Win Rockefeller Undecided About Running Against Sen. Linocln In Arkansas

The Hill ^ | September 9, 2003 | The Hill

[Pubbie]

Arkansas. Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller, who may represent Republicans’ second-best chance of defeating Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln next year, still cannot make up his mind about whether to launch a Senate bid.

Gov. Mike Huckabee, who had been touted by Republicans as their lead candidate to challenge Lincoln until he bowed out last month, recently threw his support behind Rockefeller. But Rockefeller has yet to say what his plans are.

“The lieutenant governor is honored by the governor’s positive comments toward his candidacy,” Win’s chief of staff, Doyle Webb, said late last week. “His focus is certainly toward public service, primarily focused in Arkansas, but he and his family will carefully consider whether that public service for Arkansas would be best served in Washington, D.C.”

[Pubbie]

Let's hope he runs - he's our last best shot at unseating Blanche.

DJ, how good of a candidate do you think Rockefeller would be?

[LS]

Why are we all of a sudden unable to get ANYONE to run? Gibbons in NV, Jennifer Dunn in WA, anyone in ND???? This is a huge problem. If we had strong candidates in these states, we could be close to the 60 mark already.

[Pubbie]

Well we still have a little more time to get some decent candidates, but if the situation doesn't improve by the end of the year, we could be in big trouble.

:(

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

This Rockefeller is a Republican? Hmmmmmm........

[Kaisersrsic]

I think we would not get to 60 in any event, but it sure would start to get close. One thing to consider is that these good potential canidates would be the least senior GOP senators, behind 51 other republicans in line for powerful committee positions. Given that we already have a majority, it is difficult to offer any special prizes to these folks for getting into the race.

[Pubbie]

I believe that he is pro-choice, but I am not certain.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

The Rockefellers in general scare me. They are, by and large, one world government globalists. I have no clue if Win Rockefeller is pro-choice or not.

[Theodore R.]

Winthrop Paul Rockefeller is pro-abortion. His father was anti-death penalty for convicted murderers. I don't know how Winthrop Paul stands of euthanasia. He is a first cousin of Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV.

[Pubbie]

Even if he's pro-Abortion, at least he has experience winning statewide.

[Kuksool]

Win Rockefeller is the next best thing after Asa and Huckabee.

[AuH2ORepublican]

All is not lost in Washington State---George Nethercutt has slain bigger giants than the Osmama Mama in Tennis Shoes. While I agree that Dunn was a stronger candidate than Nethercutt, due to her appeal in the King and Pierce County suburbs, Nethercutt leaves behind a safe Republican seat and will make sure that not a single conservative stays home. If he beats Murray, it may finally show Washington Republicans how to win statewide.

I heard that Win Rockefeller is pro-abortion, but backs the partial-birth ban, and that otherwise he is fairly conservative. While I don't generally support pro-aborts, if Rockefeller can beat Lincoln it will certainly make my day. Rockefeller will provide a solid vote for conservative judicial nominees, which is more than one can say for Arlen the RINO.

[Pubbie]

"While I agree that Dunn was a stronger candidate than Nethercutt, due to her appeal in the King and Pierce County suburbs, Nethercutt leaves behind a safe Republican seat and will make sure that not a single conservative stays home."

Nethercutt can't win unless he does reasonably well in King and Pierce.

Do you think he has a chance there?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Put it this way, if Win Paul doesn't run, we haven't one chance at this seat. He at least can be self-financing, always important. The problem still remains is that he wants to be Governor instead, but he's needed to run for the Senate, much like the reverse scenario that faced Mike Huckabee back in '95. I would presume Win Paul is nowhere near as liberal as his late Uncle, the Vice-President, and his Senate cousin, otherwise he'd have since switched parties.

[Pubbie]

"The problem still remains is that he wants to be Governor instead, but he's needed to run for the Senate, much like the reverse scenario that faced Mike Huckabee back in '95."

Asa Hutchinson is very very likely to run for Guv in 2006, so if Win is interested in seeking higher office he might as well go to the Senate.

As far as I can tell, Win is a normal conservative on most every issue except abortion.

Let's hope he runs, he could at least keep this race competitive.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Asa Hutchinson is very very likely to run for Guv in 2006, so if Win is interested in seeking higher office he might as well go to the Senate."

And here sets up the problem. For Win Paul, it's personal why he wants the Governorship. His dad was unceremoniously dumped in 1970 in favor of Dale Bumpers despite being credited with dragging Arkansas into the modern era (and the 'Rats proceeded to claim all of Win's accomplishments, namely that of Civil Rights, all for themselves, especially you-know-who, despite being a disciple of J. William Fulbright, segregationist extraordinaire). Win Paul winning back the office for himself means a lot to restoring his dad's name. If Asa runs at the same time, it will set up a divisive and ugly primary, something the 'Rats relish, and we will definitely lose the Governorship. I hope it doesn't come to that, though... We shall see. :-|

[Pubbie]

Asa wants to be Guv as badly as Win does.

If Win is smart, he'll know that he can't beat Asa for the nomination because of his support for abortion.

He's got nowhere to go but the Senate.

We'll see, I just hope he runs>

:(