There's a reason Blanche Lincoln refused to do these debates on a higher-profile platform like Meet the Press.
Bill Halter won in classic debate terms in today's final senatorial debate at the Statehouse Convention Center He scored point after point with specific attacks on Sen. Blanche Lincoln's voting record, her negative ad campaign and her advocacy for an estate tax cut for families worth more than $10 million at a time when the middle class is hurting.
Lincoln's campaign distributed a news release immediately after conclusion saying she'd won, in part for standing up to the labor bosses. Some bosses. Dozens of working men and women waved signs and wore stickers for Halter outside the hall. It took a hurryup call for the Lincoln campaign to muster a few counter-demonstrators.
I like this exchange:
The biggest political jab of the day award has to go to Halter. Host Steve Barnes asked the candidates, "Who does the Chamber of Commerce represent? And who does organized labor represent?" Lincoln gave a lengthy answer about each, but ended by saying that both organizations represent workers. Halter fired a shot across Lincoln's bow, replying to Barnes' question with this response: "The real question is who on this stage represents the Chamber of Commerce?" The crowd couldn't hold back the "oohs," having been directed by organizers to reserve all reactions and applause until the end.
Aside from Halter's nice shot, think about what Blanche Lincoln is saying -- that the Chamber of Commerce represents workers.
That's all you need to know about Lincoln, and the only excuse any of us need to make that push for Halter.
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p.s. You need more motivation to help Halter out? How's this? Help Halter win, make Chris Matthews and Howard Fineman cry.