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==Gubernatorial campaign of 1972==

==Gubernatorial campaign of 1972==

Blaylock dubbed Bumpers "indecisive" and objected to (1) a tax increase which the governor had steered through the legislature in 1971 and (2) higher state expenditures. Though he had a reputation as an "exceptionally competent administrator" and a man of great loyalty to his supervisors, Blaylock was seen as a "poor campaigner".[8]

Blaylock dubbed Bumpers "indecisive" and objected to (1) a tax increase which the governor had steered through the legislature in 1971 and (2) higher state expenditures. Though he had a reputation as an "exceptionally competent administrator" and a man of great loyalty to his supervisors, Blaylock was seen as a "poor campaigner." [8]

Arkansas political scientist and pollster Jim Ranchino of Arkadelphia declared that Blaylock was "not a legitimate candidate" in view of Bumpers' name recognition and general popularity.[9] Blaylock alleged that Bumpers espoused "widely varying philosophies, depending on the audience or the occasion."[10] Bumpers ignored Blaylock though at one point he told the media that because he was himself running for reelection as governor, he could not take an active part in U.S. Senator [[George McGovern]]'s presidential campaign against [[Richard M. Nixon]].[11] Bumpers also benefited from the tradition at the time that Arkansas governors usually were given at least a second two-year term to fulfil their campaign promises. An exception to that tradition was former Governor Francis Cherry, who was unseated by Faubus in the 1954 Democratic primary.  

Arkansas political scientist and pollster [[Jim Ranchino]] of Arkadelphia declared that Blaylock was "not a legitimate candidate" in view of Bumpers' name recognition and general popularity.[9] Blaylock alleged that Bumpers espoused "widely varying philosophies, depending on the audience or the occasion."[10] Bumpers ignored Blaylock though at one point he told the media that because he was himself running for reelection as governor, he could not take an active part in U.S. Senator [[George McGovern]]'s presidential campaign against [[Richard M. Nixon]].[11] Bumpers also benefited from the tradition at the time that Arkansas governors usually were given at least a second two-year term to fulfil their campaign promises. An exception to that tradition was former Governor Francis Cherry, who was unseated by Faubus in the 1954 Democratic primary.  

The GOP stressed that Blaylock's career had been a success story despite his having dropped out of high school three times before graduating in order to support his family. Afterwards, he enlisted in the Army, made a military career, and began dabbling in Republican politics.[5]

The GOP stressed that Blaylock's career had been a success story despite his having dropped out of high school three times before graduating in order to support his family. Afterwards, he enlisted in the Army, made a military career, and began dabbling in Republican politics. [5]

The election results were no surprise: Bumpers defeated Blaylock by a 4–1 margin, the worst GOP showing in a decade in Arkansas. Bumpers won all seventy-five counties, 488,892 (75.4 percent) to Blaylock's 159,177 (24.6 percent). Blaylock fared no better than 42.5 percent in predominantly African American Lee County in the eastern part of the state, an area that had remained loyal to Blaylock's mentor, Rockefeller. Even in usually Republican Searcy County, Blaylock received only 40.9 percent of the vote. Bumpers outpolled President Nixon in Arkansas by some 43,000 votes, and Blaylock trailed McGovern by nearly 38,000 ballots.[12]

The election results were no surprise: Bumpers defeated Blaylock by a 4–1 margin, the worst GOP showing in a decade in Arkansas. Bumpers won all seventy-five counties, 488,892 (75.4 percent) to Blaylock's 159,177 (24.6 percent). Blaylock fared no better than 42.5 percent in predominantly African American Lee County in the eastern part of the state, an area that had remained loyal to Blaylock's mentor, Rockefeller. Even in usually Republican Searcy County, Blaylock received only 40.9 percent of the vote. Bumpers outpolled President Nixon in Arkansas by some 43,000 votes, and Blaylock trailed McGovern by nearly 38,000 ballots. [12]

Blaylock's ticket mates were all defeated too: the veterinarian [[Wayne Babbitt]] for the U.S. Senate, [[Ken Coon]] for lieutenant governor, future U.S. Representative Edwin Ruthvin Bethune, Jr., for state  attorney general, and [[Jerry Climer]] for secretary of state.[12] Coon was Blaylock's successor as the gubernatorial nominee in 1974, but he first had to dispose of the controversial newspaper editor Joseph H. Weston of Cave City. Weston's work with the former ''Sharp Citizen'' led to a change in Arkansas libel law.[13]

Blaylock's ticket mates were all defeated too: the veterinarian [[Wayne Babbitt]] for the U.S. Senate, [[Ken Coon]] for lieutenant governor, future U.S. Representative Edwin Ruthvin Bethune, Jr., for state  attorney general, and [[Jerry Climer]] for secretary of state.[12] Coon was Blaylock's successor as the gubernatorial nominee in 1974, but he first had to dispose of the controversial newspaper editor Joseph H. Weston of Cave City. Weston's work with the former ''Sharp Citizen'' led to a change in Arkansas libel law.[13]