SMU Election Project: Arkansas

Arkansans Vote McCain

2008-11-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

As expected, the state of Arkansas delegated its electoral votes to Republican John McCain. County by county, McCain received overwhelming support, with Obama taking only 9 of the state's 75 counties: Crittenden, Lee, St. Francis, Woodruff, Phillips, Jefferson, Desha, Chicot, and Pulaski. Of these 9, Obama's victory was greatest in Phillips County, where he was able to secure 64 percent of the 2,539 votes cast compared to McCain's 35 percent. Click here for an interactive, county-by-county results map from The Washington Post.

One Day Out: Arkansas is One State McCain Won't Have to Sweat

2008-11-03T16:33:00.001-08:00

One day before the election, Arkansas is one state Sen. John McCain appears to have secured for sure. He has consistently led Sen. Obama in the home state of the Clintons, and maintains a roughly 10 point lead the day before the big day according to Pollster.com.

Arkansas Polls Reveal Strong McCain Lead with Less than 10 Days to Go on the Campaign Trail

2008-10-27T20:15:00.000-07:00

It appears the state of Arkansas, a would-be Democratic stronghold for Senator Hillary Clinton, will swing its electoral votes in favor of Republican John McCain, according to the latest RCP averages. Polls show McCain leading Democrat Sen. Barack Obama by 11 points in the state-one where Sen. Obama has invested little time or money comparatively.

In the Senate, Democrat Mark Pryor runs unopposed by a major party candidate, and is more than likely to retain his seat. Perhaps he could spend some of that extra would-be campaign time helping fellow Democrat Sen. Obama's outreach in the state.

Celebs Join Local Democrats In Garnering State Support

2008-10-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

From the Arkansas Times: The Democratic Party has announced that Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson will join Sen. Mark Pryor and his father, David Pryor, the Party chairman, in a round of political appearances around Arkansas this week. Pryor probably can get along against his Green opposition well enough, but they'll all be touting the Obama-Biden ticket, too.

Dobbins' Appeal Denied By Arkansas Supreme Court

2008-10-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

The Arkansas Times reported that the state Supreme Court today denied Dwayne Dobbins' appeal of a circuit court ruling rejecting his lawsuit to get onto the ballot as a Democratic candidate for state House of Representatives. He waited too long to contest the party's refusal to certify him as the nominee, the court said.

Dobbins is the former Democratic representative who gave up his seat several years ago in a plea bargain over a sexual molestation case. Then he emerged at the last minute as a candidate this year instead of his wife, who the state Democratic Party had expected to file for re-election. The Democratic Party refused to certify Dobbins as nominee after passing a rule aimed at keeping his sort off the ballot. The House has also passed a ruling barring the seating of plea bargainers like Dobbins.

Arkansan Skin Head's Plot to Assassinate Obama Foiled by Feds

2008-10-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press just reported that federal agents have uncovered a plot targeting 88 African-American victims, including the planned assassination of Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama. Alleged to be at the helm of the diabolical scheme were two self-proclaimed skinheads, Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, TN, and Paul Schlesselman 18, of West Helena, AR. The two men apparently met online in a white supremacy forum.

Read the full report in the Miami Herald.

"Family Friendly" Candidate for State House Charged with Sexual Discrimination Suit

2008-10-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

Republican Kyle Reeves faces Democrat Monty Betts in Arkansas' Nov. 4 general election in an effort to replace David Evans, who is term-limited, in House District 50, which includes the city of Searcy. Reeves occupies the Ward 2, Position 2 seat on the Searcy city council and is a television consultant. His Democrat opponent isn't the only obstacle the Searcy Alderman faces in terms of his election, however.

A jury trial has been set for the week following Election Day, Nov. 12-14, to decide the charges brought against Reeves by former employee Leslie J. Williams. Williams accuses Reeves of sexual discrimination for firing her after learning that she was pregnant. Read more in this report from the Daily Citizen.

Education Reform Comes to the Forefront of Arkansas' Issues

2008-10-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

The Joint Education Committee of the Arkansas Legislature heard ideas today for closing the "achievement gap" between different racial and socioeconomic groups in the state. The full report of the prepared testimony is available through the Arkansas Times. But here are some highlighted suggestions from Dr. Jay Barth of Arkansas' Hendrix College:

1. Promote and expand participation in early childhood education;
2. Implement longitudinal tracking and aggressively improve teacher quality;
3. Approve only new charter schools focused on reducing the racial and
socioeconomic achievement gap, and study how lessons from successful charters
can be applied to whole school system;
4. Implement the recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on After-Schooland Summer Programs;
5. Expand school-based health clinics for under-served students;
6. Reduce class size in schools with high proportions of low-income, African
American or Latino students;
7. And promote broader community and parental engagement in schools.

Closing the so-called "achievement gap" and promoting educational reform so that all American students, not just those privileged enough to attend the country's best schools, has been a key issue toted by the Obama campaign. Will media coverage of Dr. Barth's testimony help convince undecided Arkansas voters of the importance of this issue?

Former GOP Presidential Candidate Continues Raising Funds in Home State

2008-10-27T16:47:00.001-07:00

Some candidates may need time off after a hectic season bidding for the Presidential nomination of the Republican party, but not Mike Huckabee. The former Arkansas Governor seems to be everywhere lately, whether hosting his brand new talk show on Fox News or making guest appearances and endorsements at GOP fundraising events. Even back in his home state, his Huck PAC keeps churning.

According to its website, the PAC says its purpose is "to assist Republicans running for office nationwide."

Based on the most recent quarterly report, Huck PAC pulled in more than $205,000 in the quarter ending Sept. 30 and spent $256,000, leaving the PAC with $150,000. It appears as though the Huck PAC gave $14,000 to 11 campaigns in the third quarter. Of that, $4,500 went to the Iowa Family PAC, a conservative religious group that helped ensure Huckabee's caucus victory last summer.

So the question remains, where did the rest of the $205,000 go if not to candidates? Some of the unitemized travel expenses might well have been for trips by Rev. Huckabee to appear for other candidates. But he also spent about $18,400 monthly, or more than $55,000 for the quarter, on a five-person full-time payroll, making from $2,900 to $4,500 a month. Top pay went to his daughter Sarah, reports the Arkansas Times.

Editorial in the Arkansas Leader Stands Up for Acorn Amid Allegations of Scandal

2008-10-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

An Editorial by Ernie Dumas published today in the Arkansas Leader defends the workings of Acorn amid allegations of attempted voter fraud in the 2008 Presidential Election. Dumas goes on to criticize Fox News and even the state's own Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (specifically a column by Mike Masterson that Dumas condemns as "persistently perverse") as tools of slander, legitimizing the Right's assertion that Acorn's tactics would unweave the rich tapestry of American Democracy as we know it. In his final debate with Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. John McCain spelled out the G.O.P.'s position on the accused organization, saying it was “on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history” and it “maybe destroying the fabric of democracy.” In Dumas's view, however, this is no more than a conservative attempt to draw attention away from the real issues in this election (IE-the economy) and the desperate attempt of a continuously ailing campaign to claw at its opponent and his constituents in any possible fashion.

Liberal Blogger Calls for former Arkansas Governor to Lead GOP Post-Election

2008-10-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

The Daily Kos, one of the most popular liberal blogs, suggests former Arkansas Governor and would-be GOP Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee should lead the Republican party after its presumed defeat on Election Day 2008. According the the left-wing website, Huckabee seems comparable to a conservative Howard Dean:

He is exactly the GOP's version of Howard Dean -- a popular governor of a small state, with a huge, energized following who briefly led his party's nomination contest before being kneecapped by his party's establishment. Like Dean, Huckabee isn't an insider, isn't one of them, and as such, isn't bound by their outdated and obsolete conventions. Like Dean, Huckabee offers a different direction from his party. Dean wanted muscular, unapologetic progressivism. Huckabee wants a more compassionate version of conservatism -- not fake "compassion" like Bush's, but the real stuff. "Big government conservatism", as his fiercest detractors charge.

And shit, you see Huckabee speak, and you don't think "he's fucking crazy". You ever see him on the Daily Show? The guy is good. Real good. (I've worried about this guy for years for those very reasons.)

Clinton Visit Causes Heat Between Local Journalists and AP on State Proposal

2008-10-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Associated Press reported that former-President Bill Clinton addressed a get-out-the-vote rally in Pinebluff, AR on Oct. 25 in support of Sen. Barack Obama.

“I can be very brief about this. Barack Obama is going to win this election," Clinton said, “And he’s going to win it well, big, and he’s going to win because he’s a good candidate, because he’s got a great vice presidential partner, because he’s got the best positions on the issues and because our country is in struggle.”

Arkansas, which proved a major support center for Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries, now has Sen. McCain leading by an average of 6 points. Mr. Clinton appealed to his wife's staunch supporters, telling the crowd Saturday that she has been working just as hard for Obama as she did for herself in her own campaign.

The native Arkansan was joined by other state Democrats former U.S. Sens. David Pryor and Dale Bumpers, Sen. Mark Pryor, Rep. Mike Ross, Gov. Mike Beebe, former U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater, and former Gov. Jim Guy Tucker each said Arkansas and the country needs Obama to lead them.

For the most part, the rally proved very standard in terms of message and rhetoric. One point of contention, however, was the AP's reporting of Mr. Clinton's urging the crowd to vote against a state proposal, INITIATED ACT 1. Max Brantley, a reporter for the Arkansas Times, had this to say:

The Associated Press, but not Arkansas' leading newspaper, the Democrat-Gazette, mentioned that former President Bill Clinton urged people at Obama rallies in Pine Bluff and Jonesboro last week to vote AGAINST INITIATED ACT 1.

The proposal would ban private adoption and foster parenting by "cohabiting" unmarried couples. The act makes no reference to sexual orientation. It covers all sorts of couples. The AP continues to follow the preferred formulation of the Family Council in emphasizing the act would ban adoption and foster parenting by gay couples. Straight couples, significantly, would be affected as well. The AP approach plays into the Family Council's homophobic theme by giving the impression only gay people would be affected.

The AP account this morning was beyond incomplete, however. It was wrong. It said Clinton spoke against "an Arkansas ballot proposal that would ban gays from being foster parents or adopting children." Even gay-hater Jerry Cox of the Family Council would concede the initiative does no such thing. Gay people would still be able to adopt and be foster parents. They would not be able to do so only if, at the time they applied to adopt or foster, they were "cohabiting." (Think of the sex policing the state is going to have to do to get into the question of what constitutes cohabitating, gay or straight variety.)

Arkansas Dems Speak out for Obama

2008-10-27T15:18:00.000-07:00

Though some have suggested it's a bit late in the game to be doing so, elected Arkansas Democrats are beginning to speak out in the state to get up support for Barack Obama. U.S. Senator Mark Pryor worked phones and raised significant contributions for a Hillary Clinton rally for Obama a few weeks ago in the state, though he was unable to actually attend the event due to a previous engagement. His Senatorial cohort, Sen. Blanche Lincoln, attended the event however, and was apparently quite adament in her support for the Democrats-or at least, her condemnation of the G.O.P., saying one reason to vote for Obama was the "despicable" and "unhinged" and even "unpatriotic" tactics and rhetoric of John McCain and Sarah Palin in their attempts to divide the country along cultural and supposedly patriotic lines, according to an article from the Arkansas News Bureau. In the article, John Brummett speculates as to why it has taken so long for the Dems to speak out in supporting Obama. Perhaps, he finds, Sen. Obama just didn't feel the possible ridicule he'd receive in efforts to target the state would be worth the 6 electoral votes at stake. Read the full article here.

Suggestions in this space that leading Arkansas Democrats were tepid toward Barack Obama's candidacy - and, actually, those weren't so much suggestions as flat-out statements - probably should be retracted.

Absent Obama's coming here and actually trying to win the state, it is unclear what else anyone could have asked of these Democratic senators, congressmen and governor.

Seriously, why ask an Arkansas Democrat to get out-front in favor of a presidential candidate 10 points down in the state and disinclined to compete here?

That's not to say these leading Democrats criticize or fault Obama for designing an electoral strategy that omitted Arkansas. That's the candidate's decision, his and his brain-trust's. He seems to be doing reasonably well electorally.

And, frankly, some of the things a Democrat might need to do to cement a vital cultural and political connection in Arkansas could cause problems elsewhere, or at least prove more trouble than a shot at six electoral votes would be worth.

You know what I'm talking about. Let's not kid ourselves.

In unseating Tim Hutchinson, Mark Pryor made a commercial praying with his kids, which might strike people elsewhere as inappropriately showy about one's religion. Some people are squeamish about tactical displays of matters of faith. But down here we like our praying in front of filled grandstands, as if the Lord hears us better that way.

Mike Beebe got photographed with a string of dead ducks and took an anti-gay position as a candidate that he defied once elected. Mike Ross has so engrossed himself in weaponry that he's nearly unique in all of American politics as a Democrat in receipt of the endorsement of the National Rifle Association.

Obama probably looked at all that and said, "Uh, which way to New Mexico?

Arkansas Legislature Will Remain Mostly Democrat

2008-10-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

It appears the Arkansas legislature will remain largely Democratic in its makeup no matter what happens Nov. 4. But the Republican Party has hopes that it will grab at least a few seats. Here's the scorecard on races thought to be up for partisan grabs. The Republicans lost seats steadily during the gubernatorial reign of Mike Huckabee. Will the reverse be true in the era of Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe?

Arkansas voter rolls up by 88,000 since start of year

2008-10-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will report that more than 88,000 Arkansans have registered to vote since the start of the year according to state election officials.

Monday marked the deadline to register to vote in the November election, and state officials said they had already seen a 5 percent jump in the state’s voter rolls.

The Secretary of State’s office said that by Monday morning, more than 1.65 million people had registered to vote, a jump over the 1.56 registered voters at the start of 2008.

Voters aren’t required to list party affiliation when they register, so the majority of registered voters in the state identified themselves as unaffiliated. There were only 66,328 that identified themselves as Democrat and 50,289 that identified themselves as Republican. Forty-five identified themselves as Green Party members.

Former President Bill Clinton Addresses Arkansas Issues On "The View"

2008-09-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

September 22, 2008, 8:03 PM

Bill Clinton on Palin, Arkansas
By KATE GALBRAITH

Former President Bill Clinton has certainly been making the rounds. This morning he was on “The View;” in the afternoon he sat down with a small group of journalists, ahead of the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. And he’s also doing Letterman, the Daily Show and Larry King Live later this week.

During today’s interview, Mr. Clinton spent a good deal of time discussing the financial crisis, international development and climate change. But he also said that his home state of Arkansas could swing Mr. Obama’s way, (even though polls don’t show this state in his favor) and said that he “may do something down there with the Democratic Party.” (Mr. Obama has not invested heavily in Arkansas.)

“My crowd down there thinks he can win. If you win Arkansas, you can turn the lights out,” Mr. Clinton said.

He credited his wife’s endorsement speech with giving Mr. Obama an overnight boost against Senator John McCain in state polls. Mr. Clinton also argued that Arkansas has become “the most Democratic southern state,” citing its two Democratic senators and several Democratic House members.

Arkansas last voted for a Democratic nominee in 1996, when Mr. Clinton stood for re-election.

Mr. Clinton also waxed folksy on Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, saying that he understood the fascination with her. “I come from Arkansas. I get why she’s hot out there — why she’s doing well. You know, people look at her and they say — all those kids. Something happens in everybody’s family.”

Then he referred to the governor’s disclosure during the Republican National Convention that her daughter, Bristol Palin, 17, is pregnant and engaged now to Levi Johnston. “Glad she loves her daughter and she’s not ashamed of her,” Mr. Clinton said. “Glad that girl’s going around with her boyfriend. Glad they’re going to get married.”

Mr. Clinton saved a few good words for the snowmachine-racing stamina of Todd Palin, Ms. Palin’s husband. “Stayed in the race for 500 miles with a broken arm—my kind of guy,” he said.

The Democrats’ message, Mr. Clinton said, should be that Mr. McCain “made a good choice for himself, but we don’t think it’s a good choice for America because we disagree with him on economics, health care, education, and America’s role in the world—how quickly we should get out of Iraq, what we should do in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the other challenges that we’re facing around the world.”

Mr. Clinton added that he planned to campaign for Mr. Obama in Florida, Nevada and (with Senator Clinton and Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr.) in Pennsylvania, as well as appearing at fund-raisers in New York, California and Ohio.

With 50 Days to go, Arkansas secured for McCain

2008-09-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

With 50 days to go, the home state of Democrats Former-President Bill and Senator Hillary Clinton appears to be solidly supporting the Republican candidate for President of the United States. Senator John McCain holds a 16.3 lead over Democrat Barack Obama according to the latest polls, strongly supporting the finding that the state will allot its 6 electoral votes to the Republicans on November 4. As Arkansas has voted in favor of the overall winner of the Presidential race since 1972, this could mean great things for Senator McCain.

Arkansas has appeared as a "red" state in four of the six past elections, voting in favor of a Democrat only in 1992 and 1996 while supporting its Former Governor, Bill Clinton. Senator Hillary Clinton's pronounced popularity in her former state (she came in a distinct first in Arkansas' Democratic Primary with 70 percent to Obama's 26 percent) may have been enough to swing its support to the Democratic ticket. However, disappointment and resentment at her loss of long, highly-publicized, emotional battle with Sen. Obama for the party's nomination may have rallyed her Arkansas supporters to the Republican cause. Though Mike Huckabee, the state's current Governor, ran against McCain for the Republican Presidential Nomination (winning the Arkansas primary with 60 percent, followed by McCain's 20 percent, and Romney's 14 percent), McCain emerged quickly as the national forerunner for his party and was awarded the Republican nomination with little dispute or opposition. In fact, Gov. Huckabee gave a particularly moving endorsement of Senator McCain on the third night of the Republican National Convention two weeks ago in St. Paul.

It's largely Republican voting record in previous presidential elections, the resentment the state's many Clinton supporters may feel toward Obama and the Democratic Party, and the well-liked Republican Governor's strong endorsement of his one-time opponent, Sen. McCain, incline one to believe Arkansas will vote Republican on Election Day. Combined with his clear lead in current state polls and conservative stance on domestic issues of importance to Arkansans, such as gun control, gay marriage, and abortion, it seems McCain can solidly count on Arkansas.

New York Times: Obama’s Southern Strategy Omits Arkansas, So Far

2008-09-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

STATESIDE: Obama’s Southern Strategy Omits Arkansas, So Far

By SHAILA DEWAN
Published: August 16, 2008

Senator Barack Obama’s campaign promises to run a 50-state campaign, but it has no Arkansas office.

A Brief Political History of Arkansas

2008-09-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

Arkansas joined the Union as the 25th state in June 1836. The state seceded during the Civil War and did not participate in the 1864 election. The state’s electoral votes were rejected in 1872 due to irregularities. Arkansas voted Democratic over a span of 23 consecutive elections from Reconstruction until 1964. Like many southern states, this changed with opposition to civil rights legislation. In 1968, the state sided with third-party candidate George Wallace. Since then, it has gone Republican in six of nine elections, voting Democratic twice for fellow Arkansan Bill Clinton and once for Jimmy Carter. In 2004, George Bush overcame John Kerry by a 54% to 44% margin. While Arkansas continues to lean Republican for presidential contests, both U.S. senators are Democrats. This fact, coupled with recent history, suggests that the state could be “in play” if the right Democratic candidate is nominated.