What does the 2010 Senate Race mean for gun rights in Arkansas?
04 20 2009, 19:44What does the upcoming Senate race in 2010 mean for Arkansas gun rights? According to This Southern Political Report four Republicans are currently considering a potential challenge to Senator Blanche Lincoln- Baker, Griffin, state Sen. Kim Hendren and banker French Hill.
Take the link it's an interesting read but here is a little clipping just to get to know the candidates:
“The guy to watch is Gilbert Baker,” says a Little Rock Republican insider. Baker’s re-election last year in a hotly contested state senate battle was front-page news in Arkansas. Baker’s opponent, Democrat Joe White, had the full backing of Gov. Mike Beebe and both sides were well-funded. The total cost for both campaigns totaled some $800,000, the most expensive in Arkansas history. Baker co-chairs the legislature’s Budget Committee, which gets him quoted in lots of new stories and gives him some bona fides in discussing economic issues affecting the state. He's also a good fundraiser, who helped the state GOP raise more than $1 million when he was chairman. And the economy, which had an unemployment rate of 6.6% in February, the state’s highest since 1993, is likely to be an important issue, potentially helping either party.
Griffin, an attorney who also studied at Oxford University, has a strong political background. He served as an assistant to White House political chieftain Karl Rove, and worked at the Republican National Committee during President George W. Bush’s re-election campaign. More noteworthy, he was a legal advisor for Bush’s Florida recount team. He was appointed US Attorney in Arkansas. Later, his appointment was subject to some controversy over whether his predecessor had been fired to make room for him. Griffin, now in business in Little Rock, would “fight a vigorous campaign, bruising her up,” says a Republican source.
Hendren is from Benton County, a major center of Republican strength in the northwest corner of Arkansas and a boost for him should there be a contested GOP primary. He chairs the legislature’s Joint Committee on Energy, which gives him some exposure and some clout in this oil and gas producing state. Hendren is the brother-in-law of former US Rep. Asa Hutchinson.
Hill is a Little Rock investment banker who is on the boards of a number of major companies and corporations. He served as a White House economic advisor and later as a Treasury Department official in the first President Bush’s administration. While he has made no public move toward a Senate candidacy, he has been to Washington to visit with the NRSC."
So what does this mean for our gun rights? First let's look at the challengers;State Senator Gilbert Baker has an NRA rating of A+. There's no doubt thet Senator Gilbert Baker is a supporter of the 2nd Amendment. Most recently he steered a contentious resolution through the House and Senate that will place a Constitutional Right to Hunt on the 2010 ballot, how sharp of him to consider being on the ballot along side his Constitutional Amendment. But he also has supported a number of other pro-gun bills here on the state level. I would feel comfortable with him representing Arkansans' in D.C.. Here’s the definition of an A+ NRA rated candidate, "An incumbent with not only an excellent voting record on critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote the Second Amendment."
State Senator Kim Hendren has an NRA rating of A. The definition of an NRA rated "A," candidate is defined as, "Solidly pro-gun candidate. An “A” incumbent who has supported NRA positions on key votes. May also describe a non-incumbent “A” candidate (one not represented with an *) who has previously held other office and cast consistent pro-gun votes, or an “A” candidate who hasn’t held office but has expressed strong support for NRA positions on Second Amendment issues. It should be noted that a “non-incumbent” candidate may have been awarded the “A” rating due solely to their responses on the NRA-PVF candidate survey."
French Hill, I must admit I know little about. Apparently he is the Chairman of the Corporate Board andChief Executive Officer of Delta Trust and Bank. And he recently spoke to the Central Arkansas Young Republicans in January. So if Mr. Hill (or any of the above named challengers) would like to shoot me a brag sheet we'd really appreciate it.Now to Mrs.Lincoln.
Senator Blanche Lincoln has a Lifetime NRA rating of D. The definition of a D ranking with the NRA is, "An anti-gun candidate who has frequently voted for restrictive gun control legislation or made strong statements in opposition to Second Amendment rights, and regardless of public statements can definitely not be counted on in key votes." Yikes.She has supported closing the mythical "gun show loophole,"(Lautenberg Amdt #362; Bill S. 254 ; vote number 1999-134 on May 20, 1999/ Bill S.254 ; vote number 1999-111 on May 11, 1999 ).
She has voted not to increase penalties for gun and drug crimes(Hatch Amendment #344; Bill S. 254 ; vote number 1999-118 on May 14, 1999 )She signed something called the "Hyde Park Declaration" in 200. It's basically a democratic manifesto, in which it promises the adoption of "smart gun" technology. This legislation was being sought after by anti gun groups to push the costs of firearm ownership beyond the price range an average citizen could afford.
She also voted for the 1994 so called "assault weapons" ban. When the topic came up this election cycle Lincoln gave a non answer as to her support for any pending gun ban legislation that might come up.Here lately she has tried to bring that "D" rating up by proposing some pro gun legislation. One is aimed at pushing the pro NRA Project Exile and co-sponsoring legislation that would restore Second Amendment rights to visitors of national parks and wildlife refuges.
The Washington Post has Mrs. Lincoln's full voting history posted online. I urge everyone to take a look through it.
We don't endorse candidates here, but it seems that gun owners would be better off with any of the choices listed above other than Mrs. Lincoln.