State Rep. Keith Ingram, considered to be a force in the 1st congressional district race, sent an e-mail to supporters yesterday indicating that he will not seek the seat being vacated by Rep. Marion Berry. Mr. Ingram is a Democrat.

This leaves former state Sen. Tim Wooldridge and Chad Causey as the likely Democratic candidates in the race. State Sen. Steve Bryles is considering a bid for the nomination.

On the GOP side, Princella Smith, Rick Crawford and state Sen. Johnny Key round out the field to-date.

My Arkansas Sunday Edition prediction: Saints 45, Colts 38. Karma, turnovers, Sean Peyton’s offense being my ratrionale.

Rep. John Boozman formally announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate yesterday. Mr. Boozman, a Republican, joins a large field of GOP candidates. Jason Tolbert has video.

I’ve been fairly clear about this: it’s time for Blanche Lincoln to spend some of her campaign war chest to rebut the attack ads launched against her and generate some movement in her approval numbers (currently in the 20s). You can read my thoughts here, here, here, here, and here.

In November 2009 I wrote an analysis of the pros and cons of the Lincoln campaign running television ads, concluding:

What’s the correct answer? Run the ads. Why? Because this election may end up having nothing to do with Mr. Baker. If current political trends continue, the 2010 midterms are going to be a referendum on Barack Obama and Democrats (particularly incumbents), and it will center of voters like or dislike of the current state of the American economy, more specifically Mr. Obama’s policies. If the negativity associated with these matters crystalize around Ms. Lincoln, a television campaign that begins four to six months from now won’t realize its intended effect.

Today, John Brummett of Stephens Media enters the discussion. He, too, thinks the campaign should go up on television.

At 8:30 a.m. we’ll be talking to state Sen. Joyce Elliott who has launched a bid for the second congressional district. Last week, state Rep. Robbie Wills, who is also seeking the office, was on the program.

If you haven’t listened before, we kick off at 7:00 a.m. with a hearty discussion of the Arkansas and national sports world. This week, we’ll have Super Bowl predictions, thoughts on Razorback hoops, and why the Arkansas Twisters (now the Arkansas Diamonds) missed a golden opportunity. 103.7FM or you can listen live online.

The show had a good ratings book, our first. It’s #1 in its time slot. Thanks to all of the listeners for tuning in.

Tom Cox, a leader of the Tea Party movement in Arkansas, has abandoned his bid for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.

(Thumbs Up: Jason Tolbert)

I received a tip yesterday from a reliable source that state Rep. Keith Ingram of West Memphis will announce a bid for the Democratic nomination in the 1st congressional district race being vacated by Rep. Marion Berry. I also received information that he is willing to invest an unprecedented amount of his personal wealth in the race.

Chad Causey, formerly chief of staff to Mr. Berry, is up on Facebook. An online grassroots effort may be an invaluable tool for him in his effort to win the nomination.

Only Google, Yahoo! and MSN drive more news traffic online.

Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby has put a “blanket hold” all of President Barack Obama judicial nominees (currently 70) until two Alabama earmarks - a $40 billion contract to build air-to-air refueling tankers and a $45 million explosive device testing center - are put back on track.

It personifies the hypocrisy of the GOP in Washington. They cannot argue for more fiscal responsibility while imposing extraordinary procedural tactics to get more pork spending sent their way. This is how congressional Republicans govern and Democrats should sound the alarms.

For starters, Sen. Harry Reid ought to call his bluff. Put a motion into play and force all 41 Republicans to go on the record. In order to break the stalemate the Democrats would need 60 votes.

Charles Lane of The Washington Post thinks President Barack Obama got it wrong when he summarily dismissed Ark. Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s call for a more centrist approach moving forward.

Two things struck me as extraordinary about Obama’s reply.

The first was the ease with which he cast Lincoln’s plea for a bit more centrism as a call for a return to Bushism — the “exact same proposals that were in place for the last eight years.” That’s not what she was advocating; it’s not what any Democrat who’s questioning his approach is advocating. But the president set up this strawman, and he pummeled it, rather than engaging Lincoln’s valid concerns.

The second striking thing was how easily he appeared to write off Lincoln politically. Conceding nothing, he implied that her defeat was not only a foregone conclusion, but also an acceptable price to pay for staying the course on policy. To be sure, maybe the whole thing was just kabuki — Lincoln standing up to the president for the benefit of the folks back home who don’t like him, and Obama obligingly playing his part. But it sure looked pretty spontaneous to me.

A few days ago I noted on Twitter that a Draft Mary Ann Gunn for Congress had begun on Facebook. The group has 277 members as of this writing. Like the Draft Halter Facebook movement, I’m not sure whether this will propel Judge Gunn into the race.

As a personal aside, I clerked for Judge Gunn while I was in law school. She is smart, fair, and respected by her colleagues in the Arkansas Bar. She would add an interesting dynamic to the race.

Republican Princella Smith, who has returned to Arkansas after working for Newt Gingrich, announced the formation of an exploratory committee while she considers a bid for the seat being vacated by Rep. Marion Berry. She’s from Wynne and is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University.

David Boling, formerly chief of staff to Rep. Vic Snyder, announced his candidacy for Mr. Snyder’s seat today. He joins House speaker Robbie Wills and state Sen. Joyce Elliott in the race.

Background Information on David Boling:

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