Posted on 08/27/2002 12:08:38 PM PDT by missanne
Clinton brings out state party faithful to cheer candidates BY SETH BLOMELEY ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
WEST MEMPHIS — Former President Clinton, stumping Monday for Jimmie Lou Fisher and other Democratic candidates, described the Republican Party as based on "ideology and resentment." Democrats, he said, "govern on evidence and argument."
"[The Republicans] spent $70 million of your tax money to prove I was a sinner," Clinton said. "You could have told them that for free."
Clinton, who governed Arkansas 12 years, was alluding to an independent counsel investigation of business deals and other matters concerning Clinton, including his sexual relationship with White House aide Monica Lewinsky.
Clinton is taking a role in this year’s Arkansas governor’s race on behalf of Fisher, who is challenging Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican. Earlier this summer Clinton appeared at fundraisers for her in Little Rock and in Washington.
Monday night he was to appear at a fund-raiser in Memphis for U.S. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., who is seeking re-election this year in eastern Arkansas’ 1 st District.
The election is Nov. 5. Fisher noted she was speaking in an area served by the federal Delta Regional Authority. Huckabee last week refused to release documents showing how he recommended projects for funding from the authority.
"He chose who would get that money behind closed doors," Fisher, the state treasurer, said of Huckabee. "No more. The stop sign will come off the door [if she’s elected]. We’re not going to be led by an ethically challenged governor."
Clinton spoke of his governorship of Arkansas in the 1980s, which he said helped Arkansas out of a recession "Jimmie Lou Fisher was part of what we did," Clinton said. Noting that several years have passed since then, he said, "I think she’s got her groove back."
State Rep. Steve Jones, D-Marion, master of ceremonies for the event, said people ask why he still calls Clinton "president."
"I think he’s still the president until we elect and swear in a new one," Jones said to cheers from the 400 or so Democrats attending.
Adrienne Elrod, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said she was hoping for more people at the West Memphis Civic Auditorium, which holds 1,100 people. But Elrod said the 4:30 p.m. scheduled starting time may have proved inconvenient for people getting off work. She said the party was accommodating the only time Clinton could travel to West Memphis.
Clinton also commented on other Arkansas races. Of the secretary of state’s race between Land Commissioner Charlie Daniels and first lady Janet Huckabee, he said, "Generally, I like it when a woman gets elected, but I think I’ll make an exception this time."
Clinton also criticized U.S. Sen. Tim Hutchinson, R-Ark., who is facing a challenge from state Attorney General Mark Pryor. Clinton said Hutchinson voted against his budget plan in 1993 and against the family leave act.
He said nothing about Berry’s opponent, Tommy Robinson of Brinkley. Robinson, interviewed earlier Monday, attributed Clinton’s visit for Berry to a political race 12 years ago.
"Bill Clinton will use everything in his power to try to beat me over the 1990 governor’s race," Robinson said. Robinson ran for the Republican nomination for governor in 1990 against Sheffield Nelson of Little Rock. Robinson at that time was a sitting congressman in central Arkansas’ 2nd District and had recently switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. Robinson has blamed Democratic crossover votes instigated by Clinton for his loss in the Republican primary for governor.
Berry said the 1990 governor’s race has nothing to do with this year’s campaign.
"I’ve known President Clinton since 1976," said Berry, a former White House aide for Clinton on agricultural issues. "I have never known him to be vindictive. I’ve worked for him. I’ve worked with him. I’ve known him to do very generous things he absolutely didn’t have to do. This campaign is about the future of Arkansas and the 1 st Congressional District."
Robinson further alleged that he quit as Clinton’s director of the Department of Public Safety in 1980 because Clinton ordered him to halt criminal investigations, including one against the governor’s brother, Roger Clinton.
"He told me not to proceed, and I told him to stick it up his ass and I quit," Robinson said. "He is the most sleazy and immoral and unethical person that has ever served as governor of this state or president of the United States."
Roger Clinton was later convicted of federal drug crimes, and the late Tommy Goodwin, who was Clinton’s state police director in the 1980s, once said that Clinton told him to handle his brother’s case like any other.
The former president did not meet with news media in West Memphis, and his response to Robinson’s allegations could not be obtained Monday.
Robinson also alleged that state Democratic Chairman Ron Oliver of North Little Rock, who owns a bail bonding company and called Robinson a "goofball" on Saturday, is out to get him.
"We would not steer bail bondsman business his way," said Robinson, Pulaski County sheriff from 1981 to 1984. Oliver responded, "I wasn’t in the bail bondsman business when Tommy was sheriff. I started in 1989."
After the West Memphis rally, Berry and Clinton were to head to Felicia Suzanne’s restaurant in Memphis for a fund-raiser expected to net about $150,000. Berry said he’s friends with U.S. Reps. Harold Ford Jr. and John Tanner, both Tennessee Democrats. Berry said they offered to help in his campaign against Robinson. The owner of the restaurant, Felicia Willett, is a longtime Berry friend and supporter.
Berry said Clinton’s visit came about after a phone conversation they had shortly after Memorial Day. He said Clinton wanted to help him and other Democrats from Arkansas.
"His opinion still carries a lot of weight in the 1 st Congressional District," Berry said.
But Pryor, the Democratic candidate in the most-watched race in Arkansas this year, wasn’t at the event. His father, former U.S. Sen. David Pryor, D-Ark., told the crowd his son was "in debate preparation."
Candidates Pryor and Hutchinson will debate today at 7 p.m. in Conway. KATV, Channel 7 in Little Rock and other ABC affiliates in Arkansas will televise the debate, and the Arkansas Radio Network will broadcast it.
This story was published Tuesday, August 27, 2002 E-mail this article Printer-friendly version
Seems to me she agreed to be led on stage by one ex-sleezebag governor.
"He told me not to proceed, and I told him to stick it up his ass and I quit," Robinson said. "He is the most sleazy and immoral and unethical person that has ever served as governor of this state or president of the United States."
Gotta love that TR. Even if the GOP lost the HOR and more of the Senate, if Tommy Robinson won I would be ecstatic.
Oh please....like his supporters work.
"They were out to get me" will always be the story of this sad, sad, sad, lonely...gulp...person.
Prayer sent out for Tim Hutchinson!
FMOKM
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