Dreams Of Power; Power Of Dreams

GOVERNOR’S 2011 SESSION SPEECH CONTAINS SOLUTIONS FOR UNITY IN THIS NEW SESSION

This past week, Gov. Mike Beebe, stood in front of the 89th Arkansas General Assembly and called for unity.

Much has been written about the possibility of a “Washington-like grid-lock” that could stymie legislative work in both chambers of the state Assembly.

Almost a week into the 89th General Assembly, everyone, it seems, is forecasting a plethora of dark spider-web like cracks, to politically manifest themselves, into the smooth white marble capitol dome.

So far, Chicken Little, the sky over Little Rock is not falling.

All of our elected officials, on both sides of the political aisle, are quick to tell supporters back home — “We are not going to be like those officials in Washington D.C. We won’t have grid-lock.”

Now is the time to prove it.

Beebe, in a prelude to his 2013 State- of- theState Address, told a local newsman his techniques for working with the new Republican majority will not change from his often methodical ways to work with legislators.

It is a system he learned well as a young state senator from White County.

“…It’s always been: education, explanation, give-andtake, listen and persuade (on the issues),” the lame-duck, two-term governor said in a published interview.

Sounds pretty reasonable. Now doesn’t it?

This reasoned approach did not come to Gov. Beebe overnight.

In fact, in his 2011 State of the State address, Gov. Beebe gave voters and legislators real insight into what has made this very well- liked Governor the man he is today.

Or, some may say, what has made this very well regarded man the Governor he is today?

Since 2007, he still maintains high rankings in various polls — even in this down-turn of the state and national economy.

A courtroom veteran, Beebe doesn’t mind referring to a page from his oftquoted, dog- earned and tattered political play-book to make a point.

He can exhibit the wit and the ease, to appeal to those under his gaze on a rural jury.

Likewise, he succeeds in forums in front of a wellheeled political audience at such formal occasions as the State-of-the-State address.

Getting to the governor’s office was not easy. In 2007, he won in a hard- fought

“I am a product of the General Assembly. We will have our fights and our disagreements and our discussions as we should. But, I am jealously respectful of who you are and what you represent.”

Gov. Mike Beebe

race against former Third District Congressman Asa Hutchinson. Then in 2010, Gov. Beebe far outdistanced nominal opponent Jim Keet.

Two years ago, as the session began, Beebe challenged members of the General Assembly with these remarks.

“I am a product of the General Assembly. We will have our fights and our disagreements and our discussions as we should. But, I am jealously respectful of who you are and what you represent,” Beebe said.

“I spent 20 years in the General Assembly and loved it and still do. You are the first branch of government established by our Founding Fathers for a very good reason. You’re in charge of the public policy and the money.

“All of us must work together. The judicial branch and the executive branch stand ready and willing to work with you, but as the first branch, you are the ones who our founding fathers thought of first, and I have tremendous respect for what you do and what you go through.”

“I’ve sat where you’ve sat. I’ve taken the phone calls and the letters. I’ve been misunderstood and, unfortunately, oftentimes been understood.”

“Together, let’s put our head on the pillow when all this is done and say we left it better than we found it. And if that’s our charge, that’s our responsibility.” A fitting challenge again. This time for 2013.