TOM COTTON (AR-04) MARCUS RICHMOND (AR-04) BETH ANNE RANKIN (AR-04)

Top Headlines ............................................................................................ 1 Editorials.................................................................................................... 1 Budget Issues ............................................................................................. 1 Business and Consumer Issues .................................................................. 2 Campaign Finance Issues........................................................................... 2 Crime & Public Safety Issues .................................................................... 3 Economic and Financial Issues .................................................................. 3 Education Issues ........................................................................................ 3 Election 2012 Issues .................................................................................. 4 Energy Issues ............................................................................................. 6 Environmental Issues ................................................................................. 6 Ethics Issues .............................................................................................. 6 Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea ................... 6 Gay and Lesbian Issues.............................................................................. 6 Gun Issues ................................................................................................. 6 Health Care Issues ..................................................................................... 6 Immigration and Border Issues .................................................................. 6 Israel .......................................................................................................... 6 Other Social Issues .................................................................................... 6 Senior Issues .............................................................................................. 6 Tax Issues .................................................................................................. 6 Tea Party .................................................................................................... 7 Transportation Issues ................................................................................. 7 Womens Issues ......................................................................................... 7

Top Headlines Editorials Budget Issues

Business and Consumer Issues Campaign Finance Issues

Cotton Filed October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report In October 2011, Cotton for Congress filed its October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report. Cotton raised $343,029.20 in the 3rd quarter of 2011, has $331,326.55 cash on hand and spent $11,702.65. Cotton received $8,000.00 from PACs. [Cotton for Congress, filed 10/13/11] Contributions of Note: Received $1,000 from Cecile H. Bledsoe. In August 2011, Cotton received $1000 from the Senatorial campaign of Bledsoe. Received $250 from US Senator Rob Portman. In September 2011, Cotton received $250 from Ohio Senator Rob Portman. Expenditures of Note: Paid $154.20 to Avis Cotton. In September 2011, Cotton paid $154.20 in campaign funds to Avis Cotton.

Richmond Filed October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report In October 2011, Marcus Richmond for Congress filed its October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report. Richmond raised $18,092.43 in the 3rd quarter of 2011, has $13,916.94 cash on hand and spent $4,175.49. Richmond raised $1800 from three contributors, personally contributed $7,959.43 to his own campaign and has loaned himself $7,435.00 for the campaign. [Marcus Richmond for Congress, filed 10/13/11] Rankin Filed October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report In October 2011, Beth Anne Rankin for Congress filed its October 2011 Quarterly FEC Report. Rankin raised $175,957.85 in the 3rd quarter of 2011, has $163,331.32 cash on hand and spent $16,495.22. Rankin received $0 from PACs. [Beth Anne Rankin for Congress, filed 10/15/11] Contributions of Note:

Received $5,000 from Dr. David Rankin. In September 2011, Beth Anne Rankin received $5,000 from Dr. David Rankin. Received $5,000 from Toni Rankin. In September 2011, Beth Anne Rankin received $5,000 from Toni Rankin.

Crime & Public Safety Issues Economic and Financial Issues

Cotton Was Said to be Conservative on Tax and Spending Issues In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton was conservative on tax and spending issues. According to the City Wire, Cotton clearly is conservative on tax and spending issues. He would not have voted for the debt-ceiling deal, saying instead that Congress should have passed the more conservative bill that would have cut spending and pushed a balanced budget amendment. All Republicans in Arkansas Congressional delegation voted for the debt ceiling deal. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Said Number One Issue is the Economy In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton is pro-life and pro-second amendment. Additionally, the City Wire said he said the top issue in the race is the economy. According to the City Wire, Cotton, who is pro-life, pro-second amendment and a self-professed strong national security conservative," says the top issue in the race is the economy. As Ive been doing this (traveling in the district), the economy and the weakness is at the top of the list, Cotton said. [The City Wire 8/22/2011]

Education Issues
Cotton Wrote Column Critical of the Internet as a Teaching Tool In September 2011, it was revealed that Cotton wrote a column in 1998 criticized the internet as a teaching tool. In 1998, Cotton suggested that the internet was useful only for check[ing] the weather, the news, the stock market and so on very quickly. But, "Despite blather about the 'information superhighway' in popular culture, connecting classrooms and libraries to the Internet is a horrible idea none of this helps educate children."

In September 2011, Cotton claimed to have matured in his views of the internet, saying that the Internet has matured thanks to 13 years of free market and entrepreneurial innovation and it's now a vital tool for education and daily life unlike 1998. [Associated Press, 9/1/11]

Election 2012 Issues

Cotton Made Early Noise in 4th District Race In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Tom Cotton, who is trying to receive the GOP nomination for the 4th district seat, was standing out so far in the primary. According to The City Wire, The lanky 34-year-old lawyer and soldier from Dardanelle considers President Abraham Lincoln his beau ideal of a statesman a phrase Lincoln once attached to Henry Clay, Cotton noted. [] he was born and raised in Dardanelle where he helped with the work on his familys cattle farm. The Yell County native graduated with honors from Harvard College yes, THE Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He was moving up in the legal world when Sept. 11 happened [] He joined the U.S. Army, deployed to Baghdad as an Infantry officer with the 101st Airborne []Military citations and accomplishments earned by Cotton include the Bronze Star, Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal. He was hired by the global consulting company McKinsey & Company after ending his active duty U.S. Army career. There he consulted with companies involved in agribusiness, health care, oil and gas, food processing, insurance and aerospace. He left the company when he decided to seek the 4th District seat. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Made the NRCC On the Radar List In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton made the NRCC On the Radar list. According to the City Wire, Cotton is already standing out in GOP circles. He was the first Republican to enter the 4th District race and has caught the eye of the National Republican Congressional Committee. On Aug. 18, Cotton landed on the NRCC On the Radar list because he has raised $100,000. Cotton is one of only six Republicans in the their Young Guns program to make this list for 2012. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Criticized Republican Leadership In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton criticized Republican leadership. According to the City Wire, Cotton criticized the House Republican leadership, saying it was unwise to have secret negotiations with the White House and Congressional Democrats []If elected, Cottons criticism of GOP leadership may not wane. He said he will not be a Representative on which the Republicans can always count on to vote for the party plan. [The City Wire 8/22/2011] Cotton Wrote Column Critical of the Internet as a Teaching Tool

In September 2011, it was revealed that Cotton wrote a column in 1998 criticized the internet as a teaching tool. In 1998, Cotton suggested that the internet was useful only for check[ing] the weather, the news, the stock market and so on very quickly. But, "Despite blather about the 'information superhighway' in popular culture, connecting classrooms and libraries to the Internet is a horrible idea none of this helps educate children." In September 2011, Cotton claimed to have matured in his views of the internet, saying that the Internet has matured thanks to 13 years of free market and entrepreneurial innovation and it's now a vital tool for education and daily life unlike 1998. [Associated Press, 9/1/11] Richmond Announced Run for Congress In August 2011, Marcus Richmond announced his run for Congress in AR-04. Marcus Richmond, a businessman and veteran from Scott County, tells Talk Business & Politics that he plans to enter the race as a Republican candidate. I made up my mind today that I will run for the House Seat in the 4th Congressional District. So now I must do the song and dance to make it official, Richmond said by e-mail. I will run on the Republican ticket. I already have company on the GOP ticket but I believe I am the right person at this time. I'm sure all candidates feel the same. So why am I the better choice? I have no interest in becoming a career politician. Politics is not a lifelong ambition. Therefore, I will work for the people of my district first and foremost not the party or special interest, he wrote []Richmond, who lives in Harvey, Arkansas in Scott County near Waldron, is a former Marine officer and owns two businesses, according to files on record. He is listed as business owner of America's Pet Registry, Inc., which registers designer dogs, and Old World Brick Oven Pizza, which also does business as Simple Simon Pizza of Waldron. [Talkbusiness.net, 8/11/2011] Richmond Said He Will Not Work for Special Interest or the Republican Party In August 2011, Marcus Richmond said he will not work for special interests or the Republican Party. According to Talk Business, Richmond said I will run on the Republican ticket. I already have company on the GOP ticket but I believe I am the right person at this time. I'm sure all candidates feel the same. So why am I the better choice? I have no interest in becoming a career politician. Politics is not a lifelong ambition. Therefore, I will work for the people of my district first and foremost not the party or special interest, he wrote. If we are going to extract ourselves from this economic tsunami, we must make some hard choices. You can bet the opposition, special interest and concerns for reelection will dictate much of the discussion. Not me. Because I am not worried about my political future I will stand up for what is right for the people of the 4th District. No sacred cows, no special interest, Richmond added. [Talkbusiness.net, 8/11/2011] Ranking Announced Run For Congress In August 2011, Beth Anne Rankin discussed her plans of when and where to announce if she is running the Arkansass fourth congressional seat.

Todays THV reported, Beth Anne Rankin of Magnolia says she'll announce her plans Monday at stops in Hot Springs, Texarkana, Magnolia and El Dorado. Rankin spent seven years as a policy adviser to former Gov. Mike Huckabee and is now vice president of Rankin Land and Timber. [Todays THV,
8/29/11]

Energy Issues Environmental Issues Ethics Issues Foreign Policy Issues Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea Gay and Lesbian Issues Gun Issues
Cotton Is Pro-Life and Pro-Second Amendment In August 2011, the City Wire reported that Cotton is pro-life and pro-second amendment. Additionally, the City Wire said he said the top issue in the race is the economy. According to the City Wire, Cotton, who is pro-life, pro-second amendment and a self-professed strong national security conservative," says the top issue in the race is the economy. As Ive been doing this (traveling in the district), the economy and the weakness is at the top of the list, Cotton said. [The City Wire 8/22/2011]

Health Care Issues Immigration and Border Issues Israel Other Social Issues Senior Issues Tax Issues

Tea Party
Rankin Joined Republican Young Guns Program In September 2011, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) said of Rankin, We look forward to working with Beth Anne Rankin, who has already proven herself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the Young Guns program that will position her campaign for victory. [] Beth Anne Rankins dedication and experience enables her to advocate effectively for pro-growth policies and fight the failed status quo in Washington. This will stand in stark contrast to the Obama-Pelosi record of spending, borrowing and taxing that Arkansas families and small businesses know has failed. [Talk Business, 9/28/11] Cotton Joined Republican Young Guns Program In August 2011, Cotton was added to the list of participants in the Republican Young Guns program.
[Talk Business, 9/28/11]

Transportation Issues Womens Issues