David Pryor in 2012.
David Pryor, the 39th governor of Arkansas and a former U.S. senator, spoke Wednesday at the Ron Robinson Theater in Little Rock about his friendship with Dale Bumpers, another former Arkansas governor and U.S. senator, who died Friday.
“I loved his confidence, his humor and what he stood for,” Pryor said. “He was not only my friend, he was our friend … We had a relationship and a friendship and camaraderie just because we liked each other.”
Pryor recalled taking various speaking tours with his fellow Democrat around the state.
“When he couldn’t think of the punch lines for his stories, I could,” Pryor said.
Pryor, 81, spoke as part of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies’ “Legacies & Lunch” series. One of Arkansas’ most popular political figures, Pryor also served in the state Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, and is the founding dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
Wednesday’s event was presented in partnership with the Clinton School, and Pryor was interviewed by Dean Skip Rutherford.
Pryor and his wife also founded the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History at the University of Arkansas. The center was inspired by a visit to the Louisiana State University library and oral history program.
“We were so impressed by the hundreds of interviews they had (at LSU),” Pryor said. “We had campaign money leftover and we decided we could take $250,000 and maybe University of Arkansas would be interested.”
Six weeks ago, the center opened in its own building on the square in Fayetteville after operating in other facilities.
Pryor served in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1997, he was governor from 1975 to 1979 and served in the U.S. House from 1966 to 1973.
On Wednesday, he recalled the early start to his political career: being elected class president from 3rd-11th grades and student body president in the 12th grade.
“I’ve always loved politics; I enjoy politics, people and the whole business about it,” he said.
Looking to the 2016 presidential election, Pryor called this year’s contest “a hard one to cope with.”
He said that he believes about 40 percent of voters are Republican, 40 percent are Democrats and 20 percent sway depending on the election. In this case, he said, those 20 percent are swaying toward billionaire real estate mogul and reality TV star Donald Trump, who polls show is at the top among GOP candidates.
“By election day, hopefully people will pause and take a deep breath and sort this thing out,” Pryor said. “People don’t want to radicalize the White House.”
He also said he sees similarities between Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, with both having a heavy political background and knowledge.
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