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Friday, May 18, 2012

Law Asa! Robocalling for Supreme Court candidate Abramson

Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, May 18, 2012 at 3:11 PM

ROBOASA: Hutchinson has been making calls.

ROBOASA: Hutchinson has been making calls.

Former Republican congressman and former Republican gubernatorial candidate and former Republican Party leader Asa Hutchinson has recorded robocalls that are now making the rounds in support of non-partisan state Supreme Court candidate Raymond Abramson.

It's not real surprising. Hutchinson has been a financial supporter of Abramson.

I was just curious about the script. I remember 2010 and the blatant appeal to partisan politics in the robocall made by Mike Huckabee in behalf of Rhonda Woods. She was a candidate for state Court of Appeals and played the Republican card repeatedly in her losing race against Jo Hart in 2010.

Did somebody say Court of Appeals Judge Jo Hart? Yes, that's Abramson's opponent this year and thus, yet again, the target of a high profile Republican's robocalling.

I don't have the script, but Hutchinson tells me it's just positive remarks about Abrahamson and what I've heard bears that out. It lists Abramson's legal experience and lauds his common sense, humility and belief in "strict interpretation of the law." Said Hutchinson: "I met with him and liked him. I liked his spirit and his humbleness. He practiced law in a small town like I have. He has terrific judicial temperament."

Hutchinson said his call made no reference to partisan politics (except that he identifies himself as a former congressman) and didn't know if the call was being used generally or targeted to voters identified as Republican leaning. He said he wouldn't inject party politics into such a call.

"I would not do that. I worked hard for nonpartisan election of judges and I want to keep them nonpartisan."

Tags: Arkansas Supreme Court, Raymond Abramson, Jo Hart, Asa Hutchinson, robocalling

        
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More by Max Brantley

Career Education whistleblower's judgment affirmed by Supreme Court

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Arkansas Blog

Friday, May 18, 2012

Law Asa! Robocalling for Supreme Court candidate Abramson

Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, May 18, 2012 at 3:11 PM

Speaking of...

The Arkansas Supreme Court today reversed a lower court and said Searcy County Sheriff and Collector Kenny Cassell's 1979 conviction on a federal misdemeanor theft charge for stealing Cornish hens from a Tyson's interstate shipment made him ineligible to hold office. /more/

In for a penny .... Asa Hutchinson, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, seems happy to be indelibly branded as the NRA's front man on guns as the calendar rolls toward the May gubernatorial primary. /more/

I posted a note the other day that indicated state Rep. Debra Hobbs of Rogers was giving prayerful consideration to a run for governor. /more/

In a blog post last week, I made the case that geography no longer creates a clear barrier to the Republican nomination for a candidate from outside of Northwest Arkansas like House Speaker Davy Carter. /more/

Winners in the Hog Roast. Asa Hutchinson speaks to NRA. Gun nuts argue that open carry now legal in Arkansas. /more/

Merger negotiations between St. Vincent and UAMS, non-partisan elections, the race for the Republican nominee for governor and more — all covered on this week's show. /more/

Good to be associated with the extremists of the NRA? In Arkansas Republican circles, the answer is a big ja wohl! /more/

Jay Barth, Hendrix politics prof and Times contributor, offers the following analysis on Republican primary voting patterns and what they could mean for a candidate from outside Northwest Arkansas, the historic GOP base in the state. /more/

The Blog reported last year on the case of Bob Means, who sued over his firing from counseling work at the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center on the order of state Career Education Department Director Bill Walker, communicated though Robert Trevino, then head of state Rehabilitation Services. /more/

The Arkansas Supreme Court today did as a U.S. Supreme Court ruling required and ordered a new sentencing hearing in Mississippi county for Kuntrell Jackson, sentenced to life in prison without parole when he was 14 as an accomplice to a cousin who killed a store attendant. /more/

Comments (15)

More by Max Brantley

The Blog reported last year on the case of Bob Means, who sued over his firing from counseling work at the Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center on the order of state Career Education Department Director Bill Walker, communicated though Robert Trevino, then head of state Rehabilitation Services.

Several complaints have arisen this morning that the House Education Committee, which is hearing several so-called "school choice" bills this morning, that only supporters of the bilsl are being allowed in the room.

Event Calendar

Re: Securities commissioner comments on review of state trading

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