Here on the ground in Arkansas, you can feel the winds of change beginning to blow, and it's being felt across a vast array of communities. Bill Halter might not have support from the Arkansas machine, but local African Americans politicians, long left out and taken advantage of by the state machinery, are rushing to join a campaign that's going to bring sweeping change to Arkansas that will send shock waves across the country.
This morning eleven key African American leaders from around Arkansas announced their support of Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter and his run for the United States Senate. Endorsers include State Representative Otis Davis of Earle in Crittenden County, Justice of the Peace Edward Carter of Helena in Phillips County, Justice of the Peace Jimmy Fisher Sr. of Pine Bluff, Alderman Bruce Hudson of Helena-West Helena, Justice of the Peace Edward Spears of Pine Bluff in Jefferson County, Mayor Lionel Johnson of Hampton, Mayor Leroy Wright of Anthonyville in Crittenden County, Mayor Abron Pitts of Widener in St. Francis County, Mayor Floyd Gray of Dermot in Drew County, Mayor Ronnie Conley of Cotton Plant, and Vice Mayor David "DJ" Johnson of Hope in Hempstead County.
"I am grateful for these support of these fine leaders," said Halter, "It is time that Washington got back to working for the towns they represent here in Arkansas, instead of Wall Street."
"I support Bill Halter because he gets things done," said Justice of the Peace Jimmy Fisher Sr. "It seems that all Washington politicians do is talk. If we elect Bill, there’s no doubt he’ll fight for all of our families."
Mayor Ronnie Conley of Cotton Plant said, "Bill Halter has earned my support. He saw that too many people couldn’t afford college and he helped fix the problem. He came up with the scholarship lottery and worked closely with us to get it passed." Conley continued, "Now thousands more Arkansas families can afford higher education. Name me one other politician who has put five thousand dollars back in the pockets of regular Arkansas families. You can’t."
Alderman Bruce Hudson of Helena-West Helena focused on health care as his reason for supporting Halter "There is only one person in the race for U. S. Senate who is willing to make sure we all have access to affordable healthcare and that is Lt. Governor Bill Halter. Bill is a get it done kind of guy. He brought a health clinic to Little Rock to help the uninsured and under-insured. We can count on him to fight for real health care reform in the Senate."
Justice of the Peace Edward Carter of Helena recalled Halter’s work on Social Security, "Bill Halter fought against George Bush’s dangerous plans to privatize Social Security. Those are the priorities he will take to the Senate."
Lincoln has taken the black vote for granted, and now she seems to have lost it. There's a lesson in that for all Democrats-treat your most reliable voters, especially those that need you the most, with the respect they deserve. Lincoln's votes on health care, the environment, labor, and other issues have hurt the black community. Add to that her refusal to nominate any African Americans for judicial appointment (and her patronizing response to those concerns) and it's no wonder that her support among a community vital to her election chances has slipped.
But notice something else. None of those statements take slaps at Blanche Lincoln. Instead, they all praise Bill Halter enthusiastically for his work on social security, higher education, health care, and his ability to get things done. That should tell you something about Halter and the work he's done in Arkansas. We're not just taking down a bad Democrat here. We're working to elect a great Democrat, and statements like the ones above are evidence of that and should show everyone here why this man needs our support in both the primary and the (winnable) general election.