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Lincoln may advance to Ag panel chairLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)--Sen. Blanche Lincoln may be in line to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee, but Lincoln doesn't want to discuss the matter because of the way the seat may come open. Committee chairmanships would shuffle if Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-MA, who is undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor, can't continue to serve. Kennedy says he plans to return to the Senate in January. Lincoln is among Democrats with the seniority to chair the Agriculture Committee. Three other Democratic senators on the panel have greater seniority than Lincoln, but each of the three already chairs another committee. By rule, senators can't chair two or more committees, which would enable Lincoln to advance. If Kennedy does not continue, that would open the chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-IA, is next in seniority to chair the panel. Harkin is also the current Agriculture Committee chairman. Lincoln told the Stephens Media Group that she could find herself as Agriculture Committee chairman, but she didn't want to talk about it. "Everybody always knows what your seniority is, but you don't talk about those things," Lincoln said. "I want Ted Kennedy to be there as chairman of that (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) Committee as long as possible because he's a wonderful guy. He provides tremendous wisdom and leadership at that committee and that's critical for us." There is the possibility that Harkin would keep his Agriculture Committee chairmanship, particularly considering Iowa's status as a farm state. Also, Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, could give up chairmanship of the Budget Committee and take the agriculture seat. Lincoln is up for re-election in 2010 and chairing a powerful committee could add to her standing. She'd be seeking a third term. Lincoln has no announced opposition and fellow Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor drew no Republican opponent this year. Jay Barth, a political science professor at Hendrix College, said former Gov. Mike Huckabee might be the only state Republican who could give Lincoln a fight. Barth said that 2010 could be a difficult year for Democrats if Barak Obama wins the presidential race this year. Mid-term elections are historically challenging for parties in power. Barth said it would be "undeniably beneficial" to Lincoln to hold the Agriculture Committee chairmanship. "We know where elections are decided in the state," Barth said. "They're decided in those rural areas where those white, rural voters are either themselves tied to the agricultural economy or their communities are tied to it." 9/22/08 Date: 9/17/08
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