Rockefeller drops out of race for Governor (has blood disease)

[UrbScotty]

In a shockingly unexpected move, Lieutenant Governor Win Rockefeller (R) announced Tuesday his withdrawal from the open gubernatorial race for health reasons. Rockefeller, 56, said he was just diagnosed with a blood disease likely to lead to leukemia. "Effective immediately I am retiring from this campaign. We're doing a bone marrow transplant and getting this under control," he explained. With a net worth of $1.2 billion and extensive ties to the state's GOP establishment, Rockefeller was the frontrunner in the race at the time of his withdrawal. With Rockefeller out, former Congressman and former US Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson now appears likely to capture the Republican nomination without major opposition. Attorney General Mike Beebe is the presumptive Democratic nominee. The Beebe-Hutchinson race is expected to be a very competitive and spirited contest.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. What do you think are the chances on Beebe beating Hutchinson?

[Thrasybulus]

2. Beebe has the edge IMHO.

I'm sad to see Rockefeller bow out under these circumstances. After all a Rockefeller Republican is a rare bird any more.

His daddy broke the power of the Faubus/segregationist Democrats in the governor's race in 1966 which opened the way for liberals like Bumpers-Pryor-Clinton to rise to leadership within the party.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

3. I have concerns about Beebe's ability to win the race. . .

He has never (as far as I know) had a contested race. He comes across as an arrogant jerk, IMHO. He is in an awkward position on school consolidation, too, because as AG he has to defend laws that are unpopular out in the state. Pulaski County will be very important, more than usual, I think.

Hutchinson's bigotry will appeal to the uneducated backwoods types. He'll appeal to the right-wing Christian fundies and the NW Arkansas base. With NW Ark growing so fast, it has more power every day in elections.

We can only hope that Republicans in general will end up being tarnished by the scandals in the Bush administration and that there will be a big backlash.

Would like to hear what any other Arkies think about the race.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I'm in NWA and don't know much about Beebe, but am concerned

if he's running against one of the Hutchinsons. They seem to be able to do nothing wrong in the eyes of the republicans.