Blanche Lincoln blames Bill Halter

[marmar]

from Washington Monthly:



LINCOLN BLAMES HALTER.... Of the sure-loser pickups for Senate Republicans, only one seat is held by a Democratic incumbent. That, of course, would be Arkansas' Blanche Lincoln (D), who's definitely going to lose.

At this point, Lincoln is no doubt aware of her fate, and has already begun offering explanations for her political downfall. One in particular appears to be her favorite.

Beleaguered Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln says she would be in a dead heat with Republican Rep. John Boozman if it were not for the draining Democratic primary challenge she fought off this spring.

Speaking to Arkansas Public Radio in Little Rock on Monday, the chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee appeared to blame Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and the swarm of outside groups that backed his insurgent bid for her current perilous political position.

FM-89 reporter Kelly MacNeil asked Lincoln whether she thought she would be even with Boozman now if "it weren't for that tough primary." Lincoln replied, "Yeah, oh yeah ... I believe I would."

I suppose it's only human nature to start coming up with rationales for failure, but this really isn't compelling. In January, several weeks before Halter stated his intentions, Public Policy Polling showed Lincoln trailing Boozman by 23 points, 56% to 33%. As a rule, when an incumbent falls below 50%, it's a sign of potential trouble -- and Lincoln barely topped 30%.

I suspect Lincoln would respond that her campaign could have closed the gap over the course of the year if it weren't for the Halter distraction. That strikes me as backwards -- when a scandal-free incumbent enters an election year trailing by 23 points, it's evidence that the party primary probably should have gone the other way. Lincoln's fate seemed entirely obvious all year. Would Halter have done better? It's impossible to say for sure, obviously, but he's bound to have been in a better position right now than the incumbent. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://washingtonmonthly.com/

[Warpy]

1. You mean if you hadn't CHEATED during the runoff

you might have a chance.

You did, Blanche, and that's turned off some of your voters, all of Halter's voters, and any Republicans who didn't believe your song and dance because a person who is dishonest about one thing will be dishonest about others.

[Bozita]

4. +1

[MX96391]

12. Boozman

You're going to be wishing for Lincoln once Boozman starts voting 100% conservative.

[Warpy]

17. Boozman is a nightmare

but I sincerely doubt he'd have been able to beat Halter, which makes me doubly angry at Lincoln and whoever enabled her to win by closing 46 of 48 polling places in strong Halter districts.

I hope people there kick Boozman out after his freshman term.

[DJ13]

2. I blame the party for thinking incumbents are the best candidates

Clearly anyone with two functioning brain cells knew she would do worse than Halter in the GE.

[Hawkowl]

7. Another Rahm mistake

I believe that this race is one of the major reasons Rahm left the administration to pursue other options. He fucked this up 7 ways from Sunday with all his union and progressive bashing. It would have been fine IF he'd backed a winner. I just hope that Obama has learned a big lesson from this whole debacle and that the way a Chicago politician is supposed to lead is by observing a parade and then jumping out in front. Not by arresting the parade goers.

[DJ13]

9. Great analogy

:thumbsup:

[alsame]

3. Of course. What else could it possibly be? She's got that GOP

finger-pointing thing down pretty good.

[joeybee12]

5. Technically, Arkansas is not a Dem loss/Repuke pick-up...n/t

[Gold Metal Flake]

6. She should withdraw and throw her support to halter as a write-in candidate.

[gratuitous]

8. It's gotta be more comforting than the truth

And that is that Lincoln did such a piss-poor job as Senator she invited strong primary opposition, and a dingleberry like Boozman (or anybody the Republicans chose to run against her) was a shoo-in because of her lousy record. As always, when presented with the choice of an ersatz fascist and the real deal, voters will go for the genuine article.

Lincoln's numbers improved enough to push her over the top in the primary when she had a brief bout of actually behaving like a Democrat. But as soon as Halter's run was done, she scampered back to voting and acting Republican. With these alternatives to choose from, the people of Arkansas said they'd opt for the real Republican. Another example in a very long list, but some Democrats seem impervious to the lesson.

[kentuck]

10. Why is she behind so much ??

Only 30-odd percent of Democrats support her? Why? What did she do to piss them off? And who did she piss off?

[deaniac21]

14. Most of the polling data shows that the voters in Arkansas did

not like the vote for health care....

[Me.]

11. So She Shouldn't Have Had A Primary Opponent?

And he shouldn't have tried ro win? It should've been just handed to her?

[deaniac21]

13. She was already dead meat. That is why Halter, who is a real

political light weight in Arkansas, ran to begin with!

[MX96391]

15. Halter was not a viable candidate in Arkansas

Now we have Halter supporters refusing to support Lincoln. Thanks for nothing for ensuring extremist Boozman gets elected with little effort.

[joeybee12]

16. Blanche, is that you? n/t

[_ed_]

21. You can't just make an assertion like that with no evidence

.

[The Magistrate]

18. She Did This To Herself, Sir, By Failing To Vote Like A Democrat....

One day these wretches will learn....

[Me.]

20. Interesting Analysis On Blue Dogs & The Midterms

Says the blue dogs will suffer the most losses on the dem side.

[Toucano]

19. Eat it, Blanche!

You try to play both sides and you lose.

Cry me a river!

[AtomicKitten]

22. Bah-bye Blanche. nt