Arkansas Democrat Gazette Endorses Hutchinson Campaign

Arkansas Democrat Gazette thru "Hutchinson for U.S. Senate" webpage ^ | Oct.20, 2002

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Arkansas Democrat Gazette Endorses Hutchinson Campaign Arkansas Democrat Gazette October 20, 2002 For Tim Hutchinson We know where he stands RULE NO. 2 in taking on an incumbent politician is: Explain why the voters should make a change. (Rule No. 1 is: Raise lotza money.) The principal argument Mark Pryor has made for unseating Senator Tim Hutchinson is this: My last name is Pryor. That may have been good enough for his father, but it isn't good enough for us. And it shouldn't be good enough for serious Arkansans, either. Even on the most important of issues, Mark Pryor just smiles his smile, awshucks his way through the question, and all but sketches imaginary circles on the floor in front of him with the toe of one shoe. It's almost as if he's counting on some kind of automatic voter reflex to put him in the United States Senate. (Ballot says Pryor, vote same.) Agree or disagree, Arkansans have the right to know where their senator stands on abortion. Mark Pryor was prochoice in 1998 when he ran for attorney general, or said he was. Now he says abortion is wrong but he wouldn't do anything to stop it. And while he's opposed to abortion personally, he thinks women should be able to abort their children. Well, sometimes. After all his talk, all we know is this: If Mark Pryor gets pregnant, he promises to have the baby. As attorney general, he aw-shucked his way past those payday loan lenders who take advantage of the least among us. He was satisfied to take their money and leave them to prey on the desperate. He also defended an unconstitutional law that branded homosexuals as criminals. And our attorney general showed even less backbone when it came to thoughtcrime. Maybe you remember that. Maybe not. We don't blame you if you don't. His rationalizations weren't worth remembering. But Attorney General Pryor once backed a hate-crime law for Arkansas. He said the bill would punish only conduct, not thought. Nice sound bite. But it made no sense. The proposed hate-crime law would have increased penalties for those who commit an offense if their thoughts were in the politically incorrect place. Beating up somebody over his race/color/ religion/gender/sexual orientation would have got you a 20 percent higher sentence. Beating up somebody else because of his class, dress, political affiliation or for just his wallet would get you a 20 percent discount. Thought had everything to do with it. That's why these laws are a species of what George Orwell called thoughtcrime. They create "protected classes" that divide ordinary victims from special ones. We ourselves would prefer to treat all criminals equally. And severely. Granted, our conversation with the attorney general on this issue got ridiculous at times, but that's what happens when an attorney general supports a ridiculous law. Our minds fog just thinking about it. We were thinking of that weird conversation when some simple, sensible thoughts intruded: Tim Hutchinson deserves a second term. Yes, there have been times when we didn't like how he voted or what he was saying, but we knew where he stood. And could understand it. He gave the conversation some traction. The senator is gaining in seniority, which helps small states like Arkansas in Congress. He's a solid supporter of the Second Amendment and gun rights. He's a member of the Armed Services, Veteran Affairs, and the Agriculture committees, among others. He has taken a consistent, principled stand on abortion. (He's agin.) And you never have to wonder what the heck he's trying to say. But, we've forgotten the most important reason of all to vote for Tim Hutchinson. It's more important than bringing home the bacon, more important than his opponent's non-answers to tough questions. The president needs Tim Hutchinson in the Senate. So do all those who value freedom abroad and a free market at home. This isn't to say Mark Pryor wouldn't lend W. a hand if it were the popular thing to do, as on issues like the War on Terror. He would. As long as the polls held up. But this president needs a Republican majority in the Senate to push through other legislation - like making his tax cuts permanent - and to approve judicial nominees now stuck in the long, long partisan pipeline. The 107th Congress is still sitting on dozens of judicial nominees, and it's tying up the court system in elaborate knots. (Strom Thurmond pert-near birthed a cat the other day when the Judiciary sat on one of his favorite nominees. But it was kind of fun to see the Senate's oldest member "ever" raise Cain with these 70-year-old whippersnappers.) The Homeland Security Bill is stuck in the mud, meaning the Senate. And in the next couple of years, a couple of vacancies could be opening on the Supreme Court of the United States. Who will fill those seats - a Scalia or a Ginsburg? A thinker or another vague mediocrity? The answer could determine the course of constitutional law for the next decade. Or more. Do the people of Arkansas want every nominee to kiss current Majority Leader Tom Daschle's ring before a vote? Mark Pryor could prove to be another arrow in Sen. Daschle's quiver. A vote for Tim Hutchinson could prove a vote for a much-needed new majority leader for the U.S. Senate. A Republican-controlled Senate could clear the way to exploration of oil drilling here at home, and that would mean less reliance on Middle Eastern mullahs. Other needed legislation is also knee deep in the Senate. A lot could depend on your vote November 5 th. (Or tomorrow, when early voting starts.) Will we reform the Social Security system, letting folks decide to invest a portion of their own money, or let the system get as close to bankruptcy as possible before rushing pell-mell to save it? You have a close race and some great issues in your hands, Mr. and Mrs. Arkansan. Lest we forget, at critical times like these, all politics is national. Every seat in a closely divided Senate is decisive. A smile, a familiar name, and a handshake shouldn't be enough to win your vote. Arkansas needs to send an experienced, principled senator, one with the president's ear, back to Washington.

[Lauratealeaf]

Maybe Jim is really Klintoon from New York. LOL

Or that moral paragon, Jim Carville.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Never said I could vote in Arkansas.

And nicely said in the best tradition of Klintoon speak.

[sweetliberty]

"Do the people of Arkansas want every nominee to kiss current Majority Leader Tom Daschle's ring before a vote?"

Not only that but I personally get tired of everybody taking shots at me because I live in Arkansas and this is where Clinton came from; never mind that I didn't live here at any time that he did and I never cast a vote for him, but the point I was making is that Arkansas would do well to redeem itself instead of furthur contributing to the image of corruption generated nationwide by Bill Clinton and the stench he has left everywhere in the state, and that is a lot of redeeming!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

How hypocritical of Christians in Arkansaw to judge Sen. Hutchison for a failed marraige. From what I could see he has served them, and this country pretty dang well during his tenure.

I think Character matters, and it would have been a very good thing had his marraige lasted, but from what we are seeing he is a fine man. With good character. He had a failed marraige.. but that isn't enough to hand the man. Sen. Hutchison and his "ex" wife aren't discussing the personal reasons for it, are they? I thought I had heard where she endorsed his candidacy,.. am I wrong?

So Arkansans would rather put a guy in who would allow the killing of innocent BABIES?? Now that is rich!!

From all we've followed of Sen. Tim Hutchison, he is a decent man. Sheesh.. whats next? Are Arkansan's gonna check people for VIRGINITY or only elect those who have never been divorced, or never had sex before marraige (Not saying that abstaining isn't a good idea before marraige,..just saying that is really harsh "judgement").

Hey Arkansaw.. "LET HE WHO HAS NOT SINNED THROW THE FIRST STONE!!"

[Lauratealeaf]

How hypocritical of Christians in Arkansaw to judge Sen. Hutchison for a failed marraige. From what I could see he has served them, and this country pretty dang well during his tenure.

I totally agree! Great post!

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I hope as well that Tim will be voted back in. He has done a good job for the state and has been a loyal supporter of the President.

I would say that the adultery issue has been addressed and over addressed on this thread many times over.

It is time to move on to the bottom line: Vote for Tim and get a good conservative senator or vote for David's little boy and get a dashhole supporting syncophant.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

You do the same.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

He's probably short in the family jewels department as well. lol Care to clarify this comment?

Not really, people who are really from Arkansas and can really vote in Arkansas know what that comment means.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Hey Laura,
I wonder if JimSimon is really Catspaw? Logged on from another computer?

[missanne]

Dear Catspaw, Please tell your friend that her thinking is just wrongheaded. Sen. Tim will vote to protect the unborn. Pryor will not. Sen. Tim's divorce was unfortunate and he has made a public apology for his failure within his marriage, but it is also interesting to note that the first mrs hutchinson refused to move to be with her husband to Washington... Guess where she lives now after the divorce? Yes she resides in Washington DC working for Congressman John Boozman.

Sen. Tim has been a gentleman regarding any details of the divorce..it was not all his fault I assure you.

In fact, I personally know others who say that it was a wonder the marriage lasted as long as it did.

? I'm not defending either side, but I know if my husband were a senator or congressman I would be moving to be with him.

Other issues about Pryor vs. Tim, is that Pryor can't even answer a question....he will be a lap dog in Hillary!s lap and if she can't bring herself to vote for Tim because of divorce God help her! We are judged by the leaders who represent us and I guantee that Mark Pryor doesn't only want to be a US Senator! And God help everyone who is of her like mind who might just be giving the first great stepping stone to giving us another tratorious, socialist candidate for President from AR.

[Lauratealeaf]

And in the next couple of years, a couple of vacancies could be opening on the Supreme Court of the United States. Who will fill those seats - a Scalia or a Ginsburg? A thinker or another vague mediocrity?

This is one of the most important reasons to vote for Tim Hutchinson. With Mark Pryor we get a vague mediocrity who will follow his leader Daschle and the extreme special interest groups.

[missanne]

I can assure you that Tim is not amoral!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I can't believe they are even thinking of voting out Sen. Hutchison because he had marital problems. At least he and his wife divorced. I guess Arkansans think it is NOBLE to stay together and continue to cheat and have very public affairs, like the Clintons did.

Sen. Hutchison seems like a good man to me. I've watched his performance for a long time now, since his brother Asia was on the Impeachment Committee.

Hopefully, Arkansan's will get a CLUE!! But then, they are the ones who voted Clinton in again to be their Governor!! And they KNEW about him back when they did! They also voted for him to be President!! That should tell us something.

Guess they are a little slow on the "uptake" back there in Arkansaw!! What the heck is in their water?

Amazing...

[Lauratealeaf]

Hey Laura, I wonder if JimSimon is really Catspaw? Logged on from another computer?

That thought occurred to me.

[missanne]

Dear Catspaw

Randi is not Much Younger than Tim, and she had been a staffer for John Paul Hammerschidt prior to being on Congressman's Tim's staff.

She is a very nice woman, intelligent and loves her husband. We would all have wished this didn't happen, but for whatever reason, it did. Now let's get over it and onto the big picture which should be supporting the President's agenda vs Tom Dasche!

[missanne]

Amen to that...

[missanne]

Hey Randi is not a much younger than Tim, younger yes, not much