State GOP Welcomes Obama Campaign Manager Jim Messina to Arkansas

Republican Party Launches #AskMessina Twitter Campaign

Messina?  Ah, No Comment.

Little Rock, Ark. – As President Barack Obama’s campaign manager Jim Messina prepares to speak at the Obama for Arkansas headquarters grand opening tonight in North Little Rock, Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Doyle Webb released the following statement welcoming him to Arkansas:

“Although it has been over five years since President Barack Obama has stepped foot in our state, today we welcome Obama Campaign Manager Jim Messina to Arkansas. Unfortunately for the Obama campaign, Messina will have a tough time selling the President’s failed policies and broken promises to the over 100,000 Arkansans struggling to find a job. With unemployment still high, gas prices soaring and Obamacare threatening small businesses and individual liberty, Messina and his camp will have plenty of work to do spinning the President’s record.”

In accordance with Messina’s visit, the state Republican Party launched an #AskMessina social media campaign on Twitter, encouraging followers to tweet their questions for the President’s downhill re-election campaign using the #AskMessina hashtag.

“2012 is about one thing: President Obama and how his policies have cost hardworking Arkansans their jobs,” said Webb. “Today, Mr. Messina should be prepared to answer many questions on Barack Obama’s failure to lead our country on many accords, from his refusal to lead on job creation to his failure to encourage American energy production. With over 63 percent of Arkansans disapproving of the President’s job performance, in November we look forward to again giving the Republican Presidential nominee one of the highest vote margins in the nation.”

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Over 100,000 Arkansans Are Out Of Work

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Data Extracted 3/27/12)

Arkansas Gas Prices Continue To Rise“The AAA says gas prices in Arkansas have risen nearly 30 cents over the past month. The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas was $3.73 on Friday. That's up from $3.44 a month ago.” (“Arkansas gas prices up nearly 30 cents since Feb.,” Associated Press, 3/23/12)

President Obama Has Avoided Arkansas For Over 5 Years“Though several cabinet officials have visited the state, Obama hasn’t appeared in Arkansas since campaigning for Mike Beebe’s successful gubernatorial bid in 2006.” (“Messina to speak at Obama's Arkansas headquarters opening,” Associated Press, 3/21/12)

President Obama’s Unpopularity and Disapproval Ratings Remain High In ArkansasAccording to a Talk Business-Hendrix College Poll conducted March 26, 2012, 63.5 percent of Arkansans disapprove of President Barack Obama’s job performance. (“Obama Holding Democrats, But Failing With Independent Voters,” Talk Business, 3/27/12)

“The president’s re-election campaign is setting up shop in a state where polls show he remains deeply unpopular. Republican nominee John McCain beat Obama by 20 points in Arkansas in the 2008 presidential election.” (“Messina to speak at Obama's Arkansas headquarters opening,” Associated Press, 3/21/12)

Obamacare Threatens Small Business Growth“U.S. small-business owners who aren't hiring -- 85% of those surveyed -- are most likely to say the reasons they are not doing so include not needing additional employees; worries about weak business conditions, including revenues; cash flow; and the overall U.S. economy. Additionally, nearly half of small-business owners point to potential healthcare costs (48%) and government regulations (46%) as reasons.” (Dennis Jacobe, “Health Costs, Gov't Regulations Curb Small Business Hiring,” Gallup, 2/15/12)

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Tags: Arkansas, RPA, GOP, Welcomes, Obama Campaign Manager, Jim Messina, Doyle Webb, Barack Obama, news