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Lincoln not taking sides in primary Sunday, Feb 3, 2008 By Aaron Sadler Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Sen. Blanche Lincoln has declined to pick a side in Tuesday's presidential primary, setting her apart from other top Democrats in Arkansas. Sen. Mark Pryor, Gov. Mike Beebe and the state's three Democrats in the House endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton months ago. But Lincoln has been low-key throughout the primary and caucus season. She said she did not want to distract Arkansas voters as they decide between Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. The decision mystifies some in-state political experts. Several said Friday that Lincoln would have nothing to lose by joining up with Clinton, the state's former first lady. "That would be true of any Democratic policyholder, it's especially true of a female Democratic policyholder who is a peer of this potentially first-ever phenomenon, this real shot for a woman to be a major party contender," said Janine Parry, a political science professor at the University of Arkansas. "All of that just makes it that much more puzzling," Parry said. Lincoln said Arkansans should feel engaged in the presidential selection process. On Tuesday, voters in Arkansas and 21 other states will go to the polls in what could be the climax for candidate-choosing. "I think it's important to reinforce to the people of Arkansas that they do have a role to play. They aren't insignificant," Lincoln said. "I don't have any problem getting behind our Democratic nominee and I don't have any problem letting the people of Arkansas know that I'll be supporting the Democratic nominee." Lincoln said each of the Democratic senators who ran for president - at one point there were four - personally sought her endorsement. She remained coy. Clinton's state campaign chairman, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, downplayed endorsements in the race. "I think it's helpful, but endorsements don't win campaigns anywhere. A candidate has to stand on his or her own merit," McDaniel added. As to why Lincoln's not behind his candidate? "You'd have to ask her," he said. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter also has not endorsed a candidate in the Democratic primary. The highest profile public official backing Obama is Pulaski County Clerk Pat O'Brien. Most Democratic senators have chosen not to endorse. Of those that have taken a side, 12 are backing Clinton and eight have decided on Obama. Among Republicans, 13 back Sen. John McCain and six are for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. No senators have come out for former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. "Everybody thinks that all the senators here have endorsed candidates, and they haven't," Lincoln said. Bill Paschall, a Little Rock-based political consultant, said professional congeniality may explain Lincoln's silence. "I don't know if she has a close relationship with Sen. Obama or if she felt like she was in a bad position because she had two of her colleagues running," Paschall said. "The only person that can answer that is Blanche." Lincoln in 2004 put her support behind Gen. Wesley Clark of Little Rock. In 2000, she backed Vice President Al Gore's presidential bid. Richard Wang, chairman of the political science department at Arkansas State University, said Arkansans may not even care who Lincoln supports. "How many people know that our senior senator hasn't picked a horse? I would say she's not exactly been conspicuous," Wang said. "Obviously, she's not going to endorse. What could conceivably be the reason? I don't have a clue." Parry said Lincoln's congressional tenure has been defined by a "consistently cautious approach to politics." The senator's refusal to endorse fits that low-key style. "I think she has actively avoided hitching her wagon to any one person in the state or national political scene," Parry said. "It's a strategy which seems to serve her well." |
