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:
TT (Think Tank):
A couple of things come to mind. It was a HORRIBLE mistake to cast the vote in that manner. When it’s a vote you know your folks at home don’t agree with, you don’t make yourself so high profile for the vote. You don’t hold it out until the last minute, the crucial vote…the vote that gets national attention.
AND….she’s know for 6 years her support was soft. She’s had a huge warchest. Why didn’t she spend some of that money early on image?
She’s not a bad Senator. But she’s a horrible politician.
I think that Senator Lincoln can and will win re-election in November. It’s a long time and the public can and most likly will change it’s mind a couple of times. I do agree you needs to take a lesson from Bill Clinton and flight back!! She needs to tell the other side of the story!