Arkansas Blog

"Warwick's column considers the tight race for lieutenant governor and reports some outreach by Bill Halter to a Democratic legislative establishment that hasn't exactly embraced him warmly."

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Two observations on this. Other than Stovall, I have yet to talk to a Democrat legislator who is willing to support or even say good things about Halter. They feel that he stole this seat from their friends and colleagues, especially Wooldridge and Hathorn.

They also talk about the concern that Halter will run against Pryor in 2008 if he wins this year. They all support Pryor and are offended by statements that Halter apparently made to a local Democratic club that he intended to make the 2008 race for the Senate.

The other point is the Republican response to this race. There are several Republican legislators and other Republicans who were not excited about Holt initially that are becoming a little more open in their support him in light of Halter. I overheard one Republican legislator, when asked about this race recently, who said "look, Holt is a goofball and Halter is a goofball-maybe worse. Given that option, I'll take our goofball (Holt)."

The most interesting scenario this year is Governor Beebe and Lt. Gov. Holt. Wow.

It irks me everynight during the Jim Leherer News Hour to hear those bastards claim to have been publishing since 1819. The Hussman crowd was primordial ooze back then -- ---- even now!

Wow! Another great issue Max! You guys never cease to amaze me with your indepth and complete coverage. I tell you what, those two guys running for governor excite me! I sure am glad there are no other candidates for this race. It sure would muddy the waters with real issues and ideas. I mean, Asa! and Mike are soooooo different! Asa wants to cut that grocery tax out right, but Mike want to cut it over two years! What a difference! Asa wants to ban gay foster-parenting and Mike dosn't- wait, so does he. Hold on, they both want to make immigration a state issue, not a federal one, they both want to see more $ put into the pockets of those who financed their campaigns, they both want to prevent those "3 hour bus rides". Well, I guess they aren't so different after all. I'm really wish there was another choice. I really wish we had us an Independent or a Green Party candidate running. Oh, well. Maybe next time. Once again, great coverage guys. Warwick, You are my new hero as a great journalist...good work...

Pathetic

"They all support Pryor and are offended by statements that Halter apparently made to a local Democratic club that he intended to make the 2008 race for the Senate."

I will vote for Halter, I will vote for Holt, I will vote for Asa, if any of them run against Bush-loving, torture-loving Mark Pryor.

It is better to have a real Republican in office than a fake Democrat. Nothing makes Arkansas look more stupid than when their Democratic Senators hump the Bush-Cheney leg with their votes. Pryor and Lincoln both have voted with the Republicans on bills no Democrat in their right mind would have voted for.

The aw shucks nice guy routine isn't going to work for Pryor any more. I look forward to voting for anyone but Pryor in 2008. But don't worry about Mark, he can always get a job at Gitmo.

The Pryor vs. Halter rumor was started by the Republicans.

It is a f*#cking LIE.

The Republican blogs started this rumor to cause havoc among Democrats. Halter has NEVER said he'd run against Pryor. That is another f@@cking LIE.

Halter will NEVER run against Pryor.

I'll tell you what I heard though. If Holt wins, he'll run againt John Boozman for Congress. That's the truth.

"Other than Stovall, I have yet to talk to a Democrat legislator who is willing to support or even say good things about Halter. They feel that he stole this seat from their friends and colleagues, especially Wooldridge and Hathorn."

OK, this last point is really confusing. Democratic voters clearly preferred Bill Halter for lt. gov. Whether it was the strength of his campaign, the weakness of the other candidates' campaigns, or a combination, when the votes were counted, Halter was the clear choice.

Halter finished first in the May primary 13 points ahead of Wooldridge and 15 points ahead of Hathorn. [Halter 40%, Wooldridge 27% and Hathorn 25%) How is this "stealing" the election?

Halter won the June runoff by a 13 point margin over Wooldridge (56.5%-43.5%). Halter's margin of victory was the highest of any of the three Democratic constitutional office nominees (lt. gov, atty. gen and treasurer) decided in the June runoff. How on earth is this "stealing" the election?

Stealing an election is what the Republicans did in Florida in 2000 (the infamous 537-vote margin that elected Bush president).

Halter placed first in the primary with 37,079 more votes than Wooldridge and 42,266 more than Hathorn, and won the runoff with 22,373 more votes than Wooldridge.

Democratic voters had two chances to pick their nominee for lt. gov., and by wide margins most of them chose Halter both times. Any Democratic legislators who are still sore about their preferred candidate losing hopefully will set aside any bruised feelings and help elect the clear choice of Democrats statewide, Bill Halter, as our next lt. gov.

Sitting on the sidelines and pouting does nothing but help elect Jim Holt lt. gov. That should be a truly frightening prospect for Democrats and, indeed, any rational, mainstream voter in Arkansas.

FYI, this post is not from someone on Halter's payroll--it's from one of the 100,000 Arkansans who voted for Bill Halter based on his credentials and qualifications to become our next lt. gov.

CLAPAC -- am i the only one who thinks that sounds like a sexually transmitted disease?