Biden Hits the 2010 Fundraising Circuit

ABC News’ David Chalian reports: The Obama administration will not quite yet be two months old when Vice President Biden will be dispatched for a fundraising gig for the 2010 midterm election cycle.  The Vice President plans to be in Little Rock on Saturday March 14 to help Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., kick off her reelection campaign. 

Supporters willing to cough up at least $150 will be able to secure a ticket to hear from the vice president.

In addition to assuming the portion of his vice presidential role that is the political fundraising circuit, Vice President Biden served in the Senate for 36 years and the relationships he has with his former Democratic colleagues will no doubt be called upon to help fill their coffers between now and November 2010. 

Simply by being a Democrat in a state won by Sen. McCain in 2008 will cause national Republicans to put Sen. Lincoln’s seat on their initial target list.  However, no serious Republican contender has jumped into the race.  Last December, former Karl Rove aide Tim Griffin said he is considering making a run for Sen. Lincoln’s seat.  Mr. Griffin served as interim US Attorney in Arkansas for six months, but it was not without controversy.  His appointment was part of the investigation into the Bush Administration’s handling of US Attorney appointments which eventually led to Alberto Gonzales’ 2007 resignation as Attorney General. Twenty months out from Election Day, Sen. Lincoln looks to be in pretty good shape to be elected to third term.  In her 2004 race, she won with 56% of the vote.  At the end of last year, Sen. Lincoln had $810,000 in her campaign account.  It is likely no accident that the Biden event is scheduled two weeks before the end of the first quarter reporting period.  With the help of the Vice President, Sen. Lincoln hopes to ward off potential Republican opponents by posting an impressive first quarter haul. 

"The Vice President’s values are consistent with the values of most Arkansas families and I look forward to welcoming him to Little Rock next month,” Sen. Lincoln said when announcing the visit. 

The National Republican Senatorial Committee quickly seized on those comments.    “Blanche Lincoln’s assessment that Vice President Biden is in touch with Arkansas values begs a much greater question – how out of touch is Blanche Lincoln with her own constituents?” said NRSC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson.