Former Senator David Pryor reflects on Dale Bumpers’ legacy

Former U.S. Senator David Pryor said his former colleague and friend, Dale Bumpers, was “in a class all his own, a league all his own.”

Appearing on this week’s edition of Talk Business & Politics with Roby Brock, Pryor recalled the first time he met Dale Bumpers on the campaign trail in 1970, how his relationship with Bumpers developed, and the advice they shared through the years.

Bumpers, who died Jan. 1, 2016, will be remembered in a memorial service Sunday afternoon in downtown Little Rock.

“Dale was special. He brought honor to our state,” Pryor said. “I was proud to serve with him.”

Bumpers served as governor from 1971-1975 before moving to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 1999. Pryor succeeded Bumpers as Arkansas governor and joined him in the Senate in 1979.

When asked how the two friends and political allies avoided running against each other in an era when there were many challengers among peers, Pryor said the timing and their friendship helped dodge a conflict. He also said their friendship in the Senate was unique.

“Many, many senators – especially if they’re from the same political party – there’s a great deal of tension between not only the senators, but their respective offices,” Pryor said. “Dale and I never had that. We were from a small state. We knew that for Arkansas that whatever got done we had to be together.”

Pryor also said that he felt Bumpers’ best chance to be President was in 1976 and that he actually hoped Bumpers would serve one more term as governor to set up that possibility.

“I actually encouraged Dale at that time, in 1974, not to run against Sen. Fulbright because I wanted him to position himself by 1976 to run for President. I thought a Southerner, a moderate Southern governor, would be perfect. He had had a fabulous record, no problems whatsoever as far as any ethics challenges – just clean as a whistle,” said Pryor.

He thought a Bumpers for President announcement from the top floor of his father’s Charleston hardware store would have set the stage for a uniquely American run.

“I thought he would have been a better candidate than Jimmy Carter made. Jimmy Carter was good, don’t get me wrong, but Dale would have been electric I should say in that race,” said Pryor.

In the interview with Pryor, which you can view below, Pryor recalls other aspects of Bumpers’ legacy, including some of his proudest achievements, his speaking skills, and other stories from the campaign trail.