It was just a matter of time before the unflattering poll numbers of Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln caught the attention of national political pundits. Chris Cillizza of The Washington Post’s The Fix blog wrote on Friday,

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) is getting squeezed between the demands of national liberals who want her to sign on to an up or down vote on the public option and the Republican bent of her state, which gave Obama just 39 percent in 2008. It’s not a comfortable place to be — particularly since polling data suggests Lincoln holds unimpressive leads over a series of unknown Republicans led by state Sen. Gilbert Baker. Lincoln, though, is bracing for a tough race with the national wind blowing directly in her face. And, she has demonstrated through four years in the House and more than a decade in the Senate that she knows how to find the sweet spot between the “D” after her name and conservative tendencies of Arkansas. This contest will almost certainly be her most competitive yet.

Mr. Cillizza ranks the 2010 Arkansas Senate race 8th in his ten most competitive Senate races next year. Barring a change in strategy from Ms. Lincoln, this race may continue to creep up his line.