Sen. Lincoln's missteps put her at risk in today's Ark. runoff

[Lasher]

Source: The Washington Post

Some of Lincoln's deepest wounds are self-inflicted. After years of cautious maneuvering, the Democratic senator committed a series of blunders that riled labor unions and other liberal groups and that added new obstacles -- creating an opening for primary challenger Bill Halter in Tuesday's runoff -- to what already was shaping up to be a difficult general election battle for a third term.

Lincoln's first mistake came in April 2009, when she reversed herself on the Employee Free Choice Act, the "card check" bill that would make it easier for workers to form unions. For labor groups, the act was a top priority, and they were counting on Lincoln's support to secure the 60 Senate votes needed to break a filibuster. But the senator turned against the measure, saying the economic downturn had caused a change of heart.

Then, as President Obama's health-care overhaul moved through the senate, Lincoln ran into the buzz saw of the public-option debate. Liberal groups had rallied around a government insurance option as the litmus test of a loyal progressive. At first, Lincoln seemed to be on board, writing in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in July: "Individuals should be able to choose from a range of quality health insurance plans. Options should include private plans as well as a quality, affordable public plan or non-profit plan that can accomplish the same goals as those of a public plan."

But by Sept. 1, Lincoln had changed her mind. "I would not support a solely government-funded public option," she said at an event in Little Rock. "We can't afford that."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/08/AR2010060802621.html

[Liberal Veteran]

1. Poor thing. My heart bleeds tainted lobbying dollars for her.

[monmouth]

2. Unless Halter hired some busses to take voters to the two polls

that Lincoln's devoted friend left open (40 shut down) Halter will have the problem. Here I am in Florida and this Arkansas situation has really riled me.. I should concentrate on Florida's crazies but this is bothersome.

[WatchWhatISay]

6. That can't be right

You are talking about Garland county. There were two locations open for EARLY VOTING in that county. All the other counties have from 1-6 early voting locations, with only a few counties having more than two.

It would not be reasonable for that county to have 42 locations for early voting unless two thirds of the state lives in that county.

www.votenaturally.org/10_Arkansas_Preferential_Primary_Nonpartisan_General_Voting_Guide.pdf

[monmouth]

10. Ah, okay, I read too fast. Thanks...n/t

[hay rick]

14. All over the map.

Compared census with number of early voting locations and whether Obama or McCain carried the county. List, in order- county name, population (in thousands), and number of early voting locations.

Pulaski, 367, 9
Benton, 196, 5
Washington, 186, 1
Sebastian, 120, 1
Faulkner, 100, 2
Garland, 95, 2
Saline, 94, 3
Craighead, 88, 2
Jefferson, 80, 1
White, 72, 1

Pulaski and Jefferson went for Obama. The rest, including Garland, went for McCain.

The main anomalies in terms of number of early voting locations are Dallas County, population less than 9,000 with 5 early voting locations and Mississippi County, with about 47,000 people and 4 early voting locations.

In sum, not much of a pattern. Thanks for the link.

[CatWoman]

3. buh bye, Blanche!!

:nuke:

[Vincardog]

4. +1 buh bye, Blanche!!

[Lasher]

8. Thanks for the kick, CatWoman.

I never get tired of your kitty slide show. Thanks for serving as a moderator. I didn't know that you had stepped up.

One of your many fans,

Lasher

[msongs]

5. she controls the voting locations, how's that gonna work out? nt

[David__77]

7. We need politicians who are disciplined.

Throwing her out is a warning.

[w4rma]

9. Good riddance to that bad DLCer. (nt)

[Dinger]

11. Shit, She'd Have To Move Left To Be A DLCer

Damn, I hope she gets her ass kicked tonight, figuratively of course.

[NoodleyAppendage]

12. Returning another DINO snake to the lobbyist pit. Don't let the door hit your ass, Blanche.

Blanche is learning that Labor Unions are not completely toothless. Maybe her DINO/DLC master Rahm will set her up with a lobbyist job?

J

[riverwalker]

13. Amy Klobochar, take note n/t