Running As Anti-Obama A Weak Platform

Friday, June 13, 2014

What President Johnson predicted would happen after all that 1960's civil rights legislation was passed on his watch has occurred -- the Yellow-Dog Democrat "solid South" has switched to GOP. It just took longer than he thought (traditions die slowly in Dixie)! Subsequently, in Arkansas for about six years now, the way to any elected office has been to rail against Democrats and President Obama, and all associated in any way with our president. It's been a great party with the demagogy feast and the heady wines of states' rights, defiance of federal laws, rants against federal overreach, talk of plots against God and nature,and some darker brews have flowed and been consumed freely! Now, we have to get back to business in this state (and country), sober up, and look at the results of the anti-Obama Party. Yes, it's the tough job of cleaning up after the Grand Wake we've thrown!

Consider: (1). The Obama presidencies are history in two short years! So all of you candidates running your campaigns on "I'm more anti-Obama than my opponent," or "I'll fight Obamacare anywhere I think I see it," or "I'm the most conservative," the party is over.

(2) Being able to do anything anti-Obama, or anti-AHCA, likely doesn't fall under the purview of your judicial, city, county, or state office. You're either blowing smoke, or showing ignorance.

(3). Talk about the office you seek and the job! Talk to me about the tough work of running that office of government in the 21st Century, with shrinking revenue, and your plan of action. Do you understand being responsible for any results?

(4) Forget turning the calendar back to 1860 or 1960 for a redo. What are you going to do different from your opponent in trying to solve today's problems today, and what problems will your solution cause? Then send me your literature, or come talk to me about your program, and seek my vote!

The old party themes, and the negative stuff? Meh. We just had six years of catharsis and maybe two to go. It's becoming counterproductive. Grab a broom neighbor, and let's get to work.

Gerald K. O'Bryan Sr.

Springdale

Commentary on 06/14/2014