Several tasty morsels on tonight's races on TPM:

[saltpoint]

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http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

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-- including a MUCH closer race between Bill Halter and Blanche Lincoln -- as we speak.

[tabatha]

1. Thanks. I really like Bill Halter.

He's kind of a Deanish person.

[saltpoint]

2. I like him too, tabatha.

Blanche Lincoln has been a very frustrating presence in the Senate lately. She's been downright recalcitrant on key issues -- even in the face of knowing those initiatives would help the people in her state.

Halter's team has come from way, way behind and I am just rooting for him all the way in this runoff.

[laughingliberal]

3. Well, he is the Lt. Governor which means he has won statewide election before. nt

[calimary]

4. Good! The money I once sent to Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will go to him instead.

I helped her in her first special election and then for the full-on one, to help another Democratic woman get into the House. She turns out to be a fucking Blue Dog. No more $$$ from me!!! And I don't give a shit that she's sent me Christmas cards and a baby announcement. She needs to send me word about votes that support Democrats more than the bad guys. And she isn't there. No problem! I can put that campaign donation to MUCH better use!

And yeah, I call her office and tell them that every so often. NO MONEY FOR BLUE DOGS!!!!

[saltpoint]

6. Yep. But it's a huge plus for his challenge to be where it is right now.

He's forced an incumbent U.S. Senator to a runoff election and likely can expect very considerable support from grassroots and netroots Democrats from all over the place.

Lincoln's performance tonight was lackluster at best.

After Sestak's win in Pennsylvania and this very strong showing by Halter in Arkansas, I think Lincoln is going to have to break a hard sweat to win that nomination.

[napi21]

5. It sure looks to me like this busis well over the limit of donations!

I read on TPM that the net of std. rental fees & Loudens "improvements" would permit her to use the bus for 30 days. I'll buy that, but is she going to give it back after the 30 day term? It's not looking lke it! Every candidate has to be very careful about in-kind donations. They can easily bite you in the .....

[saltpoint]

7. After 30 days her campaign will revert to a huge flatbed truck drawn by

poultry.

[napi21]

8. Or a chicken transpost truck! They have these in Ga,

A little spelly at first, but I'm sure they'd get used to it!

[saltpoint]

9. Smelly wouldn't be a big problem -- these are Republicans!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

10. For the Arkansans, is it more likely that the Third Party candidate was taking votes from Halter

or Lincoln. My guess is that those folks would back Halter. It doesn't make sense that they wouldn't.

At any rate, it's time to for me to open my wallet again for Halter, Conway and Sestak.

Here we go!

[saltpoint]

11. The runoff is going to be interesting. A lot of those Morrison votes

may wind up staying home.

Blanche is going to have to crank it up. It's likely clear to her that she isn't going to get a free ride by any means and she'll have to earn the nomination now.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

12. What's so infuriating about her is that she has been against most everything that Obama

stands for, despite the fact that there is evidence that he is right and she is wrong.

But because she is backed by corporate dollars, she may indeed get a free ride.

The good news is that so many of us want to see her going down. She cannot trick the women's groups, for instance, to back her this time. She betrayed them and I cannot see them going to bat for her. The unions, the base. They don't like Blanche. Going against a popular president? Dumb move, Blanche.

I hope Halter can really give her a race. Sadly, if she wins, she would have spent so much money fighting the primary that she'll definitely lose against the Republican. But she is expected to lose anyway.

If Halter is as popular as they say he is, then we really need to support him.

[saltpoint]

13. Yes. Halter deserves support. A very good night for him last night

and not such a good one for Blanche.

Agree that she is in trouble in a general election. Halter would make a stronger candidate.