Lincoln, Boozman file, Halter on deck

The first day of the 2010 political filing period at the capitol, the big news was made by the man who wasn't there: Bill Halter.

The Lt. Governor announced via email and YouTube video at 6:00 a.m. that he would be running against fellow Democrat Blanche Lincoln in the party's May 18th primary for U.S. Senate. Halter officially files tomorrow, but his decision overshadowed other events in the capitol rotunda. You can check out my story on the filing period opening here. Oaklawn's Terry Wallace was on hand to open the period with his signature "and they're off!" race call.

Some observations: Halter or his press people were smart in their timing of his announcement. By releasing his decision via email Monday morning, they effectively trumped the plans of Sen. Lincoln and Rep. Boozman, both of whom were asked repeatedly about Halter's move as they filed at the capitol. Then, Halter gets a second round of coverage when he emerges from hiding tomorrow to officially file.

The liberal media are mighty excited about Halter's decision, MoveOn.org called it "huge news." The Ed Show on MSNBC led with the news, and featured an interview with Arkansas Times editor Max Brantley (good job Max), who said Arkansas libs are upset with Lincoln, but then rightly pointed out that there aren't that many of them. Daily Kos has begun raising money for Halter's campaign. Halter is to appear on MSNBC's Ed Show tomorrow and on Rachel Maddow on Wednesday.

I notice that in her speech to supporters today, Lincoln said "We're not givin' up to extremism." At the capitol, asked about the prospect of facing Halter, she said "I don't associate with the extremes." I asked if that meant she considers Halter extreme, but she said she didn't know enough about his positions to say. Pressed by the AP's Andrew DeMillo, Lincoln would not even characterize MoveOn.org or other groups supporting Halter as extreme. Very smart politics... she gets to brand her opponent as extreme without actually coming right out and saying it.

Should be an interesting week. (Filing period closes @ noon Monday, March 8th.