Of course, first place went to Arkansas Times’ own Arkansas Blog who you have to admit sort of had home field advantage, although honestly who can keep up with Max.  The other runners up were Kat Robinson’s Tie Dye Travels and Blake Rutherford’s Blake’s Think Tank.

When I started blogging, I was amazed anyone would even read it much less would vote for one of their favorites.  Thank you.

No big plans today other than our traditional birthday dinner at Outback.

“We were defrauded by Research 2000, and while we don’t know if some or all of the data was fabricated or manipulated beyond recognition, we know we can’t trust it. Meanwhile, Research 2000 has refused to offer any explanation…While the investigation didn’t look at all of Research 2000 polling conducted for us, fact is I no longer have any confidence in any of it, and neither should anyone else. I ask that all poll tracking sites remove any Research 2000 polls commissioned by us from their databases. I hereby renounce any post we’ve written based exclusively on Research 2000 polling.”

No word yet if the poll which showed Halter with a four point lead over Lincoln days before the election was one of the polls specifically found to have been fabricated but it certainly makes you question its validity.

UPDATE – I asked Markos Moulitsas of the Daily Kos specifically about the polling Research 2000 did for him on the Halter-Lincoln race.  He said that these polls were not looked at specifically but still said he would not give them much validity.

“The state-level polling may have been good, for all I know, but I wouldn’t vouch for it. At this point, I can’t trust any of the polling they provided,” said Markos. “So to answer your question directly, no, the Arkansas polls weren’t part of the analysis, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned out to be bunk.”

Many thanks to our readers who contributed to Cecile Bledsoe’s campaign to represent Arkansas’s third congressional district. Bledsoe ended up losing by about 1,300 votes (3.8 percent). She carried 11 of 12 counties in the district, but was swamped in the largest, Benton County, where her opponent Steve Womack is a mayor (of Rogers, Arkansas).

…I should also note that Sarah Palin supported Bledsoe. Palin’s endorsement was the biggest factor in the surge that brought Bledsoe so close to winning.

Okay. First of all, Bledsoe carried 7 out of 12 counties – not 11.  Also, both Bledsoe and Womack live in Benton County where Bledsoe serves as state senator.

Second, I am sure Powerline and Palin helped but give me a break – Bledsoe would have made it close without their critical article on “John Womack.” I think the huge stack of endorsements she received from within the district did a lot more than any national endorsement.

Personally, I found Powerline blog posts on Arkansas’ Third Congressional to be 90% spin and sizzle with about 10% actual facts.

I would refer them to the words of Carly Simon.

UPDATE – Powerline corrected their error today saying that Bledsoe polled better in 11 counties but only won 7.  Also they said “Both Benton and Bledsoe are from Benton County, but I’m told that Womack, as mayor of Rogers, is far better known in that county.”

Umm. What??

The SEIU (union) put together this little video on Sen. Lincoln casting her vote last Tuesday.  That flip cam video looks really familiar.

It will probably be light blogging but check twitter for updates.  And of course, feel free to comment away below with predictions, reaction, news, spin, or whatever.

Democratic candidate for Congress Robbie Wills sent out a press release (on the jump) showing his support among women. In a race against state Sen. Joyce Elliott, I am sure this is a demographic for which he has to compete. However, I noticed that only two of his fellow house members – Reps. Barbara Nix and Linda Tyler – are on the list. This could be because his record on women’s issues was mixed as Speaker of the House.

As shown in the picture above, Wills only appointed three out twenty-five women to serve of his house leadership team. The House Rules Committee, which was made up entire of his appointments, had only two women out of fifteen members. He appointed no women to the House Management. He supported Rep. Robert Moore, chairman of House Rules, to succeed him as Speaker over Rep. Johnnie Roebuck. Are you seeing a pattern?

But before you write off Speaker Wills completely there were some “women’s issues” for which he was champion. On example is the Equal Right Amendment which made a come back in the previous legislative session. Wills did his best to revive this proposed federal constitutional amendment despite the fact that it had to be ratified by 1982 and despite opposition from conservative groups such as Arkansas Right to Life and Family Council of Arkansas.

He took to his blog and proudly announced. “I’m FOR the Equal Rights Amendment. How could I not be? I’m married, I have a seven-year-old daughter and we are expecting another baby girl at the end of May.” He even allowed one of the three women on his leadership team, Rep. Lindley Smith to write a guest post supporting ERA as well. These posts have since been removed but remnants remain of the ArkansasNews.com. In spite of his noble efforts, the bill failed.

So perhaps Wills has promise to do better as a Congressmen than he did as a Speaker. Who knows?

Wills for Congress announces “Women for Wills”   Over 70 professionals, officials and community leaders unite to endorse  

Little Rock, May 7th, 2010 – Today over 70 women from across central Arkansas united to encourage other women to support Speaker Robbie Wills in the May 18^th 2^nd District Democratic Primary. The group of Women for Wills endorsers includes business leaders, elected officials and community leaders from across central Arkansas.

“I strongly believe Robbie Wills is the best candidate to keep this seat Democratic in November. Robbie’s work to improve health care and create jobs in Arkansas gives him the track record to run on and win in November.  I hope you will join me in voting for Speaker Robbie Wills.” 

                                                                        Former Gubernatorial Candidate and State Treasurer Jimmie Lou Fisher

“Robbie understands what is at stake.  I support Robbie because too many Arkansans are unemployed and he is the only candidate with a real plan to create jobs and career opportunities.  It’s not about personality. It’s about people.”  Attorney Staci Croom-Raley

 “I am committed to electing Robbie Wills to U.S. Congress because I believe in his track record on health care and job creation.  Robbie has the leadership qualities and experience that we need to help get our country back on track.”                                                                                                                                                       Business Owner Beth Coulsen

  “I hope that my fellow Pulaski county voters will join me in casting their vote for leadership.”  Former State Rep. and current State Senate Candidate Sandra Prater

  Women for Wills is having an event this Saturday, May 8^th at 2:00pm at the home of Brenda Walton located at 40 Carmel Drive in Little Rock.  Other women interested in supporting Speaker Robbie Wills are encouraged to attend.

“I am humbled to have the support of this amazing group of women.  I promise to honor their endorsement by serving with the same set values that I campaign with.  I will still focused on creating jobs, providing better health care, improving education, and finding common sense solutions to the problems discussed at the dinner table,” said Speaker Robbie Wills.

A full list of Women for Wills members is available at www.RobbieWills.com. “It’s no secret that women are a powerful force in politics.  This group is diverse by any standard. However, one thing they have in common is their belief that Speaker Wills is the best candidate in this race. No other candidate has assembled such an impressive group of women to support their campaign.  These are the people who will be responsible for the Speaker’s success,” said Wills for Congress Campaign Manager Kyle Gott.     Julia Adkisson, Kerri Allen, Marion Baker, Linny Bell, Benecia Betton Moore, Sherri Black, Amy Bogner, Francis Bogner,The Honorable Toni Bradford, MichelleBridges, Hope Brookings, Donna Clawson, Beth Coulson, Annette Cox, Staci Croom-Raley, Claudia Davis, Jan Davis, Almeda Ellis, The Honorable Jimmie Lou Fisher, Alice Gardner, Bellar Gisela, Jane Gray Todd, Jackie Hale, Dr.Becky Hall, Karen Hamilton, Kim Hawkins, Tabitha Henderson, Angie Hetherington, Erin Hetherington, Laura Hicky, Gayla Hopson, Faye S Hunnicutt, Brooke Ivy, Darlene Mahone, Melissa Manness Dean, Melissa Masingill, Angela Maxfield, Lauralee McCool, Julie McDonald,Judy McKnight, Andi McNeil,Becca Munson, Beth Munson, Suzanne Munson, The Honorable Barbara Nix, Shanta Nunn-Baro, Pamela Osment, Cari Pikschus, Sally Porter, Sandra Prater, Valerie Pruitt, Billie J Robbins,The Honorable Tiffany Rogers, Jill Rogers Barham, Mary Margaret Satterfield, Darinda Sharpe, Hallie Shoffner, Candice Smith, Katherine Smith, Roberta Smith, Kathryn Spinks, Mandy Stanage Shoptaw, Anna Swaim, Margie A Teal, Judy Tenenbaum, The Honorable Linda Tyler, Brenda Walton, Kathryn Walton, Sue White, Kara Wilkins, Donyale Worsham, Ashley Wright, Val Yagos, Karen Yant   ##

Saline County voters will have a final opportunity Saturday night to hear from the candidates in three legislative races before early voting begins in the May primary election.

Candidates for state Senate District 22, House District 31 and House District 27 will share the stage in a debate co-sponsored by local Internet sites insidesaline.com, thetolbertreport.com and mysaline.com.

“Plugged Into Politics in Saline County,” an enlightening event that will feature a vigorous format, will begin at 6:30 at Midtowne Church, 4037 Boone Road in Benton. Admission is free.

People attending are asked to arrive early to mingle with the candidates, enjoy free refreshments and secure a good seat for the only pre-primary debate to feature all of the legislative hopefuls.

Democratic and Republican candidates from each race will be divided to creative five debate segments. There will be a brief intermission and the event is scheduled to conclude by 9.

Candidates will be asked questions from the moderator and the candidates will have an opportunity to question their opponents. Candidates will have one minute to answer questions and they will be given 30 seconds for rebuttals. Each candidate will make a closing statement.

Questions pertaining to issues concerning Saline Countians, various aspects of state government and Arkansas will be formulated by Whit Jones of insidesaline.com, Shelli Russell of mysaline.com and Jason Tolbert of thetolbertreport.com . People planning to attend also are asked to submit questions in advance to either of the three sites and some of those questions will be asked as well.

Candidates will not receive the questions in advance, but they will be provided with a list of topics that will be discussed.

Following are the segments and the primary candidates in the order they will be featured:

House District 31 Democrats — Debbie Murphy, Dusty Maxwell and Scott Pace, all of Little Rock. Dr. Lynette Bryant of Little Rock is tentative.

House District 31 Republicans — John Parke of Ferndale and David Sanders of Little Rock.

Senate District 22 Republicans — Jeremy Hutchinson and Rep. Dan Greenberg, both of Little Rock.

Senate District 22 Democrats — Rep. Dawn Creekmore of Bauxite and Todd Witham of Little Rock.

House District 27 Democrats — Vicky Morris of Shannon Hills and Carlas Smith of Little Rock. Bill Taylor of the Sardis community is tentative.

Click the following link for a map to Midtowne Church, which is easily accessible from the Alcoa Road and Congo Road exits off Interstate 30: Map to Midtowne Church.

Following are directions to the debate site:

I-30 Eastbound — Take Congo Road exit 118, stay on the frontage road, turn right on Boone Road just after the Pinky Punky daycare center, go one-half mile and the church is on the right.

I-30 Westbound — Take Alcoa Road exit 121, cross the overpass, stay on Alcoa Road for about one-half mile, turn right at the Boone Road traffic signal, go about one-third of a mile and the church is on the left.

For more information about the debate, or to submit questions, use one of the following e-mail links: info@insidesaline.com, ShelliRussell@MySaline.com or Jason@TolbertReport.com

Early voting for the Tuesday, May 18, primary election begins Monday and continues through Monday, May 17.

Saline County will feature two early voting sites for the first time: The Vote Here Building at 211 N. Main St. in Downtown Benton and First Pentecostal Church Bryant at 4200 Arkansas 5 North.

Early voting hours in Benton are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Early voting hours in Bryant are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. There is no early voting on Sundays at either location, and the Bryant location will be closed on May 17 in preparation as a polling site on election day.

If necessary, the primary runoff election date is Tuesday, June 8.

Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on primary election day. There will be 34 polling locations in Saline County.

There are 61,008 registered voters in Saline County, according to the county clerk’s office.

Each of the three legislative districts includes portions of Saline and Pulaski counties

However, Leslie Peacock over at the Arkansas Times blog did not see it that way. Let me first say that although I often times disagree with the opinions of the ArkTimes, I usually find their reporting to be at least grounded in facts with some degree of research behind it. Peacock’s post is the exception to this rule. She writes….

Talk Business’ Roby Brock says his new poll shows the Lincoln-Halter race is “far from over.” Well, no, there are a few weeks to go. But how do the results of his poll tell him that?

The phone call poll didn’t ask a) if respondents were registered voters, b) if they were Republican or Democrat, even c) if they lived in Arkansas. It just asked, hey, who do you like better, Halter, Lincoln, Morrison or I dunno, and how sure are you of that answer?

Some folks aren’t calling that a poll. They call it “bull$%^&.”

Brock responds…

Leslie Newell Peacock of The Arkansas Times displays her reputation as a “shoot first, ask questions later” reporter today.

Instead of calling to ask for more information, Leslie simply embarked in some character assassination on the Times blog when a simple phone call would have answered a few concerns.

He goes on to explain that the database used in the poll contained registered likely primary voters based on finely tuned records maintained by both parties.

Kudos to Leslie for taking the bait of whoever raised these easily answered questions, but shame on her for not doing some easy homework – like any good reporter would do.

Shooting the messenger on a poll that shows Lincoln in trouble with Democrats is to be expected from a campaign operative, not from a reporter.

As a matter of fact, some people call that “bulls#%^&.”

I will take Brock’s method of identifying voters over the method Peacock advocates any day of the week. Virtually anyone who understands how political polls are conducted would agree. Sounds to me like Peacock is listening to some spin from the Lincoln campaign who was not pleased with the results and is seeking to discredit the messenger.

Either way, someone owes Brock an apology.