In efforts to read the Senatorial tea leaves regarding a potential 2009 cloture vote on EFCA, many people start with the party-line numbers, presuming that the Democratic caucus will stand together in favor of cloture and EFCA.  We have suggested before that perhaps there might be some dissenting voices, given past conduct and comment.  As per the AP and WXVT Channel 15 News, Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) has recently expressed her doubts about EFCA again:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Sen. Blanche Lincoln says she doesn't think federal legislation that would allow labor organizations to unionize workplaces without secret-ballot elections is necessary. But in an interview with The Associated Press today, Lincoln gave herself room to support the measure if it's brought up later.

Business and labor groups are pressuring the Democratic senator from Arkansas for support either way. Tim Griffin, a potential challenger to the senator's 2010 re-election bid, has said her stand could be an issue in the race.

Might the Democrats be back to 57 or 58 cloture votes after all?  Hard to say.  Lincoln neglected to co-sponsor the bill and appeared similarly tentative in 2007.  In the end, however, she voted for cloture.  She may be positioning herself to drive a compromise movement.  She may simply be waiting out the Minnesota recount results, developments in the economy, and the action of the incoming President before committing.  She remains an intriguing personality to watch as EFCA's prospects for 2009 unfold further.

Hat Tip: Shopfloor.org (includes more thorough coverage of AP interview)