Thursday, July 07, 2005
Asa Hutchinson to Replace O'Connor?
"I can think of a dozen current and former governors, senators and representatives -- mainstream Republicans such as Marc Racicot, Lindsey Graham or Asa Hutchinson -- who could fill that role and be confirmed without much of a battle."
Washington Post
Political column by David S. Broder
Asa Hutchinson got mentioned in a prominent national political column today as somebody who might get easy Senate confirmation to replace Sandra Day O’Connor.
I have known Asa since he was the federal prosecuting attorney for western Arkansas. There are many qualities that commend him, but David Broder better get ready for “the rest of the story.” Here are a few of Asa’s negatives.
He attended Bob Jones University. This is real bedrock fundamentalism at its’ Bible-thumpin’ scariest. My sweet liberal friends (who all believe that I have crossed over to the dark side) latch on to this one as if a college kid believes everything he is taught. Hell, I had 12 years of Catholic school and look what that did for me. The insinuation here is that Asa is inflexible and possibly racist. The latter accusation arises out of the former Bob Jones policy forbidding inter-racial dating. Let me tell you this. Asa Hutchinson may be a lot of things, but he is no racist. I have had many interviews and conversations with him and consider Hutchinson to be respectful of others’ opinions and willing to listen.
When he was federal prosecutor, he broke up a bunch of white separatists known as the “Covenant Sword and Arm of the Lord.” He brought a peaceful end to a dangerous siege. Plenty of skinheads hate Asa.
As Undersecretary of Homeland Security, he was sufficiently “soft” on immigrants to set off the anti-immigrant crowd.
Asa Hutchinson did a stint running the Drug Enforcement Administration and pretty much stuck by the same old failed policies of criminalization and punishment. As far as I can tell, he opposes legalization of medical marijuana.
Congressman Hutchinson served on the House Judiciary Committee and was one of the “House Managers” in the impeachment trial of President Clinton. If he had more of a role in the prosecution, things might have ended differently. Asa is a professional and convincing advocate. Too bad he was on the wrong side.
He is running for Governor of Arkansas but he registered to vote in Virginia. What was Asa thinking?
Compared to John Ashcroft, this guy is a sweetheart. Asa is certainly better than his brother Tim, the hypocrite.
President Bush will probably not appoint Asa Hutchinson, but it might be a smart move. Democrats are so stupid. The Barbra Boxer crowd would get all over him for stuff 98% of Americans agree with. His lack of judicial experience is a definite plus. There are no decisions to defend, and he can blame any of his other deficiencies on youth or politics. He is highly articulate.
Just in case you are not intimately familiar with Arkansas politics, it must be added that he would be considered strongly anti-abortion.
I do not often agree with Asa, but darn it, I do like him. He would be as fair as a Republican is capable.
Washington Post
Political column by David S. Broder
Asa Hutchinson got mentioned in a prominent national political column today as somebody who might get easy Senate confirmation to replace Sandra Day O’Connor.
I have known Asa since he was the federal prosecuting attorney for western Arkansas. There are many qualities that commend him, but David Broder better get ready for “the rest of the story.” Here are a few of Asa’s negatives.
He attended Bob Jones University. This is real bedrock fundamentalism at its’ Bible-thumpin’ scariest. My sweet liberal friends (who all believe that I have crossed over to the dark side) latch on to this one as if a college kid believes everything he is taught. Hell, I had 12 years of Catholic school and look what that did for me. The insinuation here is that Asa is inflexible and possibly racist. The latter accusation arises out of the former Bob Jones policy forbidding inter-racial dating. Let me tell you this. Asa Hutchinson may be a lot of things, but he is no racist. I have had many interviews and conversations with him and consider Hutchinson to be respectful of others’ opinions and willing to listen.
When he was federal prosecutor, he broke up a bunch of white separatists known as the “Covenant Sword and Arm of the Lord.” He brought a peaceful end to a dangerous siege. Plenty of skinheads hate Asa.
As Undersecretary of Homeland Security, he was sufficiently “soft” on immigrants to set off the anti-immigrant crowd.
Asa Hutchinson did a stint running the Drug Enforcement Administration and pretty much stuck by the same old failed policies of criminalization and punishment. As far as I can tell, he opposes legalization of medical marijuana.
Congressman Hutchinson served on the House Judiciary Committee and was one of the “House Managers” in the impeachment trial of President Clinton. If he had more of a role in the prosecution, things might have ended differently. Asa is a professional and convincing advocate. Too bad he was on the wrong side.
He is running for Governor of Arkansas but he registered to vote in Virginia. What was Asa thinking?
Compared to John Ashcroft, this guy is a sweetheart. Asa is certainly better than his brother Tim, the hypocrite.
President Bush will probably not appoint Asa Hutchinson, but it might be a smart move. Democrats are so stupid. The Barbra Boxer crowd would get all over him for stuff 98% of Americans agree with. His lack of judicial experience is a definite plus. There are no decisions to defend, and he can blame any of his other deficiencies on youth or politics. He is highly articulate.
Just in case you are not intimately familiar with Arkansas politics, it must be added that he would be considered strongly anti-abortion.
I do not often agree with Asa, but darn it, I do like him. He would be as fair as a Republican is capable.
