Cook: Arkansas Debates And The Pryor Brand

A U.S. Senate debate between Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton has been set for October 14 in Fayetteville. Talk Business & Politics has the details here.

I spoke briefly today with Erik Dorey, Pryor’s deputy campaign manager, about the debate.

My first question to Dorey concerned if they were satisfied with the debate parameters and details.

“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to hear from Congressman Cotton about his reckless and irresponsible votes against the best interests of Arkansas seniors students, women and working families,” said Dorey.

I asked Dorey what Arkansans should expect to see in this debate.

“There’s no doubt that Congressman Cotton will be a formidable presence at this debate. Mark will stay focused on issues that matter most to Arkansans and looks forward to engaging Congressman Cotton in front of a statewide audience,” said Dorey.

The Fayetteville Chamber Senate debate is the only agreed-upon debate between Cotton and Pryor to be broadcast live.

In Arkansas politics, there are two debates over the past 40 years that stand out in my mind as having an impact on the eventual outcome and both involve a candidate named Pryor.

In 1974, then-Congressman David Pryor challenged then-U.S. Senator John McClellan for the Democratic nomination. In David Pryor’s book, A Pryor Commitment, Senator Pryor recounts the only televised debate held in that election conducted just two days before the vote.

By Senator’s Pryor’s account, he appeared “naive and inexperienced” that night while McClellan appeared as the “seasoned veteran.” By David Pryor’s account, and many other political observers, he lost the run-off due to the poor performance in that debate.

The other televised debate that stands out in my mind was between then-Attorney General Mark Pryor and then-U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson during the 2002 election. What stands out in that debate was the visual.

Pryor’s and Hutchinson’s podiums were situated right next to each other making the incumbent Senator appear diminutive and mousy next to Mark Pryor who had much broader shoulders.

I don’t recall anything specifically said at that debate, but that visual contrast sticks out in mind 12 years later. I don’t think Pryor won the election because of that debate, but I do recall many people and some pundits at the time commenting on the visual contrast.

In the end, the upcoming televised debate will be a high-stakes endeavor for Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton.