Indeed, I think Asa could have won, but I think he was hoping to be the Secretary of Homeland Security. Now that he isn't going to be, he will run.
He essentially said that he was gonna run for sure before Kerik exploded, then he backed off, but now that Chertoff has the job and not him, I'm pretty sure he's gonna run.
Asa is a terrible candidate, of course he is probably the strongest going into the primary. I say he is a terrible candidate because I can't think of a positive thing he's done since he was in Washington.
As head of the DEA, nothing was accomplished. Then as number 2 in Homeland Security in charge of the borders....well we all know how well that has gone. He got passed over for the top job so he's back in Arkansas trying to keep himself in the limelight.
On the face of it he's stronger just because of his 3rd district ties and that's the vast majority of our state's GOP voters. But Win Rock has made in-roads into the established 3rd district wing and he'll do well come next May.