John Brummett: Cotton Not The Strongest Challenger To Pryor

Columnist John Brummett says he’s not sure a centrist Democrat can win in conservative-leaning Arkansas, but he’s not sure Cong. Tom Cotton (R) is the strongest candidate the GOP could field to challenge incumbent Sen. Mark Pryor (D).

Appearing on Talk Business, the political columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette said that Pryor’s centrist leanings may not play with an Arkansas electorate that has boosted Arkansas Republicans to new heights in the last two election cycles.

“The age of the centrist straddle, the finesse, where you’re sort of center-left in your heart, but you appeal to conservative Arkansans to be a moderate, centrist Democrat to get elected, I think those days are over,” Brummett said.

But Brummett is hesitant to say that Cong. Tom Cotton will be a lay-up for Republicans.

“He [Cotton] is not as strong as John Boozman,” Brummett said. “I think Steve Womack – a more inoffensive type, less identifiable as extreme with that base in northwest Arkansas – would be stronger… [Cotton] is not the strongest, but he is strong.”

He said Cotton’s votes in Congress, such as disaster relief, and his support from right-wing groups like the Club for Growth, will give Pryor ammunition to work with if the two square off, as many political observers expect.

“Here’s what the Mark Pryor people are thinking: we can work with this guy, not with him, against him,” said Brummett. “Pryor has a lot to work with against Tom Cotton.”

You can watch Brummett’s full interview from Talk Business below.