ROGERS -- U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., was asked Thursday in front of more than 400 people if he was running for president in 2020.
He didn't say no.
"Only if you quit your job and volunteer for me full time," Cotton quipped back to the enthused inquiry from one of about 435 people attending Wednesday's Summit Luncheon at Cross Church in Rogers. The weekly business luncheon began in 2001.
Meeting with the press after the event, Cotton said he was focused on campaign appearances that would help Republican candidate's retain the GOP majority in the Senate and had no definite future plans. "I let the future work itself out and not rule in or rule out anything in life."
In his formal remarks, Cotton made little direct mention of his party's current nominee for president, Donald Trump. He criticized leaders of both parties and said the nation needed "new leaders." "The 'new normal' is code for the failures of our leaders," he said. "We don't have to accept their best as our best. There's nothing normal about working families not getting a raise for years. There's nothing normal about young people having no job after college."
Cotton's party is openly at odds.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., has been criticized by Trump as not being supportive enough, while Ryan has openly called the ticket leader's recently revealed remarks about taking advantage of women as unacceptable. Cotton said after the speech the Republican Party needs to refocus on issues all Americans can unite around such as a strong defense, a growing free-market economy and assuring the future for children. "These are things we all want, whether you're white, black, brown, straight or gay."
NW News on 10/21/2016