- MY PICK: Clinton with Lincoln Wednesday evening.
Former President Bill Clinton is in town today, as you know, for a string of money-raising events for Democratic candidates — Joyce Elliott (2nd District Congress), Carolyn Y. Staley (state rep.), Chad Causey (1st Dist. Congress) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln.
Elliott’s campaign, which has been virtually invisible, is closing every bit of the Clinton event to the media. The wisdom of this secrecy escapes me. We can argue about Bill Clinton’s continuing voter pull in Arkansas, but I don’t think it’s arguable that it’s better to be photographed with the Big Dog than to let your opponent define you by hanging Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi around your neck at every opportunity.
(Lincoln’s event is open, by contrast.)
UPDATE: Clinton stopped to chat with a few reporters gathered outside Elliott’s event at the Copper Grill. Jason Tolbert grabbed a good film clip. Clinton’s remarks would do well to be passed around to other Democrats — emphasizing positive impacts of stimulus; better financial oversight; better student loan procedures; more control of health insurance companies. He emphasized Sen. Lincoln’s importance as Ag chairman and gave her and Elliott ringing endorsements. Elliott has a record of doing things; Tim Griffin has a record of “ethical problems” and wants to go back and “do things that got us in trouble in the first place.” Voter “anger, apathy and amnesia” require Dems to “get out and tell our side of the story.”
Democratic Party ads a throw-down on Griffin and others in the following news release: