By Zack Stovall
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — From a recent steady barrage of announcements from Washington trumpeting the flow of federal stimulus money to Arkansas, it appeared the state’s congressional delegation had shrunk from six members to five.

All of the dispatches contained the names and quotes of the five Democratic members and one glaring omission — no mention of Republican John Boozman.

For the first time in his congressional career, the eye doctor from Rogers does not have a sympathetic GOP ear in congressional leadership or the White House. He’s on the outside looking in, and he’s not liking much of what he sees.

“I’m very concerned with what is going on in Washington now,” the conservative Republican said in a recent interview with the Arkansas News Bureau. “And we’re getting flooded with letters from people who have never written their congressmen or senators before, who are just outraged by the European Socialist shift that we’ve been seeing lately.

“And I’m not just concerned; I’m fighting it very hard.”

Boozman won his 3rd District seat in a 2001 special election after Republican Asa Hutchinson resigned to join the Bush administration.

He went to Congress as one of two Republicans remaining in the Arkansas delegation from a high of three in the late 1990s. Republican Jay Dickey lost to Democrat Mike Ross in 2000. Boozman became the lone Republican after Democrat Mark Pryor defeated then-GOP Sen. Tim Hutchinson in 2002.

Boozman benefited from Republican control of Congress until Democrats won both the House and Senate in 2006, but lost his last link to power — he was once an assistant House Republican Whip — when Democrat Barack Obama won the White House last fall.

Now, “I’m the senior Republican delegate from Arkansas,” Boozman said. “But my wife likes to remind me that I’m also the most junior Republican from Arkansas as well.”

Still, some political observers see Boozman as being a key Republican in Congress.

“Unlike many in Congress, John Boozman is just a good guy,” said Republican political consultant Bill Vickery. “Not only is he a nice guy who can get along with his opposition, but he’s also a smart guy. He’s been very good at maneuvering Washington. I’d say he’s one of the most effective congressmen in the House right now.”

Boozman complained that Republicans have been labeled “The Party of No” and left out of the legislative process as the Democratic Congress and White House attempt to jumpstart a deepening recession and a host of other pressing issues.

He said GOP members often have not been at the table in meetings — and their voices not heard — on important legislation at a time when Republican input is needed on such issues as the Employee Free Choice Act and Obama’s cap-and-trade plan to reduce carbon emissions.

Boozman also contended that with more Republican counsel, miscues like the AIG executive bonus scandal could have been avoided.

“When that bill came out, it was 1,073 pages,” said Boozman. “And not one of those people who voted for it physically had time to read all of it. And what AIG has done is just absurd.”

Vickery said one of the reasons Boozman is set to become an anchor for House Republicans is due to the respect Boozman has garnered during his tenure, and the assurance he will be around for awhile.

“He is unbeatable in that district,” Vickery said. “I think you’re going to see the party really begin to lean on John Boozman.”

Coping with being in the political minority in his state delegation apparently has served Boozman on the national stage. The congressman said he is able to work well with congressional colleagues of different ideologies.

Importantly, he said, he and his fellow Arkansans are effective as a team in serving the state.

“We may offer different opinions or argue in Washington, but when it comes to what’s best for Arkansas, we are all able to work very well together and make sure we take care of our state,” he said. “The senators (Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor) have been very good to the 3rd District, especially.”

2nd District Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Little Rock, said despite being at odds politically at times, it is clear Boozman cares deeply about Arkansas.

“I served in the state Senate with his brother, Fay, and have served with John for several years in the U.S. House,” Snyder said. “It has been an honor to serve with both. John is a fine man, very devoted to his family, always pleasant to others.”

While Rep. Boozman takes issue with the recent Democratic agenda, which he feels has given way to an unprecedented expansion of government and deficit spending, he also faulted Republicans with overspending and expanding government during President Bush’s tenure.

“We were certainly guilty of that,” he said. “We increased the government at about a rate of 3 percent per year, which was too much, but the new administration has increased it by 8 percent so far and is projecting to add 9 percent on top of that in 2010.

“I don’t think that’s what Arkansans want or need right now.”

Boozman said his constituents, and Arkansans generally, are most concerned with feeding their families and keeping their jobs.

“I wake up every morning and ask myself ‘What can I do to help create more jobs for Arkansans today?’” Boozman said.

He said he wasn’t at all worried about the Republican Party, after losing control of Congress and the White House.

“We can’t afford to be that party of no,” said Boozman. “But we’re still a center and center-right country, and so is Arkansas.

“When it comes to this European socialist-democracy, though, I don’t mind being in the party of no.”