I admit the first thing that attracted me about Arkansas Dist. 1 candidate Ben Ponder (D) was his name. But after I “liked” him on Facebook, I was impressed, even inspired, by his campaign.
He’s funny (just watch the video), he’s smart (because you can’t be truly witty without some gray matter), and he does something almost no one running for office does: he says what he thinks. Yes, if he wins, Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL8) would actually have some company!
Jon and I were lamenting earlier around the virtual water cooler the lack of leaders within the Democratic party. One reason for that, I think, is that Pres. Obama is the party’s leader and anyone offering up their take on issues could be seen as competing. But the other reason is people just aren’t willing to tell it straight anymore. Like U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), they’d rather play it safe by offering voters biography, biography, biography. And with tea bagger hostility staying just this side of lethal, who can blame them?
Ponder’s chances probably aren’t good. He’s in a primary tomorrow with five other candidates, including the incumbent, Blue Dog Marion Berry (no relation to D.C.’s Marion “How do I feel? I feel like I’ve been set up!” Barry). And maybe that’s empowered him to put his cards on the table. Most candidates’ Facebook updates sound like they are a) written by someone on the campaign whose job is social networking, and b) make the candidate appear as milquetoast and inoffensive as possible, unless they are “fighting!” some initiative from the opposition. But check out Ben Ponder:
- If we had had a really elaborate advertising budget, I would have run a commercial featuring “Arkansas’ most interesting man.” His exploits would include wrestling a bear just before a high society ball in LR. The commercial would close with this line: “I don’t always vote, but when I do, I vote for Ben Ponder. Stay Natural, my friends.”
- The 1st District needs JOBS. Unless we begin creating and attracting industries, our small towns will only consist of 1 Dollar General, 1 unmanned Post Office, 1 tractor store, and 5 churches.
- I’m starting to think of campaign signs as “candidate droppings.”
- There are 3 ways to win an election: peddling favors, twisting arms, or winning hearts. I’ll take Door #3.
- Never underestimate the South’s ability to deep fry things that were already bad for you.
- Will you please call or email your family, friends, and neighbors in the 1st District TODAY? Make sure they request a Democratic ballot tomorrow, and ask them to vote for some dude whose name rhymes with When Yonder. Or Then Fonder. Or Spin Wander.
Ponder’s from a conservative part (Mountain Home) of a conservative state, so his stand on choice could be improved. At the same time, his position on gay rights lacks the hypocrisy of those who claim government shouldn’t intrude into people’s private lives while calling for bans on gay adoption and marriage. And he’s written a book on the American Revolution, which ought to give him an advantage in debates with tea baggers.
I’ll be following this race tomorrow, and hope Arkansas voters make a good choice. Democrats need more people like this guy in Washington.
I second that! Good luck, Ben.