In over his head
No job is so small that it's not too big for somebody. Political scientists had thought it virtually impossible for any occupant to embarrass the office of lieutenant governor, the office itself being something of an embarrassment, serving no real purpose. "Like tits on a boar," one scholar has said of it. But Lt. Gov. Mark Darr has shown that even to do nothing is too much to ask of him. "Better to burn out than rust out" translates in Darr's case to "Better destructive than inactive."
After the legislature passed a silly but harmful bill giving special privilege to holders of concealed-weapon permits, Gov. Mike Beebe said he wouldn't sign it — trying to preserve a shred of his own dignity — but wouldn't veto it either. Then he left the state. Technically, a lieutenant governor is allowed to simulate a governor when the real one is out of pocket. Darr's predecessors have recognized that this means having your picture made behind the governor's desk, possibly with a couple of the more attractive pages. Darr, however, on hearing there was an unguarded bill in the governor's office, sneaked in and signed it. With an X, probably. He said it was deserving legislation.
Like the state bird and the state cereal, lieutenant governors are not meant to take an active role in government. And especially not if their name is Mark Darr, best known for rabid partisanship, mismanagement of such public funds as he's had access to, and being a twerp. It's said Darr is planning a run for the U.S. Senate next year. No need to worry. He's already hit his political ceiling, the Peter Principle already done its work.
Speaking of Mark Darr
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Mark Darr: "looks like they've done a good job" on Mayflower cleanup
June 18, 2013KUAR reports on Lieutenant Governor Mark Darr's visit to Mayflower, where he toured cleanup efforts with Mayor Randy Holland. /more/
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Open Line
June 15, 2013*PROJECT LOON: Internet-beaming, giant helium balloons: Google's plan to get the entire planet online. *DARR FOR THE COURSE: Our current lieutenant governor joins candidate Dianne Curry (that's two n's) in condemning John Burkhalter for not attending the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival. /more/
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John Burkhalter will run for lt. governor
June 11, 2013Roby Brock reports that Highway Commissioner John Burkhalter will announce this afternoon that he is running for lieutenant governor. /more/
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Coming out at Boys State
June 6, 2013I've been among the speakers at Arkansas Boys State for 20 years. I talk about my left-leaning ideas. Conservative young men take vigorous exception, particularly on social issues such as abortion and sexual orientation. /more/
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Boys State report: Conservative, but not uniformly
May 29, 2013I made my annual trek to Boys State today so the 400 or so at UCA could see what a real, live liberal looks like. /more/
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Thursday roundup: Football, junkets, schools, prayer
May 9, 2013Over to you. Finishing up: * DARR TO TAIWAN: It's not Nixon to China, but Lt. Gov. Mark Darr to Taiwan will just have to do. /more/
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Tom Cotton burnishes his warhawk image
April 30, 2013"Media sweetheart" is how this piece in Politico puts it and they should know, having been pumping U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Club for Growth) since forever. /more/
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Friday night lines
April 26, 2013The line is open. Closing out: * EXECUTION LAW CHALLENGED: A new state law specifying drugs to be used in executions still doesn't meet constitutional muster, inmates have argued in a new federal lawsuit. /more/
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The post-crash morning report
April 11, 2013Another day and the Arkansas Blog is back in business after an extended crash last night. /more/
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