Clark, The Stephens Group, Inc. and Club for Growth

[FrenchieCat]

Much has been posted here about the links and associations of Clark to The Club for Growth.

For the record, please note that this is an incorrect association and is untrue:

Stephens Group, Inc was run by Jackson T. Stephens, Sr. from 1956 to 1986. Jackson T. Stephens Sr. supported the Clinton campaign.

Jackson T. Stephens Sr's son, Warren A. Stephens has run the firm since 1986.

General Clark worked for Warren Stephens.
The Club For Growth does not list Warren Stephens as a member.

There is another son called Jackson T. Stephens, Jr. You will not find Jackson T Stephens Jr listed within the Stephens Group, Inc. management.
Please check to verify: http://www.stephens.com/stephens/leadership/
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TO RECAP AS TO AVOID FUTURE CONFUSION.......PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS THREAD FOR REFERENCE NEXT TIME ANOTHER CLARK ATTACK IS UPON US.

ONCE AGAIN
Clark worked for a company who's founder Jackson T. Stephens Sr. supported Clinton.

This man had two sons (maybe more)......

Clark worked for the GOOD SON, Warren Stephens.

The BAD SON, Jackson T. Stephens Jr. belongs for the "Club for Growth" but is not listed as working for The Stephens Group, Inc.

So there may be 6 degrees of separation.....but Clark did not work for a company that supported Club for Growth.....

THE END

[Leilani]

1. Thank you

for posting the TRUE info.

Of course, that will not stop the lies, but you have provided us with the facts.

[funky_bug]

6. Great job!

You did our general a great service today! You deserve lots of congrats! Thanks for all your hard work!

[wyldwolf]

2. Excellent research!

Although, like the faux Kissinger connection some here kept spouting, I have a feeling those pushing the Stephens story KNOW it is dubious at best - they're just hoping no one else finds out.

[Zero Division]

3. Thank you very much for this, Frenchie

Although it may not change the minds of anyone who has already decided that they'll believe anything negative about Clark, it may help demonstrate to those who sit on-the-fence with regard to Clark that they should not automatically believe every negative accusation against him that they read on this forum.

[AP]

4. Stephens hated Clinton and only backed him when a Republican who

had had a falling out with Stephens ran against Clinton. (Read all about it in The Hunting of the President.)

One of Clinton big achievements in Ark was to break Stephens Inc's monopoly on issuing bonds for state projects. It was basically a huge transfer of wealth from taxpayers to Stephens Inc pockets. Clinton set up a state agency to issue bonds, and THAT'S how he got on the radar of the Republicans. THAT'S why they wanted to take him out so badly. He violated the fudamental rule of politcs: don't interfere with the private profits of powerful companies.

I can understand Clark working for Stephens Inc -- Clark was the biggest gun in town when he moved back to Little Rock, and Stephens Inc was the biggest player in town.

However, it's not quite right to claim that Stephens Inc is a good crew of people. If I remember correctly, Stephens Inc was the force behind voting Clinton out of office (because of the bond issuing thing).

[FrenchieCat]

7. I was addressing the issue

of the smear that has been going around connecting Clark to Club for Growth by those that said that Stephens Group, inc. supported Club for Growth.

Clark worked as an investment banker....for that company.

said good and bad sons in a tongue in cheek figure of speaking....

It's called "clearing up the record"........

[AP]

8. Some might think the connection to Stephens Inc is bad enough without

the Club for Growth connection, however.

Again, I'll state that Clark is entitled to make as much money as possible after forgoing what would have been a huge salary he undoubtedly would have earned had he applied his talents to the private sector all his life.

And if he moved back to Arkansas, working at Stephens Inc is one of the few jobs which match his qualifications.

However, any connection with Stephens Inc is going to look bad. And just because they donated some money to the campaign of a sitting (?) Democratic governor once doesn't mean they're down with Democratic principles for which Clark should stand.

[Jerseycoa]

13. This makes sense, AP

Stephens is not a good association for Clark. However, a major employer like Stephens probably lists a whole lot of Arkansans in their personnel files who might not have a lot in common with Stephens' corporate culture. I suppose somebody wanting to, and we've seen this, could make hay out of just about anything. I'm glad Frenchie clarified the small points so I at least know better what I'm answering.

[blm]

5. Dean was the one connected to Stephen Moore of Club for Growth.

They have been friendly for years.

Good job, Frenchie.

[mmonk]

9. Good work

Frenchie

[Jerseycoa]

10. Glad to see this, Frenchie

It's great to be able to say things are not always as they seem. Thanks.

[BootinUp]

11. Way to go Frenchie!

Thanks for the research! I am bookmarking now.

:hi:

[maddezmom]

12. Thank you for your hardwork

bookkmarking :)

[cally]

14. Thanks

but I think many of us work or have worked for companies with ties to powerful rightwing causes. I don't condemn folks for their employers actions only for what there own actions are. I agree with AP that in Arkansas the Stephens Group is a likely employer for someone like Clark. I think the Chairman of Stephens group says that Clark didn't do that great of job for them.

[Eurobabe]

15. nice research!

good going Frenchie!

[LiberalBushFan]

16. well done!

clever catch