By Steve Brawner, © 2019 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

In presidential politics, what usually happens is not what’s destined to happen, and sometimes things can get really crazy.

So for fun, let’s consider the possibility that none of the Democratic candidates amass enough delegates in the primaries to win the nomination.

Let’s start by stipulating that pundits like me often predict this happening whenever there’s a large field, and then a nominee emerges long before the last state votes.

But this time might be different because the party’s rules have changed, because the process has been front-loaded with early big state primaries, because Democrats have several candidates who might stay in the race for a while, and because a big wild card has been tossed onto the table. Continue reading →

By Steve Brawner, © 2019 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

If you ever are named a head football coach – or CEO or governor or president of the United States – learn from the University of Arkansas’ Sam Pittman to see how to act in your introductory press conference.

The new head football coach won the press conference, and surely the hearts of those watching, through his authenticity and sincerity Dec. 9. Clearly, the 58-year-old first-time head coach raised in nearby eastern Oklahoma – who fought back tears at times – really, really wanted this job.

Just as important as his sincerity was his proper setting of expectations. Pointedly avoiding slogans, he promised only that his “blue collar” Razorbacks would work hard, excel in the fundamentals and try to score more points than the other team.

The press conference came two years and two days after his predecessor’s introduction, which was markedly different. Continue reading →

By Steve Brawner, © 2019 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

A billionaire businessman and former New York City mayor flew to Little Rock to file his presidential candidacy paperwork at the Capitol Tuesday, and that wasn’t the most unexpected event on the last day of campaign filing.

Michael Bloomberg, 77, was the only major presidential candidate to file in person. He has openly flirted with running for president for years but has never pulled the trigger. But he really doesn’t approve of his fellow billionaire New Yorker, President Donald Trump, and has been critical of the Democratic field.

Bloomberg had filed in Alabama, which like Arkansas has a ridiculously early filing period, but Arkansas was the first state where he did it in person. His appearance wasn’t previously announced, but word began to spread that morning, and reporters and onlookers were waiting when he arrived. He paid his $2,500 filing fee to the Democratic Party of Arkansas, filed his paperwork, had his picture taken, and then spoke briefly with reporters. He did not confirm he is running for president but did say he was “the only candidate to come here.” If he’s not a candidate, he’s doing a great impression of one.

Bloomberg wasn’t the only major party candidate to file Tuesday. Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld filed in the Republican Party primary against Trump. Weld is an announced candidate and had been talking to the state party, so his decision, though notable, wasn’t a complete surprise. Continue reading →

By Steve Brawner, © 2019 by Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

I don’t know if Bobby Petrino’s first return to Arkansas since 2012 was the most important statewide story this week, but it definitely was one of the most interesting.

The former Arkansas Razorbacks head football coach appeared before 700 people at a sold-out-in-24-hours Little Rock Touchdown Club meeting Monday. The format was a Q and A with media personality and former Razorback David Bazzel.

It didn’t take long for Petrino to address the issue that was on everyone’s mind. After briefly sharing some football-related memories, he said, without being asked, “I wanted to be able to come here and apologize to everybody, the fans, the players, and truly tell you how sorry I am for the way it ended. I also wanted to come here and thank you for everything that the people in this room and the state did for me and my family.”

His voice choked up a little, but he held it together. The crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Petrino had not been back in the state since after he was fired April 11, 2012, by former University of Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long. Continue reading →