YON TOM COTON: Hungry for higher office?

  • YON TOM COTON: Hungry for higher office?

Bobby Tullis, Libertarian candidate for 4th District Congress, poses a question that will eventually force its way into the 4th District debate including Republican Tom Cotton and Democrat Gene Jeffress:

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He called on Cotton to address the rumor that Cotton plans to serve just one term in Congress and then run against Sen. Mark Pryor in 2014.

“We need a congressman who is focused on the needs of the 4th District and who is prepared to fight for the people and not be concerned about the next step up the political ladder,” Tullis said. “Mr. Cotton needs to clarify this situation and pledge to serve , if elected, and not just care about his political future.”

It’s a time-honored tradition to try to pin politicians with overweening ambition — using the current election as a stepping stone to higher office. You may recall it caused Bill Clinton’s some headaches once, though Arkansans forgave him, if their vote for him for president signaled a release of his pledge to serve out his last gubernatorial term in full.

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The Cotton question is fair. Republicans are already talking about reputed Cotton camp contacts with the Republican senatorial election apparatus. A successful race for Congress would be an immense stepping stone, particularly if, as rumored, Republican Congressman Tim Griffin has settled on a race for governor in 2014 and Steve Womack’s Potomac fever seems to be satisfied by his congressional seat. I’ve sent the question to the campaign. Will let you know what they say.

I think I can predict a response: “I don’t have time to think about anything but working 24/7 to serve the people of the 4th Congressional District.”

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