Bill Kristol Points to Tom Cotton as the Kind of Candidate Republicans Should Be Running (UPDATE – Further Comments from Kristol)
Bill Kristol of The Weekly Standard and FoxNews Sunday weighed in on the Arkansas Senate race and had high marks for Tom Cotton. Appearing on Bill Bennett’s radio show, Kristol discussed the current health care debate saying, “I think there will be big implication for 2010. And I think the politics as usual and politicians as usual will have trouble. I think this will be a great year for outsiders. I really hope that the Republican welcome the younger candidates. I think that is one of the important aspects to 2010 – to making it a big year to change politics, which will be good.”
Turning his attention to Arkansas, Kristol said, “We can’t just be running the next guy in line, the 23 year veteran of the state senate. This is the time for young fresh outside faces. Tom Cotton who is just back from Iraq is an Army Captain and I think he is going to run for the Senate in Arkansas and he has a real chance.”
Side note – I saw State Sen. Gilbert Baker yesterday and asked him when we would be hearing something regarding the Senate race. He reply, “Soon.” Interpret from that what you will.
UPDATE - I spoke via email with Kristol regarding his comments about Cotton. He sent along the following response…
“Obviously, I’m no expert on Arkansas politics and have nothing against any other possible candidates for the Senate.
“But I do know Tom, and think very highly of him. He’d be a great Senator.
“I got to know him, through a mutual friend, when he was stationed at Arlington just across the river. We’ve spent a fair amount of time together discussing politics and foreign policy and life in general. Tom is smart and strong and patriotic–the kind of candidate Republicans, and Americans, need. He’s young and has a fresh approach, but he’s also highly principled and has served his country. So, assuming he impresses his fellow citizens of Arkansas as much as he’s impressed me, I look forward to welcoming him back to Washington in January 2011 as our nation’s youngest Senator.”
Tags: 2010 Candidates
August 25th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I’m telling you folks, we can’t let Tom Cotton get away! Get out and tell him you want him to run for US Senate, then work for him.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
WHy doesn’t he run for Congress against Vic?
August 25th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I guess I should also point out that Tom Cotton has a history/relationship with Bill Kristol.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I hope that in Arkansas we can see what so many other across the country can see about Tom Cotton. I hope that after May, he will be our candidate and then our Senator.
August 26th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Kristol predictions are some of the worst in journalism name the last ime he got one right.
August 26th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
We are ready to plan a fund-raiser for the Tom Cotton campaign.
August 27th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Tom Cotton sounds like just what the Dr. ordered; unfortunately, you have to remember that this is the same state that gave us Pryor and Clinton, not to mention the Hucksterbee….maybe the Razorbacks can support the right Guy (pun intended), for a change….
August 27th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I’m pretty sure it is a violation of Army Regulations for anyone to act on behalf of Tom Cotton right now since he has yet to be discharged from the Army.
August 27th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Barbara – I only a bloggin’ accountant so I will not claim to be an expert on either Army Regs or campaign laws but it seems to me that private citizens who are not subject to Army Regs can act of behalf of someone that is. What the Army Regs would prevent is the active duty personnel from instructing people to act on their behalf.
But like I said, what do I know.
August 28th, 2009 at 1:52 am
finally some choice, besides CPT COTTON THERE IS COL REYNOLDS W/IDENTICAL VIRTUES(THOUGH HE NEVER LIVED NXT DOOR TO KRISTOL)SO THERE ARE TWO SERVICE MEMBERS OF CHARACTER AND EXPERIANCE TO PICK FROM. ADDED BONUS – NEITHER HAS BEEN IN POLITICS AND ARE FREE TO PUT ARKANSAS FIRST AND NOT PART OF A POLITICAL MACHINE. NOW IF GILBERT WOULD RUN BUT FOR SNYDERS SEAT CENTRAL ARK WILLBE IN SHAPE
September 18th, 2009 at 11:38 am
[...] at bay: Fayetteville’s Tom Cotton, Harvard grad and Iraq War veteran, and Fayetteville’s/Chicago’s Chris Bequette, who [...]