Tolbert: Beebe Goes To Bat For Rockwell & The ‘Private Option’

Early voting began this week in the special state senate election to replace former Sen. Paul Bookout.  Craighead County Clerk Kade Holiday tells me that 1,373 have cast ballots in the first two days of voting. Republican John Cooper certainly presents a clear ideological contrast with Democrat Steve Rockwell.  Cooper’s hard to the right, while Rockwell pushes to the left.

Rockwell’s campaign went to the same well as the Mike Ross campaign today rolling out a TV ad from Gov. Mike Beebe.  But instead of presenting Rockwell as a centrist – as he did with Ross – he touts the benefits of the ‘private option’ Medicaid expansion.

“In Washington, there is a tremendous amount of disagreement in how to handle health care,” says Beebe. “It is keeping them from getting anything done.  In Arkansas, Democrats and Republicans got together and created our own private option and it’s working. Steve Rockwell is a business leader who will play a vital role as we continue to move Arkansas forward.”

Beebe goes on to point to tax dollars that he says flow down from the private option to local Jonesboro hospitals and universities.

The ad, which you can view below, is interesting for two reasons.

First, Beebe is getting personally involved in state legislative campaigns.  He’s not just raising funds, but putting his face on television ads.  Perhaps he feels more freedom to do this without another election for him personally.  Regardless, it is interesting to note considering he has been careful with this in the past.  It remains to be seen if he will endorse all the Democrats across the board or if he will be more judicious in choosing where to get involved.

It is also worth noting that Rockwell is betting his campaign on the voters supporting the private option passed by the state legislature in the last session.  This has been the theme not only for this ad, but his entire campaign.  Rockwell is all in with support, while Cooper is unapologetically against it.  Their debate/forum earlier this week focused on this contrast.

In this respect, the Rockwell campaign is somewhat of a test run for Democratic campaigns next November, particularly those facing tea party favored candidates such as Cooper.

The general election day is next Tuesday. As with most special elections in odd times of the year such as January, turnout will be key.  Many will be watching for signs as to which way the wind is blowing.