Dismang: The Arkansas Republican Establishment (or lack thereof)
Rep. Jonathan Dismang is an accountant from Beebe. He is currently serving his first term as a Republican State Representative from District 49 and plans to run for the State Senate District 29 in 2010.
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the Republican field for the US Senate race as it has developed. As a Republican, I am proud that so many new faces are willing to take a stand as we try to defend our conservative Arkansas values. I have found that each candidate, as an individual, has qualities and attributes that are truly admirable. For the most part, this primary process is going to prove to be a very healthy experience for our party and our great State.
However, I have become confused by several of the campaigns and their chosen direction. While on the trail, candidates and their spokesmen have decided to repeatedly attack what they call the “Republican establishment.” From my viewpoint, this trying tactic is, at a minimum, disingenuous. Before you have an establishment, you have to first be established – something I desperately wish the Republican Party of Arkansas were, but is obviously not. For all practical purposes, Arkansas is still a one party state and as of right now, I believe our party’s current status could at best be described as the beginning stages of a “Republican movement.”
So who do these pandering candidates and campaigns consider members of this windmill farm? I wish I knew. Surely, they don’t really believe that there are secret meetings of elitist Republicans who puppeteer the direction of our minority party? Furthermore, since when and why did being established become such a terrible position?
I am currently serving my first term in the Arkansas House. I assure you that I did not have the support of anything resembling a “Republican establishment” in my campaign and as the first Republican to hold the House District 49 seat – I fully realize that I am far from established. However, I do believe in the importance of being established and its direct relationship to being effective as an elected leader. God willing, I hope to one day be able to inspire party growth with a proven voice that was built on the foundation of a demonstrated conservative record.
In reality, what we truly need in this party are more individuals aspiring to be established Republicans. Conservatives that work their way up the ladder, proving their long term (not opportunistic) dedication to conservative, common sense Arkansas values. We need committed party members like Asa Hutchinson, who selflessly came back to help and encourage aspiring conservative candidates all across this state in the 2008 election cycle. It is this type of dedication that we need and should expect from the seven (or more) failed US Senate candidates at the conclusion of this primary.
I believe that their actions during the general election will be the ultimate test of their self-touted conservative convictions – because to lose and walk away would most certainly embody what it means to be a RINO.
Tags: 2010 Candidates
January 5th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
This is the best thing I’ve read on a local blog in a long time.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Glad Dismang had the guts to say this. I think we all know that any one could walk into almost any County Party and take it over with just a few dedicated folks, same goes for the State Party. There is no establishment here. Ideas should be the greater test of a candidate than who is the “Establishment”, or who is the “Tea Party” candidate. I am hopeful for all conservatives when young leaders like Dismang are winning seats and bringing a true conservative message and “real ideas”.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Looks like the Baker campaign has put out the orders to its minions.
Yes, you can have an establishment inside a party that has yet to be “established,” as Johnny puts it.
We should be expecting “columns” from Garner, King, Martin, et al in the next few days.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Brett – I’m hurt.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with Jonathan, and am glad he’s a voice of reason in an area of so much hubbub.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
1×2 I can assure you that no campaign asked me to write the above post.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Better wake up and figure out what the voters are saying or the “unestablished” group of establishment GOP members in Arkansas will continue to loose traction.
Everyday folks are talking about the establishment mentality so pervasive in DC and in state capitols. Voters are now tuning in to those attitudes locally and in Little Rock. So Jonathan you may not be in “the club” but if you have the attitude or govern like you are, then you will likely be called out. This is a different ball game now! Voters are waking up. So because you say you are not aware of an establishment within the party is to ignore a very obvious fact that is very well discussed continually in all media outlets and all over the internet. This establishment talk is in the mainstream.
To take the position that its not here in Arkansas is either ignorance(not knowing) or incompetence or duplicitous. I hope you fall into the first category. I believe you do.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Jonathan,
Here is an example of what I am talking about coming South Carolina Senator Jim Demint. He gets it. Reagan got it. This is where we are as a country if we want to keep it.
http://blogs.cbn.com/thebrodyfile/archive/2009/12/10/senator-jim-demint-i-need-some-new-republicans.aspx
Senator Jim DeMint: “I need some new Republicans, people who believe in constitutional government, a balanced budget and liberty and so I’m out across the country recruiting new republicans who I think if they get here will not only challenge the institutions of government but be willing to even challenge the Republican Party and our leadership if they feel like we’re going in the wrong direction. I think just a handful of new Republicans in the senate could help change the direction.”
January 5th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Atta boy Ralph – blow the train up- take no survivors – shoot first ask questions later !!!
I just wish you understood who the real target was!!
Jonathan Dismang is everything you would want in a legislator if you would simply stop and listen – look at his voting record – something any of us would be proud of. If there is an establishment, I hope he is in it!!!!! Way to go JD!!
January 5th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Ralph – Sounds to me that quote from Sen. DeMint applies to Rep. Dismang. He appears to be exactly the kind of Republican DeMint is looking for.
January 5th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
I agree with Rep. Dismang. There is really no “Republican Establishment.” I know this because the Republican Committee in my county disbanded not long ago, so why would an established party let one of their committees disapper? As a candidate for State Representative myself I have already been informed by Republican Party leaders, that while they wish me the best of luck, they can offer me no help. An established party would have asked how much money I need. I still plan to run because as Rep. Dismang said, I am a Conservative, ready to represent my district with common sense Arkansas and Constitutional Values.
January 5th, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Don’t, just trying to answer questions posed in his original post. Glad to here about his record and willingness to serve. Point taken.
January 5th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
[...] Rep. Jonathan Dismang of Beebe is guest blogging at The Tolbert Report. In his post, “The Arkansas Republican Establishment (or lack thereof),” he bemoans the lack of a [...]
January 5th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Jon Dismang is a real true conservative who is spot on with his analysis of the “Republican establishment”. I am also a conservative candidate for representative and I have been watching as Jon has emerged as a leader of Arkansas conservativism. I agree with him and Keith. If there is a “Republican establishment” I’d like to know who is a part of it and what examples we have of their effectiveness. Ralph, you’d do well to learn more about people before you criticize them. Dismang epitomizes your Demint quote. There are quite a few true blue conservative candidates running for state house and senate seats this year. We need the help of conservatives like yourself to win. We won’t be getting any help from the mythical “Republican establishment”.If liberals successfully continue to get us to divide our resources and have all our candidates run for one or two office while many libs run unopposed we will never have a conservative establishment or anything close to it. Atta boy Jon! Thanks for saying what desperately needed to be said.
January 5th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Jonathan Dismang is a true conservative. And he speaks the truth, however, Until You address the disconnect that Ralph spoke of and admit it has been there and admit there have been Wolves in Sheeps clothing in this state; then you aren’t going to get everyone listening. Denying something that everyone knows isn’t the way to get people behind you. Its like the Blue Donkey in the room, that everyone keeps referring to as the Red Elephant.
Now if we had candidates stepping up like Dismang and stating how they view our Country and standing up and being accountable. Then we will have the party we are looking for. We have to find the common ground. But running around making talking points… does not get it.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
I understand how much the Republican Party has done for us. Had it not been for the Republican Party, we would have been where we are now years ago. BUT has Rep.Dismang seen the Rasmussen poll as follows:
Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republican voters say their party’s representatives in Congress have lost touch with GOP voters nationwide over the past several years. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% of GOP voters believe their elected officials have done a good job representing the base.
I know this may come as a shock to Dismang but this is the way the voters feel also about the Republicans in Little Rock as well as in Washington. The votes that seem so reasonable in the Little Rock capital environment look totally different to the people looking at those votes. Dismang would be wise to talk to more people back home and look at the issues from their viewpoint.
Another poll: “In a three-way Generic Ballot test, the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds Democrats attracting 36% of the vote. The Tea Party candidate picks up 23%, and Republicans finish third at 18%. Another 22% are undecided. [The Tea Party 18% plus 23% would be 41% if the Republicans and Tea Party groups would stick together, but the Tea Party is stronger than the Republicans]]
“Among voters not affiliated with either major party, the Tea Party comes out on top. Thirty-three percent (33%) prefer the Tea Party candidate, and 30% are undecided. Twenty-five percent (25%) would vote for a Democrat, and just 12% prefer the GOP. [33% and 12% would be 45 % which would still beat the Democrats by 12 % points - Note that the Tea Party is stronger than the Republicans in the swing votes]
“Among Republican voters, 39% say they’d vote for the GOP candidate, but 33% favor the Tea Party option.
If the Republican legislators and the leaders don’t wake up to these facts, then the Republican Party as well as the country are doomed.
And has Dismong read Gilbert Baker’s voting record. Maybe he should since he was not around when many of us watched Baker cast those big government more taxes votes – he voted for about $3.2 billion increase in taxes. If that is unbelievable to you, then see this link for those votes copied and pasted from the Arkansas legislative website: http://www.wpaag.org/Gilbert%20Baker%20-%20Voting%20Record%20Documentation.htm
January 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Good points made by Rep Dismang.
I can’t speak for the Senate Candidates, but when I say establishment I usually am referring to the Washington establishment.
I would agree with the others who have said there is virtually no Arkansas establishment.
The problem can be with the Washington establishment. They have lately made some bad decisions with regards to picking true Reagan conservative candidates. In NY23, they decided to back Dede Scozafava who had an obvious liberal voting record. The NRCC even spent about 1 million in that race. The establishment also jumped on board with Crist down in Florida against Rubio even though Crist is considered a moderate at best. It would seem they have backed off due to the conservatives making some noise and now the race seems to be split between Crist and Rubio.
The “establishment” also pushed for the TARP bailout.
Being apart of the Washington establishment is not necessary a bad thing nor does it automatically make a person a bad candidate. However, their track record of recruiting candidates like those described by Sen Demint has not been good lately.
Remember to a certain extent, Reagan fought against the establishment. I don’t think they were too fond of him challenging Ford in 1976.
I think the question is should the Washington Establishment try to recruit candidates at all or should they just stay out of it and let the State “establishment” do the recruiting?
January 5th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Thanks Kay for clarifying!!
January 5th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Great post, Dismang. A lot of Republican candidates who lose like to blame the “establishment” and remove themselves from the party until the next election rolls around and they find something else to run for, then demand that the Party suport them yet again.
I was county chairman for 2 yrs and like the verse says, the harvest is plenty but the workers are few. I’d like to see more people buck up and get to work…
Asa could not have been a more perfect example.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Too much to say to type it out. If you care to hear it, click on the name to hear where I address this on the net radio program, “Patriots on Watch”. This topic is closer to the end of the program.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:53 am
Gilbert Baker has the best chance of defeating Blanche Lincoln. The others are doubtful.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:25 am
Yes Virginia, there is a republican establishment in Arkansas.
Mr. Dismang needs to do a Dismount off the pomel horse of ignorance and offer an apology to this blog.
There’s a thing out there called a google. Please have someone show him how to use it. There’s also a brand new book by the National Republican Party chairman Michael Steele advocating the need for true conservative grass root candidates be elected to get back to Reagan from which he says we have strayed way too far and the incredible legacy he left behind. Surprising to here such a thing from Mr. Steele, but even he gets it and is talking about it every where he goes.
Let’s not be the 49er’s in learning this fact as the Republican Party of Arkansas.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Mr. Meeks – You are 100% on point. Thank you.
Mr. Tobis – Please visit http://www.jonathandismang.com/index_files/Page299.htm for a partial list of my voting record. A full list can be found at http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us. I have always put my constituents before politics. I have always tried to provide transparency for my votes and actions. After review, if you are determine otherwise, please email me and I will be happy to address your concerns.
Thanks to everyone else for your comments and thoughts. A special thanks to those that didn’t stop reading after the 3rd paragraph. I apologize if what I hoped to be my main point wasn’t made clear, but I will try again here: The Arkansas Republican party needs members/candidates that are more dedicated to the conservative movement than their own self interest.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I agree that there is no establishment here in the Arkansas Republican party. There will be even less when the tea party movement gets done killing the party!!!
January 6th, 2010 at 10:47 am
That’s exactly what I want to hear from all the candidates. Those that step up and become accountable and acknowledge our short falls make us stronger and more resolved in making this a strong party.
Thanks for the statement Dismang, and what is great, your VOTING RECORD reflects exactly where you stand. When given the opportunity to serve Arkansas…. You do….. Thank you.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Too many idiots use the Reagan analogy when debating the current state of the Republican Party. Don’t let the fact that Reagan would NEVER be accepted by many of the nutcases that make up the current tea party/conservative movement. Reagan’s record as Governor of California was flaming liberal by many standards the far right nutcases espouse. Before you start throwing the old standby RINO attack around, think about Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater and what they stood for when starting the modern conservative movement. There would be no room for either of them today. I am a libertarian leaning Republican, bred of the Goldwater/Reagan Revolution, but I believe there is room in the party for those who don’t agree with me 75-100% of the time.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Amen Nikki!!
January 6th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Is anyone listening to the people who don’t read the Tolbert report, Rasmussen polls, or the latest from a politician? I don’t know Representative Dismang. I am told he is a good man. But it seems that he is drinking the Kool-Aid on this one. First of all, he should probably stick to his own campaign. As I listen and see it, most incumbents or people who have been in politics, even for 1 year, are seen as the “establishment”. Let’s go back to the original Tea Party and not talk about a movement. These were common folks who were tired of politicians telling them every move they needed to make. People are sick of the legaleze that comes from everyone from their local dog catcher to the President. The beauty of our founding was that George Washington and the other founders realized that power corrupts. Even after 1 year, Mr. Dismang sounds more like a politician than an accountant. Please remember sir that God has called you to a vocation. Accounting may very well be it. Especially if you start sounding like a politician in this climate. To discount the “non leaders” in the Senate race is to perhaps discount a calling on their lives as well. Has Conrad Reynolds, by serving his country in the military, not gotten enough of a foundation to justify a run at the Senate seat? Has Curtis Coleman, who worked constantly in Governor Huckabees race, not networked enough to be a force. I am told that Fred Ramey has volunteered in countless campaigns that would have provided him a taste of what would need to be done. Tom Cox’s organizing of the Tea Party is not enough for you to consider his skills at “community organizing” as a characteristic of a good Senator? Your comment
– “I fully realize that I am far from established. However, I do believe in the importance of being established and its direct relationship to being effective as an elected leader.” I find insulting to anyone who may want to make a difference in our nation as a leader who may not have the political pedigree that 1 year in the House of Representatives in the Great State of Arkansas affords you. Stick to your own campaign sir. The last time I checked while Arkansas’ local politics seemed to be supportive of Democrat candidates, where did we wind up Presidentially? You are living proof that we are a 2 party state.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
rawacr,
i think you should stick to whatever job you do as well! Rep. Dismang is speaking about something he has first hand knowledge of unlike you. I have run for state rep just like him and can tell you there is not establishment. What there are is to many people like you who talk without knoing anything.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Nikki! Yet another voice of reason.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
rawacr sounds like a mad supporter of somebody in the race and mr dishmane didnt say anything about any of the people for senate that he talks about.i think what dishmane said was good and some of those guys do seem like they are just in it to get rich. we dont need anymore politicians trying to get rich that is what is wrong with the ones we have now.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
defeat jim holt,
First of all, I absolutely meant no disrespect for Mr. Dismang’s opinions. I do take issue with someone who is critical of others who are doing what he at one time did. Running for office for the first time. Secondly, I have never run for state office, and unless God calls me to do otherwise I will not,so therefore will stick to whatever job I do. I have seen first hand what you and others can do in your “good ole boy” network. If what happened in Hot Springs was not the “establishment” at work, I’m just not sure what it was. I too agree with Nikki and think that the name of Ronald Reagan is thrown around in alot of rhetoric that doesn’t support what President Reagan did. I don’t think for one moment that I speak for the people. I sir am one voice, just like yours, who while I may not know anything, I do have a vote and I do know enough to use it. So this politically uneducated person who choses to comment on a good blog about caring for the process will continue to spew politically uneducated diatribes I suppose until Jason decides to edit it. Politicians do what your constituents ask, not what the party dictates…..
January 6th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Thanks, Mr. Dismang. Needed saying. Well done.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
No reason to rehash the above. By Rep Dismang pointing out his positions and voting records it makes me wonder why he would support and endorse someone who has demonstrated they are willing to compromise on his beliefs has a less than conservative voting record. Although in different houses of the General Assembly, how does your voting record stack up against Senator Baker? If you were running against him would you consider him as true to conservative beliefs as you? If so, then say it, you allready endorsed him. If not, then tell us why?
Or do like so many ignore the question the facts and move on. It is typical of what we see and it is an example of why we are angry.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
I have enjoyed The Tobert Report for awhile, but this is my first time posting.
I agree with Mr. Dismang’s assertion that there isn’t a “Republican establishment” in Arkansas, especially according to his definition of “establishment.” However, there certainly are “established Republicans” in leadership positions and, by my own personal experience, they are not very good at bringing new volunteers/members into the organization, which is key to sucess. I have (and continue) to try to get involved, “buck up and get to work” as Breanne puts it, only to be overlooked and generally ignored. It certainly gives the impression that the party leadership isn’t very interested in actually building a strong Republican presence. It begs the question is it incompetence or elitist? Either way, it shouldn’t be tolerated and shows a lack of true leadership by those in leadership positions.
If my experience is typical of how leadership treats people, it’s not surprising there isn’t much of an “establishment.” Mr. Dismang, perhaps this is what people are responding to when they make these comments.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Newbie – I don’t know what happened in the past, but the party needs all of the help that it can get. Shoot me an email and I will do everything I can to get you involved. In fact, I know of an individual running for state senate that will gladly accept the help.
rawacr – I never thought that this post would be interpreted as an attempt to down play the Senate candidates and their decision to run for office. That was never my intent and I apologize if it was viewed that way. They felt like it was time take a stand and I have commended them for doing so. It would be hypocritical for me do otherwise. I never called them “non leaders” and in fact think of them all as being leaders who are important to the future of the Republican Party. My challenge was for them to stay involved (win or lose) and help move the party forward.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Say it, brother Dismang! I long for there to be a GOP establishment. Maybe someday.
Evidence there is no establishment:
–when first (and even second) term state legislators are referred to as being it!
January 7th, 2010 at 9:18 am
I wouldn’t say there is an establishment….. but there are definitely several “clicks” that may have the appearance from the outside to be an establishment. It is mostly built on perception and assumption. I promise that with 10 or 15 dedicated persons the “establishment” could easily be replaced.
How many times have I heard from some one who woke up one morning and decided to run for Senate, or Congress, or state office about how they aren’t getting any support from the “establishment”, how the RPA isn’t doing enough for them, isn’t raising money for them, ect….
In case anyone missed it, the RPA can barely raise enough money to keep it’s head above water. It rarely has more than two or three employees at any one time. When there are more it is usually in the months running up to an election and then they are gone after the election. Not exactly a lot of resources to spread around.
If you wake up one morning and find yourself wanting to run for office(having been uninvolved prior to that morning), might I suggest starting off by learning how it all works.
You might want to spend a couple of years getting to know the few Republicans we have in Arkansas and ingratiating yourself to them. Show me your loyalty and I’ll show you mine in return.
Go volunteer at the party or for a campaign, give some money to a campaign or the party(and $25 at the Lincoln Day dinner doesn’t count), and work in the trenches through at least one campaign cycle and get an understanding of what it takes to run a winning campaign and the struggles we have as a party.
Long gone are the days when a party could directly give large amounts of money and resources to a campaign, and there aren’t enough Republicans in Arkansas to do it if they legally could. Some day we may be have enough resources to raise millions of dollars to put into a state wide ground game….. but we are a long way and a lot of hard work away from that reality.
January 8th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I guess if you ignore the obvious facts and information readily at the beaks of all you ostrich Arlen Spector head in the proverbial sand GOPers then the below referenced article and quotes don’t exist or don’t apply to the state of Arkansas. Cilliza is just making up this conspiracy to try to get the naive neophyte, “I’ve never seen it in my two years” Arkansans to think there is Establishment.
You might also believe that the Tea Partiers don’t exist in Arkansas either. I’ve been drinking tea for two years and have a consistent record of drinking tea. Here’s my record of consistently drinking the tea and I’m proud of it: http://www.continueignoringtheobvious.com
The Establishment types are alive and well here in Arkansas. Their job performance of running the rpa is responsible for the shape of the party today.
They are scrambling eggs because they’ve continued Huckabee’s concerted effort of attempting to destroy the conservative base of the GOP(I’m not talking about what you call conservative(pro family but gotta have our sacred big gov’t, I’m talking about fiscal conservatism) here in favor of Fiscal Socialists.
I can’t believe you all love your fiscal Socialist’s so much?
Are you just hungering and thirsting for more gov’t programs, taxes, regulation, state control. The republican party of Oklahoma used to be like arkansas 10 years ago. Now it runs the show over there. But they threw the fiscal socialists out or converted them.
http://www.blakesthinktank.com/2010/01/08/cillizza-ark-gop-senate-primary-one-of-ten-best-in-2010/
Cillizza: Ark. GOP Senate Primary One of Ten Best in 2010
Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post has listed the Arkansas GOP Senate primary as one of the ten best primaries in 2010.
The Republican race for the right to run against vulnerable Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln is a crowded affair — eight people are announced! — with several candidates able to make the case that they should be the nominee. State Sen. Gilbert Baker is the !!!!ESTABLISHMENT!!!! (“Me thinks Establishment is a four letter word to your group of sophomoric deniers”edited by the poster ) favorite but Safe Foods CEO Curtis Coleman has the backing of some of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s fundraising team and state Sen. Jim Holt is perhaps the best known candidate in the race following his loss to Lincoln in 2004.