Is Endorsing Really Endorsing?

Perhaps political schedules are keeping some relatives from talking to each other as much as usual. In the case of Asa Hutchinson and nephew Jim Hendren, it appears as though they haven’t shared information much lately.

Hutchinson, the new director of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, vacated his seat in the U.S. Congress. Hendren, of Gravette, is running for his uncle’s former spot.

Hutchinson said in the July 24 edition of The Morning News he did “not intend to publicly endorse any candidate in the primary.”

Hendren was quoted in the July 9 edition of Washington D.C.-based Roll Call magazine saying he “was in politics before Asa was. I want to be careful about appearing not to run on my own merits. I’m certainly not laying claim to this job because of any family relationships.”

However, Susan Hutchinson, Asa’s wife, sent out letters recently to “Republican friends” asking for their “unqualified support” of candidate Hendren.

She also asks her letter recipients, “Will you help Jim?” and if they will put a “Hendren for Congress” sign in their yard and a bumper sticker on their car. She asks, “Can Jim count on you for a contribution of $100, $50 or even $25?”

Asa Hutchinson was the house manager of the U.S. Congress during the impeachment hearings against former President Bill Clinton. He said Clinton tried to put a spin on having oral sex with intern Monica Lewinsky. Sex was sex, Hutchinson said. Isn’t an endorsement an endorsement?