA! we are going to do as the pic says and put you in the spotlight and ask about the following press release :

1.) What sort of financial connection is between you before, now, or to come in the future with this company and/or it's parent company?

2.) Your duties as entailed are : "Mr. Hutchinson will be charged, along with his fellow board members, withassisting in the development of a plan to disseminate the proprietary andpotentially life-saving Radilex(TM)/Viprovex(TM) in the event of a biologicalor nuclear disaster."

Since you are seeking to be Arkansas Governor, does that not conflict with your duties now?

3.) If theres nothing unbecoming, why is there NO mention of your Gubernatorial candidacy, although your Congressional, Cabinet tenures, and other professional offices held ARE mentioned?

Also, since technology has a way of disappearing, we are printing the entire press release for the press, visitors, and voters to see :

Former Congressman, Under Secretary of the Dept. of Homeland Security Joins Board as Advisor SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and developmentbiotechnology company ImmuneRegen BioSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of IRBioSciences Holdings, Inc. (IRBO), has named Asa Hutchinson, a formercongressman of Arkansas and former Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, as a senior advisor to its Bioterrorism PreparednessAdvisory Board. Mr. Hutchinson will be charged, along with his fellow board members, withassisting in the development of a plan to disseminate the proprietary andpotentially life-saving Radilex(TM)/Viprovex(TM) in the event of a biologicalor nuclear disaster. The ImmuneRegen Bioterrorism Preparedness Advisory Boardwill serve as a resource to the leadership of IR as it works to developbiological countermeasures in the current threat environment. "Mr. Hutchinson's in-depth background in Homeland Security are ofincalculable importance to our Advisory Board," said Michael K. Wilhelm,ImmuneRegen's CEO. "His knowledge and experience will benefit us greatly,especially in helping to guide our strategic plan related to Bioshield IIlegislation and in our pursuit to make Radilex a staple in all nationalemergency preparedness stockpiles." Radilex is a treatment currently in development to counteract the effectsof lethal radiation dosages. Having undergone its seventh stage of testing,Radilex is heading into its final phase of rodent studies with Oak RidgeNational Laboratories. "The U.S. can and should do more to aid the development and procurement ofeffective countermeasures for multiple homeland security threats. Thesethreats include chemical agents, Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS) from a dirtybomb or nuclear disaster, and infectious disease/biological warfarescenarios," said Hutchinson. "If the country were under a biological,chemical or radiological attack today, I fear we would not have sufficientstockpiles of medicine to meet the needs of the nation. This is why Iaccepted ImmueRegen's invitation to help develop public-private partnershipsthat will better protect the country from terrorist attack." The U.S. Senate confirmed Mr. Hutchinson as Under Secretary of HomelandSecurity in January 2003, shortly after the department was created. As one ofthe nation's top-ranking homeland security officials after Secretary TomRidge, he was responsible for more than 110,000 federal employees housed insuch agencies as the Transportation Security Administration, Customs andBorder Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Federal LawEnforcement Training Center. He was responsible for managing and coordinatingthe overall security of U.S. borders and transportation systems, settingimmigration enforcement policies and priorities, and developing andimplementing visa security programs. During his tenure as Under Secretary, Mr. Hutchinson modernized borderinspections through the successful reorganization of formerly fragmentedborder agencies into one unified inspection force under Customs and BorderProtection. He also advanced the use of new border technology, includingdevelopment of the US-VISIT program -- a historic biometric entry-exit systemfor foreign visitors to the United States. About ImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc. IR BioSciences Holdings Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiaryImmuneRegen BioSciences, Inc., is developing Homspera(TM) and its derivativesRadilex(TM) and Viprovex(TM) as a family of countermeasures for multiplehomeland security threats, including chemical agents, Acute Radiation Sickness(ARS) from a dirty bomb or nuclear disaster, and infectious disease/biologicalwarfare scenarios. This positions the base compound Homspera as a potentialUniversal Protectant. Homspera is derived from modified homeostatic SubstanceP, a naturally occurring peptide immunomodulator and homeostatic compound withthe dual effect of improving pulmonary function and the stimulation of thehuman immune system. Further advances with the Office of Naval Research (ONR)and the U.S. Air Force are currently being pursued. The development ofHomspera and its derivatives is pursuant to the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration's "animal efficacy" rule, which allows an expedited developmentand approval process. In addition, these compounds are candidates for theStrategic National Stockpile under current BioShield law. For moreinformation, please visit the company's website at http://www.immuneregen.com. Statements about the Company's future expectations, including futurerevenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release otherthan historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning ofSection 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the SecuritiesExchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private SecuritiesLitigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-lookingstatements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. The Company'sactual results could differ materially from expected results as a result of anumber of factors, including the uncertainties inherent in researchcollaborations, clinical trials and product development programs, theevaluation of potential opportunities, the level of corporate expenditures,capital market conditions, and others set forth in the Company's periodicreport on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2005 as filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission. Contact: W. Jason Grimley Spelling Communications 310-477-9500 jgrimley@spellcom.com

Lies .... Lies .... Lies .... AKA - The National Republican Party

2006-01-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

Why the Republicans when they get caught doing wrong, immiediately respond like a bratty kid, "BUT HE (SHE) IS DOING IT TOO!"

Such is the case with Jack Abramoff in his sudden conviction of guilt. He turned state's evidence and immiediately the RNC was quick to claim that Abramoff gave to Democrats. That is until the journalists in D.C. called bullshit on them and proved them wrong.

First how does Jack Abramoff affect Arkansas?

ARKANSAS: The Arkansas Republican Party received contributions from DeLay’s ARMPAC, especially Rep. John Boozman. Boozman refuses to return the donations to this date.

ARMPAC (Americans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee), Jack Abramoff was the chief fundraiser for the group.

In the words of the National Journal Hotline Blog (and the National Journal is not liberal by any long shot) :

January 04, 2006

This Statement Is False
"Forty of forty five members of the Democrat Senate Caucus took money from Jack Abramoff. Below is a breakdown of how much each Democrat Senator received."

That's courtesy of the NRSC.

But it's not true.

Abramoff has never personally given money to a single Democrat. All his personal and family contributions went to Republicans. Yes -- many of his clients contributed regularly to Dems and GOpers. And maybe some of those donations influenced the actions of elected officials. But if the question is: was Jack Abramoff a Republican? was he committed to furthering the GOP agenda? The answer, clearly, is: yes. [MARC AMBINDER]

Want a clearer source of who was getting what and when?

Go to : http://www.newsmeat.com/washington_political_donations/Jack_Abramoff.php

Not a SINGLE Democrat in the list.

The Republican Party - LIAR, LIAR!

Give back the money, Boozman!

Republican Dirty Money

2005-12-29T08:44:00.000-08:00

Since the Republican Attack Blogs want to make an issue of the pay-day lending to the Democratic Party, we decided to venture over and pull the Republican Party of Arkansas donations as of late.

$10,000 from Beverly Enterprises on 7/10/2005 = Is it really good government or right to take money from a business then in a multi-million dollar lawsuit? A business that the the Arkansas Supreme Court ordered, during the SAME TIME THEY MADE THIS DONATION, to comply with a judge’s ruling to post a $20 million bond for failing to produce documents in a lawsuit. A business later who later this year settled for $18.9 million to platiffs affected by inadequate, poorly run facilities and for abuses to loved ones.

$1250 from a member of the Arkansas Public Service Commission (Randy Bynum) on 7/06/2005 = Once again, how ethical is it to recieve large donations from someone who is supposed to be non-partisan and impartial.

$10,000 from Motorola = Okay, maybe this is just being too homespun, but why not seek donations from ALLTEL, and ARKANSAS-Based Company, rather than a company from outside of our state! I guess the Republicans outsource their donations too!

$5,000 from Phillip-Morris = How can your party being promoting Huckabee's get healthy scheme, and you are taking large corporations from cigarette manufacturers. The same industry that your Governor standard-bearer to be, FLIP FLOP ASA! Hutchinson, voted repeatedly as a Congressman to raise taxes on, as well as DEA Head, tried to regulate.

An ADDITIONAL $4,000 for R.J. Reynolds himself!

$1250 from SOUTHLAND RACING = I thought your party was officially AGAINST Gambling?

Want to know God's thoughts on this subject?

* There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20

* Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks in them will know peace. Isaiah 59:7-8

* Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone. John 8:7

* If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
I John 1:8

Flip-Flop ASA! strikes again!

2005-12-27T08:32:00.000-08:00

Well, he's at it again folks. FLIP-FLOP Asa Hutchinson has struck once more. Today, in an interview with Seth Bloomley at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Asa Hutchinson had the following to say about Public-Financing for campaigns :

"Hutchinson said. “I’ve always been hesitant to use taxpayer funding for state and local campaigning.”Hutchinson, however, said it would be good to study how the legislation works in Connecticut, and Arkansas should look again at whether it needs to work on its campaign finance laws.“We need to continually look at loopholes,” he said.

Aside from the hypocrisy of Asa Hutchinson claiming he's a leader in Campaign Finance Reform, here's where FLIP FLOP ASA! strikes once again :

Hutchinson said banning contributions from lobbyists and state contractors would be a mistake because it could violate free speech.

However, FLIP-FLOP Asa Hutchinson was saying something completely different in 1998, as a member of Congress. The Washington Post reports that then-Congressman Asa Hutchinson co-sponsored a bill that completely tried to do otherwise.

Some excerpts from the article :

(The Allen-Hutchinson bill) is aimed at "soft money," the huge donations from corporations, unions and wealthy individuals .... It also tries to regulate independent expenditures by nonparty groups, although the constitutionality of any limitation on their ads that stop short of outright candidate endorsement is questionable.

Shame on you, FLIP FLOP ASA!

In the words of the first member of your party to be President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln, "You can fool some of the people, some of the time. But you cannot fool ALL of the People, ALL of the time." 2006 is almost here and to you sir, we the people of Arkansas have this message, YOUR TEN MINUTES ARE UP!

Boozman going to Iraq - Hasn't Returned Money.

2005-12-26T10:46:00.000-08:00

Well John "STAND BY HIS MAN TOM DeLAY" Boozman is headed to Iraq. Its a good place to be, because its a nation where over 2,000 Americans died so the country can become a new ayatollah-run nation like Iran.

While Boozman goes there I wonder if he has answers to the troops about why he's gone soft in the War on Terror?

Boozman voted NO on supporting new position of Director of National Intelligence. (Dec 2004)

Any response, Congressman Boozman?

Also, when will you return the donations of the indicted felon and buddy Tom DeLay and his illicit payola scheme, ARMPAC?

Asa Supporters SCARED of Rockefeller Re-Emergence.

2005-12-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

Win Paul Rockefeller, Lt. Governor, son of Arkansas' first Republican Governor since Reconstruction, as well as scion of one of the wealthiest and influential families, generous philanthropist, benefactor to both the Boy Scouts of America, builder of an Academy in Little Rock for Downs Syndrome children, successful rancher and businessman, and recent bone cancer survivor.

Independent candidate for Governor???

It seems that Arkansas Republicans are extremely dissatisfied with a scandal ridden Asa Hutchinson, whose polling numbers keep slipping. They also see a potential landlside loss after Mike Huckabee was dealt a stunning double blow at the polls, this past Tuesday. The Republicans who have lost a Senate seat, U.S. House seat, and legislative seats since their high water mark in 1999, see the potential loss of the Governor and Lt. Governor's seats as too much to bear.

Rockefeller's campaign site, which had been taken down is suddenly back up in full force at Win Rockefeller for Governor. Also, the pro-Asa Hutchinson attack blogs, Arkansas Family Coalition and Arkansas Truth Blog are attacking former State Senator Doyle Webb, Rockefeller's Chief of Staff. Hutchinson was clearly the underdog to Rockefeller and many conservatives realize a Perot-like entry by Win Rockefeller, recently beating back cancer and refreshed, would cause the perfect storm in Arkansas politics, dividing the base and easily handing Mike Beebe , who should win a primary against Bill Halter, a win.

Arkansas' Will Rogers on Statewide Radio on Friday!

2005-12-15T08:04:00.000-08:00

TUNE IN FRIDAY MORNING to Arkansas' premier news source online, WAI RADIO , to hear Arkansas's very own Will Rogers speak and get grilled/interviewed by Arkansas' psuedo-liberal columnist (what few that are left) Pat Lynch. Marion Berry is one of the most colorful and entertaining Democrats in Arkansas history, as well as one of the legislative giants who needs to join the halls of Bumpers, Pryor, Fulbright, McClellan, Mills, and Trimble.

The last few days Pat Lynch has taken a leave of his senses considering some of his political stances and guests that he has had on his show. But as was the case thought once with Ebenezer Scrooge, we have diagnosed Pat Lynch's condition to be the result of a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of a potato not yet cooked well enough. We also think maybe the spirits of Sid McMath, J. William Fulbright, and Brooks Hays should pay Lyncho a Christmas Eve spirit to remind him of the true spirit of Arkansas liberalism.

Nonetheless tune in ONLINE to WAI Radio, Friday, December 16th, to hear Arkansas' very own Will Rogers, Congressman Marion Berry!

HAVE A COMMENT?

501-433-0924

877-433-0924

EMAIL YOUR OPINIONS OR COMMENTS TO PAT- PAT@WAIRADIO.COM

Tell Pat, that ole' Sid sent you!

Editorial Cartoon of the Week - ARKANSAS UNDER ASA HUTCHINSON AS GOVERNOR.

2005-12-15T07:49:00.000-08:00

Drug-Dealing, Contract Murder - aka Asa Hutchinson's good buddy!

2005-12-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

While perusing the endless supply of stories on why Asa Hutchinson should not be Governor of Arkansas, we came across this morning the fact that one of Asa's closest friends and protege is under investigation since early this spring for DRUG DEALING & CONTRACT MURDER!

The case of Ron Fields is very compelling. Now, we know that you cannot blame a person for who they hang around and mentor. After all, I was a mentor to Orval E. Faubus at one time. But this still does raise a disturbing question about Asa Hutchinson's fitness to serve as Governor.

Do we want a Governor where one of his closest buddies was dealing drugs - while Asa Hutchinson was D.E.A. Chief? I mean didn't Asa Hutchinson have a clue that his closest protege, Ron Fields, may have been a drug dealer? Of course, Asa Hutchinson prosecuted and persecuted a fellow Arkansan, who was a Democrat, for having an affair with an employee, while his brother was carrying on an affair with an employee. And the two, Asa & Tim, shared an apartment.

But drug dealing and even more disturbing .... a contract hit on another citizen. Fields is accused of the F.B.I. of ordering Jay C. Rider, then a Fort Smith police captain, to shoot a Fort Smith woman, Lori Murchison, in 1995.

This is not the first time Fields abused his power. In 2000, Fields was appointed special prosecutor to investigate allegations that Benton County Sheriff Andy Lee misspent funds and that Prosecuting Attorney Brad Butler ignored the allegations. Fields exonerated both men, but Butler ultimately resigned over ethical allegations. This is the same Andy Lee who later ran for U.S. Senate .... IN 2000!

So Asa Hutchinson boasts that he passes on traditional family values to his family.

His son, William Asa Hutchinson III, is arrested TWICE for D.W.I.'s in one year.

Now we see Asa Hutchinson was D.E.A. Chief and then UnderSecretary of the Department of Homeland Security and he has a protege accused of dealing drugs, accused or ordering the death of Americans, and manipulating the justice system to help out his fellow crony buddies.

Now we understand why Clint Reed, Chris Battle, and Chris Carnahan are assaulting Mike Beebe and other Democrats so harshly.

These Republican Arkansas Taliban guys are scary!

Flip-Flop Asa Hutchinson at it again!

2005-12-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

The Arkansas Minimum Wage Increase bill. In little over 24 hours, Asa "FLIP FLOP" Hutchinson supported, lied about voting for, and now opposes the Minimum Wage Increase for Arkansas. He also flipped flopped from the reasons FOR the Minimum Wage to some strawman logic why he is AGAINST the Minimum Wage Increase.

December 13th, Tuesday afternoon, A spokesman for Asa Hutchinson said: "Asa was asked about this at the Kiwanis Lunch today, in fact, so your asking is timely. Asa believes the federal minimum wage is overdue for an increase -- in fact, he voted for an increase to $6.15 in 2000 when he was in Congress. Arkansas should increase its minimum wage after the federal increase takes effect, to ensure that the state is economically competitive with other states."

December 13th, Tuesday evening, both McMath Democrats and the Arkansas Times broke the story that Asa Hutchinson LIED about voting for a Minimum Wage Increase, while a member of the U.S. Congress in 2000.

December 14th, Wednesday morning, Stephens Media now reports that Asa Hutchinson "supports" a Federal Minimum Wage, but opposes one for Arkansas.

Why doesn't this "contradict" the Republican policy of leaving it up the states?

Poor Asa Hutchinson .... he flip-flops more than Republicans claim John Kerry did!

Republican Party of Arkansas - "DO AS WE SAY, NOT AS WE DO." - says Remmel's Ghost

2005-12-15T06:22:00.000-08:00

Well the Republican Party of Arkansas has done it again. Some of their own members are not happy and I can understand why, because I'm not. As Clint Reed and his host of flying monkeys circle out from R.P.A. headquarters to torment everyday Arkansans, some traditional Arkansas Republicans are speaking out. In the "DOG" today was an interesting letter to the editor.

Is the state Republican Party being managed equitably ? After seeing the Pulaski County Republican Committee’s ad in a recent Maumelle Monitor and reading “Hopeful says GOP rules bent” in the Democrat-Gazette, I am concerned that party rules are being broken. I know that, according to the Republican Party’s rules, the ad was inappropriate and misleading. As stated in the Democrat-Gazette story, “Under the GOP’s rules, a host of party officials—the chairman, the national committeeman, the committeewoman, county chairmen, county election commissioners, county committees and state party employees—‘ shall not endorse or otherwise publicly show favoritism to one Republican candidate over another prior to the republican nominee being elected. ’ They may do so only in presidential primaries.” The Republican Party has long-standing rules that must be followed as they relate to party support. I would hope, as a Republican constituent, that the GOP would resolve this issue.

These present day varmints of the Republican Party of Arkansas continue to lie and harass Mike Beebe and other Democrats with nonsense. Chris Battle, Chris Carnahan, and the entire Hutchinson clan don't know how to win elections. Maybe it was all this ignorant foolishness and bitter jealousy that pained Win Paul Rockefeller so, that his cancer became more pronounced. Studies have shown that cancer is induced or reactivated by a considerable amount of stress.

Get well Win Paul, come home and clean house of the present vermin, so we can have a Republican Party of Arkansas to be proud of once more.

Pratt C. Remmel's "Ghost"

Oooo .... thats going to hurt!

2005-12-14T00:13:00.000-08:00

Question 1 - Highway Bonds (99% Reporting)

Yes, 44,624 - 40%

No, 67,400 - 60%

Question 2 - Education Bonds (99% Reporting)

Yes, 55,701 - 50%

No, 56,408 - 50%

So sorry about that loss there Governor, but you know you should have gotten my advice. After all, Sid McMath actually got a Highway Bond passed. Yeah, I know you might like to think you got one passed in 1999, but that really was the Jim Guy Tucker plan, you just reworked and got the State Legislature to help you pass. Also, you should never try to take the voters right to vote away .... they don't like it. One more thing, since you like being in airplanes a lot these days, maybe you should become a pilot. I hear that Southwest Airlines is always hiring! Sid

Asa Hutchinson caught lying.

2005-12-13T23:48:00.000-08:00

They say that George Washington couldn't tell a lie.

Well in his mad dash to try to gain votes, Asa Hutchinson can't tell the truth.

On the subject of the Minimum Wage, Chris Battle or one of his fellow flying monkeys was asked about their candidates views on raising the minimum wage. A spokesman for Asa Hutchinson said: "Asa was asked about this at the Kiwanis Lunch today, in fact, so your asking is timely. Asa believes the federal minimum wage is overdue for an increase -- in fact, he voted for an increase to $6.15 in 2000 when he was in Congress. Arkansas should increase its minimum wage after the federal increase takes effect, to ensure that the state is economically competitive with other states.

Yet according to Congressional Quarterly on Asa Hutchinson's congressional votes in 2000. Twice, on votes to raise the minimum wage by $1 over two years, Hutchinson voted "no," what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to decieve.

However, this is the same Asa Hutchinson who spent millions of dollars investigating whether the President had an illicit affair or not, while he shared a D.C. apartment with a brother who was having an illicit affair with a staffer.

This is also the same Hutchinson who talks about family values and has a son arrested TWICE in one year for DWI's.

This is the same Hutchinson who screams loud about Eminent Domain and government intrusion yet is on record as DEA Head that he wants to take away your right to eat Doritos!

Wealth of Talent v. Retreads

2005-12-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

The Democrats of Arkansas are very lucky. We have a wealth of talent in every single one of our races. The Republicans of Arkansas have had to turn to a bunch of misfits and retreads to try to win in 2006.

They're leading candidate for Governor has run statewide twice, in 1986 & 1990. Both times he got handily defeated.

They're two leading candidates for Lt. Governor is a man who last ran in 1982 and got thumped for Congress and a State Senator who ran on one issue and got easily beat .... even with Saint George W. on the ticket. The third guy is some guy who says he serves in the State House. Really, now, well we and most of Arkansas has never heard of you. So guess you haven't been THAT effective!

Then they have a guy who lost an open seat for U.S. Congress....Gunner DeLay. He wanted to join his cousin Tom DeLay in Congress, but the voters thought otherwise. Now he wants to be our Attorney General. Yeah .... putting Tom DeLay's cousin as our chief law endforcement officer.

So what is this talent we have to offer for office?

MIKE BEEBE A respected former member of the Arkansas State Senate for twenty years, in 2002, Mike Beebe ran for Arkansas Attorney General unopposed. In fact, 2006 will be the first time in twenty-four years that Beebe has faced an opponent. In the State Senate, Beebe was a champion of both the small businesses, industrial development, and the labor work force in Arkansas. He has also been a leader for many progressive groups. If there is one person who works hard at uniting all groups together, its Mike Beebe.

BILL HALTER A fourth generation Arkansan, Bill Halter has a unique combination of public and private sector leadership experience and a track record of success that will serve our state well. Nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate in 1999, Halter served as the Deputy Commissioner and later as Acting Commissioner of Social Security. Prior to this, he was an Economist for the Joint Economic Committee of the United States Congress and Chief Economist for the United States Senate.

Thats our wealth of talent for Governor.

MIKE HATHORN Born and raised on a beef and poultry farm in rural Madison County, Mike obtained his B.A. and law degrees from the University of Arkansas and spent his summers working on the staff of U.S. Senator David Pryor. Hathorn is a practicing attorney with the law firm of Wilson & Associates, at their Fayetteville office. From 1998-2004, Hathorn served in the Arkansas House, where he represented all of Madison and Newton and parts of Searcy, Pope, and Van Buren Counties. In 2001, Hathorn was the Democratic nominee for Congress.

JAY MARTIN In 2002, Martin entered the first political campaign of his life, winning election to the Arkansas House from North Little Rock. As State Representative, Martin has served on the Children & Youth, Aging, Legislative and Military Affairs Committees. Elected majority leader in 2004, Representative Martin worked to help develop the LEAD Arkansas Plan. This plan focused on Lower Health Care Costs, Early Childhood Education, Accountability in State Government, and Decreased Crime and Repeat Offense Rates.

DREW PRITT A political consultant, Pritt worked as a Field Coordinator for retired General Wesley K. Clark in his Presidential campaign, as well as a paid staffer/consultant for thirty other campaigns on the local, state, and national level. If elected, he will be the first openly-gay person to serve in office in Arkansas. Pritt is the only non-legislator in the Democratic side but has distinguished himself with issues prominently like opposition to the Highway Bonds & support for a Minimum Wage Increase.

TIM WOOLDRIDGE This State Senator hails from Paragould, up in northeast Arkansas, in Greene County. This is the same county that gave Arkansas, Jimmie Lou Fisher. Now this fundraiser for the Methodist Church hopes that lucks holds out for him. Wooldridge comes to this race with a larger amount of experience in politics than his opponents combined having served on the Paragould City Council from 1985 - 1990 before his election to the Arkansas House of Representatives. After 8 years in the House, he was elected to the State Senate.

Thats all the ones who want to be Lt. Governor.

ROBERT HERZFELD In November 2002, Herzfeld defeated a three-term Republican incumbent to become the Saline County Prosecuting Attorney. He is the state’s youngest Prosecuting Attorney. Herzfeld is responsible for the prosecution of more than 1,000 felony cases and 30,000 misdemeanor and traffic offenses each year. Prior to being elected Prosecutor, Herzfeld was a partner with the law firm of Lovell, Nalley, Herzfeld & Payne.

DUSTIN McDANIEL He is a State Representative, representing District 75 in Jonesboro. He was named as one of the “10 Best Legislators” in 2005 by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. In the 85th General Assembly, he introduced a bill to create “Arkansas Rx”, which made prescription medication more affordable for over 400,000 Arkansans. Dustin is a law partner in the firm of McDaniel and Wells in Jonesboro. Right out of college, Dustin turned down admission to law school in order to become a uniformed patrol officer for the Jonesboro Police Department.

PAUL SUSKIE is currently the City Attorney for North Little Rock. He is a Major in the Arkansas National Guard JAG Corp, returning recently from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He worked in both the Washington and Little Rock offices of U. S. Senator David Pryor and he started his legal career in the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office under Winston Bryant. Paul served as Assistant City Attorney prior to becoming City Attorney in an election that made him the youngest person elected to that position in North Little Rock history.

Those three men wish to serve as the next Attorney General.

Also it should be noted that the Republicans are currently not contesting the State Auditor, Land Commissioner, or State Treasurer' office. However, we currently have three strong Democrats running for State Treasurer.

MAC CAMPBELL He served as an intern for Senator David Pryor and as legal assistant for Senator Blanche Lincoln. He was one of the advisors to the Senate Finance Committee. He's a life member of the Arkansas Pioneer's Association.

DON HOUSE House was raised on small family farm in Lawrence County. For 21 years House has owned and operated his own businesses. Aside from being a Walnut Ridge business owner, served three terms in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2004 before being term-limited. House served as Chairman of the First District of Arkansas Legislators, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Highways and Motor Vehicles and Vice-Chairman of the Transportation Committee.

MARTHA SHOFFNER She was born and grew up in Jackson County. Shoffner served as Assistant Auditor of State. This position enabled her to work closely with state agencies, state legislators, and other constitutional officers. In 1996, Shoffner was elected to the State House of Representatives, serving till 2002, when she ran a strong race for Arkansas State Auditor. During her three terms as State Representative, she served as Chairman of the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee, and also served as a member of the Joint Budget Committee and the Joint Committee on Retirement and Social Security.

What a tremendous amount of energy, experience, and talent - ALL in the ARKANSAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

The alternative is a guy running for Governor who attempted to prosecute one Arkansan for having an affair with an aide, while his brother (who he shared an apartment with at the same time) was having an affair with an aide. The guys running for Lt. Governor are a guy who the last time his name was on a ballot was in Ronald Reagan's first term, and he got shellacked two to one. Theres a State Senator who has made putting his foot in his mouth a statewide pasttime. And a State Legislator who very few seem to know or even care about. Then they have a Baptist minister running for Secretary of State. A Republican Baptist minister in state government .... one Huckabee is enough for a lifetime. Finally rounding out the sorry lot is the cousin of Tom DeLay, who was a State Senator. Why Tom DeLay's cousin wants to be the state's chief law enforcement officer is beyond us.

But seeing how weak the Republican bench is and how strong and deep the Democratic bench is, we understand why the Republicans are attacking us so much.

Isn't Jealousy one of the deadly sins?

Asa Hutchinson's Values

2005-12-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

On the subject of the idiocy of the Republicans, they took issue with how we haven't attacked Asa enough. Oh okay, we can continue and satisfy your self-flogging desire to point out one of Asa's MANY foibles. Do you drink beer or coffee? Eat corn chips or snack bars? Then you could be a closet junkie! The Pittsburgh Post Gazette recently turned up an interesting tidbit buried deep in the Federal Register, which indicates just how far conservatives will go to fight their ridiculous war on drugs. The Drug Enforcement Agency, headed by former GOP congressman Asa Hutchinson, has announced that it will take steps to ban certain brands of a wide variety of foods because they contain hempseed oil, and thus trace elements of THC.

THC, in case you didn't know, is the evil substance which turns straight-laced, productive members of society into wild-eyed, crazy swingers who party till dawn to the sound of the jungle drums and engage in all-night orgies with multiple partners of either sex. Or something like that. So no more tortilla chips for you, stoner boy!

But what the DEA don't realize is that this ban will only serve to drive snack-food addicts onto the streets, traveling to seedy neighborhoods and selling their bodies for just one more hit of those sweet, sweet Doritos. Of course, all joking aside, the real irony is that you could smoke a pound of top-drawer Amsterdam Skunk and still be less paranoid than Asa Hutchinson.

Democratic Feuds vs. Republican Feuds

2005-12-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

Okay .... okay there has been a lot of talk lately about a feud that supposedly is brewing in the Democratic Party of Arkansas. This weekend at the State Committee meeting, Bill Halter, who is "exploring" a bid for Governor was not afforded a chance to speak. Well Mr. Halter was not around but was after all given a chance to speak. Another D.C.-based candidate, Mac Campbell, spoke at our last State Committee Meeting. Was there any doubt that Halter would be allowed to speak?

But, the Republicans in this state are jumping all over themselves to talk about some serious split in our family that we call the Democrats.

Family's fight ... thats what we do. I like to think the Arkansas Democrats if they are a family are like the Keatons from Family Ties. I mean our party is very diverse like the Keatons. We all disagree, sometimes very strongly, but we are strong and come together. In the end we all are looking out for one another and have the best interests at heart. Like the Keatons, the Democrats are diverse but have someone everyone can identify with in the end.

Then there is the Arkansas Republican Party.

But perusing our files we found this interesting story from 1999. Notice some of the same mischief makers then are still doing their mischief now. Incidentally that same Hutchinson who committed the affairs after running a "Family Values" campaign is the older brother of the guy who the Republicans want to be our next Governor, another "Family Values" candidate.

We can only think of another t.v. show family from the era of the Keaton's, Dynasty's Carrington-Colby family. See the Republicans are like them in the fact that all their candidates are pictures of white-bread, 1950's, Leave it to Beaver Americana. The problem is, they are sneaky, backstabbing, vicious, and will use any dirty trick available to get ahead.

Sheffield Nelson v. Tommy Robinson, Dan "Let me beat up my wife with a baseball bat" Ivy, Sheffield Nelson v. Steve Luelf, Mike Huckabee v. David Busby, John "Takes money from indicted yet not convicted Tom DeLay" Boozman v. Gunner "Cousin of indicted not yet convicted Tom" DeLay, and who can forget Tim Hutchinson v. Jim Bob Duggar. It was too easy to say something about either one of them.

So there it is Arkansas, do you want the Keatons or do you want the Carrington-Colbys? Blue Jeans v. Blue Bloods, or better yet, Sam's Clubs v. Country Clubs.

Game Time at McMath Democrats

2005-12-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

NoName was back putting obscenities and lies in his postings and going into psychotic fits that this is Drew Pritt. So I moderated him, the internets version of neutering.

ProudConservative, NoName, TheTruth, RealityCheck .... is it just me or do these sound like pseudo-political rejects from a Dick Tracy Movie?

So here's the Game of the Week at McMath Democrats. Can you match which of the names above matches with

Chris Battle, Chris Carnahan, Ted Thomas, Bob Brooks, Mark Meyers, David Olive and state Rep. Michael Lamoureux of Russellville. Oh, and this other fellow: State Rep. Jeremy Hutchinson?????

Half & Half with David Sanders

2005-12-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

As we enjoyed our morning cup of Java and perused the newspapers online for the latest example of Republicans falling over themselves in Arkansas, we didn't have to look far then our very own David J. Sanders.

Sanders is a unique individual ... an odd duck indeed. Why this is a man prone to show up at press conferences dressed like The Maverick with the red vest and black waist coat. Also he has a popular picture of himself that surfs the web with a shirt that is Communist Red but bears a blackened engraved image of Ronald Reagan. Funny that the Republicans of today clamor to be red, the same color of communism and that they villified. Also we know Republicans like to mix religion with politics but when the use of religious iconary blends with politicians isn't it time to take a break? Sanders also went to Ouachita Baptist University and worked for such luminaries as Mike Huckabee and then press secretary for the late Dr. Fay Boozman in his 1998 U.S. Senate race. That was the Senate race when Dr. Boozman actually claimed a woman who is being raped is shielded from getting pregnant. Uh huh .... yeah! But then Sanders writes a glowing and oddly kind commentary on Drew Pritt, one of the Dems running for Lite Guv and who is both openly gay and proudly liberal.

So in the strange dychotamy that is David Sander's mind, why are we not shocked to see that he attacks Mike Beebe with vigor, and yet this White Knight of the Republican Right fails to say anything about Mike Huckabee's continued struggle with ethics.

Okay shame on you Mike Beebe staffers. You guys did a bad thing and a good sign of character is that Mike Beebe's campaign manager owned up to the deal and took responsibility.

As you point out, Arkansas Code Section (a)(3) states: "It shall be unlawful for any public servant ... to use any office or room furnished at public expense to distribute any letters, circulars, or other campaign materials unless such office or room is regularly used by members of the public for such purposes without regard to political affiliation. It shall further be unlawful for any public servant to use for campaign purposes any item of personal property provided with public funds."
So .... David, what about your guy, Mike Huckabee? I mean, aside from the current four violations that he and his staff are under investigation for, there was that celebrated trip to New Hampshire that the Governor and you took in the state-owned airplane. Something tells me plane fuel, landing rights, food, and other expenses incurred from Little Rock to Manchester and back costs the Arkansas taxpayer a lot more than an aide sitting at a computer typing out some politico's speech. David we know by the way you dress that you like to travel well and so does the Governor. Was Don Tyson or the Stephen's not willing to loan one of their corporate planes? Thats how Bill Clinton did it. Why did you guys go off on an Arkansas version of "Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure" and bilk the taxpayer's money, yet you make a lot out of a Beebe aide typing some sentences on a computer. I mean come on, you know your colleagues well. When John Brummett and Warwick Sabin are on the same page about an issue, theres something to it. Sanders you clearly are aiming for a OSTRICH AWARD, although we are sure the Republicans in this state will give you stiff competition. I mean everytime Clint Reed opens his mouth .... well you'd think he was a stunt double for Jim Holt! You know Sanders, you should get Keanu Reeves to play you in Arkansas Media Girl's movie .... because that picture looks an awful lot like you and the Governor in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Who am I? Why am I Here?

2005-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

"Who am I? Why am I here?" A good and bravy Navy man, the late Admiral James Stockdale, once said those words in a political debate. We notice this morning grumblings from the neo-cons on Arkansas Times blog as well as our very own. They like to guess we are Bill Halter, the DPA Staff, or Drew Pritt - one of the Democrats running for Lite Guv.

We removed the post in question not because it mentioned Pritt but because it had obscenities. Really, where in bible camp did you all learn to talk that way?

All this is done under posting by psuedonyms or just blanket anonymous posts. But thats the Republican mindset - something for nothing. After all the Governor wants better roads and better colleges without providing the means to pay for it. Like a typical "Blue Dog - Country Club" Republican, Mike Huckabee says, "CHARGE IT" When "I" was Governor we passed a bond for roads but the economy was stronger, the upgrades and repairs were needed, and we knew we could pay the bonds off in a short amount of time. We at McMath Democrats are "Blue Jeans - Sam's Club" Democrats. We use common sense not political expiediency.

No, this blog is not who you think it is, dear conservatives. But we did borrow one more tactic from your playbook. We are seeking and recruiting progressive writers to post to McMath Democrats. Their anonimity will be kept as only I, Sid, will know who they are in the end. I have asked them to post under a historical figure. The way we won World War Two was we took the fight to the Japanese and didn't stop. The same strategy will be here because we will continue to shed light on the Republican Hypocrisies as they mount daily. In the end we think Arkansans identify more with the Blue Jeans-Sam's Club approach!

OSTRICH AWARD for the WEEK - Arkansas Republican Partisans

2005-12-12T01:26:00.000-08:00

Here at McMath Democrats we are instituting an Ostrich Award every week to the political figures/operatives who bury their head in the sand. We came up with this idea because this site was barely a few hours old when some Republican operative posted and attacked a fellow Democrat.

We think Jack Nicholson's monologue from A FEW GOOD MEN best describes the state of affairs for the Arkansas Republican Party. After all their two main attack blogs are ARKANSAS TRUTH BLOG a sorry neo-fascist rag that bears very little truth but a whole lot of political attacks on Democrats. When we desired to express our opinions to them (since we tracked back by technology to their site) we received the following message when commenting :

Comment moderation has been enabled. All comments must be approved by the blog author.

Well bless my soul .... apparently the TRUTH BLOG has to determine what is truth and what is not before they allow it to be seen by their readers. So we felt much obliged to render the same treatment to their post.

Also, be aware at the other site of lies ... I mean spin ... I mean distortion ... err we mean "discussion" we have the as reported far right Arkansas Family Coalition Blog. Funny that the candidate they tout at the Arkansas Family Coalition they already delete the statements made that they don't like.

Since the authors of these people use the names TRUTH and ARKANSAS FAMILY, it may interest you, as it does us here at McMath Democrats why the author of those blogs goes by the name "Proud Conservative" since the definition of a conservative is restrained in style, moderate, and cautious while the definition of proud is Filled with or showing excessive self-esteem. Oh well its the continued HYPOCRISY (The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness) that we are documenting here at McMath Democrats.

So in honor of "THE TRUTH...THE TRUTH...YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" and our first Ostrich Award we gladly bestow this honor upon the Arkansas Republican Partisans.

"The bastards know they've been in a fight. You have to let them know you're not afraid to leave your blood on the courtroom floor. I've left a lot of blood on the courtroom floor." - Sid McMath

Come On Asa!

2005-12-11T23:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Secretary Hutchinson .... (we remember when you just wanted to be called Asa),

When you came before the body of the United States of America as an impeachment manager you said, "Mr. Chief Justice, senators, I'm Asa Hutchinson, a member of Congress from the Third Congressional District of Arkansas. I'm grateful for this opportunity, although it is -- comes with deep regret to be before you....This is certainly a humbling experience for a small town lawyer. I learned to love and to respect the law trying cases in the courtrooms of rural Arkansas. And the scene is different in this setting, in this historic chamber with the Chief Justice presiding and senators sitting as jurors. But what is at stake remains the same. In every case heard in every courtroom across this great country, it is the truth, it is justice, it is the law that are at stake. In this journey on Earth, there is nothing of greater consequence for us to devote our energies than to search for the truth, to pursue equal justice and to uphold the law.It is for those reasons that I serve as a manager. And as you, I hope that I can help in some way bring this matter to a conclusion for our country."

However, Congressmen Asa Hutchinson demanded a face-to-face personal interview with Monica Lewisky. When Lewinsky refused to meet with them, he asked Ken Starr to file a motion with Judge Norma Holloway Johnson demanding that Lewinsky meet with them, or else forfeit her immunity from prosecution. Ken Starr was clearly wrong in asking Judge Johnson for such an order, because Ken Starr is supposedly an independent prosecutor of crimes. Ken Starr’s legal mandate did not cover impeachement proceedings. Also, Judge Norma Holloway Johnson was clearly wrong in ordering Lewinsky to “cooperate” with Congressmen Asa Hutchinson, because the deal Lewinsky made with Starr was to testify when called a witness. She never agreed to meet privately with third parties, such as House Manager Asa Hutchinson.

So Asa, come on, you said In every case heard in every courtroom across this great country, it is the truth, it is justice, it is the law that are at stake. but then you did the complete opposite.

How is it the law, or the truth, or justice when you circumvent the law, distort the truth, and prevent justice from happening just to get your way? As our next Governor does this mean that you will pick and choose which rights to protect and which not to protect?

You went onto say as House Impeachment Manager, "Let me first say, it is not a crime nor an impeachable offense to engage in inappropriate personal conduct. Nor is it a crime to obstruct or conceal personal, embarrassing facts or relationships. It might be offensive, but there are no constitutional consequences."

Huh, did you suddenly come to this understanding because your brother, Tim, who you shared an apartment with in D.C. was having an illicit affair with Randi Fredholm. Wasn't your brother a former Baptist preacher who ran as a "family values" conservative in 1996? Since you, as Congressman, were unable to outflank President Clinton on legitimate public issues, didn't you turn his sexual sins into a theatrical spectacle. Since you shared an apartment with Tim during this affair, you should know some answers to questions many Arkansans want to know. Did Randi get promotions others deserved? Pay raises she didn't earn? Was public money spent wooing her? Was she taken on junkets? Treated to expensive dinners? Republicans are always eager to talk about "character" when they mean sex. A spineless hypocrite, Hutchinson cast the first stone, then ran away.

You also say on your website the following little ditty :

"Asa has throughout his life sought to give something back to the communities that helped shape his values and teach him about the important things in life. He and his wife Susan have passed on those same values to their four children, who now have children of their own."

Did you remember those values in February 2001 when :
William Asa Hutchinson III, son of Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR) was arrested on his second DUI in five years after getting caught driving 80 MPH in a 60 MPH zone. Hutchinson, 25, is chairman of the Pulaski County Young Republicans.

Another proud moment for the Hutchinson Family.

"The bastards know they've been in a fight. You have to let them know you're not afraid to leave your blood on the courtroom floor. I've left a lot of blood on the courtroom floor." - Sid McMath

Guess What Guv?

2005-12-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

Guess What Governor .... the ultra-right wing blog for the Republicans that calls itself the Arkansas Family Coalition Blog had a poll on your Bond Proposals.

The poll was not necessarily the result you want to hear.

In fact the poll results were rather disappointing. In fact, 62% of the respondents, which are your supporters said NO to Ballot Question Number One.

Governor, I know what will make you feel better. Lets gas up the state-owned plane and fly to New Hampshire to campaign on the taxpayer's dime. We can get some Taco Bell along the way.

"The bastards know they've been in a fight. You have to let them know you're not afraid to leave your blood on the courtroom floor. I've left a lot of blood on the courtroom floor." - Sid McMath

Give it Back .... Boozman

2005-12-11T21:33:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is a no-brainer, for someone with common sense and who is in politics to serve the people not themselves. NOT JOHN BOOZMAN.

FROM THE ARKANSAS NEWS BUREAU

Congressman John Boozman, R-Rogers, on Friday rejected demands by the Democratic Party of Arkansas that he return $15,000 he has received in campaign donations from indicted Rep. Tom DeLay.

Boozman said he would return the funds if DeLay, the former House majority leader, is convicted.

"Tom DeLay is not a criminal," Boozman said. "Congressman DeLay was indicted, but he hasn't been conviced of anything. If he were convicted then I would return it."

Okay John, stop mincing words. The man has been indicted. Don't you think the right thing to do is return the money? After all, if Tom DeLay is so innocent, won't he refund the money back to you again if he gets off these charges?

On Wednesday, A Texas grand jury indicted DeLay and two associates on charges of criminal conspiracy to violate campaign finance laws in connection with a plan to help Republicans win control of the Texas House in the 2002 elections.

Boozman received $15,000 in three campaign donations from DeLay's political action committee, Americans for a Republican Majority, in October 2001, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/10/01/WashingtonDCBureau/329217.html

Do you wonder who in Congress got what from ARMPAC?

http://www.ourfuture.org/issues_and_campaigns/accountablecongress/delay/money9.cfm

WELL Congressman Boozman, since you have always been proud and touted that you signed the National Taxpayer Pledge, we here in Arkansas have a more prevalent pledge that we challenge you to sign.

I ,____________, pledge to the taxpayers and voters of the _____ district of the State of _________ and to the American People that I will:

ONE, return any money from any contributor that is either convicted or suspected of having obtained these funds through illegal and/or illicit means; and

TWO, support any attempts to curb the influence of special interest money in the political process.

__________________________ Signed			__________________________ Date
__________________________ Witness			__________________________ Witness

Should you not wish to sign the pledge we have various of other choices we could turn to in 2006 at the ballot box.

Randy Laverty

Ed Wilkinson

Monty Davenport

These are proven legislators who have demonstrated they put the people's interests before their own. Also, if any of them was matched up against you, they could defeat you.

But maybe our wealth of talent extends beyond incumbent legislators. How about those who know what its like to run in the 3rd District?

* Ann Henry
* Berta Seitz
* Mike Hathorn
* Jan Judy
* Jo Carson

And if we need to theres a wealth of talent we can encourage of those who could win but haven't run yet people like :

* Jon Fitch
* Don Elkins
* Mac Campbell

Finally for voters in the 3rd District, theres always OUR Nuclear Option. See there is this bright young man who has a future in Arkansas politics. In a short amount of time he's raised a lot of money. He knows his way around Washington, D.C. and easily could wield more influence as a freshman than you can as a three term incumbent. He is a little misdirected in wanting to run for an office where we already have a qualified candidate to defeat your predecessor, so we might want to encourage him to run against you. I think you know who we mean, so meet the face of the man who could, and would, defeat you!

The moral of the story is this about the $15,000 - GIVE IT BACK ... BOOZMAN!

"The bastards know they've been in a fight. You have to let them know you're not afraid to leave your blood on the courtroom floor. I've left a lot of blood on the courtroom floor." - Sid McMath

About Us

2005-12-11T21:05:00.000-08:00

Sid McMath was clearly one of the best Governor that Arkansas ever had. He was a populist and liberal before it was popular. As Governor, and in defiance of his state's political establishment, he championed rapid extension of rural electric power, massive highway and school construction, the building of the University of Arkansas for Medical Services, strict bank and utility regulation, repeal of the poll tax, open, fair, and honest elections and broad expansion of opportunity for all of Arkansas' African-American citizens in the decade following World War Two. Plus he remained loyal to the party when others tried to bolt in 1948. In the words of David Pryor, "He (Sid McMath) was the best friend that Arkansas ever had."

A key to McMath's ultimate legacy may be found in the memory of those who knew him, if only for a time. "You always left Sid McMath with the feeling, not that you had been with someone important, but that you were important, that your life had been uplifted," Arkansas Circuit Judge John Norman Harkey has said of McMath. "Sid took your cares away. He refreshed your spirit. No matter how down you were before, he made you want to charge back into the battle, but with a smile, knowing, by gosh, we can really win this thing. And we did win." But, of course, McMath did not always win. A stock remark he would offer following a loss was, "The bastards know they've been in a fight. You have to let them know you're not afraid to leave your blood on the courtroom floor. I've left a lot of blood on the courtroom floor."

Our blog will try to emulate that spirit.

The reason we started this blog is because of the dirty tricks by the Republicans.

Our first Senate party leader in 52 years was ousted when South Dakota Republican John Thune defeated top Senate Democrat Tom Daschle. While more than $40 million was spent in the race, saturating the airwaves with advertising, a potentially more intriguing front was also opened.
The two leading South Dakota blogs– websites full of informal analysis, opinions and links – were authored by paid advisers to Thune’s campaign.

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader and the National Journal first cited Federal Election Commission documents showing that Jon Lauck, of Daschle v Thune, and Jason Van Beek, of South Dakota Politics, were advisers to the Thune campaign. The documents, also obtained by CBS News, show that in June and October the Thune campaign paid Lauck $27,000 and Van Beek $8,000. Lauck had also worked on Thune’s 2002 congressional race. Both blogs favored Thune, but neither gave any disclaimer during the election that the authors were on the payroll of the Republican candidate.

Then we found out the Republicans in this state were doing the same thing, or planning to do so.

John Brummett points out in this article that this is a concerted effort by the Arkansas GOP.

http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2005/11/05/JohnBrummett/330542.html

Its all the strategy of Chris Battle, as Brummett points out "an e-mail sent in May by Chris Battle, erstwhile right-wing editorialist for the Little Rock daily newspaper and now campaign manager for Asa Hutchinson. The e-mail urged Hutchinson supporters to start Web logs. The declared point was to use the mad, mad world of the Internet to supplement Hutchinson's campaign and either bypass or influence the mainstream media...the recipients included such usual Arkansas Republican operatives as Chris Carnahan, Ted Thomas, Bob Brooks, Mark Meyers, David Olive and state Rep. Michael Lamoureux of Russellville. Oh, and this other fellow: State Rep. Jeremy Hutchinson of Little Rock. That's Tim's boy, Asa's nephew."

Interesting isn't it?

Moreover, the Arkansas Democratic Party has an excellent blog on it's website at :

http://www.arkdems.org/Weblogs/

We are just taking Chris Battle's advice, only for the Democrats, and starting this blog.

Have fun!

"The bastards know they've been in a fight. You have to let them know you're not afraid to leave your blood on the courtroom floor. I've left a lot of blood on the courtroom floor." - Sid McMath