Recent Comments
Re: “Beebe forms unholy alliance with Jason Rapert”
I've said it many times, but it's worth repeating again today -- Mike Beebe's overall popularity completely belies the apathy of so many active Democrats in this state. Half of us actually want to show how proud we are of our party in a time of so much progress on so many of the important issues we've long been fighting for nationally...while the other half is apparently content on letting our state turn into another GOP-wingnut version of Kansas as they wait on the black guy to finish out his presidency, hope for Hillary to the ticket in four years, and then decide to get serious again with effective messaging on policy debates, pushing important reforms, and fielding electable candidates that can help others down-ticket. It's been pretty insulting, at times, to be honest. Too much is at stake and the state party needs to demand more from the governor and others.
Re: “Debate special”
Non-partisan hat on? My guy fell into most of the pitfalls that incumbents always try to avoid, clearly rattled early on about how Mittens totally changed the way his m.o. when he came to talking about taxes and how he defends against the standard (and factual, from his proposed policies) "cutting taxes on the rich" attack. His newly discovered "man o' the middle class" was a stark departure from the "don't attack success" line usedthe past a year and half, right? Unbelievable.
Gekko was actually so uber-confident that he came off as very bullying early on, but he did manage to temper it. The president's negative body language and reactions weren't quite as drastic as what we saw with Bush in '04 in the first one v. Kerry, but there were a lot of similarities. He was stuck on talking points quite a bit and I have to say I was completely shocked that he didn't hit harder on Romneycare. For months we've waited for the moment where he would school him on his signature issue and achievement -- not to mention its nearly identical implementation under Gov. Romney in Massachusetts -- and he just didn't deliver like we all expected.
I can't deny we had an off night here. Uncharacteristic for the usually eloquent and energized president, but not uncharacteristic for other incumbents in that first debate.
Fortunately, the facts are still are our side and Round 2 comes soon.
Re: “Following the corporate money; some improvement, but then there's ALEC”
Readers interested in this topic should catch Bill Moyers' program on PBS this weekend: "The United States of ALEC"
Re: “'Moocher' states, including Arkansas, back Romney”
Who knew that today's Koch-brand Republicans could push the party so far off the right-wing reservation that they could actually make Bush policies seem (GULP) moderate? They all do remember their side supported policies like the earned income and child tax credits just a few years ago, right? Taking the standard "next-in-line" approach to picking presidential nominees definitely wasn't the smart play for their party -- let alone the "Irresponsible 47%" and the rest o' America.
I wonder if that Gary Johnson is seeing an uptick in traffic today? ;)
Re: “Legislators debate religion in publicly financed pre-school”
Nothing wrong with loving Jesus. Believe it or not, some of us "elitist liberals" still do. PLENTY wrong with this "anti-government" hypocrite blatantly violating the Constitution as he spews *his* version of morality to poor kids -- to the tune of a yearly $900k of our tax dime. So, on that note . . .
God bless you, Matt Campbell, and your letter to D.C. that got the ball rolling. I'm sure Harris will always keep you in his prayers.
Re: “Herb Rule arrested in Fayetteville for DWI; says he's innocent”
Another term of *Timmy!*. That's just great. Then again, we knew that was happening on filing deadline day when everyone just looked around at each other with shrugged shoulders, right?
First it was that lying Forrest Gump in AR-03, now it's ol' sudsippin' Grampa Herb in AR-02. We sent up a school bus driver against a bunch of D.C. insiders in AR-04. Thank goodness for Ellington in AR-01 who, by merely being competent, at least gives us a shot of not being shutout completely this fall. Seriously, this is the BEST we could do? What in the hell has the state party did to "regroup" following the historic GOP gains in 2010? No push to recruit top-notch candidates? Are we quietly just waiting it out until President Obama is off the top of the ticket before we even try again or something? If not, why does it feel that way right now? Should Will Bond be held at all accountable?
Beebe doesn't use his popularity to push ANYTHING bold or progressive, or even to really push for other Dems down-ticket. Historically popular politicians generally try to leave their mark on history . . . I just don't see a reduction in the grocery tax or a landslide re-election as having a lot of staying power in the minds of future generations. If he were maintaining his spot above the fray in anticipation of a run at Congress, perhaps that approach would make sense. Otherwise, it's just plain weak. Perhaps our biggest guns, Halter and McDaniel, are already setting the stage for a primary bloodbath in two years. And as we saw in the Halter v. Lincoln war, spending millions to tear down each other didn't bode well for us in November with so many hard feelings still lingering. As much as I personally admire Halter and his ideas, this "secrecy" he maintains to what his next moves will be (whether it was a late entry into the AR-02 race, or running for gov. or senate) make it awfully tough on other progressives possibly considering runs of their own or wanting to build a movement behind the Halter message.
We're in for another slaughter, people. It's beyond time for progressives here to rebrand themselves (being champions of government ethics reform and protecting the environment in the era of fracking could be winning issues to turn that tide) and start developing a roster of young talent to run for office over the next decade. While there's been some movement on this front with progressive groups forming, it must go beyond occasional email list updates or get-togethers downtown to drink and socialize. Considering that seemingly *nobody* was willing to run against Tim Griffin and his record from the state's most progressive/populated region -- in a seat long-held by someone like Congressman Snyder -- just seems to prove that apathy has indeed settled in and that we're subtly just allowing this complete GOP-takeover occur.
Jeff Woodmansee
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Re: “Monday night: The millionaire line”
PLEASE explain to me how in the hell Will Bond could be viewed as having "good political instincts," sir. Seriously...in what conceivable way? He's presiding over one of the darkest periods for the party in generations, despite the groundswell of support the party has seen nationally. The previous party chair (the block-headed fella that looked like "American Dad") was ran out of dodge despite being immeasurably more effective during his tenure there, no? At least we were actively recruiting worthy candidates for and had actual strategies for success prior to campaign season.
There are some very capable within the state party -- we just need to see a flushing of some of the old guard more worried about self-preservation and more of these folks assuming the top leadership positions. Personally, I can't wait until Mike Beebe's reign of personal glorification is over so we can hit the reset button on this thing.