Arkansas Blog: Former N.J. gov. defends Asa!

Asa Hutchinson this afternoon held a press conference to release a letter from former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean defending Hutchinson's record as the undersecretary for border and transportation security at the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

Kean co-chaired the 9/11 Commission, which investigated the preparation preceding, and subsequent reaction to, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

During the third gubernatorial debate on Tuesday, Mike Beebe responded to Hutchinson's comments about illegal immigration by saying, "All you got to do is look at the record. The press, the 9/11 commission, all these other folks have said he failed miserably. That was his No. 1 job, border security. And he didn’t do it. He didn’t do it when he was in Washington."

In his letter, Kean didn't deny the criticism Beebe cited, but he tried to soften it. "The 9/11 Commission has, of course, been critical of the new Department of Homeland Security in some respects, noting areas where improvement is needed," Kean wrote. "These criticisms were never aimed at the men and women who have worked and continue working to secure our nation. Instead, they were intended as a constructive spur to further bipartisan action, from both Congress and the Administration, and ongoing improvement."

Kean says at the end of his letter that Beebe does not have a right to criticize Hutchinson: "I urge those who have never shouldered the burden of protecting our homeland to resist the temptation to malign the integrity and service of those who have. This work is too important. The security of our nation should rise above such petty politics."

(It might be worth noting that Beebe served in the U.S. Army Reserve, whereas Hutchinson never served in the U.S. military. Guess Kean's statement depends on what he means by "shoulder[ing] the burden of protecting our homeland.")

Speaking of "petty politics," Kean was a paid consultant on "The Path to 9/11," the recent discredited ABC television movie that blamed Bill Clinton and his advisers for failing to prevent the attacks. His son, Thomas Kean, Jr., is a Republican currently running for the U.S. Senate in New Jersey.

Comments

Wait, I thought serving in the Reserve was "ducking" and "cowardly."

That was what you all said in 2004.

I'm so disillusioned.

Posted by: PartidoRojo | October 19, 2006 09:58 PM

Just wait until November 8th Partido, old buddy, you're really going to be disillusioned.

Gov. Kean showed his true colors by dirtying his hands with that ABC clap-trap. While always a well spoken man, obviously he's sold out and gone Hollywood while at the same time kissing the ass of his masters, Bush-Cheney.

So his opinion of Asa matter little to the people of Arkansas. Plus...New Jersey.....Maybe Tony Soprano told Kean to put in a good word for Asa. Someone might also check the records and see how much Asa paid the money whore Gov. Kean. Maybe Asa met him at the Bada Bing Club to pick up the letter.

Next Asa will be reading us a letter of commendation from Jimmy Hoffa's widow. Just what does the Mayor of Toronto think of Asa Hutchinson? The crumb gatherers are casting a wide net here in the waning days of the campaign. Maybe a certified check will get a quick nod from the new Pope?

Maybe Asa should join Toastmasters for he is sure enough toast.

Posted by: Deathbyinches | October 19, 2006 11:03 PM

Beebe's service corresponds chronologically with mine (I was active 1969-71, discharged from the reserves 1974). You cannot dismiss reserve service during that era as ducking or cowardly, Mr Rojo.

I'm not saying some of us (such as I) weren't afraid for our lives then, as those serving now are, but we did our jobs, and for my part, I feel I've served an obligation of a good citizen well--President Nixon's signature on my letter of discharge says so. Botching the oversight of Homeland Security doesn't.

Posted by: widj | October 20, 2006 12:21 AM

Asa Hutchinson has got to be running one of the most gut sickening campaigns I've ever seen. Attack Attack Attack. Oh my opponent is a devil worshiper... Blah blah blah. Good lord Asa. What the heck are you going to do for Arkansas? Take us back to the days of the Central High Crisis? Do you really want to rewind the clock and pretend like you don't live in modern society?

The same goes for Mayberry. Only he is so outspoken about his beliefs that I am almost to the point that I think he is evangelical christian to his toenails. And We don't need more radical religious political icons. *cough* Middle East. Maybe Mr. Mayberry should wake up and see that he's living in the real world and not in the Bible.

Hey Mr. Mayberry? Have you ever shaken the hand of a gay person? Or are you afraid you'll get cooties? Grow up!

Posted by: D Burn | October 20, 2006 12:23 AM

"Wait, I thought serving in the Reserve was "ducking" and "cowardly."

Well here is another Rwinger who when he thinks really screws up. They don't pay you for thinking Rojo, just reacting.

What was cowardly about Bush's service as pointed out by very conservative folks at American Prospector is that he got his dad to intervene and get him a coveted seat in the Texas Guard which assured him he would not serve in Viet Nam. Additionally as
Farenhiet 9/11 documented when given the choice of serving his nation in Viet Nam Bush selected NO!
He's just a pimp president. This is a Dick Cheney administration as far as governing goes. They play media roles and we all know it so they let Georgie boy act like he is president.
_

Posted by: Lwood | October 20, 2006 03:50 AM

PartidoRojo,

The difference is, Partido, that Beebe showed up. Unlike your idol, George, who felt that helping in a Republican Senate cmpaign was more important than his military duty or upholding his oath.

I also notice from your nickname that like the rest of your 'compadres' you embrace the flood of illegals aliens. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.

'PartidoRojo' translates as Red Party in Spanish. 'Como no?'

Posted by: docholliday | October 20, 2006 07:31 AM

Put that in your pipe ans smoke it liberals.

Posted by: The Citizens Journal | October 20, 2006 09:13 AM

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the more Rojo and CJ post to this blog the worse the posts are. Worse in the sense that they make absolutely no sense to the average person. Then again I suppose it could all be some more Rethuglican code we're not supposed to understand. Oh Well.

Posted by: Charles Eddie Smith | October 20, 2006 09:54 AM

Right Mr. Smith. I'm looking around for the substance to put in my pipe and smoke at the invitation of the Citizens Journal and I see nothing......he must be speaking some kind of code words to his crumbling base. Happy November 7th, TCJ!

Posted by: Deathbyinches | October 20, 2006 10:27 AM

Arkansas Blog

Former N.J. gov. defends Asa!

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