It wasn't a bad idea for Labor groups to pour money into a primary challenge to Blanche Lincoln.
The following "talking points" are in bullet point format because I frankly don't have the time to write a prosaic diary today.
Helps Bill Halter to be a standard bearer for Arkansas progressives.
Creates lasting infrastructure in a state that is a home to a former President and one of the largest companies in the world, Walmart.
Gives us a template for reaching rural communities hit hard by the recession.
Pushes business to fight for seats that would have been ceded to a corporatist.
Puts pressure on Lincoln to earn votes.
Reminds me of Obama pushing Clinton. Even if he hadn't won the nomination in 2008, his post-partisan message, clearly defined values, and outstanding new media and voter registration work created lasting change in our political process. Obama helped rewrite the playbook, change the whole field, and end some of the game-playing.
Final note - kudos to Ben Tribbett, Jane Hamsher, and Glenn Greenwald for challenging Arkansans and all Americans to rethink what it means to be a Democrat.