By ANDREW DeMILLO
Associated Press Writer

Friday, November 7, 2008 9:50 AM CST

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas was a flyover state for Barack Obama’s campaign, but the state’s congressional delegation doesn’t plan on that happening during his presidency.

Despite the president-elect’s 20-point defeat in Arkansas in Tuesday’s election, Arkansas’ congressmen and senators say they believe the state will have greater clout when the Illinois senator takes office as president in January.

“He didn’t win the state, but then again he didn’t compete in the state,” Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., said Thursday. “I don’t think he will hold that against Arkansas or against Arkansas’ congressional delegation now that the election is over.”

Ross and the state’s two other Democratic congressmen pointed to the experience they’ve gained and the Democratic Party’s control of statewide offices as evidence the state will play an important role in an Obama presidency. Three of the state’s congressmen — Ross, Vic Snyder and Marion Berry — are Democrats, as are Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln.

“I am confident Arkansas’ perspective will be heard by this new administration,” Snyder said.

Pryor, who easily won re-election Tuesday night, said he hoped he could play a role in helping Obama reach out to Republicans in the Senate. Pryor pointed to his previous work with a bipartisan group of senators on judicial appointments as an example of how he’s worked with Republican counterparts.

“Barack knows that I work very hard to build bridges and try to find common ground,” Pryor said. “I hope he calls on me often to try to pull things together and work with Republicans.”

Pryor said he also hopes that an Obama presidency will show less resistance to some consumer-protection measures that he hopes to continue pushing for next year.

Rep. John Boozman, the state’s sole Republican congressman, said the state’s clout will depend on who Obama surrounds himself with and how much he’s willing to work with Republicans on his agenda. Boozman said he thinks the delegation’s experience will be a plus, though.

“I think we have a good chance of helping Arkansas and also being able to affect policy as this goes forward,” Boozman said.

Lincoln cited alternative energy and health care as two issues on which she hopes to work with the Obama administration when it takes office next year.

“I think there will be plenty of opportunities to work the Obama administration and I think seek out Arkansas’ input on those issues,” Lincoln said.

Berry, who won re-election without any opposition Tuesday night, said he doesn’t think the state had enough clout with President Bush. Berry said he doesn’t think the White House currently seeks to work with Congress on issues.

“I don’t expect to be able to pick up the phone and call him on a weekly basis or anything, but should the occasion arise where we need to be heard in Arkansas or on agriculture, I think we’re going to get heard,” Berry said. “I’m very hopeful with that.”

One area where the state may see increased clout with Obama is through the incoming president’s efforts to reach out to the fiscally conservative “Blue Dog” Democrats. Ross, who is co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition, said he talked with the president-elect before the election.

“I think he’s pledged to work with us on trying to restore some fiscal discipline and accountability to our government,” Ross said.

 

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