I’d say the U.S. Senate campaign is in full swing if the duck hunting pix are flying. In the in-box this morning was a Lincoln campaign mailing offering "six things you need to know about Blanche Lincoln."  Youngest woman elected to U.S. Senate. Talks to her mama every day on the telephone. Loves guns. Etc.

Duck hunting in the wetlands of eastern Arkansas is a favorite family activity of Steve and Blanche Lincoln and their sons. Twins Reece and Bennett received their first shotguns, a single shot 410, at age eight. They each bagged their first birds at age nine.

Oh, and by the way, you can make an on-line contribution. 

The road goes on forever. Robert Earl Keen fans will get my inspiration.

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s pivotal role in health legislation debate remains the political story of the hour.

In that vein, I have on the jump, a piece from Peter Dreier, a California college professor and frequent op-ed writer, on the hypocrisy of Lincoln’s professed distaste for a government health program, given her advocacy of the veterans health care system. (A socialized medicine government program.)

And above is a film clip juxtaposing Lincoln’s weird line-in-the-sand speech last Saturday, the same day medically needy lined up for Little Rock’s free clinic.

Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln has been named to Entergy Corp.’s board of directors, the electric utility announced today.

Blanche Lincoln

“We are pleased to add to the Entergy Board of Directors someone of Sen. Lincoln’s intellectual depth and wide range of experiences and accomplishments,” Wayne Leonard, Entergy’s chairman and CEO, said in a news release.

“Her leadership in finding common ground and practical solutions for today’s critical economic, environment, social and demographic issues made her one of the most respected members of Congress,” Leonard said.

Lincoln, 50, lost to Republican John Boozman last year in her bid for a third Senate term.

“I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to being a productive member of the board,” Lincoln said in a release.

New Orleans-based Entergy provides electricity to 2.7 million customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. It has annual revenues of more than $10 billion and employs more than 15,000 people.

LITTLE ROCK — Blanche Lincoln’s defeat in Tuesday’s election
brings to a close her 12-year career in the U.S. Senate and begins
what she called in her concession speech “a new chapter.”

Former U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and a trusted adviser will join a D.C. government affairs firm.

Former U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and a trusted adviser will join a D.C. government affairs firm.

Two more polls show Sen. Blanche Lincoln trailing all Republican challengers (or, at the the semi-credible ones). In a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, Ms. Lincoln trails Rep. John Boozman 56% – 33%. She has an approval rating of 27%. (Yeah, you would too if someone spent $6.5 million dollars telling voters how terrible you are.)

Rasmussen has a poll showing similar numbers with Mr. Boozman beating Ms. Lincoln 54% – 35%.  According to the analysis that accompanied the poll,

The similarity of all these spreads makes it clear that this race continues to be all about Lincoln rather than a reflection of voter support for any of those who are challenging her.

You can take all these polls with a grain salt, but only to a point. If interest groups keep hammering her without a rebuttal she doesn’t stand a chance. I’ve been known to make outlandish predictions before, so here’s another one: Barring a dramatic turn of events (i.e. a substantial ad buy in the next few weeks), the failure by the Lincoln campaign to respond to to these attack ads will go down as one of, if not the biggest, political mistake by an incumbent running for office this cycle.

Like Bill Clinton or not, he was smart enough to know that it’s not enough to absorb GOP attacks, you have to hit back. He learned that from Michael Dukakis who got whipped in 1988. Mr. Clinton won handily in 1992 despite an onslaught of negative attacks.

If you’re not going to look at recent political history, at least look to the movies:

And on that farm she had some government handouts — ee yi ee yi OH.

Well. Arkies know it’s old news that Sen. Blanche Lincoln has pushed for ag subsidies while receiving same and vigorously working for still more government welfare for big corporate farmers like her peeps. Legal. Somewhat unattractive for a proper plantation lady, perhaps.

But, as noted here, it’s about to get some more attention from the liberal activists pushing Bill Halter’s candidacy.

Two more polls show Sen. Blanche Lincoln trailing all Republican challengers (or, at the the semi-credible ones). In a poll conducted by Public Policy Polling, Ms. Lincoln trails Rep. John Boozman 56% – 33%. She has an approval rating of 27%. (Yeah, you would too if someone spent $6.5 million dollars telling voters how terrible you are.)

Rasmussen has a poll showing similar numbers with Mr. Boozman beating Ms. Lincoln 54% – 35%.  According to the analysis that accompanied the poll,

The similarity of all these spreads makes it clear that this race continues to be all about Lincoln rather than a reflection of voter support for any of those who are challenging her.

You can take all these polls with a grain salt, but only to a point. If interest groups keep hammering her without a rebuttal she doesn’t stand a chance. I’ve been known to make outlandish predictions before, so here’s another one: Barring a dramatic turn of events (i.e. a substantial ad buy in the next few weeks), the failure by the Lincoln campaign to respond to to these attack ads will go down as one of, if not the biggest, political mistake by an incumbent running for office this cycle.

Like Bill Clinton or not, he was smart enough to know that it’s not enough to absorb GOP attacks, you have to hit back. He learned that from Michael Dukakis who got whipped in 1988. Mr. Clinton won handily in 1992 despite an onslaught of negative attacks.

If you’re not going to look at recent political history, at least look to the movies:

Sen. Blanche Lincoln filed for re-election today amind protesters chanting “Bye Bye Blanche!”

She pointed to her new primary challengers Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter’s lack of record saying she does not know where he stands on issues.  Halter plans to file tomorrow and will be meeting with the press at that time.

More as it develops….

Even more dramatic video from Arkansas Business.