Author: Talk Business

by Talk Business - October 3, 2011 7:00 pm

Latest Senate Rumor: Chris Stewart

Looks like another Republican is thinking about challenging Sen. David Johnson (D-Little Rock) in 2012.  Republican Justice of the Peace Jim Sorvillo announced his plan to challenge Johnson a couple weeks ago. 

Now it appears general counsel for the Republican Party of Arkansas Chris Stewart is thinking about it as well.

According to reports, a phone survery was conducted that asked issued-oriented questions on Sen. David Johnson and Chris Stewart.  Question such as…Would knowing that Johnson was one of a handful of Democrats to vote against the ban of partial birth abortions make you less likely or more likely to vote for him?  Would knowing Chris Stewart helped pass the Arkansas Marriage Amendment in 2004 make you less likely or more likely to vote for him? That sort of thing.

Stewart could not be reached for comment.

While we are on the rumor front, the Arkansas Patriot speculates whether former Searcy mayor Belinda LaForce (D) might be thinking about challenging Rep. Mark Biviano (R-Searcy.)  And also one official announcement, Rep. Gary Stubblefield (R) announced he will seek the State Senate seat in open district 6. He will likely face former Rep. John Paul Wells (D) in the general election.

by Talk Business - October 2, 2011 7:00 pm

Arkansas Democrats Long For Clinton Days

Great column this weekend from the AP’s Andrew DeMillo, who seems to have his finger on the pulse of Arkansas politics as well as anyone else in the Arkansas mainstream media. He looks at the ClintonMania still felt as strong as ever among Arkansas Democrats. We saw this on parade this weekend as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of Clinton’s announcement that he was running for President.  Here is one key part…

Democratic Congressman Mike Ross, who started in politics as a driver for Clinton, said the message is more about the future than trying to relive the Clinton days.

“It gives hope to those of us who are Democrats and hopefully serves as a reminder that the Democratic Party has a very diverse group of people within it…I think we can learn from that,” Ross said.

When asked whether Obama could live up to the Clinton standard, Ross responded: “I don’t know.”

“We’ve got record deficits and an economic recovery that is moving way too slow and leaving way too many people behind,” Ross said. “Is that all his fault? No, but he is the president of the United States, so he has to accept at least some responsibility for that.”

The truth is Arkansas Democrats want to pretend that the last two Presidents were Bill Clinton and Jed Bartlet.  Barack Obama? Never heard of him. 

I also find it quite comical that they are touting how bipartisan they are and highlighting any vote that makes them appear conservative.  They dismiss anything that makes them look liberal as some sort of cheap partisan trick that will drive Arkansas to become like Washington.

It seem like their new motto is – "Vote Democrat: because sometimes we vote like Republicans!"

For a preview of ads that Arkansas Republicians will likely run next year, see the ad below from the Republican Governor’s Association linking the Democratic candidate for governor in West Virgina to the implementation of ObamaCare.  Their special election is Tuesday.

by Talk Business - September 29, 2011 7:00 pm

Owner Turns Sprinklers On Pro-life Prayer Vigil

In July, I wrote about a new movement springing up in Arkansas that seeks to combat abortion not with violent protest, but with peaceful prayer demonstrations.  It is called "40 Days for Life" and it is having amazing success all over the country.

One of the cities where its impact has been profound is Fayetteville.  They first began demonstrating outside abortionist William Harrison’s clinic until he closed his business. They then moved to the Planned Parenthood clinic where abortions are being performed using the RU487 abortion pill.  This year, Planned Parenthood moved its clinic to a different location on Crossover Road.

The "40 Days for Life" kicked off their current prayer vigil at this new location on Tuesday.  Organizers were thrilled with the large turnout of around 100 people, including former State Sen. Jim Holt and former State Rep. Jim Bob Josh Duggar (son of Jim Bob.) They met to pray outside the clinic on the right of way by the street, but were soon greeted by an unexpected surprise.

As they began their meeting, the owner of the building turned on the newly installed sprinkler system which was pointed in their direction.  As the water sprayed them down, the owner came out and began shouting at them to go away.  He even called the police and demanded that they be arrested.

The "40 Days for Life" organizers explained to the police that they were on the public right of way and not the owner’s property.  Organizers had notified the police in advance of their plans and made sure they had everything in compliance with city ordinances.

But the owner of the building persisted.  According those outside the clinic, he is continuing to turn on the sprinklers as the 40 days of events continue.

"It will not deter us," said Tiffany, who is one the event’s coordinators. "We just show up in our ponchos, hats, and rainboots and carry on."

Tiffany says that they feel no ill will toward the owners and are praying for them along with the women going into the clinic.

"We hope that we can be a witness to them by our prayerful response," explained Tiffany.

You can find out more about the demonstrations in Fayetteville as well as the one in Little Rock on the "40 Days for Life" website.

by Talk Business - September 29, 2011 7:00 pm

Sebelius Chides Arkansas Gop For Refusing To Implement Obamacare

This debate of ObamaCare in Arkansas just continues to get stranger by the day. I sum up the events over the past couple of weeks in my column for Stephen Media. In short, Gov. Beebe asked for and was denied a permission slip by the minority party (yeah, I said minority party) to apply for a $3.8 million grant for planning and implementing the state level health insurance exchange.