I tried to reach Garland County Republican committeeman Chuck Chatham yesterday to ask him about his offensive e-mail in which he cast the special House District 24 election today as a contest between a Christian Republican and a “pro-abortion Jewish lawyer.” He didn’t respond to my e-mail.
Talking Points Memo got him on the phone. As is customary with his sort, he dug his hole a bit deeper. It was an inadvertent remark, he said, though his memo makes it clear (along with everything else that has been going on in Hot Springs politics recently) that this is all about the conservative Christian agenda currently underway in Hot Springs. He took the standard refuge — an apology to anyone who was offended. Who could possibly be offended, he suggests.
As luck would have it, I’m going to the Just Communities of Central Arkansas dinner tonight honoring state Rep. Kathy Webb and Bobby Roberts. (I originally wrote Jay Barth; he’s on the JCA Board) So if someone would be kind enough to add a note here about the District 24 results of the race between Chatham’s preferred candidate or the Democrat, Jerry Rephan, I’d appreciate it. Hot Springs voters, the polls are still open.
UPDATE: As several Republicans have exulted, Christian Bruce Cozart won, 60-40 readers say. That’lll teach ’em for killing Jesus.