Issues? How ?Bout Singin??

Many of the Republican women in Washington County are irritated with Jim Bob Duggar, who is running against incumbent Tim Hutchinson in the May 21 Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

The problem? They can’t ever seem to get Duggar to address any of the issues.

At a Washington County Republican Women luncheon on April 24, each candidate was given only three minutes to talk about issues. Instead, Duggar paraded some of his 13 children up to the front and had them sing a song.

Anne Britton, a candidate for constable and member of the group, tried to stop the Duggar clan from singing and get him to talk instead. But Duggar dismissed her in front of the group by saying, “Well, you’re a Hutchinson supporter.”

The kids sang, and Duggar said he would answer questions after the event.

“He’s clearly exploiting his kids,” Britton said the next day. “I told him it’s bordering on child abuse. I’ve had it.”

“We wanted to hear from the candidates themselves,” said Renee Oelschlaeger, president of the Republican women’s group. “There comes a time where you have to stop hiding behind your family.”

“He has pulled this stunt at other events,” said Robin Lundstrum, a member of the Republican women’s group. “I am just very disappointed with his behavior.”

Duggar, who lives in Springdale, has served in the Arkansas House of Representatives since 1999. His Internet site, www.jimbob.info, addresses his anti-abortion stance, but that’s about it.

We hear Duggar claims to have the same view on the issues that Hutchinson has. If that’s true, then why is he running for Tim’s seat?