By Karin Hill

PORTIA — Look no farther than Northeast Arkansas for some good old-fashioned political speeches with patriotic flair.

Local and state candidates from across Arkansas converged on towns throughout the region Saturday, making stops at Independence Day weekend events in Corning, Piggott, Portia, Jonesboro, Caraway and others.

One of the favorite stops is Portia, where the locals braved the heat at the 105th Portia Picnic to hear candidates for governor, Senate and Congress, among others.

Gov. Mike Beebe and his Republican opponent, Jim Keet, both participated, as did U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and her challenger, U.S. Rep. John Boozman, R-Ark.

The theme on the Republican side was changing business as usual, eliminating deficits and uprooting “career politicians.” Democrats went through lists of accomplishments from job creation to education improvements as reasons to stick with them.

“We’ve got to get on the stick; we’ve got to balance the budget,” Boozman said.

The Senate candidate also emphasized limiting mandates on small businesses and the need for more employment.

“The No. 1 thing is jobs, jobs, jobs,” Boozman said. “All of those you’re hearing from today, that should be our priority.”

He said he wants those jobs to be long-term solutions, not temporary stimulus.

During her appearance, Lincoln said she has already done a lot for her constituents and wants to do more.

“I work hard for you; better yet, I fight hard for you,” she said.

Lincoln also noted her interest in maintaining health-care programs like Medicare for seniors and insurance coverage for children. She said America’s military was another focus.

“I’m fighting hard for our veterans, and I’ll keep fighting hard for our veterans,” she said.

Statewide offices

Keet, who is challenging Beebe for governor, said he likes his opponent but simply brings a different perspective. The businessman said his focus would be on making the state more business-friendly, limiting regulations and reducing the size of government.

“Day 1, I’m going to take 20 percent out of the governor’s office,” Keet said, adding he would maintain a pay cut until state unemployment is under 5 percent.

He also vowed not to add a single new employee to the state’s payroll during his tenure.

Beebe emphasized the state’s accomplishments.

“They’re talking about Arkansas in America in ways we never could have dreamed,” Beebe said.

He cited improvements in education, job creation and lowering the grocery tax by 4 cents among his accomplishments.

“I hope you like what’s been going on; I sure like doing it,” he said.

Beebe noted a recent Time magazine article that listed four states not in budget trouble.

“The fourth state that they mention, ladies and gentlemen — Arkansas,” he said.

Both candidates for lieutenant governor also spoke. State Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, said his goal was to make the state a little bit better for the next generation. He also cited recent work by current legislators.

“We’re making progress here in Arkansas. We’re creating jobs,” he said.

Republican Mark Darr said he wants to represent small business owners like himself by fighting high taxes and programs that result in pay cuts. He said an online checkbook for all state expenses should be established so ordinary citizens can see where their dollars are being spent.

Darr also said the state needs a new set of representatives who go to Little Rock, get the job done and come back home instead of becoming “career politicians.”

Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, said he is running for Congress “to represent the 1st District of Arkansas in Washington, and not Washington in the 1st District of Arkansas.”

Crawford, who will face Democrat Chad Causey and independent Richard Walden, both of Jonesboro, said his major concerns were the deficit, restoring fiscal discipline and standing firm on his pro-life convictions.

“Folks, I don’t know all the answers, but I know where to find all the answers,” he said, holding up a copy of the Constitution.

A representative for Causey said he was unable to attend because he was at another event in Caraway.

Other speakers at the Portia Picnic were L.J. Bryant, D-Newport, candidate for land commissioner; Pat O’Brien, D-Jacksonville, candidate for secretary of state; Arkansas Supreme Court candidate Tim Fox; and State House District 73 candidates Chad Moseley, R-Walnut Ridge, and James Ratliff, D-Imboden.

Nearly everyone made mention of the significance of Independence Day and thanked veterans for their service to the United States.