Here’s the video of Asa in New Hampshire today. Gov. Chris Sununu introduced him as a “rational conservative” and “an amazing voice of reason.”
Hutchinson told his story and the evolution of Arkansas into a Republican-dominated state. He said his politics haven’t changed (no kidding) but the country had grown more conservative (not in the popular vote.)
He said America needs a “course correction.” It needs leaders with principles who fight hard, but “who also come together after an election is over for the good of the country.” (Gee, who might that refer to?).
He touted his income tax cut, his computer coding initiative, and a government efficiency push (whose results are far from clear at this moment.) He said he increased the safety net for those struggling, three days after refusing federal housing assistance. He touted the state’s billion-dollar surplus.
The direction of the country was another focus of the talk.
He touted Arkansas for keeping students in regular classes during the pandemic and for keeping businesses open.
He said he didn’t want education to undermine the values of parents, touching on one hot spot currently. But he also tried to strike a balance on another hot spot, corporations expressing opinions on public policy. He said corporate America shouldn’t “dictate ideology,” but he added, “At the same time we as a state should not use punitive action to go after them.” That’s contrary to a Republican view of restraint of government. Ron DeSantis of Florida might disagree.
He bragged about refusing $146 million in housing assistance. “We don’t need it,” he said. He claimed there’s a sufficient social safety net for those in need.
He bragged too about the expansion of the steel industry in Arkansas.
On crime, Hutchinson said he believed in the rule of law. (CC to Mar a Lago.) He said he took action by calling the State Police to respond to violent demonstrations in Little Rock. “Guess what? The violence stopped.” But he also said people need to listen to one other. He said he met with protesters and asked for their recommendations. As a result, he said training and equipment, and pay have been approved for law officers.
He had a sound bite about the 2022 elections: “We need problem solvers, not chaos creators.”
He said an important question is whether the U.S. should do more to help Ukraine. He stands with Ukraine, he said. “It is important we not let Russia and Mr. Putin dictate U.S. policy.”
He said he’ll be traveling the country talking about traditional ideas and principles of the Republican Party. America can lead, but it should lead out of “goodness.” And he invoked Reagan as a “common sense” and “pragmatic” leader who could work with Democrats.
In the Q&A, he was asked how much more he’d spend on Ukraine defense support and whether he’d increase the number of Ukrainian refugees allowed in the U.S. As to immigrants, he said, “Our doors should be open.” As for financial support, “We need to give them what’s needed to win.” He said he supported the administration’s recent statements that it would work to weaken Russia, but he said it had moved slower than he would have liked.
He was asked about immigration pressures at the border. He said the U.S. should process asylum seekers, but do it on the Mexico side of the border.
He was asked about his view on transgender issues. He acknowledged he supported the prohibition of transgender participants in women’s athletics. He said it undermined women’s sports. Though none has ever sought to compete in Arkansas. But he said he opposed the legislation that prohibited medical services to transgender youths. It went too far, he said. His veto was overridden. The same questioner wondered if the culture war was a good political tactic.
“I don’t like passing bills in a cultural war to fire up our base. That to me is not the way I conduct business.”
Another questioner bemoaned the inability of bringing people together. He cited “voter suppression” and loss of control of the political process.
Disagreement is the nature of politics, Hutchinson said, “but I’m optimistic we can come together when you elect leaders who listen and who believe it is more important to unite than divide.”
Asked about coming gubernatorial elections, he began by saying Brian Kemp would be re-elected in Georgia and deserved it. Trump opposes this, of course. He said Republicans will retain a majority of governorships and will regain control of the Senate. It will just be a sign of a desire for a check on the Biden administration.