quote:
While a student at the University of Arkansas in 1985, Sen. Mark Pryor (D) wrote his college thesis on the state of Arkansas’ two-party system.

“The state’s Republicans have traditionally failed to produce politicians that Arkansas would elect,” he wrote. “The Democratic party, as a result, has thrived on a sort of perpetual motion.”

quote:
But in 1985, when Pryor wrote his thesis, his father, David, was a member of the U.S. Senate, Bill Clinton was in the middle of his second run as governor, and, in Pryor’s estimation, there were “only four Republicans of election stature” in the whole state. He wrote that if the state were to change substantially and develop economically, Democrats could lose control.

“[I]f the state were to make it feasible for a large number of outsiders to settle down in Arkansas (i.e. retirement villages, high technology defense plants, etc.), these non-natives may not be inclined to vote Democratic,” he wrote.

Crazy to think that Mark Pryor outlined some of the critical elements that would lead to his defeat almost 30 years later.

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Posted by teke184

Zachary, LA

Member since Jan 2007

94846 posts

Posted on 11/6/14 at 8:59 am to Stuttgart Tiger

I'd say a big part of what happened was the state figuring out that the national Dems had left them behind and transformed into something they couldn't support.

The demise of the Blue Dog caucus after the 2010 elections moved the party even further left while showing the state that those politicians were national Dems first and representing Arkansas second, at best.

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Posted by Homesick Tiger

Greenbrier, AR

Member since Nov 2006

54202 posts

Posted on 11/6/14 at 9:01 am to Stuttgart Tiger

Blame it on Clinton. No doubt with all the democratic leadership in this state during that time that they had to make this a wonderful place to live.

Appears they derailed their own gravy train.

BTW, how u doin?

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Posted by Stuttgart Tiger

Branson, MO

Member since Jan 2006

14529 posts

Posted on 11/6/14 at 9:24 am to teke184

quote:
I'd say a big part of what happened was the state figuring out that the national Dems had left them behind and transformed into something they couldn't support.

When I lived over in Eastern Arkansas, I could see some of this when I talked politics with others. I am a Republican and we shared very similar views, but when it came time to vote, my friends would always vote democratic. Mostly because of farm subsidies.

Even though the Dem. platform was different from their view, they still voted Dem. I need to go check election returns in Arkansas Co. and Prairie Co. to see if this is the case.

Homesick - I'm doing fine and hope you are too down there in Conway. Got tickets to LSU - Ark. next Saturday. Praying LSU doesn't come up and give Ark. it's first SEC win in two years.

Just checked and Cotton carried both Arkansas and Prairie Counties. Hutchinson cared them both for Governor. Surrounding counties like Desha and Monroe remained blue.

This post was edited on 11/6/14 at 9:39 am

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Posted by Homesick Tiger

Greenbrier, AR

Member since Nov 2006

54202 posts

Posted on 11/6/14 at 9:38 am to Stuttgart Tiger