Area Republicans shine at convention

Maylon T. Rice
Maylon T. Rice

After watching most of the first three nights of the Republican National Convention and scouring in-state and out-of-state press sources, it looks like several conventiongoers from Northwest Arkansas were indeed having a great convention.

So here are some brief observations.

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Long-time GOP delegate to presidential conventions Jonathan Barnett, of Siloam Springs, a former state House member and former state Highway Commissioner -- as always provided some context to inquiring reporters about the spirit of the convention.

Barnett should know because, in some form or another since 1972, he's been at such party gatherings.

But the floor fight on Monday night, opening night, did unnerve and startle the normally calm Barnett.

He told the state's largest newspaper: "It's not helpful (the floor fight) but it's good to get it over with early and go on down the road. Now's the time to do it," he said.

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On Tuesday night, as Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin, standing in for Gov. Asa Hutchinson -- who was preparing to deliver remarks on the dais -- Barnett's silver hair and smiling face could be seen behind Griffin's 55 seconds of national exposure while giving out the Arkansas delegate totals.

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"Arkansas. (The) Land of Opportunity and the birthplace of Johnny Cash and Al Green. We are open for business..." began the 55 seconds of Griffin's live speech to deliver the state's delegates.

Not bad for the No. 2 guy.

• • •

The current state House member from the Siloam Springs/Springdale House District, state Rep. Robin Lundstrum, was seen several times on Monday and Tuesday night. She was holding a Go Hogs Go! Sign on Monday night during the shouting match between the Trump and Anti-Trump forces.

The Arkansas delegation, according to press reports, was backing Convention Rules Committee, which included Springdale's Tom Lundstrum Jr., who is on the Rules Committee. He is state Rep. Robin Lundstrum's husband of 31 years.

The delegation was chanting: "USA, USA, USA, USA, Come on Arkansas Everybody repeat USA."

And holding an Arkansas' "Go Hogs Go" placard doesn't hurt one bit.

• • •

Congressman Steve Womack, R-3rd District Arkansas, who hails from Rogers, was in the thick of the floor fight, as he was on the podium with convention gavel in hand for the rules committee vote.

That's not a new position for Womack, who often chaired the U.S. House of Representatives under former speaker John Boehner of Ohio in the 112th Congress. Womack has, of late, returned to those duties under new speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

Womack, who is often cool under fire, did admit the crowd was rowdy.

"It was total chaos at the time," Womack told media outlets. After briefly walking off the main stage to confer with Convention and Rules officials, Womack came back and took control of the din by taking another voice vote and quickly announcing the final tally.

• • •

Perhaps the biggest non-event of the convention was the speech by Arkansas Junior Senator Tom Cotton of Dardanelle.

In prime time and with safety as the theme, Cotton didn't disappoint talking about his own military career -- with tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

But he is apparently not a Trump fan.

He mentioned the ticket only in closing by uttering: "...In a Trump-Pence administration and with a Republican Congress, help is on the way."

• • •

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who has little of a real Southern accent in her conversation, broadened her Southern belleness for her brief trip to the national stage. She slowly parsed her words, drawling them out as if she has seldom spoken in an arena-like setting.

Well, at least she didn't say: "Bless my heart."

And I don't remember her saying "God Bless America," or like her campaign ads, touting her "gun-toting" abilities.

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UP next is the Democrats' Convention in Philadelphia. Stay tuned.

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Maylon Rice is a former journalist who worked for several northwest Arkansas publications. He can be reached via email at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

-- Maylon Rice is a former journalist who worked for several northwest Arkansas publications. He can be reached via email at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 07/27/2016