For Tom Cotton

In the Fourth District’s GOP primary

HOW OFTEN does a graduate from Harvard Law volunteer to be a grunt in the Army, eating cold rations and dust, carrying rifle and pack, and generally risking life, limb and the good life in civvies?

Sure, it happens—on occasion. At least in the movies. Wasn’t the Charlie Sheen character in Platoon a college boy who volunteered for the infantry in Vietnam? Part of the backstory in The Godfather was about how the Don’s youngest and adored son, Michael, gave up college to join the Marines in the wake of Pearl Harbor. Those old black-and-white movies made during the war itself were full of such characters and patriotic impulses—and so was real life in wartime. It’s still happening. One of the candidates for Congress in the Fourth District—that’s Mike Ross’ district for now—has a résumé that could have been ripped right out of a movie script. His name is Tom Cotton. He’s running in the Republican primary come May 22nd. And his résumé is full of such impressive details.

Early voting begins May 7th. Republicans shouldn’t miss their chance to vote for him. This young man could be shaping the district’s future—even the state’s and the country’s someday. His is the kind of candidacy, and opportunity, either major party would welcome. Here’s why:

After growing up in Dardanelle, Long Tall Tom went on to Harvard Law. He became a lawyer and even clerked for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals. His future was pretty much assured. Then came September 11th, 2001. He volunteered. And not for the Judge Advocate Corps. He joined the Army and was shipped off to Iraq, then Afghanistan. Two tours. In the infantry. He served with distinction.

Now he’s back home and running for Congress. And we’re not the only ones he’s impressed. Reports say his campaign coffers are filling up. Quick.

He sounds like an officer and a gentleman—not to mention a leader. He’s still not interested in a role on the bench—or on the back bench in Congress. He wants to start influencing decisions, not just taking party orders:

“In the old days,” he says, “seniority mattered a lot—today it matters less. My ambition is to be a leader in Congress from the earliest possible period.” Forward, MARCH! If elected, Mr. Cotton promises he’ll fight to stop all this taxing-and-spending in Washington—and reduce the debt, too. (Good luck, sir.) He says he will vote to repeal Obamacare. (Join the club.) And he vows to vote for laws that secure the border. (Before even more of the violence down south spills across the border, we hope.)

He’s already sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution, but for good measure he’s pledged to make sure laws square with the Constitution—the one he swore to support and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic.

Not all his ideas are the best. A balanced-budget amendment is more red meat for the party faithful than a good idea. It always was. Let’s just say we agree with Tom Cotton every time he’s right. And he’s right on a lot of issues.

If voters in the Fourth District have to replace Mike Ross—and they have to, because he’s leaving Congress— then its Republicans would do well to put Tom Cotton on the ballot come November. They’d do all of us a favor, and give this young man and comer a start in politics, which is where he’s much needed.

Now then, back to the movies. Wasn’t it good old George Bailey’s brother Harry who went to college in George’s place, then went to war—and became a hero just in time for the movie’s final, heart-tugging scene? We love that movie. Is it Christmas yet?

May the next Christmas see the world full of peace on earth and good will toward men. But just in case it isn’t, and it won’t be till the world is redeemed by more than politics, the country can use all the Tom Cottons it can get—in peace and war and, yes, in Congress.