Long pole in the tent

I've heard this expression twice this week -- once in staff meeting in Kentucky and just now on a national television news program, NBC Today:

LONG POLE IN THE TENT -- The central issue or main task.

Is this new? Or do you have to be born in Kentucky? I've never heard it, although it seems appropriate, if you can keep the younger members from tittering. SS

Oh, I'd giggle.

Coincidentally, I had lunch yesterday with some people I used to work with and we discussed an occasion back in about 1995 (in Texas) when our boss accidentally misused this phrase to our great amusement.