Little Rock , Arkansas ( CNN ) -- In the shadow of the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library , an ironic occurrence is taking shape . As the former two-term president traverses the country , rallying support for Democrats facing tough electoral prospects , his party is bracing for severe losses in his home state of Arkansas . Embattled two-term Sen. Blanche Lincoln faces a bleak outlook in her bid for re-election , while Reps. Vic Snyder and Marion Berry are opting to retire , opening the door to Republican takeovers of their seats . A Republican and a Democrat are in Arkansas ' two other congressional districts , and they 're considered safe for the incumbent parties . Democrats here in Arkansas and elsewhere in the South are buffeted by constituent anger toward President Obama and his legislative initiatives like health care reform and the stimulus , regardless of how they voted on the issues . Arkansas supported John McCain over Obama in the 2008 election by more than 20 percent . Lincoln is portraying herself as a Capitol Hill power broker who can easily maneuver between the two parties , touting her independence while also proud to be the Senate 's deciding vote in support of health care reform . `` Without a doubt , they identify so clearly with the problem that exists in Washington , where you have Democrats in one foxhole and Republicans in another , and very few people like myself who are willing to come onto the battlefield and look for the common ground , '' Lincoln told CNN at a campaign stop in North Little Rock . According to an analysis by CNN , there are 62 Democrats in Southern states facing re-election this cycle , all House members except for Lincoln . Nearly half of those , 28 , are considered in jeopardy . These members consist mostly of white men whose districts went for McCain over Obama . `` I do n't think Southern Democrats are in danger , '' Snyder said . `` I think this is a very robust election year in a battleground state in battleground congressional districts . And are we at risk of losing elections in battleground districts ? You always are in a robust election year . '' Snyder also takes a pragmatic view of the fierce competition in the old Confederacy , believing that a thriving democracy , while not a cure-all , is the best medicine . `` This is one of those periods of American history that are very important . When the intensity and challenges facing our country are great , the intensity is on different sides . And that 's why democracy works . '' Arkansas has bucked the trend among Southern states by electing Democrats to all seven statewide offices and giving them control of both legislative chambers . And despite a public sentiment leaning toward Republican candidates , incumbent Democratic Gov . Mike Bebee appears to be coasting to victory . Republicans in this state are anxious for change , though they admit it might take longer than the election on November 2 . `` We 're seeing the same trend down ballot . Obviously , the governor 's race will be a challenge , but we 're seeing a flip all the way down the ticket . Things will go from blue to red like this state has never seen before , '' said Alice Stewart , spokeswoman for the Arkansas Republican Party . Observers agree that Democrats will probably retain control of both the Arkansas House and Senate , but with much slimmer majorities . One reason for the slow change : tradition . `` There is a tradition at the lower level , that my granddaddy was a Democrat , my great-granddaddy , so I 'm going to be one too , '' said Max Brantley , editor of the Arkansas Times . And the Democrats selected by voters tend to be a mix of moderate and conservative on economic and social policy . `` The local officials have not been Democrats recognizable as Democrats to a national Democrat in New York . They are liberals by no means . '' Brantley is not prepared to predict a dramatic realignment in the electorate , but he believes Arkansas is finally catching up to the rest of the South by electing more Republicans , regardless of the help provided by favorite son Clinton , who has come to the state three times this year to campaign for Lincoln . `` Bill Clinton 's great , and he is great in enthusing the base . But he 's not going to decide the election . It 's good that he 's out there , because he 's more popular than Barack Obama . But he ca n't turn the voter tide . '' The question of whether Arkansas triples the number of Republicans it sends to Washington wo n't be decided until Election Day , but Dr Janine Parry of the University of Arkansas urges caution in reading too much into what a potential electoral switch means . `` One election does not a pattern make , '' Parry said . `` But then of course , political scientists declare a pattern 10 years after everyone else has already declared . '' CNN 's Brianna Keilar and Lesa Jansen contributed to this report .
Two - term Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln faces a bleak outlook in her re - election bid . Two Arkansas representatives are retiring , opening the door to GOP control of their seats . 62 Dems in Southern states face re - election this cycle , and 28 are expected to be in opposition . Family tradition may be the Arkansas transition to GOP that other Southern states have seen .