Reply #66: Note: This bill was introduced by a republican

[Donna Zen]

Committee votes to move up Arkansas presidential primary elections

1/19/05

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A bill designed to give Arkansas more pull in presidential politics cleared a House committee on Wednesday. The bill by Rep. Jeremy Hutchinson, R-Little Rock, would require parties to hold primaries or caucuses in February at their own expense.

Proponents say the measure would give the state more say in selecting presidential nominees. Backers point out that the state missed out on voting for Arkansan Wesley Clark last year because the Arkansas primary was in May, after Clark dropped out.

House committee hearing on the bill on Wednesday became heated when Democratic Party Chairman Ron Oliver said he opposed the bill and preferred to have state-funded primaries in February rather than a complex caucus system. Democratic committee members faulted Oliver for not informing them earlier of his opposition to the bill and not doing more to inform members of his own party about his stance.

http://www.ky3.com/newsdetailed.asp?id=7413

Good for Arkansas!

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Both parties courted Clark knowing his liberal politics. Why did the republicans court Arnold and Powell? Because in the end, people vote on perceptions. And don't give the "Mean Machine" absolute power; they can be defeated.