November 16, 2004

Since 1984, a tight-knit group of Arkansas community leaders and activists have gathered for regular breakfast meetings to discuss politics and issues at the local, state and national level. Founded 20 years ago by Skip Rutherford, the Political Animals Club enjoyed their largest turnout on November 15, as members old and new turned out at the Little Rock Hilton to catch up on the latest news with their founder.

Over the years, Rutherford has devoted his life to public service and the political process. He has worked on the staff of U.S. Senator David Pryor, taught political science curricula at the University of Arkansas, serves on the Board of Trustees at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, was Chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party, and served as President of the Arkansas School Board. Rutherford may be best remembered nationally for his work as a strategist and senior advisor during Governor Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. However, it is his most recent post as President of the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation that brought the Political Animals Club out to hear him speak on the Monday before the opening of the Clinton Center.

“It’s like the countdown at Cape Canaveral,” Rutherford told the crowd of the Center opening three days out. “I remember when we looked at this old warehouse district just off of I-30 and there was nothing there. And I remember saying to the planners ‘Can you see it?’, and they looked at us like we were crazy.”

With the Clinton Center set to open on November 18, the vision has become a reality. Rutherford took a moment to thank everyone involved in the monumental project, He then went on to describe the location planning, economic impact on Arkansas, and the great spirit of cooperation between the all of the Presidential libraries under the National Archives (NARA). “We wouldn’t be where we are today without NARA and an incredible amount of support from the other libraries that let us learn from them. It was great to work with them in such a non-partisan way, and you can be sure we’re going to do the same thing with President Bush when he makes his decision about his own library.”

Rutherford covered the planning, execution and economics of the Center in great details, but also took time to share a few poignant memories from the building process. One of the great debates he remembered involved letting visitors, especially children, sit and have their picture taken at the President’s Oval Office desk. President Clinton has often told the story of when he had the opportunity to sit at the Arkansas Governor’s desk when he was a child, and how the experience had such a significant impact on him. At the end of the day, because of all of the historical artifacts on and around the desk, NARA decided visitors would not be allowed to sit at the desk. “And then Bruce Lindsey came up with a great idea,” said Rutherford. “We actually recreated the White House Press Room, complete with Teleprompters. So not only can kids get up there and have their picture made, but they can actually give a real-life briefing.”

Rutherford talked about the logistical challenges of the dedication week, accommodating over 30,000 visitors and 1300 members of the press. He once again thanked the thousands of employees and volunteers, but singled out the young staffers for special recognition. "One of the great joys has been to see the emergence of the young people, who will be the ones making the difference in the future."