Wednesday, August 30, 2006 

Tim Griffin possible US Attorney?


From the Arkansas Times:
U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins of Little Rock says he’ll likely be leaving his job in the next few “weeks or months,” but almost certainly by the end of the year. He’d earlier told us he didn’t intend to serve out the entirety of the Bush administration’s second term and that he’d be looking for private sector work...

We'd speculated previously that Tim Griffin, an Arkansas native and formerly No. 3 man in Rove's political operation, is thought to have the president's favor for the job.

----------------------------------------------------


Griffin was previously mentioned as possibly running for Arkansas Attorney General months ago. We think he would make a great US Attorney. Griffin has an extensive background in law and is currently serving our country as a JAG officer.

Here is a brief history on Griffin. Tim is in his 10th year as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps and holds the rank of Major. In September
2005, Tim was mobilized to active duty to serve as an Army prosecutor at
Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault). At Fort Campbell, he prosecuted 40 criminal cases. One of those
cases, drew national interest after a soldier attempted to murder his
platoon sergeant and fired upon his unit’s early morning formation. He was
sentenced to 25 years in prison for his crime.

In May 2006, Griffin was assigned to the 501st Special Troops
Battalion (STB), 101st Airborne Division and sent to serve in Iraq. From
May through August 2006, Griffin served as an Army JAG with the 101st
Airborne Division in Mosul, Iraq, as a member of the 172d Stryker Brigade
Combat Team (SBCT) Brigade Operational Law Team (BOLT).

Griffin is currently on military leave from the White House where he served
as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director, Office of
Political Affairs. As Special Assistant to the President, Griffin advised
President George W. Bush and Vice-President Richard B. Cheney on political
matters and organized and coordinated political support for the President’s
agenda, including the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice
of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Previously, he served at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) where he was
Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General (AAG), Michael Chertoff,
the Criminal Division chief. In the summer of 2001, AAG Chertoff granted
Tim a year detail as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S.
Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas in Little Rock.
While in Little Rock, Tim prosecuted a variety of federal cases with an
emphasis on firearm and drug cases. He also served as the coordinator for
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Bush Administration's strategy to
reduce firearm-related violence by promoting close cooperation between state
and federal law enforcement.

He is a member of the Arkansas and Louisiana bars. He is a cum laude
graduate of both Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, where he received his
B.A., and Tulane Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he received his
J.D. He also attended graduate school at Pembroke College, Oxford
University in Oxford, England.


---------------------------------

3:36 PM | |

Tuesday, August 29, 2006 

This is getting "ridonculous"

You would think that a Deputy Communications Director for John Kerry would proofread...

From Greg Hale - Arkansas Victory 2006: In a triumphant press release on July 10, the Arkansas’ Republican Party announced that Washington political double agent Zell Miller would headline an unspecified event on Friday, August 25th. “I’ve got many good friends in Arkansas, including…Asa Hutchinson, and I look forward to spending time with individuals that share my conservative views and values,” Miller said in the release. (Arkansas Times, July 10, 2006) Well, Hutchinson’s day with Zell has arrived and past, but where was Zell? Hutchinson’s spokesman David Kinkade certainly appeared excited about Miller’s visit when Dick Cheney came to town in late July. “Republicans raise money with our friends, like Rudy Giuliani, Zell Miller and Dick Cheney,” Kinkade said. (Democrat-Gazette, July 25, 2006) Maybe Zell pulled out of the event after realizing Hutchinson’s Washington-style politics didn’t go over so well in Arkansas. Or maybe Hutchinson noticed Miller’s support of Ralph Reed in Georgia didn’t help Reed avoid his defeat there. For now it will have to remain a mystery.

"Arrived and past" or did you by chance mean passed...

9:12 AM | |

Monday, August 28, 2006 

A Great Question

Pat Lynch poses this great question:

"Can’t you just see Beebe explaining in minute detail how he was in favor of taking the sales tax off groceries all along?"


Mike Beebe is beginning to sound like John Kerry...I voted for the sales tax before I voted against it but now I am for it...wait, maybe I am against it...which one will get me elected...(looks at a recent poll) ah...I am against it...glad that is over.

We agree, Pat, we would love to see Mike Beebe explain why he voted for the grocery tax before he said he was against it. I think we are beginning to go in circles. Believe me, if Mike Beebe thought that supporting the grocery tax would get him elected he would be touting all of his votes to raise taxes. Why doesn't Mike Beebe tell us how many times, during his twenty years as an Arkansas senator, that he voted to repeal the grocery tax or sponsored legislation to do so? In fact when Bud Canada sponsored legislation to repeal the tax Mike Beebe praised him for the move but when offered to be a co-sponsor Mike said "no thanks" I want Bud to get all the credit.

Well why doesn't he feel the same way about AR Kids First? He tells everyone that he sponsored the legislation...why didn't he let someone else do it so they could "get all the credit".

Does Mike Beebe really Believe in Arkansas?

9:42 AM | |

Saturday, August 26, 2006 

From the inbox

>Election Machine Problems Surface Again
> In Crittenden County Special Election LITTLE ROCK (Aug. 25, 2006) - A
>letter sent this week, via email, to Republican Secretary of State
>candidate Jim Lagrone from Dixie Carlson, an election commissioner for
>Crittenden county, outlined in detail how problems with the Ivotronic
>voting machines and lack of attention by ES&S personnel once again
>caused major problems with a special election held in that county
>August 8. For that election there were nine precincts voting with just
>one item on the ballot.
> According to Carlson, when it came time for early voting election
>officials had to carry on with paper ballots printed locally - even
>though the election commission had sent the ballot information to ES&S
>in plenty of time to have the machines programmed before the special election.
> Said Mrs. Carlson in her letter, "A call was made to ES&S to find
>out when the PEBs (software information necessary to run the electronic
>machines) and flash cards would be received. They told us they were
>waiting for the ballot information. When (we) told them to look in the
>box that the PEBs and flashcards were in - that they had received three
>weeks earlier - they did so and declared, 'Oh, there it is.' Because
>of this we only received the PEBs and flashcards in time to use for two
>and a half days of early voting."
> Says Carlson, "They didn't even look in the box to see if the
>information was there, and even then, should have called asking for the
>ballot information - but they did neither!"
> In addition to early voting snafus, Carlson told the Lagrone
>campaign that there were major problems with the machines on the day of
>voting, as well.
> "As far as the performance on the day of election, out of nine
>machines two jammed and two needed assistance from ES&S to work
>properly, and six of the machines had to be taken and closed out at the
>courthouse," says Carlson.
> "If this company had such difficulty in a small election with only
>one ballot item being conducted in nine precincts, how can we have any
>confidence in ES&S being able to correctly handle a major general
>election in eight weeks?" asked Carlson.
> Carlson told Jim Lagrone in a follow-up telephone conversation that
>a letter, outling these problems and concerns and signed by all three
>Crittenden county election commissioners, has been sent to the
>secretary of state.
> "I've also asked for permission to go back to using scanners for the
>general election, as it's my understanding that the scanners meet the
>criteria by HAVA. We don't want to just sit and wait until it's time
>for the general election and deal with these same problems all over
>again," she concluded.
> "Charlie Daniels is putting out press releases about how all of
>these problems have been cleared up and he's pleased and confident that
>things will run smoothly with the general election," says Lagrone. "Yet as of Aug.
>8, it's evident absolutely nothing has changed. County clerks and
>election commissioners all over this state are calling and writing to
>me, like Carlson, to expess their concern that the general election
>will just be a repeat of the primary and runoff - yet all we hear from
>the SOS office and in the media is how everything is good and how
>'pleased' Daniels is with how things are going.
> "It's very disconcerting," concludes Lagrone, "because I know it
>doesn't have to be this way. Everyone should feel secure that their
>vote is going to be counted accurately in this very important upcoming
>election and I'm afraid that just isn't the case."

11:05 AM | |

Thursday, August 24, 2006 

Gunner Delay Radio Spot




This is too funny!! Click below to hear ad...


7:32 AM | |

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 

New TV Ad On Beebe

This ad was released from the Coalition for Arkansas Future this afternoon on their blog and TV... www.coalitionforarkansasfuture.blogspot.com







**** MEDIA ADVISORY****

**For Immediate Release**

August 23, 2006

CFAF Contradicts Beebe’s Tax Claims

Issue Advocacy Group Refutes Beebe’s Tax Claims By Highlighting Voting Record

Little Rock (August 23, 2006) – A Little Rock based issue advocacy organization rolled out an ad campaign today highlighting Mike Beebe’s inconsistent claims that he supports removing the sales tax on groceries and his support of “the little guy.”

The Coalition for Arkansas’ Future (CFAF) uses a light-hearted television ad to emphasize Beebe’s inconsistencies on tax issues. See the advertisement at (http://coalitionforarkansasfuture.blogspot.com/)

“The facts show that Mike Beebe says one thing and does another,” said Kathryn Cherry, Executive Director of CFAF.

“During his 20 years in the Arkansas legislature, Mike Beebe developed a solid history of voting for tax increases,” Cherry continued. “He is now trying to run from his record. Our goal is simple -- to set the record straight.”

The advertisement highlights Beebe’s vote in 1991 to increase the sales tax on used cars.

In addition, the advertisement highlights Beebe’s vote in 1985 to increase taxes on gasoline.

In his ad, Beebe said he “believe[s] it's time we eliminate the grocery tax on all food, to put real dollars in the hands of working people.”

However, in 2002, he campaigned to keep these very taxes on groceries.

Cherry said, “Mike Beebe served in the legislature for 20 years and, many say, was the most powerful member in the Arkansas Senate. Why didn’t he get this accomplished? Where were his leadership skills during that period? ”

Also in his ad, Mike Beebe said, “As governor, I’ll stand up for the little guy and always put the people of Arkansas first.”

“Which 'little guy' is he standing up for?” said Cherry. “If he wanted to support the ‘little guy’ he would not have supported efforts to tax items such as transportation and gas that average Arkansans rely on to support their families.”

Beebe also opposes legislation to require a three-fourths vote in both legislative bodies to raise the state sales tax.

###

3:50 PM | |

 

The NRA

Great letter:

Remember this is the organization (NRA) that the Beebe campaign called a "Washington-based political group..."

Support the real defender

At Don's Weaponry in North Little Rock I was privileged to announce the National Rifle Association's endorsement of Asa Hutchinson for governor.

Prior to reading NRA ILA Director Chris Cox's letter of support, I stated, " I am an NRA volunteer, a NRA Benefactor member and the National NRA Volunteer of the Year 2000. I received my award from NRA President Charlton Heston. I am not a paid spokesperson for the NRA. I will support Asa Hutchinson for our next Arkansas governor.

" I was appalled to learn of Mike Beebe's opposition to Second Amendment rights. Having been a victim of rape at gunpoint at age 27, I know my equalizer is my gun. I am prochoice on guns and I fiercely defend my choice to carry. Women must be allowed right of choice for selfdefense. I cannot tolerate any elected official disarming Arkansans' options to concealed carry. "

Currently, Asa's opponent is running television ads promoting him as a Second Amendment and sportsman champion. If this is so, why, in 1993, was Asa's opponent absent on S. B. 206 to allow licensed concealed carry ? Why In 1999, was he absent for S. B. 137 — a bill for special Ducks Unlimited license plates ? He was absent for H. B. 1301 — to allow sheriff deputies to purchase the county issued firearms upon retirement. Why ? Why did Asa's opponent lead to a 2001 concealed handgun bill faltering in committee ? (See Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Feb. 8, 2001. ) Support the real defender of your Second Amendment rights. Vote Asa !

Anne Britton
Fayetteville

7:56 AM | |

Monday, August 21, 2006 

Arkansas Governor: Hutchinson Hot on Beebe’s Trail

Rasmussen: Beebe’s Edge Shrinks to Four; Now Leads Hutchinson 45% to 41%

In a political season filled with bad news from the GOP, our latest Arkansas poll shows a trend moving in the other direction. State Attorney General Mike Beebe’s (D) lead continues to evaporate in his gubernatorial contest with former Congressman Asa Hutchinson (R). Beebe now leads Hutchinson 45% to 41% (see crosstabs). For most of the year, the Democrat enjoyed a double digit lead. Then, July’s survey showed Beebe on top 47% to 40%.

Beebe recently began an early TV advertising campaign, prompting some observers to conclude that his campaign team sees the race tightening as well. While Beebe reports raising more money than Hutchinson, they have roughly equal amounts of cash on hand.

The current poll shows Hutchinson performing better with his base, pulling support from 81% of GOP voters. Comparatively, 73% of Democrats say they support Beebe.

Twenty-two percent (22%) of Arkansas voters have a very favorable opinion of Beebe; 20% say the same for Hutchinson. Their paths diverge at the other end of the spectrum, though. Only 8% of voters report having a very unfavorable view of Beebe compared to 14% for Hutchinson.

Forty-six percent (46%) of Arkansas voters approve of the way George W. Bush is performing his role as President.

The man Beebe and Hutchinson hope to replace, Governor Mike Huckabee (R), earns a 61% approval rating.

Eighty-three percent (83%) of Arkansas voters define marriage as the union of a man an a woman only; 75% believe the Bible is literally true; 69% say election ballots should be printed in English only; and 55% define their position on abortion as pro-life.

8:33 AM | |

Tuesday, August 15, 2006 

Beebe Campaign...MELTDOWN




Beebe Issues Another False Statement on


Asa's Tax Record

Hutchinson Challenges Beebe to Produce Evidence or Issue Apology

Little Rock – Citing an "alarming pattern" of distortions and misrepresentations, Asa Hutchinson today called on Attorney General Mike Beebe to apologize and set the record straight for falsely asserting that Hutchinson "opposed" eliminating the sales tax on groceries.

"I don't know why Mr. Beebe would say such a thing when he knows it to be patently false," Hutchinson said. "We should have a good and healthy debate on the issues in this campaign, but it needs to be an honest debate. I urge Mr. Beebe to set the record straight."

Hutchinson was referring to a comment printed in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in which Beebe's official campaign spokesman, Zac Wright, falsely asserted that Hutchinson opposed eliminating the grocery tax: "Wright in turn accused Hutchinson of previously opposing a cut in the sales tax on groceries." ("Beebe 'paying lip service' on tax, foe says," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 8/15/2006)

"There is only one candidate in this race who has ever opposed eliminating the grocery tax, and that is Mike Beebe," Hutchinson said. "My record for cutting taxes is clear, and open to the public. If Mr. Beebe can cite one example in which I opposed eliminating the grocery tax, then he needs to produce it. Otherwise, he should apologize and set the record straight."

Beebe's false assertion follows on the heels of two other recent cases in which he made false accusations.

One was included in a mass mailing to voters in which Beebe falsely claimed that Hutchinson opposed raising the minimum wage in Arkansas. Hutchinson is on record supporting raising the minimum wage in Arkansas. ("Even In a Campaign…Honesty is Still the Best Policy," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial, 7/27/2006)

Another case was a news release issued by Beebe criticizing the Department of Homeland Security and falsely asserting that the department had cut funding for a program at the Pine Bluff Arsenal, which was not the case. Hutchinson is the former Undersecretary of Homeland Security. ("Beebe Got Facts on Arsenal Program Wrong, Hutchinson Says," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 8/8/2006)

"At some point, Mr. Beebe's credibility becomes a real issue in this campaign," Hutchinson said. "It's one thing to want to contrast the positions between us. I encourage that. There are many stark differences between him and me – from our positions on local schools to property rights to the sanctity of life. But it's something else entirely to make false comments, and I urge Mr. Beebe to keep this campaign honest."

Hutchinson, a native of Gravette, is a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Member of Congress representing the state's Third District, head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Undersecretary of Homeland Security, where he oversaw border and transportation security. Hutchinson currently serves as CEO of the Hutchinson Group, a Little Rock consulting firm.

1:24 PM | |

Monday, August 14, 2006 

Hutchinson: Why the Election-Year Flip Flop On Grocery Tax Repeal?


Attorney General 'Lacks Credibility' On Taxes, Says GOP Candidate

Little Rock – Asa Hutchinson today questioned the credibility of Attorney General Mike Beebe's claim in a new television ad launched this week that he would eliminate the sales tax on groceries in Arkansas.

Hutchinson pointed out that, despite paying lip service to cutting the grocery tax during his 20 years in the state Senate, Beebe never did show the leadership or take the action necessary to get it done.

Even more significant, Beebe actually fought efforts to eliminate this very tax just a few years ago.

Hutchinson pointed to a 2002 ballot proposal that Attorney General Beebe publicly opposed ("Food Tax Question Pending Before High Court," Associated Press, October 10, 2002) and asked why Beebe opposed the repeal when it came before the people and he had a chance to eliminate it.

"Mike Beebe is a classic tax-and-spend politician trying to re-invent himself as a tax-cutter during an election year, which simply strains all credibility," Hutchinson said. "Never mind that he voted for every tax hike that came down the pike during his years in the state Senate, Mr. Beebe actually helped kill an effort to eliminate the grocery tax just a few years ago. That's not going to wash with Arkansas voters, who know a flip-flop when they see one"

Hutchinson pointed out the stark and heavily documented differences between himself and Mike Beebe when it comes to the issue of taxes. Hutchinson has a career record of voting to reduce taxes as a way to spur economic growth – having voted for the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and the 2001 Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act. Mike Beebe, on the other hand called the 2001 tax cuts "irresponsible." ("Price To Pay Later, Beebe Predicts Of GOP Tax Cuts, Spending Habit," Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 10/8/2004)

In July, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette chronicled the tax records of the two candidates, which showed Hutchinson's consistent support for tax reform and relief throughout his time in Congress and Beebe's support for billions of dollars of tax increases as a member of the Arkansas Senate. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 23, 2006)

"Over a two decade career in the state Senate, Mike Beebe continuously and repeatedly raised taxes on Arkansans, with the end result that Arkansas has one of the highest tax burdens in the nation," Hutchinson said. "But now that he's running for Governor, he claims to have discovered the virtues of cutting taxes. We're glad he's come around to our way of thinking, but you have to wonder whether somebody can change so dramatically so quickly. After 20 years of claiming tax increases are necessary, isn't it a bit of a stretch to think he's suddenly come around to a new way of thinking?"

Hutchinson, on the other hand, has a clear record of voting repeatedly to reduce taxes, and has made tax reform a major component of his jobs growth plan for Arkansas.

Early in his campaign, he called for requiring a supermajority vote before the Legislature can raise the state sales tax again. "Unsurprisingly," Hutchinson said, "Mike Beebe opposes this reform – not exactly the stance of a committed tax cutter."

Hutchinson has also argued that, with the state facing a projected budget surplus of over $700 million, at least half the surplus should be dedicated to tax relief.

Specifically, he has called for eliminating the state sales tax on groceries and the energy sales tax for manufacturers, as well as some tax relief for small businesses.

"I'm not a new convert to cutting taxes," Hutchinson said. "Arkansans know that if I am elected Governor, I will make tax reform a priority to put more money in the hands of Arkansas families and to drive jobs growth in our state. I have credibility and a clear record to back up my promises. I haven't spent my career in public service acting one way, and then changing my tune during a campaign year. Folks know that they'll get straight talk and clear leadership from me."

Hutchinson, a native of Gravette, is a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, Member of Congress representing the state's Third District, head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Undersecretary of Homeland Security, where he oversaw border and transportation security. Hutchinson currently serves as CEO of the Hutchinson Group, a Little Rock consulting firm.

3:31 PM | |

Wednesday, August 09, 2006 

Berry Agrees to Debate Mayor Stumbaugh


Cabot – Around 3:30pm yesterday afternoon, AETN contacted the Stumbaugh for Congress Campaign to confirm the details for a live debate to be broadcasted from their Conway studios on October 25th at 7pm. Both Mayor Stumbaugh and Rep. Berry Campaign’s had agreed on the date and time.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to discuss the issues with my opponent,” said Mayor Stumbaugh. “However, I am not sure one debate is enough for the voters of the first district. I challenge my opponent to debate me three more times at different locations around the district. I also want to see at least one of these debates in a town hall setting, and would like all of them to be in front of live audiences.”
If the challenge is accepted, the two campaigns will work out the details so that the debates can fit both candidates’ schedules.
“I have laid out my challenge. I realize that in the past, my opponent has refused to debate, or has sent others in his place,” continued Stumbaugh. “I hope he knows that running from me further convinces people that even he can not defend his record.”
###

12:06 PM | |

Monday, August 07, 2006 

The Difference Between Asa Hutchinson & Mike Beebe.

An article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette quoted Mike Beebe and Asa Hutchinson on the issue of ethics in government and how they would handle situations in regards to lobbyists. Asa stated that he would not accept any gifts from a lobbyist…period. Mike Beebe stated that gifts over $100 should be banned but did not say whether he would accept gifts from a lobbyist. So if Mike is elected governor will he be wining and dining with the lobbying community on their tab? I guess so if it is under $100.


If we limit gifts from lobbyists to $100 what keeps them from giving say 10 gifts to Mike Beebe? Let's see, 10 x 100...hey that's $1000... Catch the drift?

9:07 AM | |

Friday, August 04, 2006 

Halter UNTIES with Beebe

This is too funny...check it out...

http://billhalter.com/Multimedia


8:08 AM | |

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