ROGERS, Ark. — Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson shared his thoughts on a historic month for presidential campaigns.
Hutchinson is a conservative who isn’t on board with former President Donald Trump leading the Republican Party.
He praised the way Trump carried himself in the moments immediately after the assassination attempt on his life.
"Thank goodness he wasn’t killed," Hutchinson said. "I was amazed at the strength that he showed at the time … he immediately knew that he needed to encourage Americans and his supporters, and he showed a lot of courage there … I hope that God works in his heart as clearly he recognized that except by the grace of God, he would have been killed that day."
Hutchinson said Trump’s tone of strength and unity during his nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week was refreshing to hear.
"The first part, which was scripted, was outstanding," Hutchinson said. "It was human. It was encouraging. It was unifying, and he saw that as an opportunity to bring America together. And harsh rhetoric, as he pointed out, went too far."
But, does he think the new tone will last?
"I expect him to resort to his usual demeanor and attack lines," Hutchinson said. "I think the old Donald Trump will be very vigorous this fall in going after Kamala Harris."
Historically, Hutchinson has distanced himself from Trump in the Republican Party.
After dropping out of the presidential race in January, the former governor said he was "not going to support somebody who's been convicted of a serious felony or who is disqualified under our Constitution."
While some former Trump critics now throw their loyalty behind the Republican presidential nominee, Hutchinson said he will not be one of them and will write in a candidate’s name when he goes to the polls this November.
"My statements, my convictions are important to me," he said. "I'm a former federal prosecutor. I follow the rule of law, and so, yes, I intend to vote Republican, but don't expect that to be for Donald Trump.”
However, when it comes to other Republicans who were once vocal Trump critics — such as Sen. JD Vance who is now Trump’s pick for vice president — Hutchinson said backing the former president is permissible.
"That's okay because if [JD Vance is] genuine about it, he answers that by saying, 'I saw Trump in action, I was wrong before,'" Hutchinson said. "I think he can handle that flip-flopping alright."
Hutchinson said he feels that part of adding respect back into politics is recognizing the big moments your political rivals face, such as President Joe Biden deciding to end his campaign for another term.
"You know, it was a moment that you could actually say something nice about someone else and recognize [Biden’s] lifetime of service and that he put the country above himself in stepping aside," he said. "Those are easy words and important words that we need to hear from time to time."
Now that Vice President Kamala Harris is pursuing the Democratic nomination, Hutchinson thinks the race will tighten up even more.
"I do expect that this to be a closer race than it was against Joe Biden a week ago," he said.
Hutchinson also briefly threw his hat into the ring for president. He kicked off his campaign in April 2023 and ended it this past January.
"Running for president was being able to see the heart of our country up close," he said. "There's one important thing that I observed, and that is people all across our country care about our future."
These days Hutchinson continues to stay busy.
He plans to teach at the University of Arkansas’s law school next year while continuing business endeavors and security consulting, drawing from his experience with the Department of Homeland Security.
He said he’s also enjoying his time serving in one of his favorite roles, being a grandpa.
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