CabinWindow: David Pryor
David Pryor coming to Conway is comparable to a favorite cousin or uncle dropping by for a visit. David Pryor is comfortable, familiar, low key and enjoyable.
The former U.S. representative, former governor, former U.S. senator has a new book out, "A Pryor Commitment," the slogan he used for several political campaigns. He talked about the book, naturally, and he told stories. That was natural for him as well.
Not everyone was enthusiastic about Pryor when he was in office, not all the time anyway. The man was a politician. They know better than most of us that you can't please all the people all the time. But David Pryor may have come as close as anyone we've had in high office in recent times.
Timing was right for Pryor at most of the milestones of his long career.
He told of the heavy personal setback when he lost to the entrenched John McClellan in the 1972 senatorial race. That was quite a campaign and something of a landmark in Arkansas political history.
There was McClellan, a senator for as long as many people could remember, appearing tired and having accumulated negative feelings, supposedly, among much of the electorate. Many called him a conservative. There was Pryor, young and a go-getter who excited people. In very broad aspects, it was a little similar to this Obama-McCain thing we've got going now. Many called Pryor a liberal.
Once again, the Arkansas tradition of undecideds going to the familiar incumbent at the last minute came forth. McClellan defeated Pryor. Two years later, Pryor ran for the governorship being vacated by Dale Bumpers and won. The 1970s in Arkansas were Bumpers and Pryor in the governor spot. They did things. They made things happen. They both moved on to the U.S. Senate, and we had Bumpers and Pryor as definite assets in Washington through the 1980s and most of the 1990s.
Bumpers in the Senate was an orator, one of the nation's best. And he was down home as well. Pryor excelled at one-on-one work. He was even more down home than Bumpers. This Arkansas pair possibly was a step ahead of the preceding duo - William Fulbright and John McClellan - though the times were different and comparisons likely not realistic.
One element of David Pryor that stuck with us from his first appearance on the state political stage to his appearance in Conway a few days ago is that he is Arkansas.
He is one of us. He talks like us, he thinks like us, and he doesn't big-shot us. Talk about a quick way to lose ground with Arkansas folks. Just try to be a big shot. Try to crook your little finger out when you sip a cup of tea. It doesn't work. Arkansas folks see through the sham in, well, a New York minute.
David Pryor has never had this particular problem.
He has kept contributing since leaving the Senate. He was dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service then was appointed by President George W. Bush to the national Public Broadcasting Commission. The nation has benefited from David Pryor like Arkansas has benefited from him.
High on our list of books to be read is "A Pryor Commitment." Don Harrell, a friend from boyhood days at Camden, helped Pryor write the book, and we've been told it's an easy read, one of those things you turn off the television, kick back in the recliner and spend an enjoyable, relaxing evening with.
Come back to visit us in Conway, David Pryor, y'hear?