Bud Jackson's blog

Filing Season Opens!

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 22:57:08 -0500

Bill, joined by his father Bill Halter, Sr. and several supporters climbed the stairs of the State Capitol and entered the rotunda through the bold brass doors only opened for special occassions to join a gaggle of people filing their papers to get on the ballot as official candidates for office.

Secretary of State Charlie Daniels presided over the candidates' filing opening ceremony. It was a lot of fun seeing a bunch of good Democrats seeking the chance to make a difference.

Bill Halter for Lieutenant Governor

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 00:37:56 -0500

Well, it was just the right thing to do.

Bill decided to run for Lt. Governor because he didn't want to wage a negative campaign against a fellow Democrat that could have the unfortunate and unintended consequence of helping Asa Hutchinson. Also, when it came right down to it, had he continued his campaign for Governor it would have forced both Attorney General Beebe and our campaign to spend millions of dollars -- money that could be better spent helping Democrats' chances of beating Asa Hutchinson and recapturing the Governor's Mansion.

So now, our campaign is focused on doing everything we can to elect the best qualified candidate for Lt. Governor and the best positioned candidate able to offer the strongest ticket to help elect Mike Beebe Governor.

Arkansas Excellence = Educational Excellence

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 20:36:26 -0500

Yesterday, Bill hit the campaign trail hard an unveiled the first major plank of his "Arkansas Excellence" plan which focused on the need to achieve educational excellence in order to build and attract new and better paying jobs.

Amy Somers, a third-grade teacher at Pike View Elementary School - who is a two-time Teacher of the Year among other honors -- was kind enough to let us into her classroom.

Bill called for a $5,000 pay-raise over 5 years. When one reporter asked Bill if that wasn't significant enough, Ms. Somers whispered to me "it sure would be significant to me." Ha! In fact, Arkansas would be on the path to go from 37th in average teacher pay among all states to within the top 20 under Bill's plan -- in only 5 years!

Our Thoughts and Prayers for Win Rockefeller

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 09:58:14 -0500

Everyone here at the Halter Campaign was saddened to hear that Win Rockefeller will be undergoing a second bone marrow transplant. Win is in our thoughts and prayers.

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Rockefeller transplant fails, second procedure planned
Thursday, Feb 2, 2006

By Doug Thompson
Arkansas News Bureau
FAYETTEVILLE - Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller's first bone marrow transplant failed and he plans to undergo a second procedure within a month, his office announced Wednesday.

Rockefeller is receiving treatment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance in Seattle, Wash. His doctors have not yet determined why the first transplant was not successful, the lieutenant governor's office said.

Still, Rockefeller said he expects to make a full recovery.

"I'm feeling great, following doctors' orders and getting plenty of exercise," the lieutenant governor said in a statement released through his office. "I look forward to returning to the Capitol, to being an assistant scoutmaster with my Boy Scout troop, and to fulfilling my other duties. But right now my focus is on my health and on my family."

Rockefeller said he had been planning to return to Arkansas soon, but the setback has delayed his return.

"I'm disappointed that I will not be able to come home to Arkansas as soon as I would have liked, but I am thankful that we have caught the problem early, and I am prepared to do this until we get it right," he said in a statement.

"The prayers and support I have received from the people of Arkansas have given my family and me much strength during this challenging time, and I ask that the prayers and support continue," he said.

Dr. Anne-Marie Maddox, professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, said Wednesday that failure of a first transplant in any case is definitely a setback, but not an irrecoverable one.

For example, a particular donor's tissue could be incompatible with the recipient, she said. If that is the case, the problem can be addressed by using a different donor.

Other possibilities include something incompatible in the particular cells themselves or the disease that prompted the transplant can recur despite the healthy marrow, she said.

The lieutenant governor underwent his original transplant October 7, 2005, after announcing in July that he had been diagnosed with unclassified myeloproliferative disorder.

He dropped out of a much anticipated Republican gubernatorial primary against former congressman and federal Homeland Security undersecretary Asa Hutchinson because of his health.

Rockefeller was planning to return to Arkansas until problems arose last month. Further tests late last week confirmed the need for a second transplant, his office said Wednesday.

Dean Forbes, communications director for the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, said in a telephone interview that the lieutenant governor has not authorized the hospital to discuss his case in detail.

In general, Forbes said, transplant recipients are required to stay at least 100 days after a transplant. He also said it is unusual for a patient to require more than two transplants.

Gov. Mike Huckabee said he was "so very sad" to hear that Rockefeller would have to undergo a second transplant after showing signs of progress.

"I also know what a strong resolve he has and believe that his faith and his courage will give him the right stuff to face the battle," Huckabee said in a statement. "I would ask that all Arkansans join in prayer for his total recovery."

Hutchinson said he and his wife "were greatly saddened to learn that Lt. Gov. Rockefeller will require a second transplant, especially after the initial reports seemed so encouraging. Win and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery."

State Sen. Gilbert Baker, R-Conway, the state GOP chairman, expressed similar regrets and hopes.

Attorney General Mike Beebe, a Democratic candidate for governor was a state Senate leader throughout much of Rockefeller's tenure, called the lieutenant leader a "classy gentleman" and said he had held up well throughout his ordeal.

"I am confident that he is getting the best of care. My prayers and the prayers of my family go out to Win and the Rockefeller family," Beebe said.

Rockefeller's office has continued to function during his stay in Seattle. Staff members have communicated with him on issues of concern, represented him at public functions, and assisted constituents.

Let's Get It Started!

Mon, 09 Jan 2006 12:44:15 -0500

Hello, everyone.

Welcome to Bill’s new website and blog!

I’d like to begin by thanking all of the people who have helped Bill’s exploratory committee – the folks who have generously contributed money, the steering committee members who have generously contributed their time and counsel, and all the folks who have volunteered, particularly a number of young Democrats who continue to show me that the future of the Democratic Party in Arkansas is bright.

I encourage you all to poke around the website. As the campaign moves forward, you can expect more content, particularly about the issues important to future of Arkansas.

In the meantime, we could use your help! There are a few things you can do right now.

First, take a moment to share your story. Go to our “Real Stories” section and let us know why the election of the next governor is important to you and your family’s own life. With your help, we can show that this campaign isn’t just about politics, it’s about real people’s lives and making them better.

Second, spread the word. Visit that section and send an e-mail to all your friends, family members and colleagues asking them to visit our site and to learn more about Bill Halter.

Third, volunteer and join our High Fives for Halter effort. Give us your time. Give us five bucks -- and get five of your friends or family members to give us five bucks and we can begin to get our message out and to move Arkansas forward into the future.

Thanks for visiting. Come back often! And in the words of the musical group “The Black Eyed Peas” I say “Let’s Get It Started!”

Talk to you soon!