Judging by the noise, Mark Pryor sounded more like a paramedic than a senator Wednesday.

Pryor, D-Ark., apologized twice for the sirens heard in the background during the senator’s weekly conference call with reporters.

He conducted the call from his office rather than in its usual spot, the high-tech Senate Recording Studio in the basement of the Capitol. Maybe next week he’ll have insulated windows.

Pryor apologized for what he called “street noise” of emergency sirens that blared twice during his 30-minute call with Arkansas reporters based in Washington and back in the state.

Pryor had to use the phone to call in rather than the better equipment in the studio because of his upcoming Senate race. By rule, senators are barred from using government-owned television or radio studios or sending mass mailings to constituents during the 60 days before an election.

It’s a safe bet Pryor will play by the rules, even if it means making radio reporters cringe because of a noisy telephone connection. After all, Pryor serves on both the Senate Ethics Committee and its rules panel.

Pryor faces Green Party candidate Rebekah Kennedy of Fort Smith in the Nov. 4 general election.

He’s also limited as to what he can add to his Web site during the 60-day moratorium. Pryor cannot add photos or updates (other than news releases) until after the election.

Kennedy faces no such restrictions.

Tags: Mark Pryor, Rebekah Kennedy, Senate

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