IT WAS A GOOD WEEK FOR …
BILL CLINTON. He put on a two-hour-plus display of his encyclopedic knowledge in a speech before a convention of nearly 500 weekly journalists in Little Rock. They likely went home with plenty of good Arkansas stories to tell. He urged the writers and editors not to draw cartoon caricatures of politicians. Like, for example, stereotyping a certain senator from New York as a wild lefty.
GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE. He jetted off to Asia on a “trade mission,” a few steps ahead of a growing number of questions about the state Medicaid-funded Lord’s Ranch, supplier of free jet travel to the governor. (See Max Brantley’s column.)
CATCHING UP. Hats off to the Democrats who survived statewide runoffs — Bill Halter, lieutenant governor; Dustin McDaniel, attorney general; and Martha Shoffner, treasurer. Their victories came too late for us last week. They beat several attractive candidates who should have bright futures despite losses this year.
IT WAS A BAD WEEK FOR …
ASA HUTCHINSON. In a New York Times expose, he was the poster boy for some 90 Bush administration officials who’ve cashed in by becoming pimps for the homeland security industry.
JERMAIN TAYLOR. The Little Rock boxer retained his middleweight championship, but only by dint of a controversial draw against Winky Wright, who landed more punches. On the other hand, it will set up a huge rematch.
U.S. REP. MARION BERRY. A Democrat-Gazette examination of his farm finances raised questions about the curious corporate structure of his government-subsidized farming business. Fodder for his Republican opponent in the fall.
The Huckster Watch
28 weeks and counting