Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announces on ABC news that he will be running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
Speaking in the customary tones of an evangelical minister trained in the dark arts of using a righteous serpent tongue, Mr. Hutchinson indicates that he carries a higher moral authority to sit in judgement of what the professional Republican Party truly needs. The professional Republican Party likely anticipates dozens of votes for Hutchinson. WATCH:
He’s not running for President; he’s running to be the silver-haired serpent tongue of the professional Republican apparatus. Creepy vibes are all over this guy…
JONATHAN KARL, CNN CHIEF WHASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: When I spoke to you earlier this year, you said you were thinking about running for president. Have you made a decision? Are you running?
ASA HUTCHINSON (R), FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR: I have made a decision. And my decision is I’m going to run for president of the United States. While the formal announcement will be later in April, Bentonville, I wanted to make clear that to you, Jonathan, I am going to be going to be running.
And the reason — as I’ve traveled the country for six months, I hear people talk about the leadership of our country, and I’m convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America and not simply appeal to our worst instincts.
That inspires me when I see everyday Americans just saying, give us good leadership, give us common sense, consistent conservatism, and optimism about our great country. And that inspires me. And I believe I can be that kind of leader for the people of America.
KARL: Now, you’ve got a lot of experience. You’ve been a prosecutor. You’ve been a member of Congress. You’ve been a governor. You’ve been director of the DEA.
But most people outside of Arkansas don’t know who you are. How do you break through?
HUTCHINSON: Well, a lot of hard work and good messaging. But I’ve spent some time in Iowa, and I love the response that I get there. And so, it’s still about retail politics in many of these states.
And also, this is one of the most unpredictable political environments that I’ve seen in my lifetime. And so, my message of experience, of consistent conservatism, of hope for our future and solving problems that face Americans, I think that that resonates. And whenever I make the final announcement, I’ll be everywhere. And I think it’s a plan that can work in this environment.
KARL: And how does the indictment of Donald Trump by the Manhattan D.A. change this race?
HUTCHINSON: Well, that adds to the unpredictability of it. And I think it’s a sad day for America that we have a former president that’s indicted. And so, it’s a great distraction.
But, at the same time, we can’t set aside what our Constitution requires, which is electing a new leader for our country, just because we have this side controversy and criminal charges that are pending. And the American people are going to have to separate what the ideas are for our future, going to talk about border security and the economy. We have to talk about those.
We have to talk about the leadership of America in the world whenever you have Russia and China taking advantage of any weakness that America shows. So, we can’t be sidetracked for a year and a half.
KARL: You suggested recently that if Trump were to get indicted, that he should drop out of the race. Do you believe that now that he’s been indicted, should he drop out?
HUTCHINSON: Well, I do. First of all, the office is more important than any individual person. And so, for the sake of the office of the presidency, I do think that’s too much of a side show and distraction, and he needs to be able to concentrate on his due process, and there is a presumption of innocence.
But the second reason is, throughout my eight years as governor, and as a political leader, I’ve always said that people don’t have to step aside from public office if they’re under investigation. But if it reaches the point of criminal charges that have to be answered, the office is always more important than a person.
KARL: And he should step aside and no longer run?
HUTCHINSON: Well, he should. But, at the same time, we know he’s not. And there’s not any constitutional requirement. And so he’s going to pursue, and I understand that, but I stated my principles and belief and how I think it should be handled.
But he’s going to proceed on. And so he’s going to be a candidate. And I think, ultimately, the voters are going to have to decide this.
KARL: Do you trust this process in New York? Do you think he can get a fair trial, a fair hearing in New York?
HUTCHINSON: Well, the important thing is that the grand jury found probable cause. And that’s the standard for any criminal charges in our society. And the presumption of innocence follows you. And then there’s a trial. And the termination of guilt or innocence. That’s the American system. We don’t want to erode confidence in our entire criminal justice system simply because we don’t like the beginning parts of the case.
KARL: What about the fundamentals of the case? Put aside the legal issues here. The idea of hush money for a porn star to conceal an alleged affair, does some of this end up making the evangelical voters who supported Trump so strongly in the past think twice about supporting him again?
HUTCHINSON: Well, let’s look at the three different investigations. One is the hush money out of New York. Secondly it is the request and pressure for votes out of Georgia. And the third one, of course, is the mishandling of classified documents in Mar-a-Lago. Those are three very serious investigations. You might say one of them doesn’t showcase anything. But when you look at all three of them combined, it should give Americans pause.
When you ask about the evangelical community, I’m part of that.
KARL: Yes.
HUTCHINSON: And I believe that the evangelical community understands that we need to have a leader that can distance themselves from some of the bad instincts that drive Mr. Trump. And I hope that we can do that in the future.
KARL: You recently said that your lane is the non-Trump lane, as opposed to the anti-Trump lane. What do you mean by that?
HUTCHINSON: Well, it means that I’m providing an alternative to the former president, Donald Trump. Now, when I say non-Trump, I want – I want to be able to speak to the Trump voters, I want to be able to speak to all the party and say, this is the leadership that I want to provide, and I think that we need to have border security. I think we need to have a strong America. I think we need to spend less at the federal level. These are the values that I represent.
KARL: Chris Christie, speaking in New Hampshire recently, said that the key is Republicans need to be fearless in taking on Donald Trump. That does not seem to be the case. I mean look at how candidates and potential candidates have reacted to the indictment. I mean they’ve rallied to Trump’s defense, effectively?
HUTCHINSON: I know there’s going to be some that say I should be tougher on the prosecutor, I should be tougher on the unfairness of this. I’ve expressed my view that I wouldn’t bring those charges if I was a prosecutor. But let’s let the system work.
And what I don’t want to do as a leader is to undermine everything that is good about America, which is our criminal justice system. It’s what sets us apart.
KARL: I mean there are a lot of Republicans attacking that judicial system and that legal system right now.
HUTCHINSON: And I’m different.
KARL: If Donald Trump manages to win the nomination again, becomes the Republican candidate for president, will you support him?
HUTCHINSON: I’m running because I believe that I am the right time for America, the right candidate for our country and its future. And it shouldn’t hinge upon anything else.
KARL: But you couldn’t see yourself supporting Trump again?
HUTCHINSON: I don’t believe he should be the next leader of our country.
(END Transcript)
3 very serious investigations = B.S.
Probable cause. BS
So Asa Hutchinson is fine with the judgement of a Soros-funded DA in New York City and the grand jury there. That fits, he’s a hopeless RINO. He can’t read the room, Americans in general and Republicans in specific are fed up with his ilk. He has not a snowball’s chance in hell of getting elected, he’s just stroking his ego, before it gets deflated in the primaries.
Someone(s) is working(paying) with him to foil MAGA.
I wonder if he knows that his presence is not even known by the majority of Americans’ and that he is not needed even in the slightest during these tumultuous times…
No, because he’s led by his outsized ego.
I thought Asa was a girl’s name.
“Let’s let the system work.”
Gee, I remember a whole Lotta’s RS saying the same thing about the Russia Russia Russia Hoax and the criminal Mueller KKKartel.
So Ass H won’t sign Ronna’s pledge?! Good to know.
He doesn’t have a chance in h311. Or anywhere else for that matter.
“Sad to say but when Asa Hutchison was Governor of Arkansas our team at
@SFLAction
had to spend a lot of resources to ensure he didn’t veto our first Life at Conception Act.
That should never happen with a Republican Governor.“. Kristen Hawkins of Students for Life
“Greased Weasel speak with forked tongue..”- Chief SwampHawk
+1 Greased Weasel
Would be a great band name.
He’s a Mausoleum Republican.
Creepy AF.
Even better that Gateway Pundit’s label as a ‘Toxic RINO’. Combine the two.
My suspicious cat says something else is going on here…supposedly Trump has a gag order for anything he says and the RNC knew that was coming down and yet their (meaning the RNC) using a Sunday “above the fold” News show to offer us…wait for it….Asa Hutchinson?
The RNC is wicked, not dumb.
You can only “splinter strategy” the NeverTrumpers so much and if RDS is the chosen one, why is the RNC sending a .191 career hitter up to bat? Right now? When they’ve got Trump where they want him?
Donald Trump (say his name, RNC!) is blowing away the Top Guv and some of us have wondered with his anemic poll numbers, if not RDS, what is their Plan B? Who is behind the curtain? Well, it ain’t Haley, it ain’t Pence, it ain’t Hogan, it ain’t V, and it sure as hell ain’t Preacher Asa.
Did the RNC just sideline the current Arkansas governor, supposedly a friend of President Trump, from endorsing Trump? Her reasoning, “Out of respect for my predecessor Gov. Hutchinson, I am not endorsing anyone for the time being.” If it is, then I sense desperation from the RNC. America’s President is crushing “America’s Governor” in the polls, so is the RNC scared or just biding time and throwing a few McGuffin’s at us with their old strategy of, “All the candidates fly together in a private plane to NH and Iowa and Arizona….plus, you get to keep the change” presidential campaigns?
Maybe I’m overthinking it and should leave the heavy lifting to Sundance, Dutchman, and others here.
they can be wicked and dumb at the same time
You beat me to it!
the RNC is flanking Trump with an operative jackal named Asa Hutchinson
I was really miffed that, in her response to bye-den’s State of My Disaster speech [!], SS did not mention DJT by name even once. He has a lot to do with her being where she is, period! I hope that was an oversight and not on purpose.
I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt…for now…she is part of the RGA though which Sundance has poured sunlight on…
He is out of touch.
This was a Saturday taping, right? Great April Fool’s joke!!
He’s padding his retirement account. They keep all donations, so hit your hip. lmao
gag
he is an idiot
but, mostly aren’t they all?
He’s such a tool.
One of the more annoying uniparty blowhards.
Agreed….Great description. ‘Uniparty blowhards’
What an azz..as though he’s speaking for the whole of the evangelical community. If this doesn’t work out for him, I’m sure he can throw his hat in the ring for pope. Oozing off of him is the guy at the end of the pew, waiting for the donation plate to come back to him, giving you an evil eye as to how much you put in. Shudder..
How is that “woke” evangelical position working out for ya, ex-gov? How many drag shows you willing to compromise on to be accepted as the “leader” of the rightous Satan followers? He is a joke among many in the leaderless GOPe cabal.
Wow, he’s even worse than Jeb.
IF Hutchinson was concerned with America’s best future – instead of his ascension up McConnell’s flow chart – he would leverage his meager political assets to help Trump.
Agreed.. I had forgotten he was in the Bush 43 regime in various jobs. A blight on his resume in my book
That guy is disgusting, simple as that. A slitherer, but another distraction.
Boiled down to a low gravy: Hutchinson wants some of that McConnell money to play with.
Just do a search “Asa Hutchinson and Mena”. It will tell you a lot of what you need to know about this RINO. As my former governor, I have no respect for this piece of garbage. He pushed the Covid narrative. He threw Trump under the bus more than once. I hope his candidacy crashes faster than Kamel Toe’s did.
And don’t forget his brother, Tim! Former US Rep and Sen, defeated by the younger Pryor for the senate, also a blight on Arkansas history. Working from memory, there was a scandal about Tim having an affair; divorced his wife, and married someone on his staff.
Seems like Arkansans have a propensity for electing disappointing jerks. You can keep going on and add Sen. Cotton to the list, another who appeared to show great promise, and almost as soon as he went to DC, sank into the swamp. Now he is all talk, and no action, like to many GOP, such as Issa and Gowdy, or MOST of them.
Gee Asa..What are they promising you if you do this? Must be a mother load..…
No one is above the LAW!!! Except, Barack hussein and his wife/husband, Bill, Hilliary, Piglosi, Schiff, all the J6 committee members, Bragg, NY State AG, everyone on Epstein’s client/passenger list, every DNC Gov, Senate member or congressman, the entire UN Assembly, George Soros and all of his non profit NGO’s, a short list to start with.
… and so many more!
‘Speaking in the customary tones of an evangelical minister trained in the dark arts of using a righteous serpent tongue, ‘
Most honest greatist line I’ve ever read…
Same answer I give to a 3 year old asking to drive the car, “and the answer to that will be no.”
We need Asa Hutchinson as a president about as much as we need a “Social Disease”.
So he’s been a prosecutor, in Congress, and director of The DEA. He needs to back away from the feed trough and make an honest living for change. Another wanna be politician for lifetime. Hutcheson, Mcconnell, McCarthy, Rubio, etc, I’m sick of the do nothing Republicans aiding and abetting the Democrats. This country’s only hope is the Lord and President Trump.
And We the People.
He looks so much like Brandon … astonishing.
If anybody is old enough to remember the Beverly Hillbillies, that dopey grin of his is very Granny Clampett-like.
Who?
How does he even fit in to the splitter strategy? I sincerely doubt even his wife would vote for him.
HUTCHINSON: Said “But let’s let the system work.” talking about trump’s indictment. Any conservative that says that about the justice system today is not a conservative, but willing to go along with the system to further their ego and political power. Hutchinson is part of the problem.
He would not even think of running if Trump wasn’t.
He is running to be able to have the mic to badmouth Trump.
Only reason.
That’s his job.
They must have thought Pence wasn’t doing a good enough job of it. And Chris Christie can’t do it because of bridgegate.
GOP strategy to beat PDJT is getting blatantly obvious.
Oh, the smell of narcissism in the morning! No. Asa. We don’t need you! We have President Trump and You ain’t him!!
He couldn’t run the State of Arkansas. He’s right in step with the Demonrats.
Asa Hutchinson?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
A narcissist at his core. What makes him think anyone with an average IQ and understands the politics unfolding would vote for him? I see him kowtowing to his globalist donors if he even has any.
YOU’RE A NO STARTER!
JUST GO AWAY!!
Oh goodie, another creepy former governor of Arkansas.
Sorry dude, been there done that.
Step away from the trough.
… useful idiot…
Make me puke….
LMAO, There couldn’t possibly be a more disconnected from reality Republican than Asa. How the man ever became Governor of any state should tell us all the state of our Republic.
I do wish our country was in such good shape that a milque-toast like this made more sense; BUT ITS NOT! GO HOME!
He should never make sense.
Where’s this guy from, again?
His 37 voters and fans won’t get him above the 1% Jeb and Nikki esqe line.
Amazingly delusional
Send in the 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡’s.
Most here in Arkansas think of him as the Joker without his clown make up. Got that creepy frozen smile on his face. A true sleaze if ever there was one.
There’s a real meathead in our White House now. Don’t need another self-anointed, trying to be homey good ole boy.
Oh gosh. asa lives not far from me. Puke. He is truly delusional. We really don’t like him in AR. Thank God the legislature was strong enough to keep him somewhat corralled. In short: POS.
HUTCHINSON: “I don’t believe he (Trump) should be the next leader of our country”
This quote spells out everything everyone needs to know about Asa Hutchinson
you are either with Trump or against Trump,
Asa Hutchinson is a false profit
MAGA
Bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah…thanks for the laugh RINO scum.
I thought that was Jeff Sessions at first.
And pigs fly.
Another Narcissistic Sociopathic FILTHY LIBERAL. This man is as Evil as they come.
He’s a 1% Jeb type Loser.
Hutchinson argues he “can be the one to reorient the GOP back to caring about the rules-based international order”
That means murdering your way around the globe, getting rich, and destroying your own country.
Disgusting. He wants to go back to looting and pillaging the world while letting other nations subtly loot and pillage the USA as a “thank you” gift.
In other words, he’s an avowed globalist.
“Rules Based”. I make the rules, change them on a whim, and will kill you and yours if you don’t obey.
Now that OPEC has cut production by 1 million barrels/day, the empty Strategic Petroleum Reserves, no Keystone Pipeline, chaos, no plan from Puppet Biden, it makes you wonder just how much China paid Biden to destroy America.
Well isn’t that what you do in war, destroy the other country? PRC has corrupted the entire DC Swamp, and academia, and international institutions with the money given to it by the Wall Street globalists.
The American Globalists want to destroy their own country.
The rest of the world is just collateral damage.
“Rules” = CalvinBall.
…0’Bama-ball…
Wait! What? International Order…What’s that…MAKE AMERICA GREAT
“Rules based international order”, means continual war. Way to go Asa Hutchinson, just what Americans want, continual war, lots of money to the military industrial complex, lots of power to the state department, and lots of dead Americans.
In my opinion he’s a big “O”%.