""Primaries tomorrow to test depths of discontent
WASHINGTON — In Arkansas, Senator Blanche Lincoln is hoping to avoid becoming the third sitting senator to lose an intraparty fight this year, but even her closest allies acknowledge that her Democratic runoff race against Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter is a toss-up....
The race has pitted Lincoln and her supporters within the Democratic establishment — including President Obama and former president Bill Clinton — against organized labor, which has dumped millions of dollars into ads and voter identification programs on Halter’s behalf....
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"Black voters could play pivotal role in Ark. race
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — African-American voters could not help the man who became the nation’s first black president win Arkansas in 2008. But the Democratic candidates for the Senate in today’s runoff election here, incumbent Blanche Lincoln and Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter, believe black voters could decide their race, and both waged an unusually intense campaign in the black community.
Scores of union workers supporting Halter were going door to door in predominantly black cities in east Arkansas trying to sway any undecided voters remaining.
Meanwhile, Lincoln and her allies are blanketing the airwaves ahead of today’s election with ads reminding voters of President Obama’s support of the incumbent senator. In predominantly black towns such as West Memphis, union organizers were handing out Halter literature at African-Americans’ homes as Obama’s voice endorsing Lincoln was blaring from the radio.
The primmary winner will face Republican Representative John Boozman in the general election.
The special focus on black voters is unusual for Arkansas, where African-Americans account for only about 16 percent of the population and in recent history have not been the deciding factor in many statewide elections. But they suddenly represent an attractive target because of the tightness of this contest and the allure of uncommitted voters.--more--"
"Primaries show off the power of the broom; Upstarts shoo or threaten veterans" by Susan Milligan, Globe Staff | June 9, 2010
WASHINGTON — Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln barely beat back a Democratic primary challenge last night, as voters across the country sent a message that established politicians are endangered this election season....
Lincoln, forced into a runoff election against Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter, had been targeted by labor unions and liberal organizations angry with the moderate lawmaker’s opposition to the public option in the health care law, a provision that failed in part because of Lincoln’s vote. As yesterday’s primary approached, many Democratic observers had prepared her political obituary as Halter overtook her in the polls.
Lincoln, however, prevailed, winning 52-48 percent, with 98 percent of precincts reporting....
Uh-oh!!
I SMELL ANOTHER RIGGED ELECTION!!
