For Rep. John Boozman (R-AR), consideration of a bid against Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) is anything but idle.
Boozman has begun calling other GOP candidates in the race to gauge whether they would stay in the contest if he made a late entry, according to a top aide. And some have already assured him they would leave the race if he does take the plunge.
Several candidates have told Boozman they would bow out and run instead for his House seat, the state's most conservative district, based around Fayetteville and Ft. Smith in the northwest corner of the state.
And it appears the GOP establishment would be behind him as well. Boozman is expecting a call from NRSC Chairman John Cornyn this weekend and will meet with Senate Min. Leader Mitch McConnell on Monday morning.
Boozman is probably the #2 name for Republicans in Arkansas, right behind Huckabee. His candidacy would be a clear cut above the current field -- and it's likely that some of those second-tier Senate candidates would step aside to accomodate him. In particular, the Hotline mentions a possible exit route for state Sen. Gilbert Baker, who at this point can probably be called the leading GOP candidate in the primary: he could step down the ladder and run for Vic Snyder's seat instead. (However, Gilbert would face a primary from Rove acolyte and ex-US Attorney Tim Griffin.)
