Hutchinson and Beebe say more lawyers needed in politics

By STEVE BRAWNER | Steve Brawner Communications, Inc.

Are more lawyers needed in politics? Arkansas’ two most recent former governors, Asa Hutchinson and Mike Beebe, both attorneys, say yes.

The two shared the stage last Thursday at an Arkansas Bar Association event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the University of Arkansas School of Law’s founding. Beebe graduated in 1972, Hutchinson in 1975.

The event occurred 18 years after they ran against each other for governor in 2006, which Beebe won when Democrats still dominated state politics. Hutchinson joked that the loss extended his legal career.

Asked if there are too many or not enough lawyers in politics, Beebe said firmly, “Not enough.” He said when he was in the state Senate, 18 of the 35 senators were attorneys.

“Not all of them practiced law. And one or two of them practiced stuff we could have done without, and they shouldn’t have probably been there anyway,” he said to laughter.

In contrast, there currently are two attorneys in the Senate: Sens. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, and Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff. They’re two of the six Democrats in a chamber where 29 members are Republicans.

Hutchinson agreed with Beebe.

“The lawyers bring something unique, and I think we’ll have a lot better quality of laws that perhaps fewer are constitutionally challenged,” he said. “No guarantee about that, but I do hope we have more lawyers.”

There are more lawyers in the House of Representatives. Ten of the 100 are attorneys. They also are in better positions to influence legislation. Seven are Republicans, including Speaker of the House Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado.

In Congress, law school graduates fill 177 of the 535 seats in the House and Senate, according to the American Bar Association. It says the legal profession is the most represented one in Congress. But lawyers are not as prevalent as they once were. In 1964, 315 of the 535 members were attorneys, according to the New York Times. 

Sen. Tom Cotton is the only attorney in Arkansas’ delegation.

Beebe acknowledged that lawyers are not the most well-respected profession these days. (He should try being in the media.) But both he and Hutchinson spoke positively about their profession and their law school educations. 

Both were born in modest circumstances – Beebe literally in a tar paper shack. He referenced an editorial cartoon where the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s John Deering said they were “out-pooring each other” in the 2006 campaign. 

Both nevertheless made it to college. Beebe decided to go to law school as a college junior because he wanted to work for the FBI. Hutchinson decided as a college senior while participating in debate.

The two said their law school educations taught them to think analytically and consider multiple sides of an issue. Hutchinson said that trait can be a plus and a minus for politicians these days.

“In today’s politics, you’re supposed to be passionate, you’re supposed to be obnoxiously pure about your point of view, and that the other is diametrically evil to you,” Hutchinson said. “And as a lawyer, whenever the media asked me a question, or a constituent, what happens? You hear both sides. You think both sides. And that’s really a disadvantage in politics, but it is a great advantage in public service and public policy to understand those points of view.”

The two shared some political memories during their discussion. Beebe said a highlight of his time in office was when he was met at a cold Arkadelphia event by a woman whose husband he had pardoned. She’d driven 80 miles and waited an hour to thank him. The husband couldn’t come because he was working the night shift at a good job. 

Hutchinson recalled volunteering at a phone bank for his brother Tim’s congressional campaign. One man told him, “I guarantee you one thing. I’m not going to vote for Tim because of his lawyer brother, Asa.” Hutchinson assured him Tim was nothing like his brother.

He also recalled being the first governor of any state to visit Cuba after diplomatic relations were restored. His staff set up a basketball game, so he threw on some raggedy clothes. To his surprise, he was driven to an arena where the national team was practicing and awaiting his arrival. When he touched the ball, all five defenders backed off. He called a time out and told them it was OK to foul him.

That’s basketball, and politics. If you don’t mind people fouling you now and then, you’ll make it, as these two attorney-governors both know.

Steve Brawner is a syndicated columnist published in 17 outlets in Arkansas. Email him at brawnersteve@mac.com.