Tolbert: Democrats Talk Arkansas, But Run Washington

An interesting e-mail hit my inbox Thursday from the Democratic Party of Arkansas” newly elected chairman Vincent Insalaco. What was his opening salvo? Trumpet Arkansas not Washington…

The Republicans have voted against Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for our children and seniors, equal pay for equal work, and the Violence Against Women Act. They claim to represent the people, but which people exactly are they referring to? It certainly isn’t the people of Arkansas.

Republicans have made their gains in Arkansas in recent years by talking about what’s happening in Washington, not about what’s happening in Arkansas. They nationalized a local election, and we cannot allow them to do that again in this cycle. This election is not about people in Washington, it’s about people in Arkansas.

So after playing the worn out playbook claiming Republicans hate senior citizens and women by hitting on national issues, Insalaco says it”s not about…wait for it…national issues. HUH??

Anyway, the play is further complicated by the two guys at the top of their ticket – Sen. Mark Pryor and former Cong. Mike Ross.  Love “em or hate “em – they both spent the last dozen years in Washington.  Granted Ross took a couple months off to cash in on a “government relations” job, but it is hard to understand how with these two at the top of the ticket this election could not be about the “people in Washington.”

It also is mystifying how bringing in a new communications director from…wait for it….WASHINGTON fits into the strategy. The DPA brought in Patrick Burgwinkle just last week who seems like a nice enough fellow but his resume –  heavy on experience at the DNC, complete with work with the pro-choice Emily”s List – screams Washington not Arkansas.

But I digress.

Speaking of Burgwinkle, I sent him a note on Thursday asking what the Democrats planned to do with the $4,000 former Sen. Paul Bookout improperly sent to the party last year. The Ethics Commission specifically included this contribution () in the list of improper payments Bookout made in 2012.

I have not heard back, but will let you know if I do.