Lincoln pushes away DC Dems in new ad

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) is up with her first TV ad of the primary campaign. The 30-second spot touts her willingness to buck the Democratic leadership on issues like a second financial bailout, the public option and cap and trade. Lincoln: "I approve this message because I don't answer to my party, I answer to Arkansas."

The ad is airing March 5-12 in all markets in Arkansas and was produced by Murphy Putnam Media, according to the Lincoln campaign, which called it "a substantial buy."

It's a rapid response to Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's (D) bio ad, which went up earlier this week. Halter, who launched his primary challenge this week, has supported the public option and left open the possibility of supporting a cap and trade bill.

The Lincoln ad is visually fun and debuts a new campaign slogan, which labels Lincoln "One Tough Lady."

Updated at 11:46 a.m.