Gov. Hutchinson says Trump can still win, backs integrity of U.S. elections

Gov. Asa Hutchinson told reporters he still believes GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump can win the race for the White House, but offered again his distaste for Trump’s rhetoric and downplayed concerns about the integrity of the U.S. election process.

In a Thursday (Oct. 20) press conference at the State Capitol via Skype from China during a trade mission, Hutchinson said a Trump victory over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is possible despite current polls showing his declining fortunes following Wednesday night’s third and final debate in Las Vegas.

“You know one of the consequences of being out of the country, I was not able to watch the most recent debate in its entirety. But I picked up excerpts from it and will let the American people judge on the debate performance, (but) sure in this day and time – either candidate can win,” Hutchinson told reporters. “Obviously the poll numbers are not favorable to Mr. Trump today, but you want to be careful in predicting how the American public will ultimately cast their vote on election day.”

Hutchinson said he was troubled by Trump’s recent comments about widespread voter rigging, fraud and questions about the integrity of the nation’s electoral process. Concerning the Republican billionaire candidate’s noncommittal in last night’s debate on accepting the final results of the Nov. 8 presidential election, Hutchinson attempted to explain part of Trump’s reasoning but said it was an ongoing tradition for the losing candidate to graciously accept defeat after the final count.

“I have always said I don’t like the way Donald Trump phrases things and his rhetoric. In one sense, when you look at the close election between Al Gore and George W. Bush. I would have hated to see (President Bush) say in advance that he was going to concede the election. He needed to be able to reserve the right if any state was close – and Florida was close,” Hutchinson offered. “In that context, I can understand if it is going to be a close election you wouldn’t want to foreclose your options and (say) ‘this needs to be look at more closely.’

“At the same time, we have our international community looking at these elections and it’s a tradition of the American presidency – unless there are some unique circumstances of it – that you recognize the validity of the election process, you support the person who is elected and you move on. And that’s how I wish he would have articulated it during the debate.”

Hutchinson added that once the election is over, all Americans should accept the final outcome.

“Whenever the American people speak, we accept it – and barring some unforeseen circumstances, we will abide by the election results. That’s my view and that’s how I wished he would have expressed it,” he said.

Hutchinson also vouched for the integrity of the election process, applauding state and county elections officials across the state who are working hard ahead of early voting on Monday (Oct. 24) to prepare for a heavy turnout.

“I am not aware of any problems or challenges we face, and I expect a very good vote and I hope there is a good turnout,” he said. “I have been in close elections before, and I know there will be (poll) watchers there making sure everything is done right – and that’s what is important in the presidential race, and I expect that kind of observance and credibility to this election cycle as well.”

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Mark Martin’s office reported that a record 1,754,243 registered voters in Arkansas as of Oct. 18. That preliminary total, which is substantially higher than the 1,690,577 voters registered ahead of the 2012 election and 1,684,240 in 2008, will likely move higher once state officials tally up the final numbers from the Oct. 11 registration deadline.

Hutchinson, speaking from Beijing, China, said he also plans to participate in early voting ahead of the Nov. 8 election after he returns to the U.S. from his Far East trade mission later this week.

“I will cast my vote early. We are still looking at the exact opportunity that I can go home and vote,” he said.