Halter gains endorsements/criticisms in new bid for Lt. Governor

[Lt. Governor 2B]

http://www.pbcommercial.com/articles/2006/03/10/ap-state-ar/d8g8umgg9.txt

By ANDREW DeMILLO
Friday, March 10, 2006 3:26 PM CST

LITTLE ROCK - Democrat Bill Halter touted the endorsements of three former Clinton administration officials Friday as an opponent accused the newly-announced lieutenant governor candidate of copying his ideas. Halter announced the endorsements the day after he exited the governor's race to run for the state's second-highest elective position. Halter, who lives in North Little Rock, had announced his run for governor in January.

One of Halter's Democratic opponents, Drew Pritt of Warren, accused the new candidate of copying several of his proposals, including creating a statewide lottery for education.

"In Arkansas we value hard work," Pritt said. "In Arkansas, you don't steal or do somebody else's work, change it around and present it as your own ideas." Halter declined to comment on Pritt's statements Friday. He also again denied suggestions by at least one candidate that his gubernatorial bid was simply an attempt to raise his profile for a lieutenant governor run.

[Hardrada]

1. Halter is tops with me!

[Lt. Governor 2B]

2. Not with me....

The state of Arkansas and the Lt. Governor's office are not for sale. I am not supportive of someone who manipulates, schemes, steals, and overall misuses the system for his own personal gain. My opponents and I are in this race for Lt. Governor by and large for good reasons, to improve our state, to build up the Democratic Party, and to leave everything better than when we found it.

Mr. Halter and his campaign have sought to divide & conquer and make it all about him.

That dog doesn't hunt!

[Hardrada]

3. Well, I won't argue with you since you know the situation

there at first hand. I'm up in Iowa and don't have the best sources for regional news. We are having our own primary struggle for governor and for first district congressional candidate here and it is getting fairly intense.

[Lt. Governor 2B]

4. Thanks!

I think I speak for many Arkansas Democrats who feel betrayed and cheated by
Bill Halter's bait and switch routine. If you are in Iowa, you probably gave
him money, maybe. What is even worse is the way he has run his whole campaign.

[Hardrada]

5. I will try to pay closer attention to the race there.

I need a better source for state races than what I've found.