Arkansas senator is latest incumbent in primary trouble

[bemildred]

Source: LAT

---

This was no "tea party" rally. These were Democrats. But their feelings had a lot in common with their disgruntled counterparts on the right — anti-spending, anti-bailout and, most of all, anti-incumbent. The fact that such feelings are boiling up at both ends of the political spectrum speaks volumes about the angry, topsy-turvy political climate.

The speaker was Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, who is trying to unseat two-term Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Tuesday's Democratic primary. His challenge — which irritates party leaders in Arkansas and nationally — rests on his brand of progressive populism, coupled with an appeal to voters' unhappiness with the status quo.

---

Lincoln ultimately voted for the healthcare bill but opposed both the "public option" and later the "fix" bill that passed through the reconciliation process, a dance that has sometimes been difficult to explain.

Unions were angry with Lincoln long before the healthcare showdown. She had turned against legislation to make it easier to organize workers even though she had previously cosponsored the bill.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-blanche-lincoln-20100513,0,5045236.story

[socialist_n_TN]

1. In the polls I've seen

Halter and Sestak in PA AND the anti incumbent Dem in CO, ALL poll better against the Republicans in the general than the incumbents do. Why NOT support the person who has a better chance at beating the Republican? It's illogical to do anything else IMO.

[secondwind]

2. well said. I agree!

[bemildred]

3. It's all about control, who's the boss of the party.

Control of the Democratic party is the prize from which all the goodies flow, they prefer to rule over the rubble of the party rather than give it up to someone else. But it is good news that the voters are still in a mood to tell them to stuff it.

[msongs]

5. the head of the party prefers to keep fellow conservative dems in office nt

[Froward69]

8. Coulden't have said it better myself.

[beac]

4. Bye, bye Blanche!

You won't be missed.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, bemildred.

[AlinPA]

7. I hope Halter beats her.

[Kokonoe]

9. The primary IS the election.

jeez.

If democrats stick to primary elections, we would have democratic democrats.

[SocialistLez]

10. I am voting for Halter.

What I don't get is all these people who say they are SOOOO tired of incumbents but Boozman has a lot of support on the Republican side for Senator.

I guess they only hate Democratic incumbents.

I've looked at his voting record and if all these Teabaggers are so concerned with "liberties" and "freedom," he is not their guy.
Of course Teabaggers hardly ever research a Republican candidate.

[jxnmsdemguy65]

11. Go Halter nt

[robcon]

12. I think the idea to vote for the one who could beat the Repug is sick.

I will never vote on the basis of what the polls are saying.

[Jennicut]

13. Anti-spending? Only on stupid things. Not on what we actually need.

Who wrote this? And liberals will never be like teabaggers. We are far more intelligent.

[Major Hogwash]

14. Toot toot tootsie, good-bye

Toot toot tootsie, don't cry.