Eye on the Senate: Weird Week for Rivals of Arkansas Sen. Lincoln

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Two news stories out of Arkansas today raise the question of what could possibly come next from Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln's opponents, past and present.

First, an AP report reveals that GOP state Sen. Kim Hendren, the first to announce his candidacy for Lincoln's seat next year, referred to New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer as "that Jew" at a GOP gathering.

It remains to be seen whether the insult will cost Hendren in Arkansas, but, perhaps surprisingly, there are more than a few synagogues in Razorback land, including Temple Beth El in Lincoln's hometown of Helena.

Other possible Republican candidates include former interim U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin, state Sen. Gilbert Baker of Conway and Safe Foods CEO Curtis Coleman. All have said they are considering entering the 2010 race.

There was also an update Thursday on Lincoln's 2004 primary challenger Rosemarie Clampitt, a 71-year-old woman who had been jailed for 29 days because she refused to move an aluminum pile -- which she referred to as "yard art" -- from her lawn. "Cleared Yard Frees Woman from Jail Cell," blared the headline in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Lincoln may never get a free ride in Arkansas, but with opponents like these ...

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