In an outfit full of Ted Cruzes and Dianne Feinsteins, in a chamber where Al Franken and Rand Paul jockey for camera position, in a place where a Chuck Schumer holds regular news conferences wherever he can find a reporter, Senator John Boozman stands out for his demeanor. Contrast his to the blowhards and table pounders in either party. And it becomes clear enough that Arkansans should be proud of their senior United States senator.
Have you ever seen him mad? Or even rude on an off day? Okay, okay, John Brummett does mention the time Senator Boozman became upset with Ted Cruz during the debate over yet another government shutdown. But even when--if?--John Boozman shows a bit of ire, it's behind closed doors, and the rest of us have to learn about it from Sources Say.
Of course John Boozman doesn't want the government to shut down, any more than any rational American would. After all, John Boozman sits on the Veterans' Affairs committee, among others. As the son of a master sergeant, he might know better than most that the government has its uses. For good example, to protect Americans--and take care of those who do the protecting.
John Boozman is a true conservative, not a bomb-thrower. That is, he doesn't appear interested in making the cable news shows as much as leading by example, by doing the job taxpayers pay him to do. He's a practical leader, seemingly more interested in his several committees than in echoing every demand he might hear at political rallies, more interested in principle and insight than making senseless points in order to placate yet another strain of the Know-Nothings that rise in American politics from time to unfortunate time. He's a true conservative, all right, more interested in governing well than upending everything to boost his Name Recognition.
That can happen to folks when they get into public office, especially to real ladies and true gentlemen. For example, along with Veterans' Affairs, Senator Boozman sits on the Appropriations and Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry committees. He's got work to do. People count on him. Let others run for president and take up space on the shout-shows.
You have to go looking for criticism of John Boozman, and of course we did. You can find it because (unlike the Democratic contest this time around) there's a primary fight on the Republican side. Senator Boozman's opponent points to some kind of off-the-wall website that claims John Boozman isn't conservative enough for it. But the unfortunate zealots behind that website hurt their cause, because they say that about most Republicans in both chambers of Congress. Paul Ryan's not good enough. Orrin Hatch isn't good enough. Perhaps anybody to the left of Ted Cruz isn't good enough for some.
And all the while this politicking goes on, John Boozman goes right along doing his job. As he's done for six years. Now he's asking for six more.
This nation needs more gentlemen (and ladies) in Washington, not fewer. Which is why Republicans should vote For John Boozman in the primary on March 1. And put him on the ballot--once again--come November.
Editorial on 02/02/2016