So far, the theoretically vulnerable Blanche Lincoln has been dogged by a whole pack of potential Republican challengers — but they’re more like a pack of prairie dogs than a pack of wolves, given their lack of name recognition, lack of fundraising, and propensity for racist gaffes, anti-semitic gaffes, and just generic ultra-right craziness. Unfortunately for Lincoln, she may face a somewhat smoother and more competent opponent: state Senator Gilbert Baker, who will soon enter the race according to Politico:
The Arkansas Senate picture will be getting a little more interesting: Republican state Sen. Gilbert Baker will be entering the race against Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today, according to two senior Republican sources.
Baker, after mulling over the race earlier this year, initially decided not to run. But after looking at polls showing Lincoln vulnerable and in the wake of a weak Republican field, he reconsidered and will be making a campaign announcement this afternoon.
Blanche Lincoln fares the worst against Baker among three GOPers polled by PPP several weeks ago (she loses 40-42 to Baker, despite his widely-unknown 7/15 favorable rating, mostly showing just how unenthused constituents are with Lincoln). Baker represents Little Rock’s northern suburbs, so he has a decent regional base to build from. He also benefits from connections from a stint as the state GOP chair, which may give him a fundraising edge.
One possible problem for Baker, though, is that some in the party view him as too moderate or at least accommodating with Democrats; Baker, for instance, is tight with Democratic state senate leader Bob Johnson, the same guy who was just talking about challenging Blanche Lincoln from the right in the Dem primary (Baker was the beneficiary of a fundraiser held by Johnson, and Baker apparently helped Johnson secure his Democratic leadership position). While that could drag him down in a primary, the hard-right end of the spectrum seems fractured among half a dozen Gong Show contestants, so, assuming he doesn’t start following everyone else’s lead and dropping too many racial slurs or F-bombs while on the campaign trail, he may have a good shot at being the nominee.
The more challengers, the more the wingers will fracture and out-extreme each other. Lincoln only needs to fear a popular consensus candidate. Still looks like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves there (or Snow Blue Dog…).
Once again, it is laughable how little you do your homework. There is a declared independent canditate, Trevor Drown, who is contining to gather support in “them thar hills.” I was at a large event last weekend and watched a fresh new approach from a leader who spent his time listening to people and their concerns. A man who has fought for us as a Green Beret in Afghanistan, a small business owner, a father, who teaches his children values and takes them to church. A true son of Arkansas who wants to lead not politic.
You also failed to factor in the effect the Green Party candidate will have. But that fine. It is fun to see the state GOP consume themselves and battle it out. In the meantime, Trevor Drown will continue along gathering supporters listening to all the Arkies and presenting the message of a Common man working with and the common people.
Once day, you will wake up and notice and then it will be too late.
Ha, hah, haha, hahahha hahaha, it what insane nutjob’s world? Bob Johnson is just a disgrace to the State Democratic party who only has his registration for petty power purposes.
Gilbert Baker is so strongly conservative, not only that, but he had a big huge scandal a while back and one reelection over Joe White only 54-46 in 2008, despite having one of the most reliably Republican Senate Districts in the state. I think Lincoln is doing poorly mainly because she is trying to appeal too much to that 40% that won’t ever vote for her and in doing so she is alienating her own bases passions about her, which is the only reason for her low poll numbers.
http://arkansasnews.com/2009/0…