Stanley Reed, who announced his candidacy just eight days ago, has announced he is withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race against Blanche Lincoln.  Health reasons, a press release says. 

His departure narrows the Republican field down to about 19 (well, OK, seven have announced and an eighth, Jim Holt, is making a lot of noise).  One question is what Reed’s campaign manager, former Arkansas News Bureau columnist David Sanders will do now.  Sanders resigned from ANB on Dec. 10.  Before I could even post this entry, Sanders replies by email and says simply, “We’ll see.”

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Press release on the jump.

Reed fund-raisers had already been on the phone. Reed, perhaps because of his expected financial strength, had already been greeted to the race with some jabs from Republicans over his past support for Democratic candidates such as Bill Clinton and Lincoln herself. Coming soon was video of his lavish support of Lincolnin the past. His record of taking farm subsidies and leadership role in a school originally founded to avoid integration also had drawn attention as soon as he entered. It ain’t beanbag, someone said, and it can be stressful. Reed’s blood pressure reportedly has been elevated in the week since he ventured into the political arena.

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FIRST STRIKE: Sen. Gilbert Baker, another in the Republican field, is first out with a statement.

 “Today’s news puts politics into perspective, there’s nothing more important than our health and that of our loved ones.  I have spoken with Stanley and offered my prayers for his good health and recovery.  This will be a difficult race, but now is the time to wish the best to Stanley Reed and his family.”

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