Wes Clark Endorses Mike Ross for Arkansas Governor

[BlueToTheBone]

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/93243/wes-clark-endorses-mike-ross-for-arkansas-governor

LITTLE ROCK - Former NATO Commander Wesley Clark is backing Democrat Mike Ross' bid for Arkansas governor next year.

The retired Army general and one-time presidential candidate on Wednesday announced he was endorsing Ross in the governor's race. Ross is a former congressman who represented south Arkansas and is running against former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter for the Democratic nomination.

In a statement issued by the campaign, Clark praised Ross' work in Congress on behalf of the nation's armed forces and said he believed Ross could address challenges like the state's veterans hospitals. Clark lives in Little Rock.

I'm guessing that Halter is not going to make the primaries.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Wow, I'd take Halter any day over Ross to address the state's challenges.

[BlueToTheBone]

2. Me too.

That was a blow. The politcos here hate Halter because he challenged Blanche. I don't think he'll ever make it in any office. I wish he would challenge Womack! He's progressive enough to make it up here.

[Art_from_Ark]

3. Unfortunately, I don't think NW Arkansas is ready for a progressive representative

As much as I hate to admit it. It's the home of Wal-Mart and Big Money, and every Republican presidential nominee since bu$h has been feted at $1000-a-plate dinners in Benton County. Most of the counties in the 3rd district, which has been Republican since 1967, are really conservative, and essentially the only places where progressives get a big chunk of votes are Fayetteville and Eureka Springs.

[BlueToTheBone]

5. Benton county has a VERY active and large

democratic club and central committee. I think with a GOOD candidate, it would be possible. Of course there is the Walton money and the Koch money; but there is real possibility one could make it.

[Art_from_Ark]

6. Benton County always votes 60-40 for Republican presidential candidates

Benton County was also only one of 5 Arkansas counties that voted against Clinton in the '92 and '96 elections. Benton County (Rogers) is also the home of both the current 3rd district representative and junior Senator, as well as a previous Republican representative-Senator team, the Hutchinson brothers (from Bentonville). Believe me, I have been wanting to see a Democrat represent the 3rd district since Bill Clinton ran against John Paul Hammerschmidt in 1974, but I don't think it is going to happen anytime soon.

[Art_from_Ark]

4. Mike Ross

Another blue dog. Bleah.