Arkansas Blog

It's Thursday and Mike Hathorn hates JAIL BIRDS

Are you F$&&ing kidding me? Has Mike Hathorn lost his mind? We have a record number of homocided in Little Rock and he's bothering a prosecutor with a political complaint?

He should get of the race for Lt. Governor. This really is a disgrace.

It could be the end if his "career" in politics.

Damn, just when I had concluded that it was more important to vote in the Repub primary in order to try to help derail the state's most reactionary demagogue seeking higher office, Jim Holt, on the Democratic side Halter gives more reasons to oppose him, and the A.G. candidates show their colors on abortion (in today's A.T.)

So many scoundrels, so few opportunities to vote.

Mike Hathorn should be ashamed of himself! He knows the election is only 25 days away, the ethics commission doesnt meet until mid-May and he is 16 points behind in the polls. He also knows that another report is do in May, which will ,in all likelyhood, clear up all of his 18 questions. His timing is just too convenient! Arkansas voters know a fraud when they see one...I predict after this stunt Hathorn moves from 3rd to 4th.

And just when I thought the crazy candidate got out of the race....apparently not

Some people are so blinded by greed that they cannot realize their choson one Bill Halter is not the saint he pretends to be. He is a shameless fraud and it serves him right that he is being asked honest questions.

Mike -

I will vote for you because I know you will still up for what is right. Keep on fighting MIKE

I will say this for the Halter boys, they stay on message.
Classic response, continue to shoot the messenger, and divert attention from the real issues.
Convenient how they were able to produce an answer to one question. Not a good answer mind you, but at least an attempt.
By law the funds should have been returned by the Exploratory committee not rolled into Halter's other campaigns.
If nothing else sounds like Hathorn has forced them to scramble to take corrective action, and put a $600,000 dent in their warchest.

Nasty, Nasty, Nasty....no wonder there aren't more quality candidates running for office. Why would anyone want to subject themslves to this kind of character assasination!

This is a new low in Arkansas Politics!

I'm confused, why is it "crazy" to make sure all the players are following the rules? Must be a republican on the blog....

I for one want to make sure Halter isn't just trying to buy his way into office.... any office will do apparently.

Hey Bill Halter, could you find a more unattractive person to be your spokesperson???? The guy scares off small children!

These guys should give up politics and pursue comedy. Seriously, Bud Jackson used the word "shennanigans" in a press release....

Lets send these clowns back to Virginia, California, Massachussetts, Texas, etc where they came from.

Just saw a copy of the actual complaint.
Over 150 counts of violating state ethics laws!!!
Good luck getting out of this one.
How disgusting is it that just a month ago Halter was talking tough on ethics reform, now he stands to receive the largest fine given to an individual in the HISTORY of the ethics commission.

"Keep shootin" says "If nothing else sounds like Hathorn has forced them to scramble to take corrective action, and put a $600,000 dent in their warchest."

Now the Hathorn camp wants us to believe the Halter boys returned $600,000 in 2 days.

How rediculous!

Dear Mike,

Please drop-out of the race for Lt. Governor. You are obviously not up to the job. We don't want leaders who openly practice the politics of personal destruction.

You're a very vindictive, mean young man.

We were at the JJ Dinner and I saw Ron Oliver and Bill Halter together. I told my Husband that something was't right with his Campaign. How can someone run for office if they haven't live here in 20 years.

Mike won his congressional primary by using the same type of neg tactics. It worked then but Mikie, people are catching on

The Halter Campaign can't stop spinning. Bud, Run for your political life. Go back to Virginia before it gets to hot.

i would like to say i am very interested in whether what hathorn has reported is true or not. if ture, the way he has handled it is to be commended. if not, shame on you, mike.
i would also like to say regardless of whether it is true or not, i am appalled at the way the halter campaign has responded. quit name calling and whining and tell us how it is not so. that should not be that difficult. release some records and show us it isnt so. no one, as far as i can tell, except halter, has said anything about puppies, or baby seals. a question, which if true, is a VERY big issue in arkansas politics has been raised. please, mr halter, address it like someone we could be proud to have as our Lt Gov.....unless, of course, you have something to hide and are not fit to be our Lt Gov. and, except for which ever one of these guys is lieing, i dont give a damn who is Lt Gov.

Bill I talked to General Clark and he really doesn't like you.

This looks really bad for Bill. He should have known better. The first Red flag was having 7 accounts. You can move alot around in 7 accounts.

Check out what Halter was saying about ethics reform in February. I bet he is singing a different tune now.

Currently, fines for lobbyist registration and activity report violations are a maximum of $1000.

"This is simply not enough, especially for big-money special interests" said Halter. "We need to increase maximum fines to demonstrate serious consequences for disclosure violations. Lobbyists who repeat their violations will be subject to even higher penalties."

There was a young kid from Northwest
who filed a complaint to protest
becuase Halter is winning
this is just the beginning
of the stunts from the kid from Northwest

Bill Halter is Thin-skinned
and he cannot speak for himself

The press has also picked up on Halter's thin-skin and lack of Arkansas ties.

Bill Halter's as sharp as people say he is, and not as much a stranger to Arkansas as his critics contend. He's a little touchy, however.

Halter announced for governor, running against Attorney General Mike Beebe in the Democratic primary. Halter's support for a state lottery dominated headlines, and rightly so. It's significant that the policy wonk opened his campaign with a simple, direct idea.

Halter's campaigning against the notion that he came back from Washington to show the rest of us how to run government. Arkansas voters have a long history of punishing arrogance and elitism. Coming back from Washington to run for governor in your first bid for elected office could appear, well, arrogant and elitist.

Halter, though his staff, accused Beebe of dirty campaigning after people showed up at a couple of Halter events with camcorders. Another person asked Halter some tough questions.

My first thought, being a parent: "He started it!" "What do you mean, he started it? You hit him." "Yeah, but Mike was looking at me!"

If Halter wants to go negative, he should wait for a better excuse. I hope he's not really that fragile. Being in the Clinton administration and watching what happened to your boss would make anybody defensive, but he needs to get over it. Looking like you can't take pressure is not good in a candidate for governor.

The next time somebody asks a tough question, Halter should answer it without getting flustered. The next time an "enemy" shows up with a camcorder, Halter should look straight into the lens before starting his speech, flash that toothy smile of his and wink. He should use his powder to fight a real attack. ( First impressions of Bill Halter, Arkansas News Bureau, January 28, 2006)

"wheat thin" you really got to get over it and quit posting the same tired dribble...nobody cares!

Regarding the post above complaining about these allegations not being serious enough to warrant being sent to the prosecutiong attorney, i beg to differ.
The number of other offenses and other crimes occuring has nothing to do with whether a crime has been committed. what a complete and total logical falacy. And, if a crime has been committed here it is in a significant race on a significant level. That in and of itself is sufficient to send it to the prosecutor. That is what he is there for.
These Halter people are really squeeling like a pig stuck under a gate. suck it up, boys and show us it aint so. otherwise, y'all are in a whole heap of trouble.
the idea you can just show up from out of nowhere and buy an election is one of the most cynical indictments of our political system in quite a long time.........you should have been more careful and have been prepared for this, you big baby.

I am a black female and I am so upset that the only thing Mike Hathorn as to do is start a negative campaign.We are losing our young black men to crime everyday.Our kids in the delta go school in building that it rains in.But Mr.Hathorn thinks that the only problem we have a is whether or not Bill Halter handled his money right or not. Tell us Mr. Hathorn what can you do besides cry to help the black community.

...This is a new low in Arkansas Politics!

Amen!

Looks like this is getting fun!
Several things:
1) I am curious what the cartoon character person looks like that someone mentioned scares small children.

2) I wonder what all teh Greek Gods look like over at Hathorn's place

3) Are they the only 2 running on the Dem side? I think my friend from NLR mentioned someone else....but that might be for Attorney Gen.

I will wait to hear what the prosecutor says, but right now i think i'd have to go with the immature boy from arkansas over the millionaire from california. I guess i have a couple more days to decide.

i'm confused----what did someone say about puppies?

Come on "prosecution", anybody with any common sense can see through Hathorn's masquerade. He only sent the complaint to the prosecuter to try to get more free press out of this and to further attempt to discredit Halter for his own political gain.

Anyone can file any complaint for any reason whether legit or not(just ask Drew Pritt)...and for a candidate for Lt. Gov to pull this kind of charade is, to use your words, "one of the most cynical indictments of our political system in quite a long time."

Cheap shot. Taking it to Jegley to get publicity. Larry, maintain your integrity and ignore this whining kid whose political career will be over in 25 days. Then he can rejoin his law firm taking property away from poor people. That is what someone needs to investigate. A stooge in a sleazy firm.

Dear African Amer Female:
I am African American and a product of the Delta. I was born and raised there. After my post-grad degree, I am doing some further studies in Fayetteville. I have known Mr. Hathorn since about 95. Believe me, Mr. Hathorn cares about people. He was a big orgaznier for our YD on campus. Mr. Hathorn gets things done. Before you cast MrHathorn out as a crier--lets see what becomes of this. If valid, Mr. Halter should be asked to speak. Remember, Mr. Halter has a lot of money. I hope you, other members of my family in the Delta, and my friends will NOT sellout to his money over there. I am trying to keep the hope alive with Hathorn in the Delta. I will probably cross your path soon. I am curious if you know either persons because if you knew Mr. Hathorn you would KNOW that he would support you and the Delta. If you know Mr. Halter you know he is a rich man coming to try to buy your vote where he can one day stumble up to something else. Say no now and on May 23. I am! CTF

This is over. Halter's side has not responded with anything but attacks on Hathorn. To the black woman. Guess what, I am a black man. If you look at what has been said about schools from these two, Hathorn wins, again. Halter cannot even fund his own plan. Here's an idea lady, don't post about something if you haven't researched it.
How is this going negative? This is justice. Is it negative if Halter is vindicated? No. Therefore, I would assume that, from the mouths of the Halter camp, he is guilty.

By the way... Osceola.

Hathorn say's he is only standing up for what is right!

Was it right when he voted to legalize loan sharking in the form of pay day lenders?

Was it right to get rewarded for his vote via campaign contributions from the pay day industry?

Was it right to take contributions from lawyers working to foreclose on the homes of working families while representing the banking industry?

Was it right to take contributions from large utilities and energy companies while working class citizens are struggling to pay their electric bills?

Mike, this latest stunt only proves that the only thing you are standing up for is your political career.

did anyone read the Arkansas Democrat Gazette article that Michael Wickline wrote for the Wednesday paper????

No wonder the public doesn't trust politicians, this hack writes a bush league article turning this debate into a "he said she said" between Hathorn and Halter.

I don't give a f^%k about the Lt. Gov race, but come on I think I deserve to know what's going on. It's pathetic when I have to go through this drivel on the blog to find out about Hathorn's complaint.

It looks like Bill Halter is getting nervous. After filing this complaint there are post after post calling Mike H. immature,
young, whiny, cryer. From Mike H to Bill H camp---just a request to hear the facts. How more obvious can it be who the immature one is here?

foreclosing on working people's homes? you've got to be kidding me. any idea what it would be like if those homes weren't being foreclosed? do you have a mortgage? ok, then, imagine the interest rate mort companies would require if you never forclosed?

From "appraisers" remarks looks like someone found a chink in Hathorns armour.

Spoken like a true tool of the moneyed interest. I bet you defend the payday lenders too.

Has anyone else had the unpleasant experience of having to turn down BIll Halter for an endorsement? You want to talk about thin-skinned! The man came unglued when I said I couldnt rightfully speak in support of him because he was running against three men that have given numerous years of service to our state. He then started quoting his Rhodes Scholar achievements. Seriously, in all my years of politics, I have never been met with such a red-faced candidate's tantrum over my measley non-endorsement. He never even mentioned seeking a contribution; I am guessing by financial reports that he has enough money of his own or from out of state donors. I had lunch with several politically active democrats last Friday at Bene Vita and we got into the discussion about Halter and if anyone that has been involved in the DPA is supporting him besides Ron. We couldn't come up with anyone, can anyone here shed any light? And someone that would maybe 'owe it to Ron' wouldnt count.

To the African American male who said Halter was trying to buy the election, It is Hathorn that is paying $7500 a month for African American " outreach". Whatever the hell that is.

It's one thing to file an ethics complaint under the guise of "standing up for the working families of Ark."

Quite another to do it when you are an attny, employed by the largest Law firm in the state tossing working class people out on their ear.

It's one thing to file an ethics complaint under the guise of "standing up for the working families of Ark."

Quite another to do it when you are an attny, employed by the largest Law firm in the state tossing working class people out on their ear.

To the "politically active" Democrats who met at Bene Vita, that is what"s wrong with you elitist numb nuts. You don't realize that the people at the DPA are not the only ones who get to vote. We voters don't give a damned who any of you are for.

There was a young kid who was choosing
to complain that "Halter's abusing"
but everyone knows
how Hathorn's nose grows
whenever he thinks he is losing

*** Announcement ***

Based on recent information, I have made my final decision on the best candidate in this race.

I am officially endorsing Mike Hathorn for Lt. Governor tomorrow at 10:00 am via webcast on my site.

All those interested in joining us, please visit my site tomorrow morning.

Just got an invitation in the mail to an event in Little Rock for Mike Hathorn (not sure how I got on their list). For someone that everyone here says is immature and losing, he has some interesting co-hosts:
Jim and Elise Argue,
Bum Atkins
Chris and Mary Chris Burrow, Nate Coulter,
Joyce Elliott,
Bill and Judy Gaddy,
Steve and Rita Harris,
Sam & Nancy Ledbetter
Bev Lindsey
Garth & JoAnn Martin
Clark and Janell Mason,
Sherry McBride
Franklin & Gabby McLarty
Andrew & Susan Meadors
Ark & Nancy Monroe
Ed & Angela Moody
Denver Peacock
Joe and Ann Peacock
Jack and Alice Ryan
Ron Sheffield
Bill Stovall
Stephanie Streett
Parker Westbrook
George & Kathy Wheatley

That is a pretty impressive list if you ask me. Members from both houses, the former Lt. Gov nominee. Wasn't Bev Lindsey in the Clinton administration with Stephanie Streett. Is Franklin McLarty related to Robert? Isn't Robert working for another candidate? I also think it is funny that I was searching to see who Nate Coulter was and noticed he supported Halter in the Gov. race.

Wish I had the money to attend.

He Flip out of the Guv's race and now Halter has just flipped. The Guy is crazy and where in the Hell is his staff from. If this was Bullshit wouldn't Halter have a press conference.

Pritt, that's no surprize...everyone knows you've been in cahoots with Hathorn and D. Foster from the beginning. We knew that when you filed your frivilous complaint with DPA. Now your sudden announcement simply offers more proof that Hathorn's complaint is a sham !Make your endorsement, and put the last nail in Mike's coffin.

pritt - no one cares who you endorse. Actually your endorsment will probably actually hurt hathorn more then he already is which is pretty bad

If I was running for office I would accept and encourage the support of any of those on Hathorn's party invite. I dont think I've received an invite. I want to come to the party, but I will vote for Mike Hathorn anyway

I think an in-depth investigation detailing the 'goings-on' at the Lt. Governor's office is in order.

The Lt. Governor's position/power in Arkdisneysas must be awesome, hence such a heated race.

What gives?

Have they exposed, UH !! say a shadow government, waiting for the
Apocalypse, the Antichrist, or just demons?

drew pritt isn't endorsing mike hathorn.

he has already endorsed Tim Wooldridge.

Drew is no dumb cookie. But you dont have to be too smart to see who has the most support in this race. I know Halter has high polling due to ads, but I cant turn around without the word-of-mouth being passed on about him. I do like his ads, but I think the fact that he moved right in to campaign hurt him. Personally, I really don't like the fact that he thought he could take on beebe for Gov. What a joke! Did he really think the scholar title would be enough to beat a man that has served our state tirelessly for two decades??!! That proves to me the common sense a Rhodes scholar can lack.
Cant call this race, but I think there is enough time till Election Day for it to end with Wooldridge and Hathorn on May 23rd.....into a runoff.

Look - the Hathorn people are already scared of what the Pritt endorsment will do to his chances.

Dear Denial:
I'm from the school where you work to get every vote and every endorsement you can. I don't discriminate. What's your problem?

WOWWWWWWW! I had no idea Mike Hathorn had those backing him here in the Rock!! That's a good stock of support. (Btw, I don't mean stock as money....I'm talking about well-respected people that have been behind the party on all fronts. ) If I were from Little ROck and that list of supporters were behind my opponent from Northwest AR (can't remember wehre but know he ran against boozeman up there), I'd be mad, pissed and scared. Yeah, I would be mad for sure!

Franklin is Donna Kay and Mack McLarty's son.

Tomorrow on my website I am endorsing Tim Wooldridge for Lt. Governor. I hope everyone listens in.
~Bill

Im confused. Bill, are you getting out of the race? Talk about money trails, I hope Hathorn doesn't have to file counts on all the refunds,etc if you are actually getting out. That would be pages of stuff.

Seriously, i'm confused if this poster was really BH...and if he is really getting out. I thought it could be a joke with the name of bill halter as the poster, but i clicked on the name and it did take me to halter's website.

i'm dumb at this....but not blonde :)

Gullible is the word to describe how you people are on this site.

Did you not notice whoever falsely wrote that, wrote my name as Drew Pitt. *SIGH* Also, I do not have a webcam or whatever set up to make an endorsement via webcast.

Today, I was on the golf course, going to class, and minding my own business. Why not try something else.

I do guarantee you this I cannot endorse Bill Halter and this continued display hurts our party.

Tomorrow on my website I am endorsing Mike Hathorn for Lt. Governor. I hope evryone listens in.
~Mike

Guess Mike just spent 2 hours on the phone with Pritt, begging him not to endorse. Wonder how Hathorn will show the "payoff" on his finace report.

Thank goodness we don't have to choose between Hathorn and Halter. Martin is best on issues and Wooldridge has the most experience. Too bad we can't weed out all the others.

In a race where nobody cares we have something that nobody cares about, anything going on in the AG race?

Ok, these last several 'endorsement' posts are annoying. Drew Pritt is my friend and a friend to many others in the party. I have heard enough from Halter's camp about Drew. He obviously gets to you carpetbaggers. Maybe it's because he calls it like he sees it......and doesnt like what he sees. Anyway, you and your crew will probably still be trying to figure out how you couldn't buy the election when Drew and I are back marching in the snows of NH for a fellow Democrat. Please dont come up there and enter yourself into the Presidential race. WIth your arrogance, money and self assurance, it wouldn't surprise me to hear you would line up.

Drew, keep it real.... Call it like you see it..... And let's keep the Democratic Party in Arkansas moving forward......!!

"In a race where nobody cares we have something that nobody cares about, anything going on in the AG race?"

You think anyone really cares about the AG race? Most people won't even know who these guys (sorry Ms. Shoffner) are when they go to vote.

I'm into politics and I don't even know who I will vote for at this point.

How much could you be into politics? Isn't she running for Tres.?

Is anyone else disturbed that Linda Chesterfield who is in the State House and head of the Legislative Black Caucus is a paid mouthpiece for Bill Halter's campaign?

I think the other three candidates should boycott the Black Caucus debate if Chesterfield is allowed to moderate. But then again Linda always has been best bought by the highest bidder.

LInda Chesterfield....so then there's at least ONE person on Democratic State Committee supporting Halter?

Boring

Linda Chesterfield will sell out to the highest bidder. She's Joyce Dees without the class.

Mike Hathorn is a low life. He represents everything bad about Arkansas. He acts like he is a good guy..Ask Jo Carson about his race for Congress against her. He is mean, hateful and has a staff that has no honor. The best thing that could happen to Arkansas would be to end Mike Hathorn's career. He is as bad, as awful and as dirty as they get. I am voting for either Tim Wooldridge or Jay Martin. But if it's a Halter-Hathorn runoff, I am for Halter.
Arkansas should be too.
Hathorn is terrible

I think the head of the Legislative Black Caucus selling out to Bill Halter is not boring, Bud.

I just saw the story on Channel 7 and I have to say Bud Jackson is a poor spokesperson for Bill Halter. His Comment was the worst I've ever heard. I thought this guy knew what he was doing. Maybe you need to find an internship somewhere.

Why do you want to say bad things about Mike Hathorn. Halter looks like he a screw up.

Hathorn is the one we need to get behind and get people like Bill Halter out of politics. T

Mike,

If you really want free media. I'd take all the money I've got left in my war chest and build a school building or a couple of police cars or establish a scholarship.

That would be much more knoble than this stunt. Hey, what's more, it might actually work.

I saw Channel 7 news and couldn't disagree more with the previous poster. Bud Jackson said voters are beginning to wonder if Mike Hathorn should be running for Lt. Governor or applying for an internship with Kenneth Starr.

I'm a voter and I agree. I have had enough with these negative attacks and politics.

Umm... not to burst your bubble, but Jo Carson is supporting Mike Hathorn.
Call her and ask.
Mike and Jo both criticized each other's record, sometimes vigorously. NEWS FLASH - it is politics that's what is supposed to happen.
Nobody learns anything from the "I'm for education, health care, more jobs." speeches that too many candidates give.

Whoever the people are who commented on Bud Jackson scaring children and being unattractive, you couldn't be more wrong. I have know him for a couple of months now and not only is he a nice guy but he also has dreamy green eyes.

We love you Bud. Don't let these Hathorn hacks get to you. They know they're on a sinking ship.

Halter already sank on his gubernatorial ship... So, pardon me if it seems that Halter is cruising on the Titanic in the Lt. Gov. race. The ship may look pretty now, but Hathorn's complaint may just be the iceberg that sinks another one of Halter's ships.

Halter moved in from DC
and bought lots of ads on TV,
but he broke the rules
gave Hathorn the tools
to win in the run-off you'll see.

Hathorn came down from the hill
with the goods on Halter to spill
By the time he got back
he was known as a hack
and the run-off was Wooldridge and Bill

Halter leads; Wooldridge, second; Hathorn, third...
and out of runoff, out of politics and hopefully out of Arkansas. Bye Bye Mike and your thug assistant, D. Foster

There once was a man from Nantucket....

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist!

There once was a man named Bill;

Who got caught with his hand in the till.

Now trouble is a surety,
unlike social security.

And his campaign seems to be headed downhill.

This really doesn't fit here but hoping that Max reads and posts appropriately. The following is a message from the Holt campaign in response to the AR Dem Gaz editorial yesterday. Interesting.......

Holt Campaign Reply to "Caution: Ill Will Ahead"

That was the title of the unsigned Democrat-Gazette editorial on April 27th. There was ill-will aplenty, and it was all pouring in from their side. They were enraged that Senator Jim Holt would have the gall to suggest that illegal aliens should not have automatic access to your pockets to pay for their routine medical care.

They wrote that this is ".a preview of what the whole state can expect if Jim Holt is our next lieutenant governor, and it isn't pretty: Four abrasive years of arguing over how mean we can legally be to the strangers in our midst." No doubt the liberal media is very abrasive, after all they railed at us for being so primitive as to stop homosexuals from redefining marriage. Any time we dare to stand up to them to defend our culture and earnings we are at risk of another scolding from their enlightened liberal keyboards.

Their definition of "mean" is that we don't want the government to take our tax dollars that come from our family's earnings (under the threat of imprisonment if we refuse to comply) and use them to pay for the routine, non-emergency medical care of illegal aliens. See how that works: The illegal aliens are not mean for breaking into our country and taking money that belongs to us, we are mean because we want to hold onto what we have earned.

Understand that no one wants to deny emergency medical treatment to anyone, regardless of ability to pay or citizenship. Senator Holt does not want to deny anyone routine medical treatment, such as pre-natal care, either. He simply wants the illegal aliens to pay for their own routine medical care instead of using the government to force you to pay for it. And we pay for it directly in taxes and indirectly when hospital emergency rooms have to eat the costs of care they provide or pass it on to the rest of us. And for that he feels the scorn of the Democrat-Gazette and his two primary opponents who seem to share the establishment presses' special brand of "compassion".

One can almost see the spittle flying from their lips as the Democrat-Gazette wrote, "Should we the people treat strangers-ILLEGAL ALIENS!-in our emergency rooms when they show up hurt or sick and with no place else to turn to?" But of course that is not the issue and they know it, so they go on to qualify it..

"But the oh-so-serious debate goes on: Should we pass a state law denying illegal immigrants medical treatment? Jim Holt's campaign manager explains that we can feel comfortable with such a law on the books because federal law prohibits hospital emergency rooms from turning away the poor and desperate. No harm done, you see. Once again we in Arkansas can count on the feds to see that we act decently."

Their problem is they rely on each other's misinformation to commit character assassination rather than call or email me, the campaign manager in question, to get the real story. They would not even have to go that far. In this article on the arkansaswatch.blogspot.com blog I give three well-documented reasons that SB206, the bill from Senator Holt that has them raving so hysterically, would not deny anyone emergency medical services under either state or federal law. That is right, SB206 would not preempt even our state laws that mandate emergency rooms provide emergency medical care regardless of ability to pay, and yes even citizenship. So we don't need the feds to see that we act decently, except perhaps for those among us who use their vast power as editorial writers to attempt character assassination based on misinformation.

They continue, "Jim Holt's campaign manager, Mark Moore, sounds as if he couldn't care less about the prenatal check-ups and diet supplements needed to assure healthy babies-not if they would benefit ILLEGAL ALIENS!" Again, at some point people need to assume individual responsibility for their own lives rather than expect our government to do it for them at taxpayer expense- they especially should not expect our government to do it for them if they are not citizens of our government. No one is denying them even routine medical care, we would just like to deny them access to your pockets to pay for it. I will keep it simple: if you feel you should continue to pay for the routine medical care of illegal aliens, vote for Mr. Banks or Rep. Matayo. If you feel that you should not have to pay for it then your candidate is Senator Jim Holt.

Senator Holt believes that with the benefits of living in the U.S. comes responsibility. If there was a major war would the illegal aliens using our benefits stay around and risk their lives to help defend our country, or would they simply melt away into the night?

I cannot conclude without noting that the editors used a scripture to support their position that it was immoral to deny illegal aliens any privilege or benefit to which our own citizens are entitled. That was Leviticus 19:33-34 which reads, "And if a stranger sojourns with thee in your land, you shall not vex him. 34 but the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

I am grateful that they bring the authority of scripture into this question, because I do believe that Scripture is God-inspired and the highest presentation of Divine moral truth available to man. Still, perfect truth may be imperfectly understood, especially when divorced from diligent study and the illumination of the Holy Spirit that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without both these two things those same words that bring life can be used to promulgate error.

In this case the word "stranger" in the Hebrew ("gare") has a primary translation of "guest". Look it up in a Strong's Concordance if you care to. Leviticus 19 therefore does not refer to people who entered the country illegally. Instead they were strangers like "ye were strangers in the land of Egypt". The Hebrews were invited into Egypt by the legal government of that country. They were legal aliens. Further, the Children of Israel were ordered in Exodus 23:31-33 to drive out certain corrupting inhabitants of the land and keep them out ("they shall not dwell in thy land"). In other words, Israel had the right and duty to secure her borders. The idea that God wanted the Children of Israel forced to pay taxes to provide non-emergency medical care to any Canaanites who slipped back into the land is as farcical as the attempts of the Democrat-Gazette and certain of Senator Holt's opponents to use Leviticus 19 as "proof" we are somehow less Christian because of our support for SB206.

-Mark Moore, Campaign Director

there once was a mean kid named Mike.
Who blamed Billy for breaking his trike.
So little Mike cried
cause he couldn't Ride
with the big boys in the race on their bike

Please quit posting long articles on the blog. It makes the page take even longer to load for those of us with poor connections.

Maybe you could just provide a link.

I am loving the poems. It ads a litte bit of humor to the vitriol.
But to the "real" last bartender poet I would say what kind of bartender worth his salt is blogging at 7:10 am? Maybe the last real newspaper delivery boy poet would be a better moniker.
Eh.. keep it fun.

makes ethical candidates like JAY MARTIN look reallllllly good!!!! I'm staying completely away from the Halters & Hathorns. GO JAY

makes ethical candidates like JAY MARTIN look reallllllly good!!!! I'm staying completely away from the Halters & Hathorns. GO JAY

List of Religious Affiliations of Current State Candidates:

Corrections or assistance in filling in blanks is greatly appreciated!

Governor:

Mike Beebe: Episcopalian

Asa Hutchinson: Southern Baptist (?)

Lt. Governor:

Bill Halter: Catholic

Mike Hathorn: Southern Baptist

Jay Martin: Assemby of God

Tim Wooldridge: Church of Christ

Chuck Banks: ?

Jim Holt: ?

Doug Matayo: ?

Atty General:

Robert Herzfeld: Southern Baptist

Dustin McDaniel: Episcopalian

Paul Suskie: Catholic

Gunner DeLay: Southern Baptist (Thanks DBI)

Secretary of State:

Charlie Daniels: Southern Baptist

Jim Lagrone: Southern Baptist

Treasurer:

Mac Campbell: Episcopalian ?

Don House: Church of Christ

Martha Shoffner: Presbyterian

Chris Morris: ?

Congress District 1:

Marion Berry: United Methodist

Mickey Stumbough: ?

Patrick D'Andrea: ?

Congress District 2:

Tom Formicola:

Andy Mayberry: Missionary Baptist

Vic Snyder: United Methodist

Congress District 3:

John Boozman: ?

Woody Anderson: Catholic

Congress District 4:

Joe Ross: ?

Mike Ross: United Methodist

If you want to add me to the list, I am agnostic.

Drew you are an idiot. You are not a candidate NOBODY cares about you or your religious affiliation. go away, please go away.

Ridiculous as one of the sitting Ethics Commissioners gave illegaly to Hathorns campaign.

If a tree fell in the Lieutenant Governor forest, would anyone but campaign staffers from the various camps post about it?

I am so sick of this race.

"If a tree fell in the Lieutenant Governor forest, would anyone but campaign staffers from the various camps post about it? I am so sick of this race."

Too true. John Nance Garner, vice president from 1933-41 under FDR, memorably said: "The vice presidency isn't worth a pitcher of warm piss."

In Arkansas, the quote certainly applies to the lieutenant governor, a PART-TIME position that entirely consists of presiding over the Senate every odd numbered year and casting tie breaking votes (and how often does that happen in a 35-member chamber?)

Jim Guy Tucker and Mike Huckabee became governor under historical quirks that are not likely to be repeated in the lifetime of anyone who is posting on this blog.

The political reality is this: the Lt. Gov. does only what the Governor allows him to do. Inevitably, the Governor will quash any move by the Lt. Gov. to take the spotlight away from the Gov--just ask Win Rockefeller, who pledged in his '96 campaign to be an economic ambassador for the state but who thanks to Huckabee's ego was virtually invisible in terms of any substantive policy proposal.

Anyone who thinks Mike Beebe is going to graciously allow Bill Halter, Tim Wooldridge, Mike Hathorn or Jay Martin to soak up media attention and legislative victories for any substantive policy proposal is living in a dreamworld. The same goes for Asa Hutchinson and Jim Holt, Doug Matayo or Chuck Banks. If choosing between the Gov. and Lt. Gov. in terms of making enemies, legislators will choose the Gov. and stiff the Lt. Gov.

The amount of attention that is being paid to this worthless office is absurd.

Decided to go downtown for lunch today craving the down home food from Cotham's that I remember from before I retired.

Noticed that Halter's Headquarters in right across the street and drove through the parking lot to turn around. I was really shocked at the number of out of state plates with Halter bumper stickers. Does this man employ anyone from in-state. I know he hasn't lived here in a while, but there are not any Arkansans on his staff. By my best count, there were four cars in the lot with Halter stickers. A silver Taurus from Texas, a brown jeep from Missouri, a silver Daewood from North Carolina, and a silver Toyota Solara with DC plates.

It was very sobering to see so little AR representation.

I am a student at UALR and I have been following the Lt. Govs race. Bill Halter grew up in AR and he moved away. My question is how many of you politicians out there would have turned down a request by Bill Clinton to come to Washington to work in his White House??? Then with his education and experience, he received job offers from other states, where he could make more money than here in AR because those types of jobs were not available here. Would you have turned that down??? But, now he has come home to AR to try to help bring those types higher paying jobs to AR, so that future generations of Arkansans do not have to leave the state to find high paying jobs. All of this talking about campaign money, to most AR votes is, Who cares. If someone is running for office and people are giving money in the appropriate amounts what is the big deal?

"If someone is running for office and people are giving money in the appropriate amounts what is the big deal?"

The big deal is that it is not clear that people are giving in the right amounts. There is no documentation of the large dollar amount transfers from one account to the other. The more serious issue is that Halter spent money purchasing things to run for governor (computers, office supplies, database, banners, etc.). He does not have to return any money that was not spent. Now he is using the items purchased on a different campaign and the people that gave to buy those items can give all over again. This is a blatant side-step of the donation limits put in place by our state legislature.