The Tolbert Report

Sen. Blanche Lincoln’s office confirms this afternoon that she will take over as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.  All of this sort of fell into place for Sen. Lincoln after the passing of Sen. Teddy Kennedy. Sen. Kennedy was the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee which is one of the key committees in the debate over Health Care Reform. Sen. Tom Harkin is leaving the chairman of the Agriculture Committee to take over the vacancy created by Sen. Kennedy on the HELP Committee.

It will be interesting to see if Sen. Lincoln will try to leaverage this new position in the upcoming election with her large base of farmers in Arkansas.

CNN has more on how the musical chairs went down.

UPDATE - Sen. Lincoln’s potential Republican opponent Gilbert Baker tells the Tolbert Report that he would like to ”congratulate Senator Lincoln on her elevation as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee. ”

“Agriculture is a cornerstone to our state’s economy,” said Baker.  “Anyone representing Arkansas in the U.S Senate should be an unwavering advocate for farm policies that keep our farmers and ranchers competitive and on the front lines of the state and nation’s economy. Arkansas’ farmers and ranchers are small business owners who must tackle a variety of issues such as healthcare, taxes, energy, and regulatory burdens that are being considered in Washington D.C. Barack Obama’s views on these issues do not conform with Arkansas values. Arkansans deserve a Senator who will serve as a check and balance on Barack Obama and his extreme policies.”

Fellow Republican Senate candidate Tom Cox also said that  he “would like to congratulate Senator Lincoln on her appointment.”  

“I believe this appointment can help hard working Farm families and Rural communities,” said Cox.  ”However all of her future voting decisions on bills such as Health Care, Employee Free Choice Act and Cap & Trade can potentially end Senator Lincoln’s career in Washington. I believe the people from Arkansas are fed up with this extreme Liberal movement in Washington DC.”

Conrad Reynolds joined in as well saying that he would like “to congratulate Sen. Lincoln on her ascendancy to the chairmanship of the committee, whose jurisdiction is important to the lives of rural Arkansans and farmers, as well as to our state’s economy.”

“I encourage Sen. Lincoln to start listening to the voice of Arkansans as she assumes her new role,” said Reynolds. ”And not serve as an enabler of the liberal policies of President Obama which will burden our farm families with higher energy and healthcare costs, increased government regulation, restricted trade and higher taxes.”

I extend best wishes to Senator Blanche Lincoln today on hearing of her appointment to Chairman for Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Fred Ramey said, “As a former rice and soybean farmer, and one who has family and friends still actively involved in farming, I have a unique perspective on the importance of this committee and the effect it has on the lives of many Arkansans.”

“This chairmanship, however, will not automatically endear Mrs. Lincoln to those rural Arkansans and farmers whose interests and values extend beyond the issues that will come before this committee.”

Curtis Coleman also passed on this statement.

“I extend my congratulations to Senator Lincoln on her appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. I hope the direction she takes will be in the best interest of Arkansas and will not reflect her current record. Senator Lincoln has demonstrated the ability to change direction on many issues, and I hope that with her new found leadership role she will change her direction again to represent Arkansas values.”

Republican Party of Arkansas Chairman Doyle Webb, although not running for Senate as far as I know, also commented.

“I hope Sen. Lincoln will use her position as Agriculture Committee Chairman to further the interests of farmers and consumers across America and here in Arkansas, but I am not optimistic in light of her inability to stand firm against the Obama administration and its policies and her pro-union, anti-business record.”

Tags: 2010 Candidates