Arrows Away
Before I give my partial list of whose up and whose down, I want to give what should be a standard disclaimer for these types of columns. Being "down" is not the same as being "wrong"- unless you are down because you got caught doing wrong. Being "up" is not the same thing as being right either.
Debbie Pelley. She was not only there with Phylis Schafley on the stunning smackdown of the ERA, but she has made a real impact exposing the hidden agenda of the "International Baccularte" program (no matter what they are calling it now). Her credibility with legislators comes from great research and being right time after time.
Representative Lindsley Smith of Fayetteville. She was the driving force behind the ERA in Arkansas and thus falls the farthest with its stunning reversal. A month ago this would have been an up arrow- she had assembled a massive coalition to support the measure. Once more facts came out, a lot of her colleagues backed away feeling misled or under informed. The resolution lost twenty co-sponsors despite favorable press coverage. I can't remember the last time a bandwagon with such momentum got stopped cold.
Governor Mike Beebe. His work on the grocery tax reduction was all up arrow, and his demeanor has been a refreshing change. Downside? About once a month he says something so clearly untrue that it is disturbing to think that he actually believes it, or infuriating that he actually would think that we would believe it.
State Representative Dan Greenberg. The "monuments bill" is just one thing he has gotten right. Clear principles and a coherent idealogy which he can defend articulately. Has to watch a tendency to come off as haughty.
State Representative Eric Harris. There are some who say he was the real legislative force behind stopping the ERA. A behind the scenes leader on the right.
State Representative Steve Harrelson. The blog is a big hit. It helps bring him influence in a way that has never been seen before. More willing than most left-leaners to defend his ideas in rational debate, and does it in a style that insures that he can win (and lose) fights without winning enemies.
Brummett. His "blog" is a relative bust because 1) he is NOT willing to allow comments and must therefore rely on his access for "scoops" 2) He is being bested by legislators like Harrelson who have "cut out the middle man" in up-to-the-minute legislative reporting. We are witnessing perhaps a historic change in the way political information is disseminated. Politicians were once totally at the mercy of media outlets, now they can be one.
The Brotherhood. This Senate group is a combination of traditional, conservative Democrats and most of the few Republicans. They have basically joined together to form their own political party, operationally speaking, in the state Senate. It is the only force likely to have the clout to stop far-left proposals from the current crop of state-wide officials....
...unless it is a similar group in the House run by Benny Petrus and Kevin Anderson. Don't believe the papers, Petrus got what he wanted from Beebe- more tax cuts than the Governor wanted to give.
Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. Treading water with his legislative agenda. Only 15 House members showed up to support his lottery announcement- pretty weak for someone who is supposed to be presiding over the Senate. Even Beebe seems cool to the idea.
Senator Steve Bryles. Not winning any points for style or substance. From the "throw more money at it" school of the left, and more than ready to radiate righteous indignation at those slow to re-try that tired 'ole non-solution. That is no way to win favor with the Brotherhood!
********************************************
I invite the bloggers to give their own arrows out.
Debbie Pelley. She was not only there with Phylis Schafley on the stunning smackdown of the ERA, but she has made a real impact exposing the hidden agenda of the "International Baccularte" program (no matter what they are calling it now). Her credibility with legislators comes from great research and being right time after time.
Representative Lindsley Smith of Fayetteville. She was the driving force behind the ERA in Arkansas and thus falls the farthest with its stunning reversal. A month ago this would have been an up arrow- she had assembled a massive coalition to support the measure. Once more facts came out, a lot of her colleagues backed away feeling misled or under informed. The resolution lost twenty co-sponsors despite favorable press coverage. I can't remember the last time a bandwagon with such momentum got stopped cold. 
Governor Mike Beebe. His work on the grocery tax reduction was all up arrow, and his demeanor has been a refreshing change. Downside? About once a month he says something so clearly untrue that it is disturbing to think that he actually believes it, or infuriating that he actually would think that we would believe it. State Representative Dan Greenberg. The "monuments bill" is just one thing he has gotten right. Clear principles and a coherent idealogy which he can defend articulately. Has to watch a tendency to come off as haughty. State Representative Eric Harris. There are some who say he was the real legislative force behind stopping the ERA. A behind the scenes leader on the right. State Representative Steve Harrelson. The blog is a big hit. It helps bring him influence in a way that has never been seen before. More willing than most left-leaners to defend his ideas in rational debate, and does it in a style that insures that he can win (and lose) fights without winning enemies. Brummett. His "blog" is a relative bust because 1) he is NOT willing to allow comments and must therefore rely on his access for "scoops" 2) He is being bested by legislators like Harrelson who have "cut out the middle man" in up-to-the-minute legislative reporting. We are witnessing perhaps a historic change in the way political information is disseminated. Politicians were once totally at the mercy of media outlets, now they can be one. The Brotherhood. This Senate group is a combination of traditional, conservative Democrats and most of the few Republicans. They have basically joined together to form their own political party, operationally speaking, in the state Senate. It is the only force likely to have the clout to stop far-left proposals from the current crop of state-wide officials.... ...unless it is a similar group in the House run by Benny Petrus and Kevin Anderson. Don't believe the papers, Petrus got what he wanted from Beebe- more tax cuts than the Governor wanted to give. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. Treading water with his legislative agenda. Only 15 House members showed up to support his lottery announcement- pretty weak for someone who is supposed to be presiding over the Senate. Even Beebe seems cool to the idea. Senator Steve Bryles. Not winning any points for style or substance. From the "throw more money at it" school of the left, and more than ready to radiate righteous indignation at those slow to re-try that tired 'ole non-solution. That is no way to win favor with the Brotherhood!********************************************
I invite the bloggers to give their own arrows out.
posted by Mark Moore (Moderator) at Thursday, February 15, 2007
5 Comments:
The Edifice bill is just sad.
More than once I've seen people who have worked their tails off to better their community with no request for reward be honored with something named for them. On two occasions it happened shortly before the person died.
The bill is killing a fly with a sledgehammer, and it is happening after the fly left office.
that can be handled by amendments. taking every "huckabee" off is fine by me.
Aarron Burkes is supposed to be just as smart and articulate as Greenburg- just not as into self-promotion.
Greenberg's edifice bill goes down to defeat 11-3, but (and the "Arkfam" blog has not figured this out yet) Harris and another conservative voted it down in a technical way that will let them bring it back as a better bill.
Better add Rick Green to the UP list. 1024 passed Friday.
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