The United States Chamber of Commerce was the biggest spender on electioneering communications not to identify any donors.
To put things in perspective for Lincoln, this means that not only could Blue Cross Blue Shield avoid the embarrassing amounts of money spent on lobbying when they have to do things like defend their huge premium increases before Congress, but Lincoln herself could disavow any appearance of influence pedaling by getting her Blue Cross ad to appear as if it were coming from an organization called Patriotic Americans for the American Way, or something to that effect.
So it's a win-win for the establishment, but it also makes things easier on the GOP. Republicans get to run against the bank bailout, healthcare reform and other messaging failures of the Democratic Party, but they also get to run against the entrenched interests of the Washington elite, as represented by Lincoln and as supported by Corporate America.
Even as recently as this weekend, the local chapter of the AFL-CIO wouldn't condemn Lincoln, despite her terrible record on labor:
Labor unions have sharply criticized her for her opposition to a key union-organizing bill, as well as her vote to block Obama's nominee to the National Labor Relations Board.
Alan Hughes, the Arkansas AFL-CIO's president, said Lincoln will have a tough time winning the union's endorsement again. "A lot of our members feel like, who is Blanche Lincoln? Is she a Democrat or a Republican?" Hughes said.
With the entrance of Halter on the scene, one would hope the AFL-CIO's decision would be more easily made.
Though his Web site is as yet rather sparse, Halter's first ad, announcing his candidacy, is an expert study in insurgent Democratic populism, the brand that has the best chance of winning blue votes this season.
Aside from her clear messaging problems, Lincoln hasn't been spending her money all that wisely. Two of the three recipients (adding up to 75 percent of money dispersed from the PAC) of funds from her Political Action Committee so far this cycle were Sens. Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Chris Dodd (D-CT), both of whom recently decided not to seek reelection after all.
Is it too much to hope Lincoln might follow their lead?
Originally posted at BuzzFlash.
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