Arkansas Blog

I read the story Max. I don't see what the big deal is.

Most of these companies pour lots of money into research and devlopment early in their corporate life and sustain substantial losses.

It is only after the product is proven as effective and apporved for sale by the FDA does the company begin to recoup its investment and then turn a profit.

as far as this investigation goes, it's an investigation only and they usually have more to do with company leadership than they do with members of the company's board.

so, i yawn at this story.

it is just another example of a reporter trying to make something small into something bigger than it should be and then breaking his arm as he slaps himself on the back for writing an "importnat" piece of jounalism.

No big deal....RIGHT! Nice try Bud Jackson!

A couple more investigations and this guy is on his way to making the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list!

He's being INVESTIGATED by the Arkansas Ethics Commission for camapaign finance violations....There's a pending INVESTIGATION by the Pulaski Prosecutor's office for possible illegal activity....and now the Justice Department is investigating one of these great companies Bill Halter was all too proud of just two weeks ago.

Bill Halter is a fraud and a liar. He's lied or misled the public about everything since he got here....EVERYTHING. I'm beginning to believe he didn't even bag groceries at Kroger! If he did, it's the only thing he's been truthful about.

Halter has made millions while his "companies" have lost HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS.

He's a fraud and a liar. He actually served as Acting Director of the SSA for about 60 days...and was put there by GEORGE W. BUSH...BUSH!!!!

Nothing about this guy is truthful. This is what happens when you allow an out of stater to come in here and buy your affection without looking beneath the covers first.

I have noticed that Halter has yet to file his Statement of Financial Interest (which I don't think is due until the end of the year) but, I would still be curious if anyone has calculated his holdings based on public records?

Max....bad timing???

Admit you have saddled up with a less than honest candidate and do the right thing by Arkansas. It was easy to do...he moved in here just a few months ago, spend 3/4 of a million dollars defining himself to a bunch of starry-eyed, non-engaged voters as well as Wooldridge haters such as yourself.

Tim Wooldridge may be ideaolically opposite you on a few issues that the Lt. Gov really has no impact on...but at least with TIm you know what you get. He wants to be Lt. Governor...but he's not going to lie to you to win it.

You and the rest of the Halterites that drank the Kool-Aid early are going to have a serious case of "buyers remorse" in about 8 years if you don't do the right thing now.

Come to the light Max....it's not too late!

"I have noticed that Halter has yet to file his Statement of Financial Interest"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that only required of existing officals?

I view the LG race as one between Wooldridge and Not Wooldridge. I plan to vote for Not Wooldridge, which happens to be Halter.

Can't forget that picture of Wooldridge applauding that sales tax hike two years ago...high taxes are killing this state....Jim Holt all the way....

And many people chose David Koresch at Waco, Pavel.

It's your constitutionally protected right. But that doesn't make it smart.

Talk about a slow news day. This is the norm in these types of businesses. The other investigation is a smoke screen. For whatever reason the powers that be in the Democratic party don't want someone who is brings new and exciting ways ideas to the table. You need no further proof of this than Jason Willett's pathetic performance at the PC Political Animals meeting last week and his turn on Warwick's show Friday night. I witnessed both and thought that if I wasn't a Yellow Dog Democrat and knew the issues I would support Gilbert Baker and the repubs all the way. Halter will be the nominee and will trounce Holt in Novemeber. As a Dem. voter told me yesterday - I'll vote for Halter just because the rest of the pack are acting like a.......

I was looking through Halter's financial reports last night and something isn't right.
Why would approximately 95% of Halter's contributions come from contributors out of state? Why would California, Washington, Conn, NJ, IL folks contribute to a race for a "go to the funeral" job like LT? So, a little further research on the names that I hit - come to find out that most of those "outsiders" contributed almost exclusively to Republicans in the past. Did they find Jesus and come over to the Left side of the world to give money to a pro-choice LT candidate in podunkc AR?
Now something isn't right with this guy!

I don't care much for Wooldrige and his voting record - but ya know what? I'd rather be sleeping with someone I know than sleeping with someone that has convinced a whole lot of Republicans to let loose of their money to support Halter.
How come Republicans are coughing up money to get Halter elected in Arkansas? Somethings up and I'm holding my nose and voting for Wooldrige.

mr "big deal, not really", you so misunderstand arkansas voters. it is a tremendously big deal....halter comes in here with no presence in the state whatsoever for over 20 years and says "thats ok...i'm from DC and CA and i am here to help. i have all this hi tech connectivity i can bring. i can help with eco devo" and it turns out these companies are huge losers! the only people who will EVER benifit from them are people like halter who cashed out while the cashing was good. this bodes well for a quick return to DC CA for your boy.....

Does anyone remember the candidate for constable who ran on the promise that if elected, he would do absolutely nothing? That's one of my criteria for LG. I want someone who promises to do nothing. When Mike Beebe is governor, he should be able to leave the state without having to worry what the LG will do. So I don't worry much about what the LG promises to do; I worry about what he might do when he is the acting governor. Based on some of his professed beliefs, I worry that Wooldridge might do something to satisfy his conservative instincts. I believe Beebe would have a lot less to worry about with Halter as acting governor.

"I have noticed that Halter has yet to file his Statement of Financial Interest"

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that only required of existing officals?

My understanding is that it is required by all candidates, but only due at the end of the year. (So, it can be filed after the election occurs.) I may be wrong, but this is my understanding...

i call BS, pavel. there is absolutely no basis in fact for the comment wooldridge would pull a nick wilson or a jerry jewell. in fact, he is the only guy in this race who publicly recognizes what the primary function of the Lt Gov is....and he is the only one remotely with any experience to do that.
you are going to have to do better than that if you are going to just make shit up.

My dog could preside over the arkansas senate.

The true test is who Beebe wants on the ticket...and Beebe is smart enough to stay out of it in public, even deny it.

But if you think Beebe is two steps from Marion Berry, then you don't know enough about this to form an intelligent argument.

Beebe is with Wooldridge. Period. End of Story.

And why wouldn't he be....Halter ran against Beebe before he jumped into this race.

Paschall (oops, I mean Pavel)...you know better. But thanks for the entertainment value. It's amazing how as soon as Halter starts paying Suskie's tab in the minority community you get so intereseted in the LT. Gov race.

Halter is a carpetbagger masquerading as one of us. He's obviously intelligent but his actions make it clear he doesn't think we're all that bright. Gone from the state long enough to become an outsider, he comes in here with money raised from out-of-state interests and blows it on TV time to build name recognition, and the rubes out there fall for it. Maybe he's right about us not being too bright. Damn! I resemble that greatly!

maybe so, basil, but your dog is'nt on the ticket...and he is'nt promising to do things with soon to be bankrupt calif biotechs and he is'nt being investigated by the ethics commision or the pulaski county prosecutors office and i bet your dog has lived in ark longer than halter; unless you are one of those out of state contributors of billy boys.

Something about Halter is fishy. He's up to something -- I don't know what it is, but it worries me. John Flake is supporting him, so I'm voting for the other guy.

It is a well known fact that D. Foster is friends with Wes Brown, the reporter of this piece.

It is also clear that the Hathorn people have now started working for wooldridge and continue to conduct the same smear campaign that lost them the last election.

we are sick of their pollution of this blog.

if a guy can be nominated and unanimously confirmed by the us senate to lead social security it stands to reason he is not the evil-dooer D. Foster and the Wooldridge/Hathorn hacks are making him out to be.

It is their tactics and lack of reason which expose their baseless accusation for what they are, dirty rotten tricks.

i hereby by judge Tim Wooldridge unfit to be lt. gov. based on his decision to hire these people and to allow them to conduct a character assassination.

It is common for a new biotech company to go 5 years or longer before making a profit and the burn rate for R&D can be very high.

The Wooldridge/Holt staffers are certainly out in force. All of the unreferenced, believe-me-because-I-said-it claims against Halter pale in comparison to Wooldridge's support from a conservative hate group after giving his black-and-white, Holt-parallel answers to their campaign survey. Wooldridge put his opposition to the Democratic Party's platform into writing. I intend to vote for a Democratic candidate, which means that I am voting for Halter.

if a guy can be nominated and unanimously confirmed by the us senate to lead social security it stands to reason he is not the evil-dooer.

Fine sir, that was 7 years ago, before Halter delved into the private sector and made millions while the companies lost millions. In 7 years a lot of things can change. All said and done, Halter does not pass the Arkansas smell test in my book. Something is not right here!

if a guy can be nominated and unanimously confirmed by the us senate to lead social security it stands to reason he is not the evil-dooer.

Fine sir, that was 7 years ago, before Halter delved into the private sector and made millions while the companies lost millions. In 7 years a lot of things can change. All said and done, Halter does not pass the Arkansas smell test in my book. Something is not right here!

And I suppose D Foster also has the clout to get an SEC investigation and a Justice Department probe started?

Give it a rest, Bud. Your boy is dirtier than a hippie on the 3rd day of Woodstock, and you can't clean him off with a few blog posts.

look anon,

companies, especially companied researching drugs don't make money for years. the average biotech company does not turn a profit for 13 years!

the companies are actually successful thus far, in my opinion because they have received the capitalization needed to contine to conduct research and development. they, like many other companies, are in the early stages of their corporate life.
i doubt they or their shareholders ever considered turning a profit for years.

you obviously do not have a business background, otherwise you would realize that this is all pretty normal stuff.

Why can't we get any candidates for the constitutional offices who are the quality of Sen. Jim Argue?

Is it also common practice to be investigated by the Justice Department?

All of this chatter about Halter raises the question...didn't Wooldridge have a little problem with ethics on the job recently?

Yes...Wooldridge sent out a letter on his nonprofit, tax exempt employer's letterhead informing people he was running for LG. And one of his employees at the nonprofit foundation sent out an e-mail from her work account urging people to vote for Wooldridge.

See
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/149358/

Hmmm...resigning from the board of a company with financial problems & under investigation vs. actively using your position as head of a nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation to advance your political candidacy. The latter seems much more relevant in the context of this race.

Those who live in glass houses...you know the rest.

Wooldridge, D. Foster and Pritt are up to the same kind of stuff that put Hathorn out of the runoff. More smear tactics will now put Wooldridge out.

Some on this blog would like folks to believe that Halter is the outsider who is dirty, but Tim's record speaks for itself...he is the one who is far outside the values of the Democratic Party and has fought in the Leg to line his own pockets at the wexpense of Vetrans and working people of Arkansas.

Dear Halter Campaign,

You need to stop blaming others for your woes and start answering questions. The Press are now catching on to your Tactics.

did'nt the article mention an investigation? i may just be an apple knocker from arkansas, but is an investigation normal?
you know boys, that he's from the big city now and is here to help aint gonna cut it.

Why is Halter considered a Bush Administration official? He was made the directly of Social Security by Bush. This was his highest profile government position and his highest paid position and his last government position. Lies, lies, lies.

Why isn't Halter considered a Bush Administration official? He was made the directly of Social Security by Bush. This was his highest profile government position and his highest paid position and his last government position. Lies, lies, lies.

"Give it a rest, Bud. Your boy is dirtier than a hippie on the 3rd day of Woodstock, and you can't clean him off with a few blog posts."

You wanna talk dirty, let's talk D. Foster, the "Dr. Dirt" of Arkansas politics--Karl Rove with more hair and fewer victories.

Halter was actually appointed by Bush.

Refute.

Halter was actually appointed by Bush.

Refute.

Arkansas seems to be full of people who care more about who is more "Arkansan" than who can actually heave this state up to the level of other states.

Arkansas is full of people who are not as smart as they think they are. A lot of them are backwoods, suffering from the isolation that this state has, and want to keep things as they are. Personally, if things don't change I am moving. I am encouraging my children to move. Because, people, this state SUCKS.

And it makes me sick that you will attack and smear someone that has come from here, gone OUT of the isolation of this state, made great nationwide contacts, and has the potential to really improve things here. I am voting for Halter. The rest of you children who are pissed because you lost should consider going back to elementary school and learning how to let go of your pride a little bit.

P.S. As a woman, I truly am sickened that people from other campaigns that lost would support Wooldridge, who they certainly hated before. You hate Halter because you're jealous, you hate Wooldridge for good reason, because he can be a damage to this state. NOW WHAT KIND OF ARKANSAN DOES THAT MAKE YOU?

Max,
Since the archives aren't available, would you mind posting the link to the questionnaire from the Arkansas Family Council? Some folks need to see Wooldridge's answers....

would'nt that be "attack and smear someone WHO has....." not "THAT has....."....maybe you ought to get out more too.

that's not a bad idea #8. the vast majority of people who are going to vote in the arkansas democratic party runoff believe just like tim. if you lived here or if you ever got out of hillcrest you might know that.

"Why can't we get any candidates for the constitutional offices who are the quality of Sen. Jim Argue?"

Because Argue is waiting around to be appointed director of the department of education in the Beebe regime so he can close all schools with fewer than 1500 students while keeping Beebe's prints off of it.

I started off thinking good things about Halter just because Clinton took him to DC with him and the most important thing about Bill was that he new how to pick people smarter than himself. AND so far Halter has not let me down.

OK, I know W has to pick someone smarted than him but at least Bill had a choice.

I started off thinking good things about Halter just because Clinton took him to DC with him and the most important thing about Bill was that he new how to pick people smarter than himself. AND so far Halter has not let me down.

OK, I know W has to pick someone smarted than him but at least Bill had a choice.

I early voted for Mike Hathorn in the Primary.I hate that Mike didn't make it and still feel he was the best one for the job. Now that I am met with a choice that I'm not crazy about, I have justified my reasoning behind my one vote in the following way:

1) What does the Lt. Gov do anyway? splits tie votes in the Senate, which should rarely happen in a body of 35...and presides over the Senate

2) Which one would work better with Beebe? I'm gonna say Wooldridge here--even though I'm not sure about their relationship.

While Tim is too far right for me to campaign for wholeheartedly, I dont think his conservative viewpoints will have much of an effect on his ability to perform the miniscule LG duties.

I tried to talk with several friends around the state to find out what they thought on the Halter vs. Wooldridge race. The interesting thing to us was the fact that Halter hasnt really gotten out there to campaign. Besides the fact that he moved back in October with limited funds for the race, he has not been on the campaign trail like the others have/had. I just wanted someone to tell me about how personal he is/isn't, etc. One friend said she went to an event in Bentonville and all statewide candidates came to speak except for Halter. The other friend said the same for an event near Stuttgart. I would understand if these were the months of the campaign before Halter announced---but they were held after he had entered the race. I just don't like the appearance that Halter doesn't have to go work the counties like the others do....So this Hillary-loving Liberal will cast her vote for the hard working ultra conservative Democrat vs. the rich no-show.

" if you lived here or if you ever got out of hillcrest you might know that."

D-Man, where's HERE? Aren't I already HERE? Again, let's see the questionnaire and have a discussion....

Sorry, best this "here" computer illiterate liberal can do...you'll have to cut and paste for the pdf...
http://www.arkansasvotersguide.com/FamilyCouncilPrimary2006SurveyByRace.pdf

** Moved back in October with UNlimited funds. sorry, obviously I was in a hurry...

Halter agreed to STAY ON at SSA (he was acting commissioner appointed by Clinton) until Bush appointed a replacement to takeover. Halter then toured with Democrats denouncing Bush's idea of privazation of SS payments.
That's the truth. Do your homework, Drew, Mike and Tim.

Straight The Jackson Groups Website

What is the first step in turning around a client's bad press?

"Analyze the public relations problem and become familiar with its individual dynamics. Determine what generated the bad press and examine the environment my client and I are now working within. Then work with the client to understand why they considered it bad press and to determine what they would consider good press or adequate damage control. Formulate our goals and draft a short- and long-term strategy using as many or as few tools available as needed, from news releases, media events, third-party validation, editorial board meetings, and letter to the editor writing campaigns, to talk show appearances, photo-ops, op-ed pieces, Internet strategies and paid advertising."

How important is it to get to know reporters and have them trust you?

"We need to understand that reporters have a job to do, deadlines to meet and bosses to satisfy. Their purpose in life isn't to help our clients. On the flip side, reporters usually understand we also have a job to do. Full disclosure, candid conversations and credible information will go a long way towards . . . generating favorable media hits."

I agree with an earlier post that said she would vote for wooldridge because he is a working conservative Democrat and Halter is the rich no-show candidate. I don't want someone to run four t.v. adds, and become Lt. Gov. of Arkansas.

Is it true that all of Hathorn's employees went to Tim? I know a few did (namely D Foster who would work for anything that pays him), but if they all did then that seems to be a little hypocritical on their part.

I am beting "here" is Arkansas.

Wooldridge introduced a bill in the Leg to hang'em high in the county courthouse square. How can any person who has brain cells left support him? I work with people from Saline, Faulkner, and Pulaski Counties and we are all voting for Halter. Our beautiful state can not afford another step back such as the one we would suffer with TW in office.

NOT TRUE lying liar.....

Check the SSA website. Halter was appointed on Bush's Inauguration, and started his tenure as acting directon on January 21, 2001.

you're the lying liar who needs to check their facts.

I agree ARDEM. I am also a former Hathorn person who is going to have to hold my nose and vote for Wooldridge.

I would rather have an honest hardworking man that I disagree with on some issues than a too smart for his own good crook who tells me what he thinks I want to hear.

How many investigations can one guy have going in such a short time? Impressive list if you ask me: 1. Arkansas Ethics Commission 2. Pulaski county prosecutor 3. SEC 4. Federal Judiciary

"NOT TRUE lying liar.....
Check the SSA website. Halter was appointed on Bush's Inauguration, and started his tenure as acting directon on January 21, 2001.
you're the lying liar who needs to check their facts."

Halter was NOT appointed Social Security Commissioner by Bush. As Deputy Commissioner appointed by President Clinton in 1999, Halter automatically became Acting Commissioner in January 2001 when the term of the last Commissioner under Clinton, Kenneth Apfel, expired.

see
http://www.ssa.gov/history/pdf/ApfelLetter.pdf

http://www.ssa.gov/history/commissioners.html

The second link shows that it is commonplace for there to be an Acting Commissioner from the previous administration during the initial months of a new President's term.

Bush picked a new Acting Commissioner in March 2001. If Halter was a "Bush appointee," then Bush would have kept Halter on as Acting Commissioner or nominated him to be Commissioner for a full term.

Halter's opposition to Bush's plan to privatize Social Security is well-documented.

"The vast majority of people who are going to vote in the arkansas democratic party runoff believe just like tim. if you lived here or if you ever got out of hillcrest you might know that."

You seriously argue that "the vast majority" of Democratic runoff voters, like Wooldridge according to the Family Council,

OPPOSE Roe v. Wade

OPPOSE hate crimes legislation

SUPPORT a state law that would codify discrimination against otherwise qualified adoptive parents solely based on their sexual orientation

OPPOSE science-based sex education and support the Jerry Fallwell/Pat Robertson approach

OPPOSE requiring pharmacies to stock contraceptives like the morning after pill.

You seriously argue that "the vast majority" of Democratic runoff voters, like Wooldridge, agree with JIM HOLT on 18 of the 25 Family Council questions?!?!

D. Foster, Drew Pritt, Mood, and Harpole dust of your resumes.

Your smear campaign has destroyed any future for you in politics.

On June 14th you'll be out of work.

We are sick and tired of your negative attack tactics.

Calm Down Dee Foster and Gary Moody. We know you are frantic because you'll be out of work in twelve days and haven't paid a penny into unemployment insurance because you've been skirting the law posing as "consultants" who in reality have no other clients. Halter is honest and you are not. If you knew anything at all about business, you would know that hi-tech companies are funded by venture capitalists who expect more companies to fail than succeed. In fact losing money for a period of time is more often than not in the business plan. Although you seem to regard it as a badge of honor that you've never left Arkansas, perhaps if you got out in the world a little bit you might understand that if this state has any chance to compete for the jobs of the future our entrepreneurs will need to attract venture capital for our own hi-tech startups. Something you do know however is that there is absolutely no substance to the "ethics" charges your last loser candidate trumped up. Why in God's name would you two want to stay in Democratic politics, when it's so obvious that you are so lacking in integrity?

Integrity and Democrat in the same breath with Halter is a stretch. I suspect that you have already looked at the financial disclosures - but if you haven't and are partaking of the Kool-Aid - take a look - you'd have to be a forensic accountant to understand the moving back and forth of money between 7 accounts. Don't take my word - just look at them.
And while you're looking - ask yourself why 95% of Halter's money is coming from known Bush Republican contributors. Beleive me, a Bush Republican contributes NOTHING unless there is something in it for THEM. If you haven't learned that in the last 5.5 years, then all hope is lost for you.

damn straight i am serious most people who will vote in the democratic run off agree with tim. just because they vote in the democratic run off does not make them democrats. in most of arkansas, if you want to vote for your local office holders, you must vote in the democratic primary. 79% of arkansans say they are moderate or conservative. only 13% say they are liberal and only 35% identify themselves as democrats.
only 15% approve of gay marriage. 65% say sexual relations between people of the same sex is always wrong. 70% would prohibit arkansas text books from defining marriage as anything but a union between one man and one woman. only 9% favor making it easier for a woman to get an abortion. only 31% support a law that would prohibit an employer from discriminating against a homosexual in employment.
like it or dont; that is arkansas and that looks a lot like tim wooldridge.....

On Bill Halter's disclosures to the Securites and Exchange Commuission of insider trading related of equity in InterMune, he lists his address as Brisbane, CA.

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/NSD/itmn/insidertrading/halter5_31_05.pdf

You know you are desperate when you resort to attacking staff members.

I guess it doesn't hurt you too much to burn bridges when you have no intention of sticking around this state when all is said and done.

The ethics charges on Halter are true to the core. That is why he hired republican counsel, Hilburn, to completely amend every report he had filed since last October shortly after the complaint became public.
Too bad for Bill you can't un-rob a bank. To me his wholesale changes in an attempt to cover-up each of the charges is merely an admission of guilt. If it wasn't wrong to begin with why change it?

As for the business experience, nobody has lied about Halter's record. The fact is he has managed to become rich - advising companies that are losing their shareholders millions.

In fact, the only one of his ventures that has profitted is Akamai Tech - who made their money pushing online porn and gambling. Great Job Bill, Really...
I can see the potential for arkansas there... maybe you can create some jobs by hosting a web site - "The Girls of Calhoun County"