1) Bisbee has not done a good job as County Judge, but a lot of Republicans still support him and those that do tend to be establishment types, which are Baker’s natural constituency up here to the extent that he has one.

2) Barb has it wrong when she writes that “Baker was on the side of the conservatives, along with every other Republican except Bisbee”. The 8 Republican Senators were split, I believe exactly down the middle. The divide was regional, not ideaological. The NWA Republicans, including Holt, backed fellow Republican Bisbee while the central Arkansas Republicans, including Republican Party Chairman / Senator Baker, backed Democrat Critcher.

3) Point two above demonstrates the absolute absurdity of some GOP hack Republican claims that Holt is not loyal enough to the party especially in comparison to Baker.

4) Barb is correct in labeling “The Brotherhood” as the good guys, at least to the degree there is one, for conservatives. I note that though Holt says he voted Bisbee for Pro Tem, he deftly voted with the Brotherhood from there on out, resulting among other things in ending the old liberal’s domination of general improvement fund projects.

5) Barb is back off target when she says “this is Holt’s 3rd consective state-wide race. Each time, he has not done as well as the last time”. I don’t remember her or anyone else mentioning Asa Hutchinson being a three time loser. Holt got more votes in either of those elections than Asa got in ANY of them. The reason he did worse last time (though still once again pulling the ticket up by getting more votes than any Arkansas Republican on the ticket) was that an unpopular GW Bush drug down all Republicans. This time an unpopular Obama and Lincoln will drag down Lincoln. Any of the candidates that the grass roots select will have a great chance at beating Lincoln, so let’s pick a staunch one!

6) Barb writes, “So, while Holt is some concern; and Bisbee even some concern, neither one presents an overwhelming obstacle to Gilbert’s Primary Election.” Bzzzzzt. wrong answer. Arkansas Republican Primary voters have voted for Holt four times in the last three election cycles in huge numbers. He won 149 of 150 counties in the two primary races he was in, and that was before the Tea Party movement. If anything, those voters have become MORE anti-establishment and “Holt-like”. If Holt raises any money at all, you can put a fork in the Baker campaign. It’s done.

7)”In this Senate primary, tho, folks will see who lives by the 11th Commandment, and who does not. Those who do not live by Reagan’s 11th Commandment will see their political careers wind down.” So not speaking ill of them (in public) but leading a faction of Republicans to vote for the Democrat is OK? Seems like a Republican who calls it like they see it but sticks with the party in critical times is worth more than someone who leads a secret whisper campaign to insure the other side gets in. I’m just sayn’

ps- “Bisbee can probably get Holt to run”. Silly. Bisbee won’t be making the call on whether or not Holt runs. Jim Holt will. And I can tell you that no amount of pressure from ANYONE (other than Mrs. Holt) can get Jim Holt to do something unless he wants to do it.