Will the "Coalition For Arkansas Future" Apply Same Standards to Republicans Who Erred on Scholarships for Illegals?
A new well-funded 527 group, the "Coalition for Arkansas' Future" have sent some mailouts to voters in two key legislative districts. The mailouts give an "F-" to Democratic Representatives Monty Davenport and Ray Kidd for supporting House Bill 1525 which would have provided taxpayer funded college scholarships to persons who are in this country illegally. The bill passed the House, but was stopped in the Senate by two votes.
Critics of the "Coalition For Arkansas' Future" claim it is simply a front group for the Republican Party rather than an independent action group that advances certain issues rather than a particular party. The critics may be right. After all, there are also three Republican state representatives who voted for the same bill who have opponents in 06. Has the "Coalition For Arkansas' Future" sent any mailers to the voters in Mark Martin's district? What about Bill Sample's district? How about Representative Roy Ragland? All of those Republican men voted for making taxpayer dollars available for college scholarships to persons who are in this country illegally. They made the same vote that Davenport and Kidd made. Mark Martin in particular has been strident in his support for the bill, and his opponent (Independent Jimmy Johnson Junior) is very much against it.
So in that race, (distirct 88) Republican Martin should also get an "F-" for that vote and vocal support, while Johnson should get an "A+" from them for his staunch opposition to that vote. Will the "Coalition for Arkansas' Future" send a mailer to that district? If they are truly a non-partisan group focused on issues they should. If they are simply a front for the Republican Party, they won't.
Critics of the "Coalition For Arkansas' Future" claim it is simply a front group for the Republican Party rather than an independent action group that advances certain issues rather than a particular party. The critics may be right. After all, there are also three Republican state representatives who voted for the same bill who have opponents in 06. Has the "Coalition For Arkansas' Future" sent any mailers to the voters in Mark Martin's district? What about Bill Sample's district? How about Representative Roy Ragland? All of those Republican men voted for making taxpayer dollars available for college scholarships to persons who are in this country illegally. They made the same vote that Davenport and Kidd made. Mark Martin in particular has been strident in his support for the bill, and his opponent (Independent Jimmy Johnson Junior) is very much against it.
So in that race, (distirct 88) Republican Martin should also get an "F-" for that vote and vocal support, while Johnson should get an "A+" from them for his staunch opposition to that vote. Will the "Coalition for Arkansas' Future" send a mailer to that district? If they are truly a non-partisan group focused on issues they should. If they are simply a front for the Republican Party, they won't.
posted by Mark Moore (Moderator) at Monday, August 28, 2006
32 Comments:
When is the Constitution Party going to start a 527?
Considering it is illegal for a political party to control a 527, I would hope never. I think the point of this article is to say this one should not be a GOP organ.
Grow up if you want to play with the big boys.
What do you think Moveon.org and all of the 527's are? Don't you think that when they recruit at party conventions they have some official standing with the party. I don't think those spaces are available for everyone.
It's true that there's the standard the Democrats and Republicans have, and the standard that everyone else is expected to follow.
The two party monopoly gets a pass because of religious exemption: those who worship either party are willing to turn a blind eye to any infraction, so long as it helps them beat "the other" party. They're not concerned with hypocrisy.
In fact, you just cited the behavior of leftists to justify the same behavior in the Republican party. Some standard you've got there.
Come on, Moore. Everyone knows you and Holt put Johnson up to run against Martin. Why don't you both issue a press release now announcing your endorsement of him and get it over with?
Then "everyone" is wrong. But didn't you mean to say that the only reason, in your opinion, that any sane conservative would dare challenge a Republican, is if some evil person tempted him into doing so?
Can you honestly not understand that there are constituents who cannot stand hypocrisy, and who are not happy with either the Republican or Demomcrat parties?
Why don't you "grow up," and get out of the (false) rumor business.
I'm sure you will cite the behavior of the "leftist" Greens as you attemp to launch a party and come out of the Republican closet.
Actually, I meant to say exactly what I said. Still waiting for the press release.
There are none so blind...
Thare are many so blind....
Yes, there's many.
Poor Pubby! Are you upset that a 'third' party was finally able to get on the ballot in Arkansas? Are you mad that there's the possibility that, in the near future, your tone deaf party might have to EARN the votes of the conservatives for a change?
...your tone deaf party might have to EARN the votes of the conservatives for a change?
Gee, that would be a nice change!
The "not quite ready for prime time" party.
Not quite able to raise funds.
Not quite able to play by the rules. Not quite able to come out of the Republican closet.
Your candidates are still afraid to reveal their real party. At least the leftist Greens have strong enough beliefs to stand up and be counted.
If we're so insignificant, why are your people always on this site accusing us of undermining the Republican Party? Why are you on this thread? Shouldn't you be on Arktimes blog?
Hmmmmm.
If you are so significant why are the Green's a stronger party than you?
They seem to have been able to field a slate of candidates and have a shot to be a recognized party.
Guess the Constitutionalists and Libertarians are still trying to get their act together.
If you are to be believed, you don't even have any candidates yet.
Glad to see the CP website has been updated.
First pictures were removed to protect the identity of party members.
Now it doesn't even exist. VERY informative. VERY credible.
Ha ha- doing a little "opposition" research? If I were a Republican legislator, I'd consider people advocating constitutionally limited government as my opposition too.
First pictures were removed to protect the identity of party members
That's a load. You're good at starting rumors, it seems. Are you on the Republican payroll down there in LR?
Is it a rumor if it is true?
The pictures were removed.
The website is now under construction.
The "party" isn't on the ballot and has no candidates on the ballot.
Which part of that isn't true?
I'm not sure what 'pictures' you're refering to, but the entire site was revamped earlier this year. Are you saying it was a conspiracy? Ha ha!
They're coming to take me away, you see!
I love how these republicans talk about the virtue of competition and the market place of ideas, but the one competition they will not tolerate is the competition of political ideas. They will not entertain the thought that having to earn votes is good for the people. They like to keep us limited to supporting their sorry excuses for candidates like the ones who voted to make us pay for the tuition of illegal aliens.
Execpt for the 6:44 post, none of those "anon" comments have been me. As for what is going on with the CP, you will have to stay tuned, but regardless, something has to change if this country is not going to go staight down the tubes. Both parties are killing us as a country. The Republicans have some good candidates from time to time, but not enough.
Right- they (and the Dems) pass legislation making it essentially impossible, since 1977, for any third party to have access to the ballot. Then they mock third party members for not having candidates on the ballot, as if it were a sign of poor support rather than by the very design of the monopolistic parties!
If third parties have no serious support, why is there such a difference in what it takes for them get on the ballot versus the Republicrats? Why not return to equal ballot access? Are you afraid of political choice?
An independent or a third party candidate is definitely a much needed alternative to the regular party-line toting Democrat or Republican candidate. It's definitely time to end the two-party "monopoly" in the political system.
I am definitely interested in knowing more about this Johnson guy.
Here's something to know: He's 21 and he doesn't have a chance.
He wouldn't do any worse than Martin. All he'd have to do is find out what the governor and his floor leader wanted and vote accordingly, and his performance would match Martin's!
Jimmy Johnson is a great guy. I don't care if he is only 22, he has more emotional maturity than his opponent.
anonymous 5:18,
Thanks for the info - it's great to know. I will definitely be checking Johnson out.
5:02
So your criteria is that you want someone to go against the governor, which hopefully will be Asa? Then vote for the Constitution party guy, because that's what you'll get.
Even Asa disagrees with Huckabee on some things. Martin's just a bootlicker who puts his political career ahead of his constituents.
Huckabee is so liberal that someone wrote a column last week, and made a good case, that Beebe and Huckabee have more in common than Hutchinson and Huckabee. Even then Hutchinson is not conservative.
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