She tried to be 'moderate' or 'centrist' by seeking in a very public way to water down health care reform. In return, she's won a 9% approval rating among Republicans and a 17% approval rating among Independents. We don't know what those numbers would look like in the alternative universe where she was supportive of a public option, but they couldn't be much worse. She got no bang out of her approach with the people you might predict would be pleased with it. Instead, she alienated her base. Just 51% of Democrats approve of the job she's doing, and that is why she has no chance of winning reelection.No complaints here and frankly I'm not sorry to see her go. Her entire career has been serving the interests of Wal-Mart at the expense of the Dems, and when she got caught between Wal-Mart and her party, she choose poorly.
I think it is safe to say that prior to the health care debate Sen. Lincoln was a fairly popular low-profile senator. After the death of Teddy Kennedy produced a game of musical committee chairs, she was lucky to land in the chair of the Agriculture Committee. In that position, she is poised to do a lot of good for Arkansan farmers and businesses. Her reelection should be a no-brainer. But she did the absolute worst thing. She told everyone that the health care bill was too liberal and then she voted for it. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
The problem with middle-of-the-road centrism is eventually you're going to get run over. Blanche Lincoln is about to find this out the hard way.
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