BENTONVILLE — Conrad Reynolds, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate, visited Bentonville on Monday, targeting veterans for special attention at American Legion Post No. 77 but making time to talk about some other issues elsewhere in the city.
In an interview with The Benton County Daily Record, Reynolds criticized recent decisions from Washington, D.C.
As of now in Washington, overspending and sidelinedmissile defenses have both confused and frightened American allies in Europe and elsewhere, along with many Americans, he said.
"I'm as frustrated as any other person. I want to return our voice to Washington, D.C. We need the proper leadership," he said.
A retired colonel in the U.S. Army, Reynolds said he's the candidate in a crowded Republican field (there are six other GOP candidates) who can successfully challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln in 2010.
Lincoln, seeking a third six-year term, is the only declared Democratic candidate but may have a Democratic challenger for her party's nomination.
Having recently retired after 26 years in the military, Reynolds wanted first to meet and listen to military veterans in his U.S. Senate campaign, he said.
On Monday, Reynolds visited a few veterans in a forum at American Legion Post No. 77 in Bentonville, listening to attendees' concerns about a range of issues, from the quality of Veterans Affairs hospitals to reinstatement of the draft.
Legion officials made it clear they weren't endorsing Reynolds or other candidates, just providing a place where candidates could listen as veterans voiced their concerns.
He was glad to have the chance to do that, Reynolds told Legion officials.
News, Pages 5 on 09/30/2009