UPDATE: Will Republican Party repudiate cranks? Not likely. They ARE the GOP 1 of 4



LOY MAUCH: Before Confederate flag at program critical of Abraham Lincoln. He’s part of Republican team to take over legislature.

Increased attention given this week to the extreme views of Arkansas Republican legislative candidates raises the larger question of whether they are fair symbols of the whole party.

Absent repudiation by other party leaders, it’s hard not to conclude that they are worthy representatives of the Republican Party of Arkansas.

To name but a few:


NEO-CONFEDERATE

Republican Rep. Loy Mauch calls the Confederate flag a “symbol of Jesus Christ.” He demanded, unsuccessfully that Hot Springs remove a statute of Abraham Lincoln from its convention center.


SLAVERY APOLOGIST

Rep. Jon Hubbard of Jonesboro has written a book full of incendiary statements, including this: “…the institution of slavery that the black race has long believed to be an abomination upon its people may actually have been a blessing in disguise.”

MUSLIM EXILER

Former Republican legislator Charlie Fuqua, running for a House seat in the Batesville area, has also written a book, “God’s Law: The Only Political Solution,” in which he modestly proposes execution of repeat criminal offenders and expulsion from the U.S. of every Muslim.


This trio is not alone in the Republican cohort hoping to win a legislative majority in November, but these are the handiest with on-the-record quotes.

Is it fair to tar the party with their sentiments? I’d say yes. If money talks, the Republican Party has fairly shouted its approval.

Consider campaign contributions:

JON HUBBARD



JON HUBBARD

U.S. Congressman Steve Womack gave $250 through Womack for Congress

U.S. Congressman Tim Griffin gave $100 through Griffin for Congress

Jerry Cox of the Family Council, functionally an adjunct of the state Republican Party, $250

House Republican Leadership PAC, $2,000

House Minority Leader Bruce Westerman, $200

Roger Delffs, GOP candidate for House, $50

Republican Party of Arkansas, in-kind donation of $2,500 for “direct voter contact”

Republican State Rep. Jon Eubanks, $100

Republican State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe $250

Debbie Eddington, wife of Wes Eddington who is a Republican candidate for House, $50

Craighead County Republican Committee, $1,000

LOY MAUCH

Steve Womack for Congress, $250

Saline County Republican Party, $500

House Minority Leader Bruce Westerman, $200

Republican Rep. Prissy Hickerson, $200

Republican State Rep. John Burris, $200

Republican State Rep. Les Carnine, $200

Republican Rep. Ann Clemmer, $200

Republican Rep. Robert Dale, $200

Republican Rep. Gary Deffenbaugh, $200

Republican Rep. Jeremy Gillam, $200

Republican Rep. Lane Jean, $200

Republican Rep. Debra Hobbs, $200

Republican Rep. Kelly Linck, $200

Republican Rep. Andrea Lea, $200

Republican Rep. Terry Rice, $200 and $350

U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, $100

Republican Rep. Karen Hopper of Mountain Home, $200

Republican Party of Benton County, $250

Republican Rep. Jane English, $100

Republican Rep. Andrea Lea, $100

Republican Rep. Jonathan Barnett, $250

Republican Party of Arkansas, in-kind contribution of $2,500 for voter contact

Republican House Leadership PAC, $2,000

Garland County Republican Party, $500

CHARLIE FUQUA




CHARLES FUQUA

Independence County Republican Committee, office space worth $40 a month.

Tim Grifffin for Congress Committee, $100

Steve Womack for Congress Committee, $250

Independence County Republican Party, $1,000 and $500

Republican Party of Arkansas, $2,500 voucher for “direct voter contact”

House Republican Leadership PAC, $2,000.

Michelle and former Republican legislator Jim Bob Duggar — $250.

Repudiate these Republicans? Why would they? They ARE the modern-day Party of Lincoln. They are not alone.

“Play Dixie For Me” sounds like a good theme song for this movie.

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

Kenneth Ryan James, speaking for U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, sends the following statement:

“While people have the First Amendment right to say whatever they want, the newly reported statements of Hubbard and Fuqua are ridiculous, outrageous and have no place in the civil discourse of either Party. Had I known of these statements, I would not have contributed to their campaigns. I am requesting that they give my contributions to charity.” — Tim Griffin

It would be a bridge, too far, I guess for the U.S. representative from the 2nd District to distance himself from remarks scorning Abraham Lincoln, the nominal guiding light of his party. I asked James about that. He responded:

My understanding is that Griffin disagrees with Mauch on his interpretations of history, but he doesn’t equate those beliefs with the statements of Hubbard and Fuqua.

That statement came before I unearthed some of Mauch’s remarks in defense of the practice of slavery over the years and his vituperative remarks about Abraham Lincoln, a Nazi and Marxist in Mauch’s opinion.