Arkansas Blog: A new GOP?

It's a journey of a thousand miles, no doubt, but there are some Republicans who are quietly taking heart from last night's results and seeing them potentially as a new day for the party -- a party perhaps cut loose from old ruling cliques and, particularly, the pervasive influence of the hard-core Religious Right.

The pieces of their case: Vickey Boozman's defeat for state House by Tim Summers of Bentonville, a converted Democrat. The Boozman name isn't golden? This should shiver bro-in-law U.S. Rep. John Boozman. This year, if any year, might have been a year for a strong Democratic challenge of the colorless, party-line-toting Boozman. In any case, Summers showed that a center-right conservative can win in Benton County. It shows, for sure, that the business community is tired of the religious jihadists.

Some of the same themes emerged in Courtney Henry's smashing defeat, even in Benton County, of a Hutchinson family father-in-law, Ron Williams, for Court of Appeals. Many big-name business Republicans backed her. It's a non-partisan race, but she's a Democrat, make no mistake.

Religious Righter Gunner Delay was beaten soundly in his candidacy for a district judgeship in Fort Smith.

Hard-core righter Randy Minton lost his legislative bid in Lonoke County. Ann Clemmer, a self-avowed Rockefeller Republican, won the Bryant-area Republican primary for House without a runoff and far more Republicans than Democrats turned out. That seat could be a pickup for the Republicans. Kelly Eichler, who had a well-organized, well-financed and smashing Republican primary win for a House seat in Little Rock's Heights, has an uphill climb in the general election (I believe and hope), but she's certainly more of a center-right candidate. She's certainly pleasing to the business conservatives who've chafed at the religious bomb-throwers in their party.

"It's a great sign," said one long-time party operative who said there'd been a concerted effort to seek more mainstream candidates.

This brings us, in a roundabout way, to the premiere legislative race of the fall -- Democrat Joe White of Conway against Sen. Gilbert Baker, the Republican Party leader. It could be a half-million-dollar race, the most expensive legislative race in Arkansas history. Gov. Mike Beebe, hugely popular, has made it a priority to beat Baker. The Republican Party has made it a priority to re-elect Baker.

Wrinkle: Baker linked up with The Brotherhood, the anti-progressive controlling clique of the Senate. One of The Brotherhood's number, Sen. Irma Hunter Brown, was beaten last night by Joyce Elliott. Another staunch anti-Brotherhood senator, Sen. Jim Luker, was re-elected. Jim McLean of Batesville campaigned heavily on the evils of the Brotherhood in eking out a House win over Sen. Jack Critcher's wife.

In a year where the word "change" seems to be on every tongue, Baker's association with The Brotherhood might not be a postive. White, a legislative newcomer, won't be burdened by charges of backroom dealing and a demonstrated willingness to give up party principle for political ends. That is going to be one heckuva race.

PS ON THE BROTHERHOOD: It'll still be a corrosive factor, unfortunately. In changes thanks to term limits, Johnny Key and David Wyatt coming in for Shawn Womack and Jack Critcher are believed to be Brotherhood for Brotherhood changes. Cecile Bledsoe for David Bisbee brings in a Brotherhooder for an Otherhooder. Larry Teague for Jim Hill and David Johnson for Jim Argue are Other to Other. Elliott for Brown is an Other for a Brother. So those six new senators are a wash in the political lineup, with the Brotherhooder Gil Baker's race yet to be decided. If Baker holds his seat, observers figure The Brotherhood still can count up to 21 votes. We can only hope that the demonstrated baggage with the label and being viewed as a craven horse trader in a time of change might be viewed as somewhat less desirable in 2009. Vain hope in the Arkansas legislature, I know.

Comments

So what you're saying Max is that the GOP is moving to a place which scares you, especially as the Democrat party moves further to the left.

Also, Boozman's niece won her race in Fort Smith.

Posted by: Arkansas Red | May 21, 2008 09:30 AM

If the Henry's in Fayetteville beat the Hutchinson's in Rogers, the Campbell's in Harrison beat the Womack's in Mountian Home, the Boozman's lose in Bentonville, and the DeLay's lose in Fort Smith - isn't the Republican brand in and of itself looking pretty damaged in the 3rd CD?

Posted by: WordSmithy | May 21, 2008 10:03 AM

"isn't the Republican brand in and of itself looking pretty damaged in the 3rd CD?"

No. These are Republicans beating Republicans. Maybe if they'd have lost to Democrats you could make that argument. This is a movement away from Right Wing social conservatives that have dominated the Republican Party in Arkansas and an embracing of economic and moderate Republicans that have broader appeal - a la John McCain.

Posted by: TheBusDriver | May 21, 2008 10:59 AM

All I know is that my biggest concern was the complete and utter failure of ALL of the AYPN candidates. In that sense, WE WON!!!!! muhahahahahaha. (unless I missed one...)

Posted by: devilsadvocate | May 21, 2008 01:36 PM

Yeah...take Bill Walters for example. He has Republican DNA, yet he's running as a Democrat for the first time in his life down there in his little fiefdom, Greenwood. I'd say when Republicans pretend to be Democrats....that's pretty scary. Like when Nazis would disguise themselves as American soldiers during WWII. And one only needs to look at the voting record of Mark W. Pryor to see what you get when a Republican pretends to be a Democrat.

Boozman's niece is cute, but that's the end of what she'd bring to Arkansas government. She'll be shown the door in November and have to go sit with Gunner, Williams, and Aunt Vickey in the losers corner. Cheney-Bush has ruined the Republican Party and since we can't stone them, we'll have to settle with voting them out of office. Good day, I say to them!

Posted by: Deathbyinches | May 21, 2008 02:49 PM

Max:

So Kelly Eichler's a "secrecy enabler" that you "believe and hope" will lose in November? Why--because she did her job when she was lawyer to Gov. Huckabee? She did a good job as counsel, and would represent her district honorably and effectively in the House. When you get home tonight, ask your wife what it means to be an ADVOCATE--that is the job of an attorney, and Kelly's a good one.

ARK. BLOG: I had personal dealings with her. She perpetuated the childish and extralegal tactics the governor's office used to deny us taxpayer-financed services that were due us. She represented her client as Huckabee wished to be represented, not as a good advocate would do. I ain't fergettin' Honor wasn't part of the program.

Posted by: FromThePines | May 21, 2008 03:29 PM

As a former member of the Religious Right- I consider this good news. The RP of Arkansas has been influenced way too much by the Jim Holt/Gunner Delays of the state. After being involved with the RR and having 3 terrible (Unchristian) expiriences with these folks, I am beginning to believe that religion itself may be a REAL threat to freedom. As a Christian I oppose abortion, but I am no longer sure about legislating Christian beliefs into law. A perfect example of this is the gay foster parent ban! Jesus followers should be concerned with things in HIS kingdom and leave this one alone.

Posted by: Bosco | May 21, 2008 06:02 PM

Deathbyinches: What is your preoccupation with Stephanie Malone's cuteness? Is it easier to focus on that then her experience with the Chamber of Commerce or her knowledge of the local economy? Maybe that she has a pretty good grasp of how the legislature works and is looking to get to Little Rock and do what it takes to get the Fort Smith Region properly represented? Get I-49 completed? Get Little Rock to recognize that Fort Smith is not part of Oklahoma, but rather, it is Western Arkansas with resources, people and technology that all deserve a second look and indeed a voice on the many commissions for which Beebe is responsible for appointing representatives?

But, seriously, let's just focus on her family ties and her cuteness ... I'm sure she dresses well and has really great legs ... that's what we should do with all your favorite Green Party candidates, right?

Posted by: she_knows | May 22, 2008 09:23 AM

Awwwwwwwwwww snap. DBI's woman just got called ugly.

Fight, fight, fight, fight....

Posted by: BarbaraEffinHardcastle | May 22, 2008 01:33 PM

Arkansas Blog

A new GOP?

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