Where’s Bill Halter? (UPDATE)
There was interesting editorial in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette today on the lack of Bill Halter in the press lately. It seems like you used to not be able to read a story on the lottery without having several quotes from the lieutenant governor sharing his views as the “Father of the Arkanas Lottery”. The ADG writes this on the lack of Halter comment…
He doesn’t write, he doesn’t call, not when the subject is the lottery. We would like to know what he thinks of what he (and, yes, We the People) have wrought. Yet all is silence on his end. Can he be feeling the first twinges of shame, or at least remorse, for his part in this growing debacle? Or would that be to give the man too much credit?
Reading this, I took it upon myself to see if Halter had any comment of the lottery startup. I actually saw him at the state capital last week in his office and stuck my head in the door to see if he had a few minutes for me. He did not as he was in hurry for a meeting. Understandable, it was a pop-in by me after all.
So with this in mind, I asked his communications director Garry Hoffman if I could get a few minutes with him anytime this week. No such luck. According to Hoffman, the lieutenant governor is out of state the rest of the week.
I wonder what he is up to. If anybody knows please fill me in.
UPDATE - Halter’s office directs me to this article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette this morning pointing out that Halter is in Baltimore for the National Lieutenant Governor Association for the rest of the week. The article also reminds me that Gov. Mike Beebe is in Cuba this week meaning Senate Pro Temp Bob Johnson is acting governor. Johnson tells Beebe’s office he is too busy to actually make it in. Call him if you need him.
One small correction on the ADG story where it mentions this is the first time Johnson was acting governor. Actually he was acting governor in January 20 when Beebe and Halter were in Washington for President Obama’s inauguration.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Halter must have read the study that came out of South Carolina before the press got it and realized that everything he campaigned on for the lottery and said was not true and would not happen more than likely will and has happened.
Halter should stand up and be counted in this. It was his baby that he ran for Lt Governor on, and, his efforts to get it passed. I hope you keep after him for comment and others since he should weigh in on all this mess.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Ah, true leaders that tuck tail and run… be a man Halter and be accountable. At least let people know how you feel. Ooopppss, that would actually mean having a back bone.