Alaska Senate race

[Frank]

Lisa Murkowski, a politician from the moment she was put to her mother's breast, has apparently lost to Tea Partier Joe "Who?" Miller, whose only previous political campaign was a loss in a race for the state legislature. Miller was supported by you-know-who, and will now face Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams.

I still see Alaska as a win for the Republicans. Some think that Miller is too extreme, and point to Begich's win in 2008 as evidence. I disagree. Begich won for two reasons: Steven's conviction, and name recognition of his own. (He was mayor of Anchorage (the state's largest city), and his father was in Congress.) A mayor of Sitka would not have been able to defeat Stevens.

Nor can a mayor of Sitka defeat Miller. I believe, given two relative unknowns, that Alaska will remain safely Republican. Joe Miller will be the junior Senator from Alaska come January.

[pseudotriton ruber ruber]

Do the write-in ballots favor Murkowski overwhelmingly?

[Frank]

Do the write-in ballots favor Murkowski overwhelmingly?
Who knows? If all absentee ballots requested are returned, Murkowski will need to win close to 60% of them.

Perhaps I'm jumping the gun. I don't think so, but we'll see.

[E-Sabbath]

I would assume that, all things being equal, write-in ballots would favor the more stable candidate, as they tend to be physically older than the vote. She has the more famous name, being a second-gen politician. I would suspect the write-ins largely come from smaller, more separated towns. I think her chances of winning is at least even, and probably better than that.

[Chefguy]

Miller's success is a mystery to me, since part of his platform is to have the state stop accepting government money. One-third of the jobs in Alaska are federal, a large number of contractors depend upon federal projects, and nearly every program depends upon federal spending, so it would be disastrous to shut off the flow. Not that the legislature would allow him to do it in the first place. Murkowski has apparently been branded as not being conservative enough. What this really means is that she thinks for herself on many issues (such as abortion) instead of marching in lockstep with the Palinistas. Also, a lot of people are still pissed off about her being appointed to the position by her daddy, her subsequent election notwithstanding.

I agree that absentee ballots will favor her, possibly even heavily enough to pull off a win.

[Simplicio]

Do the write-in ballots favor Murkowski overwhelmingly?

The polls turned against Murkowski fairly recently, so I think her hope is that absentee ballots, which were filled out some time ago, will reflect previous polling rather then the results of the actual election.

Dunno how believable that is, or whether absentee ballots in similar elections have shown that pattern, but it seems at least vaguely believable.

[Chefguy]

Do the write-in ballots favor Murkowski overwhelmingly?

The polls turned against Murkowski fairly recently, so I think her hope is that absentee ballots, which were filled out some time ago, will reflect previous polling rather then the results of the actual election.

Dunno how believable that is, or whether absentee ballots in similar elections have shown that pattern, but it seems at least vaguely believable.

Many people in Alaska vote absentee so they don't have to fight any lines (that's a joke, as hardly anybody votes up there), and can do so almost up until election day.

[Frank]

Murkowski conceded (http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/31/alaska.murkowski/index.html?hpt=T2) Tuesday evening. She was gaining slightly in the absentees, but nowhere near what she needed.

[Chefguy]

Murkowski conceded (http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/31/alaska.murkowski/index.html?hpt=T2) Tuesday evening. She was gaining slightly in the absentees, but nowhere near what she needed.

A somewhat shocking result, but since Murky decided to "take the high road", they can only blame themselves. I know John Bitney, her campaign manager, and I'm sure he was frustrated by her lack of fight. She also had the unmitigated gall to actually vote for some Obama initiatives, which put her at odds with the lock-step obstructionist mentality of the Republicans. The general campaign should be a real dogfight.

[Chefguy]

The NYT has revealed in a very good investigative piece (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/04/us/politics/04alaska.html?scp=1&sq=joe%20miller&st=cse)that Joe Miller, he of the anti-government, don't accept government money bent, has spent a good part of his life working for the government and accepting government handouts. He has eight children, which means that for many years he was collecting 10 permanent fund dividend checks from the state. At the height of the payout, that was $32,000. The guy sounds like a fake and a flake to me. This one could backfire on Palin, the Tea Party and the Pubs.

[Lamar Mundane]

Regardless of who wins, the state of Alaska, which relies extremely heavily on Federal funding, will have the least experienced Senate delegation in the country. It's one House member is 77 and who knows how long he'll be around.

[Chefguy]

Regardless of who wins, the state of Alaska, which relies extremely heavily on Federal funding, will have the least experienced Senate delegation in the country. It's one House member is 77 and who knows how long he'll be around.

Hopefully, not long. Don Young is an asshole of the first order and has contributed little to anybody but himself.

[Chefguy]

Sarah Palin and Glen Beck are holding a 9/11 event in Anchorage tomorrow. They're charging for the privilege, of course.

[Frank]

Murkowski is expected to announce (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/17/breaking-murkowski-will-run-as-write-in-candidate/) a write-in campaign.

I suppose that with what has to be almost universal name recognition, and a small voting population, she could gain some traction.

Enough to win? Enough to throw victory to the Democrat? I dunno, but it should make things interesting anyway.

[Chefguy]

Murkowski is expected to announce (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/17/breaking-murkowski-will-run-as-write-in-candidate/) a write-in campaign.

I suppose that with what has to be almost universal name recognition, and a small voting population, she could gain some traction.

Enough to win? Enough to throw victory to the Democrat? I dunno, but it should make things interesting anyway.

It gives the Dem a real fighting chance if Murky splits the vote. Joe Miller's ideas and behaviors are too goofy even for a state as red as Alaska presently is. Murkowski is more centrist, even though she votes party line, and is therefore the enemy of all things Palin. I'm sure she'd like to retaliate for the bitch slap she got in the primary.

[BrainGlutton]

Same thing happened in the Florida Senate race: (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=565581) We've got a Democrat, a Tea Party Republican, and a centrist Republican making an independent bid.

Interesting times.

[gonzomax]

As a write in candidate, Murkowski, will spelling count? Could they just write in Lisa?

[Simplicio]

There's only been one US senator ever elected in a write in campaign (Strom Thurmond in the 50's), seems like quite a long shot, and she's going to make herself a pariah amongst the GOP, which ought to limit her post-senate career options.

So points for balls, if nothing else.

[gonzomax]

There's only been one US senator ever elected in a write in campaign (Strom Thurmond in the 50's), seems like quite a long shot, and she's going to make herself a pariah amongst the GOP, which ought to limit her post-senate career options.

So points for balls, if nothing else.

The party turned on her. She owes them nothing.
She was insufficiently Palinized for them.

[Simplicio]

Didn't say she did, but getting a job as a lobbyist or in a Conservative think-tank after she's out of the Senate would probably be a lot easier if she wasn't going up against her party now, regardless of whether they deserve it or not. Especially given that she's still young enough that immediate retirement probably isn't an option.

Not that I think she'll be starving on the streets or anything, I'm sure she's still well connected enough to find another gig, but still, she's making life more difficult for herself in whats historically been a pretty quixotic strategy thats unlikely to pay off.

[Jophiel]

As a write in candidate, Murkowski, will spelling count? Could they just write in Lisa?
The Secretary of State is supposed to come up with a list of acceptable aliases so "Liza Merkowsky" will probably be accepted but "L. M." won't be. From what I've read, Alaska is fairly liberal in accepting intent.

[Frank]

Didn't say she did, but getting a job as a lobbyist or in a Conservative think-tank after she's out of the Senate would probably be a lot easier if she wasn't going up against her party now, regardless of whether they deserve it or not. Especially given that she's still young enough that immediate retirement probably isn't an option.

Not that I think she'll be starving on the streets or anything, I'm sure she's still well connected enough to find another gig, but still, she's making life more difficult for herself in whats historically been a pretty quixotic strategy thats unlikely to pay off.
We could probably stand a few more politicians whose primary concern is not how they will take advantage of having been a politician in order to line their pockets.

[Boyo Jim]

There's only been one US senator ever elected in a write in campaign (Strom Thurmond in the 50's), seems like quite a long shot, and she's going to make herself a pariah amongst the GOP, which ought to limit her post-senate career options.

So points for balls, if nothing else.

If she wins, they will have secretly have been rooting for her all along. If she loses, she's a hates American and supports Al Queda.

[Chefguy]

Now it has come to light that Joe Miller, the Tea Party darling whose mantra is "no government handouts", accepted farm subsidies (http://www.adn.com/2010/09/21/1465626/senate-candidate-confirms-he-received.html)from said government in the 90s. At least he admits doing so, but it kinda weakens his platform I would think.

[gonzomax]

As a write in candidate, Murkowski, will spelling count? Could they just write in Lisa?
The Secretary of State is supposed to come up with a list of acceptable aliases so "Liza Merkowsky" will probably be accepted but "L. M." won't be. From what I've read, Alaska is fairly liberal in accepting intent.

On CNN today ,they said the name has to be spelled properly. They showed Murkowsky aides on ads showing the correct way to spell it.
They also said there is pressure being exerted to have the spelling rules relaxed. They may end up doing it.

[joebuck20]

It seems the Palins are a little miffed at some of Miller's debate responses:

http://gawker.com/5656514/leaked-emails-sarah-palin-doesnt-give-out-endorsements-for-nothing?skyline=true&s=i

Some testy emails between the camps of Sarah Palin and Alaskan Senate candidate Joe Miller, whom she endorsed, have leaked, and yikes! Basically, when Miller refused to directly answer a televised question regarding Palin's presidential qualifications, Todd Palin was... unhappy.

[Chefguy]

It seems the Palins are a little miffed at some of Miller's debate responses:

http://gawker.com/5656514/leaked-emails-sarah-palin-doesnt-give-out-endorsements-for-nothing?skyline=true&s=i

Some testy emails between the camps of Sarah Palin and Alaskan Senate candidate Joe Miller, whom she endorsed, have leaked, and yikes! Basically, when Miller refused to directly answer a televised question regarding Palin's presidential qualifications, Todd Palin was... unhappy.

I'm wondering if Miller actually asked for Palin's endorsement, or if she decided that she would just butt into the fray in order to try to take out Murkowski. Miller is from Fairbanks, and people up there don't react well to what they see as interference in their lives. If he didn't ask for her endorsement, I'm sure he feels zero obligation to suck her (or Todd's) political dick.

Also, I find it very amusing that Palin spent an entire morning working on a Facebook entry.

[BobLibDem]

Also, I find it very amusing that Palin spent an entire morning working on a Facebook entry.


To be fair, she probably gets distracted by Farmville when she makes her Facebook entries.

[Chefguy]

Also, I find it very amusing that Palin spent an entire morning working on a Facebook entry.


To be fair, she probably gets distracted by Farmville when she makes her Facebook entries.

At least she's making good use of that journalismic degree.

[Chefguy]

An outfit called Alaska Dispatch (.com) is digging into Joe Miller's employment history and has sued for release (http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7111-alaska-dispatch-sues-for-release-of-millers-personnel-records)of information from the Fairbanks Borough. Seems he may have used borough computers to do some of his politicking, which is expressly forbidden by state (and borough) law. This follows on the heels of his accusing the borough of politicking on behalf of Sen. Murkowski. Additionally, while he is demanding full disclosure, he refuses to authorize the borough to release his records, which delineate why he left their employment. This guy is the definition of slippery and slimy.

[Chronos]

A borough is the equivalent of a county, right?

[Boyo Jim]

Not in NY. NYC is divided into boroughs. So there, at least, they're more akin to city council districts.

[BrainGlutton]

Not in NY. NYC is divided into boroughs. So there, at least, they're more akin to city council districts.

But, each borough is a county, isn't it?

[BrainGlutton]

A borough is the equivalent of a county, right?

Actually, it's the equivalent of a rabbit-warren.

Don't ask me to explain. People grow strange out on America's Last Frontier, and it seeps into their politics.

[BrainGlutton]

An outfit called Alaska Dispatch (.com) is digging into Joe Miller's employment history and has sued for release (http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7111-alaska-dispatch-sues-for-release-of-millers-personnel-records)of information from the Fairbanks Borough. Seems he may have used borough computers to do some of his politicking, which is expressly forbidden by state (and borough) law. This follows on the heels of his accusing the borough of politicking on behalf of Sen. Murkowski. Additionally, while he is demanding full disclosure, he refuses to authorize the borough to release his records, which delineate why he left their employment. This guy is the definition of slippery and slimy.

The silent refrain that must be on the minds of many Dem candidates this year: "I can't believe I'm losing to this guy!"

[Chefguy]

A borough is the equivalent of a county, right?

In Alaska, yes. Fairbanks is in the North Star Borough. Wasilla is in the Matanuska-Susitna (or Mat-Su) Borough, etc. They're very large, with the Mat-Su Borough covering over 25,000 square miles.

[MovieMogul]

In a bizarre press conference Monday, Alaska GOP Senate candidate Joe Miller announced he will no longer answer questions about his past and blamed the media for focusing on personal attacks instead of the issues.

"We’ve drawn a line in the sand. You can ask me about background, you can ask about personal issues — I’m not going to answer. I’m not," he said.Cite (http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/12/joe_miller_personal_background/index.html)

[BrainGlutton]

In a bizarre press conference Monday, Alaska GOP Senate candidate Joe Miller announced he will no longer answer questions about his past and blamed the media for focusing on personal attacks instead of the issues.

"We’ve drawn a line in the sand. You can ask me about background, you can ask about personal issues — I’m not going to answer. I’m not," he said.Cite (http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/12/joe_miller_personal_background/index.html)

So, he's conceding the "character" ground entirely?

[Chefguy]

It's as though he really doesn't want the job. This gives an entire arsenal full of ammunition to Murkowski, who would be a fool not to lock and load. Unfortunately, the Dem in this race is getting no help from the national folks and really doesn't stand a chance.

[Boyo Jim]

I think it means Miller is going to win. Pretty much everybody doesn't want to have to answer for shitty things they've done in the past. And it seems that nobody wants to hold politicians to higher standards anymore.

Plus, not enough people will be able to spell Murkowski's name right.

[Chefguy]

I think it means Miller is going to win. Pretty much everybody doesn't want to have to answer for shitty things they've done in the past. And it seems that nobody wants to hold politicians to higher standards anymore.

Plus, not enough people will be able to spell Murkowski's name right.

She has now got the financial support of the Native communities and the labor unions, so we may see an upset.

[Boyo Jim]

They better pour a lot of money into spelling programs.

[hajario]

Actually, they'll accept a close spelling as a vote for her. They said that they would even accept "Lisa M."

[Boyo Jim]

Actually, they'll accept a close spelling as a vote for her. They said that they would even accept "Lisa M."

I heard they were still struggling over just how bad the spelling will be allowed to be, but maybe there is newer news than I've heard.

[Chefguy]

The latest bizarre twist (http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/news/7186-breaking-alaska-dispatch-editor-detained-at-miller-event) in Joe Miller's campaign: his security detail "arrests" a reporter asking questions at a town-hall type meeting in a public school.

[Boyo Jim]

I can picture Miller's victory speech, "Alaska, you are under arrest."

[BrainGlutton]

I can picture Miller's victory speech, "Alaska, you are under arrest."

'Bout fuckin' time . . .

[BrainGlutton]

Polls still have Miller leading (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Alaska,_2010#Polling_2) -- but it's very close. At least, Miller and Murkowski are close. McAdams must feel like . . . like Kendrick Meek in Florida. :(

[Frank]

The latest bizarre twist (http://www.alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/news/7186-breaking-alaska-dispatch-editor-detained-at-miller-event) in Joe Miller's campaign: his security detail "arrests" a reporter asking questions at a town-hall type meeting in a public school.
Having never lived or even visted Alaska (one of the two states I've never been to), perhaps it's a stereotype I've got, but I have a very hard time seeing Alaskans reacting well to this.

Being sort of a wimp, isn't he? Not exactly someone with nerve, and a backbone.

[SmartAleq]

It gets better--check out the video (http://community.adn.com/adn/node/153751)in this story taken by a couple of other reporters from the ADN while Hopfinger was being detained in handcuffs. Keep in mind that this event was advertised as an open Town Hall meeting, held in a public school, and that bullet headed motherfucker who refuses to give his name is William F. Fulton, head of "Dropzone Security Services" which Joe Miller hired to do security for the event. Apparently the business license for Dropzone expired in 2009 and has never been renewed, so that guy has no legal right to be hiring out as security at all, let alone throwing his weight around pushing and threatening reporters in that manner.

Typical Teabagger, all about the Constitution unless it involves freedom of speech, freedom of assembly or freedom of the press for someone he doesn't like, at which point the jackboots come out and the threats, intimidation and violence start.

[SmartAleq]

And another item--Joe Miller thinks the East Germans really had a great idea with that Berlin Wall thing. (http://community.adn.com/adn/node/153757)

Welp, guess he's got a head start on his very own Stasi right there in Alaska, huh?

[Raygun99]

He does know that wall was to keep people *in*, right?

[BrainGlutton]

He does know that wall was to keep people *in*, right?

Yeah, but the great thing is, you can use the same kind of wall to keep people *out*, and you don't even have to turn the machine guns around! :)

[Chefguy]

Having never lived or even visted Alaska (one of the two states I've never been to), perhaps it's a stereotype I've got, but I have a very hard time seeing Alaskans reacting well to this.

Being sort of a wimp, isn't he? Not exactly someone with nerve, and a backbone.

I wouldn't think it would go over very well, especially in Fairbanks. They're an odd lot up there, and while it's a red state, there are a lot of independents and libertarians. Fairbanks never does what you expect it to do.

[Chefguy]

In other news Levi Johnston has no platform (http://www.adn.com/2010/10/18/1507896/levi-johnston-says-i-want-to-be.html).

Also, Miller's father rats him out (http://www.adn.com/2010/10/18/1507733/miller-admits-borough-disciplined.html).

[Simplicio]

Also, Miller's father rats him out (http://www.adn.com/2010/10/18/1507733/miller-admits-borough-disciplined.html).

Miller really handled that poorly. His actual offense was pretty minor and probably too boring to get much interest from voters. But by treating it like some deep dark secret he's made it a lot more damaging then if he'd just said what he'd done in the first place.

[BrainGlutton]

Murkowski and McAdams debate; Miller absent. (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43822.html)

WTF?!

[Boyo Jim]

I wonder what was the point of using 4 computers. Was he trying to skew the poll results by pretending to be 4 people and answering the poll 4 times?

[Boyo Jim]

Murkowski and McAdams debate; Miller absent. (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43822.html)

WTF?!

The Dem candidate was asked to name three things he admired about Sarah Palin, managed one iffy one, and then said, "Gee, I'm stumped."

[SmartAleq]

A (now) former Miller supporter corroborates Hopfinger's account of the handcuffing incident. (http://alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7195-witness-reporter-was-rude-but-not-a-threat)

A Valley woman who witnessed the incident involving Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller and the editor of Alaska Dispatch on Sunday says the journalist, Tony Hopfinger, did not threaten Miller and that the whole thing should never have escalated into a police matter.

Lolly Symbol says she drove in from Big Lake with her two young sons because she was a staunch Miller supporter and wanted to ask him a question about his stance on gun control.

She said she found the opportunity to speak with Miller when he stuck around after his town hall at Central Middle School and spoke with a few people outside the main room. She says she stood right next to the candidate as the scene that has captured national public attention played out.

Symbol said Miller became angry with an elderly woman who asked him about his military background. "He ended up getting really huffy with her," Symbol said.

She said she got about two words into her question when Hopfinger interrupted her, stuck a small camera in Miller's face and asked him about his work with the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

"I would say Tony was aggressive, and I would say he was rude because he interrupted me, but he didn't do anything wrong and he wasn't posing a threat to Miller," Symbol said.

She said Miller tried to get away from the reporter and in doing so put his hand on her arm and pushed her aside. Her 8-year-old son, Vincent Mahoney, was standing right behind her, and Miller bowled him over in his attempt to get away. "I don't know if [Miller] didn't see him or didn't care, but he didn't say 'excuse me' or 'I'm sorry'. He didn't even turn his head," Symbol said. "He simply did not care at all."

Symbol said after Miller fled, she turned and saw Hopfinger trying to get around the security guards who were blocking his way. "They kept pushing him back. He kept saying, 'I have a right to be here, I have a right to be asking these questions.' Tony would try to walk forward and they would push him back."

Symbol said she did not see Hopfinger push anyone in the time she was watching the confrontation.

And this is really fucked up--some of the Dropzone (unlicensed) security guards are active duty military who apparently don't have clearance to do this sort of work. (http://www.adn.com/2010/10/18/1507982/questions-surround-use-of-security.html)

The soldiers, Spc. Tyler Ellingboe, 22, and Sgt. Alexander Valdez, 31, are assigned to the 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Richardson. Maj. Bill Coppernoll, the public affairs officer for the Army in Alaska, said the two soldiers did not have permission from their current chain of command to work for the Drop Zone, but the Army was still researching whether previous company or brigade commanders authorized their employment.



Their unlicensed scumbag of an employer is throwing them under the bus:

Miller's chief guard at the Middle School event, Drop Zone owner William Fulton, said it wasn't his job to ensure soldiers complied with the regulations, though he said he informs them of their duty.

"They're adults -- they are responsible for themselves," Fulton said.

He said the two soldiers called him Monday and said they may be in trouble.


And of course Joe Miller was lying through his teeth when he asserted he was required to bring security to the event:

Miller gave interviews to Fox and CNN on Monday. He told Fox, "I might also note that the middle school itself required us by a contract for a campaign, required us to have a security team." He told CNN, "There was a -- a private security team that was required. We had to hire them because the school required that as a term in their lease."

But district spokeswoman Heidi Embley said that wasn't true.

"We do not require users to hire security," she said. Renters must only have a security plan to protect users and the school itself, she said, and can resolve the issues with "monitors."

The contract the district has renters sign requires groups to make an "expectation speech" at the beginning of an event reminding people to be respectful, to park properly, and to remain only in permitted areas. That did not happen Sunday.


I sure hope Alaskans are smart enough to send this dickwad home crying on November 2.

[Chefguy]

I sure hope Alaskans are smart enough to send this dickwad home crying on November 2.

Don't hold your breath.

[Euphonious Polemic]

A (now) former Miller supporter corroborates Hopfinger's account of the handcuffing incident. (http://alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7195-witness-reporter-was-rude-but-not-a-threat)




I posted this in Great debates (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=582399) if anyone is interested.

[BrainGlutton]

Miller defends handcuffing of reporter. (http://www.democracynow.org/2010/10/19/headlines#3)

Joe Miller, the Republican Senate nominee in Alaska, has defended a decision made by his private security guards to detain and handcuff a reporter at a public meeting on Sunday. Miller accused Tony Hopfinger, the editor of the website Alaska Dispatch, of harassing him and following him into a bathroom while trying to get an interview. In an interview on Fox News, Miller dismissed charges that the guards violated Hopfinger’s First Amendment rights.

Joe Miller: "Well, I have been the most transparent, most successful candidate of the three. That town hall meeting was full of people with questions and we answered them. So, if anybody is going to talk about the First Amendment, we are huge proponents of it and we like to have the free exchange of ideas and that is what happened up until this guy just starting crossing the line."

Private security guards working for the firm Drop Zone handcuffed Hopfinger, and detained him in a hallway of the school for 25 minutes until police arrived and ordered his release. Private security guards also tried to prevent two other reporters from filming the detention but a reporter from the Anchorage Daily News briefly spoke with Hopfinger.

Tony Hopfinger: At that point they took me down here.

Reporter: Who is they?

Tony Hopfinger: All of these guys and they handcuffed me and then they called the police.

Reporter: How did they get the handcuffs on? How did you let them handcuff you? They used force?

Tony Hopfinger: They used force to put me in handcuffs.

The Anchorage Daily News has also revealed that two of the private security guards who detained the reporter were active-duty soldiers moonlighting for the security firm.

[SmartAleq]

Looks like the hits just keep on comin' for old Joe--looks like he might have some 'splainin' to do to the IRS as well. (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/10/19/911676/-Breaking:-Joe-Miller-is-a-Tax-Cheat) I love it that he's paying himself 50-100K per year rent on an office with an assessed value of about 25K in order to get out of paying Social Security payroll taxes. Seriously, are there any laws these Tea Party fuckers think apply to them? They're all about making laws to force the rest of us to toe their retarded party line but they themselves? Not so much.

[Merijeek]

Looks like the hits just keep on comin' for old Joe--looks like he might have some 'splainin' to do to the IRS as well. (http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/10/19/911676/-Breaking:-Joe-Miller-is-a-Tax-Cheat) I love it that he's paying himself 50-100K per year rent on an office with an assessed value of about 25K in order to get out of paying Social Security payroll taxes. Seriously, are there any laws these Tea Party fuckers think apply to them? They're all about making laws to force the rest of us to toe their retarded party line but they themselves? Not so much.

Sounds pretty fascist to me. The important thing, however, is that he's not a Socialist.

-Joe

[SmartAleq]

Sounds pretty fascist to me. The important thing, however, is that he's not a Socialist.

-Joe

Aw, dammit, I done screwed up my Teabagger Bingo card, shit. Anybody got another one?

[Chefguy]

Apparently, even Alaska's Republicans have had enough (http://www.adn.com/2010/10/20/1511237/alaska-republicans-call-for-answers.html) of this guy.

[Boyo Jim]

Apparently, even Alaska's Republicans have had enough (http://www.adn.com/2010/10/20/1511237/alaska-republicans-call-for-answers.html) of this guy.

I don't see it that way, though I wish it were so. I see it as one partisan sub-group within the party wants Miller to play ball with the press. They're not even disowning him.

The Republican party as an institution is apparently not behind this.

[Chefguy]

I don't see it that way, though I wish it were so. I see it as one partisan sub-group within the party wants Miller to play ball with the press. They're not even disowning him.

The Republican party as an institution is apparently not behind this.

Well, give them a couple of weeks.

[gonzomax]

The tea baggers don't answer questions because they don't have any answers. At least ones that non tea baggers will accept. better to let people think you are a little crazy, than opening your mouth and removing all doubt.

[Chefguy]

An Alaska judge has ordered the North Star Borough to release Joe Miller's documents to the public. He's given them enough time to appeal to the Alaska Supremes and allowed some redacting, though.

[Merijeek]

An Alaska judge has ordered the North Star Borough to release Joe Miller's documents to the public. He's given them enough time to appeal to the Alaska Supremes and allowed some redacting, though.

Knowing the truth is important...but let's edit it, first? Must be some of that national security stuff. They are on the Commie Border after all.

-Joe

[Chefguy]

Knowing the truth is important...but let's edit it, first? Must be some of that national security stuff. They are on the Commie Border after all.

-Joe

I would hope that it's information like SSN and other private info that others have no right to see. Otherwise, what's the point?

[Chefguy]

Another reporter bounced (http://community.adn.com/adn/node/153890) from a Miller event. And this one hadn't even asked a question.

[Merijeek]

Another reporter bounced (http://community.adn.com/adn/node/153890) from a Miller event. And this one hadn't even asked a question.

Probably had some sort of Commie/Socialist Lenin beard. Not a rugged manly beard like Miller/Palin.

-Joe

[Euphonious Polemic]

They had it on good authority that she was going to ask Miller a "gotcha" question.

Like "what is your favorite color?"

[Chefguy]

Even Ben Stein (http://alaskadispatch.com/voices/tundra-talk/7254-ben-stein-good-old-tail-gunner-joe-miller) hates this guy.

[Boyo Jim]

Other "gotcha" questions for Miller:

Are your guards going to beat me?
Are your guards going to kill me?
What do your guards intend to do with those billy clubs?
Have you ever killed anyone?
Have you ever ordered someone's death?

[BrainGlutton]

Jeez . . . If Miller wins this, we should seriously consider selling Alaska back to the Russians!

[Chefguy]

Miller fails to report (http://alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7250-joe-millers-mysterious-mat-su-hideaway) land holdings on disclosure documents.

In part:

For the past 14 years, U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miler has owned or controlled 40 acres with a two-story house near Willow, but he does not report it in his Senate financial disclosure statements.
The deed for the property is recorded in the name of something called "The Wilmington Trust," but the woman named as the trustee says she had no idea of the exact nature of her legal connections and obligations to the property. Whether a trust actually exists is unclear.

[SmartAleq]

Yeah, I like the part where he bought that 40 acres and house during the same time period he was working as a lawyer but filed "indigent" in order to get free hunting licenses. What a shitheels.

[Chefguy]

Yeah, I like the part where he bought that 40 acres and house during the same time period he was working as a lawyer but filed "indigent" in order to get free hunting licenses. What a shitheels.

My brother has done shit like that. It really pisses me off. He has a house near Anchorage and a very nice cabin on a remote lake, several boats, snow machines, trucks, etc., yet claims residency in Glenallen and lists his possessions as "one canoe".

[asterion]

I'm just impressed that Rachel Maddow managed to ask Miller any questions at all.

And why are all her live shots when on the road from bars?

[E-Sabbath]

There's no penalties for lying though, right? He's still gonna win.

[Chefguy]

There's no penalties for lying though, right? He's still gonna win.

Very much in doubt at this point. The winning candidate must have at least 40% of the vote. According to a recent poll, Murkowski has 35%, Miller has 30%, and the Dem has 27%. In the case of a runoff election between the two highest vote-getters, Dems would swing to Murky, as Miller is too far to the right.

Speaking of lying, the documents (http://alaskadispatch.com/dispatches/politics/7283-miller-i-lied-about-accessing-all-of-the-computers) have been released.

[rocking chair]

I'm just impressed that Rachel Maddow managed to ask Miller any questions at all.

And why are all her live shots when on the road from bars?

and he answered some!!!

she did rather well up there. i enjoyed the tank segment. his look when she asked him if "gay could be cured" was priceless.

i guess some people like diners... some people like bars. she does have a "cocktail hour" segment sometimes.

[Chefguy]

The latest ploy (http://community.adn.com/adn/node/154002) by Palin and friends.

The Alaska Supremes overruled a lower court judge who ruled that voters couldn't have access to a list of write-in candidates on election day. In response, a local right-wing asshole by the name of Dan Fagan, a failed TV reporter, and now conservative radio yap-show host, encouraged people to place their names into contention for the seat as write-in candidates. Over 100 people managed to get their names on the list before closing time. They were hoping people named Murkowski or at least Lisa would show up. Palin's people are dubbing it Operation Alaska Chaos, and claiming it's civil disobedience in response to what they claim is an illegal ruling by the ASC.

While this is not an illegal act on the part of the Tea Party, it points out the scummy tactics and high school mentality of these people. Palin's hatred of Murkowski, who in a recent debate said she could not support Palin for president , knows no limits.

[asterion]

Except that by making it harder to vote for Murkowski makes it more likely that McAdams will win. I don't understand why the Alaska Supreme Court overturned the lower court, as I think the lower court make the proper ruling in accordance with Alaskan law. Anyway, this Republican civil war in Alaska could have them sending a second Democratic senator.

[Chefguy]

Except that by making it harder to vote for Murkowski makes it more likely that McAdams will win. I don't understand why the Alaska Supreme Court overturned the lower court, as I think the lower court make the proper ruling in accordance with Alaskan law. Anyway, this Republican civil war in Alaska could have them sending a second Democratic senator.

That would be the ultimate irony for Palin: being the architect of her own defeat. The court decision was apparently a temporary hold on the lower court decision in order to allow the election officials to compile a list. They are now allowing arguments from the State as to the legality of the decision.

[RitterSport]

I heard about this list of write-in candidates thing -- what the heck does that mean? Isn't the official list of write-in candidates called the ballot? Write-in candidates are meant to be anyone you want to write in. I don't know what the election law in Alaska is, but this doesn't make any sense at all to me.

[Jophiel]

Write-in candidates still need to be registered as such. The state doesn't have to bother counting votes for Mickey Mouse or Gandalf or you voting for yourself or whatever unless those people are pre-registered to be write-in candidates.

From a practical sense, if you haven't bothered registering yourself then there's no sense in counting votes for you since you've shown no interest in taking the office.

[RitterSport]

I guess that makes sense. It never occurred to me before. Thx.

[Euphonious Polemic]

While this is not an illegal act on the part of the Tea Party, it points out the scummy tactics and high school mentality of these people. Palin's hatred of Murkowski, who in a recent debate said she could not support Palin for president , knows no limits.

Were I an Alaska voter, I would see this as an attempt by Palin to subvert the will of the electorate, and to try to damage the democratic process.

[Frank]

Write-in candidates still need to be registered as such. The state doesn't have to bother counting votes for Mickey Mouse or Gandalf or you voting for yourself or whatever unless those people are pre-registered to be write-in candidates.
Missouri is the same way, as is (from memory) Colorado. An interesting exception in Missouri is if there is no candidate listed on the ballot for an office.

Were I an Alaska voter, I would see this as an attempt by Palin to subvert the will of the electorate, and to try to damage the democratic process.
I agree. From this distance, all indications are that Miller is suddenly sinking like a stone. This can't help.

[Chefguy]

Missouri is the same way, as is (from memory) Colorado. An interesting exception in Missouri is if there is no candidate listed on the ballot for an office.


I agree. From this distance, all indications are that Miller is suddenly sinking like a stone. This can't help.

If Murky wins, I hope she rubs Palin's nose in it, but good.

[Chronos]

Even more so if McAdams wins, which is a longshot, but made more likely by shenanigans like this.

[asterion]

In case anyone is curious, the write-in list is here (http://www.elections.alaska.gov/ci_pg_cl_2010_genr.php).

[Fear Itself]

In a new poll, Joe Miller has dropped to third (http://www.haysresearch.com/page2/page30/page30.html?wpisrc=nl_pmfix), behind Murkowski and McAdams.

Perhaps that is due to Miller's resemblance (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/afternoon-fix/afternoon-fix-alaska-poll-show.html)to the demented kinapper played by Phil Hartman on "Third Rock From The Sun". (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guNa-Yj7714)

[Merijeek]

In a new poll, Joe Miller has dropped to third (http://www.haysresearch.com/page2/page30/page30.html?wpisrc=nl_pmfix), behind Murkowski and McAdams.

Perhaps that is due to Miller's resemblance (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/afternoon-fix/afternoon-fix-alaska-poll-show.html)to the demented kinapper played by Phil Hartman on "Third Rock From The Sun". (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guNa-Yj7714)

I'm looking for a guy named Harry!

So, is Alaska a runoff, or is it just top of the three takes it?

-Joe

[Chefguy]

I'm looking for a guy named Harry!

So, is Alaska a runoff, or is it just top of the three takes it?

-Joe

Runoff, if nobody gets 40%.

[Chefguy]

In a new poll, Joe Miller has dropped to third (http://www.haysresearch.com/page2/page30/page30.html?wpisrc=nl_pmfix), behind Murkowski and McAdams.

Perhaps that is due to Miller's resemblance (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/afternoon-fix/afternoon-fix-alaska-poll-show.html)to the demented kinapper played by Phil Hartman on "Third Rock From The Sun". (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guNa-Yj7714)

That's a very interesting poll. Miller now has a 60% unfavorable rating, which is a stunning reversal of fortune, and Murky and McAdams are neck and neck.

[Chronos]

In any realistic runoff scenario, I think Murkowski is a lock. McAdams' chances, slim as they are, pretty much entirely depend on Murkowski and Miller splitting the Republican vote. And if it goes to Murkowski vs. Miller in a runoff, the Democrats are going to move over to Murkowski, as being at least reasonably sane. Basically, I think the most likely outcomes are Miller topping 40 and winning outright or Murkowski winning in overtime, with outside chances of Murkowski being the low end of the initial count (due to being a write-in) followed by Miller beating McAdams in the runoff, or of the numbers just working out exactly right for McAdams to get 40.

[Chefguy]

The latest news in this debacle is that four voters (fans of guess who) have filed suit in federal court over the write-in lists. I think the election will be immediately challenged if Miller loses and there will be a prolonged fight over each and every write-in vote.

[Merijeek]

The latest news in this debacle is that four voters (fans of guess who) have filed suit in federal court over the write-in lists. I think the election will be immediately challenged if Miller loses and there will be a prolonged fight over each and every write-in vote.

I think it'll be Teabagger SOP. The question is, will they start screaming about "stolen elections" and "suspicious circumstances" when non-candidates like O'Donnell get their clocks cleaned? Is any loss by a Teabagger candidate (remember, they're America's no-longer-silent majority!) in itself proof that there was perfidy in the election?

-Joe

[rocking chair]

161 write in candidates! are they serious? this is going to be a longer election than 2000.

[Ludovic]

Don't blame me, I voted for Bobby Tables.

[Chefguy]

The Republican Party has abandoned the Alaska race as hopeless, and Dems see an opening for McAdams. I see an empty seat for at least six months.

[Merijeek]

The Republican Party has abandoned the Alaska race as hopeless, and Dems see an opening for McAdams. I see an empty seat for at least six months.

Miller doesn't seem to do much, AND he can be his own lawyer. Seems to me they can keep it empty for years! GO GOP!

-Joe

[Chronos]

Don't blame me, I voted for Bobby Tables. I see what you did there. ")/]

[Chefguy]

Voter suit dropped (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/01/1530698/challenge-to-write-in-list-in.html). The court declared it moot.

[BrainGlutton]

Murkowski wins? (http://politics-and-world-5678.blogspot.com/2010/11/alaska-senate-race-2010-write-in-wins.html)

[Fear Itself]

Alaska won't seat their new Senator for at least six months. Endless challenges to write-in votes will keep that seat bottled up for the foreseeble future.

[Chefguy]

Alaska won't seat their new Senator for at least six months. Endless challenges to write-in votes will keep that seat bottled up for the foreseeble future.

Miller's team of lawyers are gearing up to challenge (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/02/1532963/senate-drama-could-just-be-beginning.html) the election in court. With 41% of the vote going to write-in candidates, there is a good possibility that she won. However, there's also a possibility that she didn't make the magical 40% mark (because of challenged votes, etc.), which would trigger a runoff between her and Miller. I think the Dems would swing to her side in that event.

[Fear Itself]

Miller's team of lawyers are gearing up to challenge (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/02/1532963/senate-drama-could-just-be-beginning.html) the election in court. With 41% of the vote going to write-in candidates, there is a good possibility that she won. However, there's also a possibility that she didn't make the magical 40% mark (because of challenged votes, etc.), which would trigger a runoff between her and Miller. I think the Dems would swing to her side in that event.Yeah, I forgot about the runoff. Miller is toast. But getting past Miller's challenges will delay the inevitable for several months at least. I am sure the corporate money for the right-wing lawyers will come in buckets now.

[asterion]

Rather nice to see the ghost of Norm Coleman come back to haunt the Republicans for a while.

[Chronos]

Even aside from the challenges, there might well still be more than 1% of the votes really legitimately going to people other than Murkowski. I think a runoff is pretty much certain.

[Boyo Jim]

So, who will the Republican party back in a runoff between Miller and Murkowski?

[Chefguy]

So, who will the Republican party back in a runoff between Miller and Murkowski?

Good question. Alaska is made up of a hardcore group of Pubs and an equally hardcore group of Dems. But by far, the largest group of voters identify themselves as Independents. Alaska is sick of Sarah Palin and so is the national Republican Party. Also, much can be made of Miller's legal indiscretions. The national party abandoned Miller in late October as a bad bet, and they really hate Palin. I think Miller might poll about the same percentage that he got this time, since those are the diehard far right and Sarah worshippers.

Frankly, I don't care who beats Miller: the goal is to shove Palin's own home candidate right up her ass. The only problem with a runoff is that the turnout is traditionally horrible for those types of elections. Even worse than the normal Alaska turnout, which is pathetic. It's one of those states where your vote really does matter (witness Begich's win for Mayor of Anchorage).

[Chefguy]

Alaska starts counting the write-ins and absentees today. Updates to follow.

[Chefguy]

Miller has picked up 914 more absentee votes than Murky. That still leaves over 12,000 write-in votes to deal with.

[Chefguy]

Miller picked up 2100 votes from early and absentee counts. The count of write-in votes started today. Miller is suing (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/09/1545716/miller-sues-to-force-exact-spelling.html)to bar misspelled names.

[Frank]

Miller is suing (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/09/1545716/miller-sues-to-force-exact-spelling.html)to bar misspelled names.
Looks like they're not challenging all that many, 5-10% so far, of which most are being accepted as valid. Including one for "Lisa, Murkowski". But still, I guess that 5-10% will be enough for Miller to base a court case on.

P.S. One for "Frank Morkowski" was not accepted. :)

From here. (http://community.adn.com/adn/node/154249)

[Chefguy]

Looks like they're not challenging all that many, 5-10% so far, of which most are being accepted as valid. Including one for "Lisa, Murkowski". But still, I guess that 5-10% will be enough for Miller to base a court case on.

P.S. One for "Frank Morkowski" was not accepted. :)

From here. (http://community.adn.com/adn/node/154249)

As of noon, Alaska time, 90% of the write-ins are for Murkowski. Miller is toast; he just won't admit it.

[Frank]

As of noon, Alaska time, 90% of the write-ins are for Murkowski. Miller is toast; he just won't admit it.
The first numbers released show that 89% of the write-ins are absolutely correct for Murkowski--oval filled in and name spelled correctly. Assuming that holds, then even without the challenged and counted ballots, Murkowski has about 37% vs Miller's 34.3%. I'm don't know whether that falls within Alaska's guidelines for a recount.

Which reminds me: I can't find anything anywhere regarding 40% being required to avoid a runoff except here. Is that just a rumor we've got?

[boytyperanma]

You people just don't understand Joe Miller math (http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/11/10/5443222-chart-joe-millers-math)

No seriously, I'm not kidding.

[Frank]

You people just don't understand Joe Miller math (http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/11/10/5443222-chart-joe-millers-math)

No seriously, I'm not kidding.
Huh. Did he register as a write-in candidate so that he could get that projected 1%?

[Chefguy]

The first numbers released show that 89% of the write-ins are absolutely correct for Murkowski--oval filled in and name spelled correctly. Assuming that holds, then even without the challenged and counted ballots, Murkowski has about 37% vs Miller's 34.3%. I'm don't know whether that falls within Alaska's guidelines for a recount.

Which reminds me: I can't find anything anywhere regarding 40% being required to avoid a runoff except here. Is that just a rumor we've got?

From this (http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/logon/elect/elect-cert.htm) site:

Under state law a municipality must:

conduct a run off election if no candidate receives 40% of the vote for the office of mayor or a designated seat, unless otherwise provided by ordinance (AS 29.26.060(a)), or if no candidate in an at large election receives greater than 40% of the total votes cast divided by the number of seats to be filled, unless otherwise provided by ordinance (AS 29.26.060(b));


This also applies statewide.

[descamisado]

Huh. Did he register as a write-in candidate so that he could get that projected 1%?It appears he did place himself on the write-in list (http://www.elections.alaska.gov/ci_pg_cl_2010_genr.php).

You would think there'd be a rule against that.

(Full disclosure: Scott McAdams did too.)

[Frank]

From this (http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/logon/elect/elect-cert.htm) site:

This also applies statewide.
I can't find anything that shows that. Title 29 applies to municipal governments only. I believe you're misunderstanding its application.

[boytyperanma]

Huh. Did he register as a write-in candidate so that he could get that projected 1%?

The one percent is what made me laugh. Seriously he thinks a full one percent of voters would write in his name rather then check the freaking box? Shows he thinks that people who vote for him are pretty stupid.

[Fear Itself]

Shows he thinks that people who vote for him are pretty stupid.Or he really knows his constituency.

[descamisado]

I think it also shows his anticipation of his supporters trying to subvert and disrupt the process -- just like him.

[Chefguy]

I can't find anything that shows that. Title 29 applies to municipal governments only. I believe you're misunderstanding its application.

Hell, I can't either. I'm sure I read this in one of the articles about the Alaska election, but finding it has not been successful. Sorry if this was bogus info.

[Frank]

Sorry if this was bogus info.
It's not a big deal.

Today's trend seems to be following yesterday: about 89% unchallenged and 8-9% challenged, the remainder being for Sid Hill and the like.

The ADN's Alaska politics blog has pictures of some challenged ballots, which make it appear that Miller's people consider this a penmanship test. If a letter can possibly considered as a different letter, challenge it. Hence the challenge of a voter whose writing could, in a bad light and without my glasses, have said Lisa Mvrkowski. And another one might have been Murfowski.

[Fear Itself]

The ADN's Alaska politics blog has pictures of some challenged ballots, which make it appear that Miller's people consider this a penmanship test. If a letter can possibly considered as a different letter, challenge it. Some ballots are easier than others (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/11/this_is_not_a_murkowski_misspe.html).

[Tom Scud]

I wonder how the Lizard People did in this race.

[Chefguy]

The rats (http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/13/lawyers-depart-alaska-as-millers-chances-dim/?hp) are abandoning the ship. When the lawyers start scurrying back under the slimy rocks from whence they came, the rotted meat must be about gone.

[joebuck20]

Murkowski has said repeatedly that if she wins she'll remain a Republican. But since she technically ran as an independent, how will she be listed on the Congressional rolls? Will she have an (I) next to her name like Joe Lieberman. Or can she offically change her affiliation to (R) once her new term begins.

[Fear Itself]

Murkowski has said repeatedly that if she wins she'll remain a Republican. But since she technically ran as an independent, how will she be listed on the Congressional rolls? Will she have an (I) next to her name like Joe Lieberman. Or can she offically change her affiliation to (R) once her new term begins.Since she ran as a write-in, I don't think she is technically an Independent, since that designation never appeared on the ballot.

[boytyperanma]

According to the registar upthread for write in candidates Murkowski ran as a Republican. She may not have been the party endorsed Republican but I'd see no reason to count her otherwise.

In Lieberman's case in order to get himself on the ballot rather then as a write-in he dropped his party and created a new party, Connecticut for Lieberman.

[Frank]

She'll absolutely be a Republican. She resigned her party leadership post (vice-chair of the NRSC), but not her committee assignments when she started her run as a write-in. She is not, however, Joe Miller, and I'm content enough with that.

[gonzomax]

She may be a Republican but she will remember what happened to her. She may not forgive them so easily. She owes the party nothing.

[Frank]

She may be a Republican but she will remember what happened to her. She may not forgive them so easily. She owes the party nothing.
What results do you project from your view? Do you expect Murkowski to side with the Democrats in the Senate? Fat chance.

Look, assuming (as seems likely) that she is elected via write-in, it will be because a plurality of Alaskans are happy with the way she has represented them in the Senate for the last eight years, and I would expect her to continue in that style, i.e., Republican, but not crazy.

[Chefguy]

What results do you project from your view? Do you expect Murkowski to side with the Democrats in the Senate? Fat chance.

Look, assuming (as seems likely) that she is elected via write-in, it will be because a plurality of Alaskans are happy with the way she has represented them in the Senate for the last eight years, and I would expect her to continue in that style, i.e., Republican, but not crazy.

She pretty much marches the party line except for being pro-choice. She won't forgive Palin, and that's just fine with me. I'm just happy that Miller got shoved up Palin's ass.

[Frank]

I'm just happy that Miller got shoved up Palin's ass.
Works for me too.

[gonzomax]

She will have the ability to be herself, whatever that may be. She will not likely listen to the Tea Baggers. They tried to take her down. I don't see how they can ask her for anything.

[Chefguy]

She will have the ability to be herself, whatever that may be. She will not likely listen to the Tea Baggers. They tried to take her down. I don't see how they can ask her for anything.

Possibly. I always had the impression that she was much more moderate than she lets on. But a moderate Republican has a difficult time getting elected in Alaska, so she puts on the face of the more radical right. It's a singular act of whoredom, if true.

[jayjay]

It's a singular act of whoredom, if true.

You're talking about a politician here. I find it difficult to believe anyone can be shocked (shocked!) to find out that they are, as a class, of negotiable representation.

[Chefguy]

You're talking about a politician here. I find it difficult to believe anyone can be shocked (shocked!) to find out that they are, as a class, of negotiable representation.

I'm definitely not delusional, and in fact jaded to a degree that I often find appalling.

[joebuck20]

What results do you project from your view? Do you expect Murkowski to side with the Democrats in the Senate? Fat chance.



Being a congresscritter is about a lot more than how you vote on the floor. A lot of it is doing behind the scenes favors for your supporters as well as fellow congresscritters, like inserting provisions into bills that your committee is working on or pulling strings with the various government agencies that fall under the oversight of your committees and subcommittees. I doubt that she's going to be much inclined to help many of her fellow Republicans with those types of things right now.

[Boyo Jim]

How exactly did the Republicans screw her? Didn't they support her until she lost the primary?

[gonzomax]

http://my.firedoglake.com/edwardteller/2010/08/31/in-alaska-lisa-murkowski-concedes-to-teabagger-end-of-the-30-year-murkowski-family-reign/ Sarah came out hard against her. The tea baggers blew her up with big money and endorsements. They were very active in supporting Miller.

[Chefguy]

Being a congresscritter is about a lot more than how you vote on the floor. A lot of it is doing behind the scenes favors for your supporters as well as fellow congresscritters, like inserting provisions into bills that your committee is working on or pulling strings with the various government agencies that fall under the oversight of your committees and subcommittees. I doubt that she's going to be much inclined to help many of her fellow Republicans with those types of things right now.

If McCain could bring himself to lick GW's boots after being whipped like a cur, I'm sure Murkey won't have a problem.

[gonzomax]

She has the option. She can justify being more independent. It would be hard for the tea baggers to ask her for anything.

[gonzomax]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/15/lisa-murkowski-sarah-palin_n_783970.html Here is Murkowski taking a serious shot at Palin for lack of resolve and intellectual curiosity. In short Palin is a shallow selfish little bitch that has no interest in governing or learning anything.

[joebuck20]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/15/lisa-murkowski-sarah-palin_n_783970.html Here is Murkowski taking a serious shot at Palin for lack of resolve and intellectual curiosity. In short Palin is a shallow selfish little bitch that has no interest in governing or learning anything.

Wow. It's nice to hear a Republican tell it how it is.

[jayjay]

Wow. It's nice to hear a Republican tell it how it is.

Heh...the utter hatred Murkowski feels for Palin isn't new with this election. There's no love lost between the Murkowskis (either Lisa or Frank) and Sarah Palin. It's at least as personal as it is political.

A little dissection of the feud. (http://www.guatemalaseek.com/the-fix-murkowski-v-palin-a-decade-long-feud/) There's a scary paragraph in there...imagine Sarah Palin as one of Alaska's senators...

[gonzomax]

Heh...the utter hatred Murkowski feels for Palin isn't new with this election. There's no love lost between the Murkowskis (either Lisa or Frank) and Sarah Palin. It's at least as personal as it is political.

A little dissection of the feud. (http://www.guatemalaseek.com/the-fix-murkowski-v-palin-a-decade-long-feud/) There's a scary paragraph in there...imagine Sarah Palin as one of Alaska's senators...

She would have quit.Senator is not big enough for her. But what is scary is people think that dingbat should be president. How low a person can we elect to the highest office? I fear for the union.
Palin now has a Learning Channel show on Alaska. I read a biography that said Palin does not hunt and fish, and never has. Now she embraces the culture and calls herself "mamma grizzly". This show is free advertising for her push to be president. I shudder at the thought. Her campaign is on many fronts simultaneously. There is big money in back of her.

[Boyo Jim]

So when is Miller going to man up, admit defeat, and stop wasting everyone's time and the state's money?

[Marley23]

So when is Miller going to man up, admit defeat, and stop wasting everyone's time and the state's money?
Maybe we should open a betting pool. Norm Coleman didn't give up until April, but that was in a much more populous state.

[Chefguy]

So when is Miller going to man up, admit defeat, and stop wasting everyone's time and the state's money?

I don't think it will be long, since the party has recalled its attack dogs. Miller can't afford a prolonged fight.

[Chronos]

Norm Coleman was also in a two-party race, and so was getting massive support from the Republican Party: The longer they could drag that one out, the more it would hurt the Democrats. Here, though, they're both Republicans, so dragging it out will hurt nobody but themselves.

[Boyo Jim]

Miller surely doesn't care about hurting the Republican party, though I'm sure he cares about his wallet.

Who's paying for this? If it's the state OR the Republican party, Miller will contest it until he runs out of appeals or the party pulls the money plug, at which point he'll start attacking the party. If it's his own campaign funds, he'll be dine this week.

[Chefguy]

Murkowski has now passed (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/15/1555926/murkowski-passes-miller-in-vote.html) Miller's vote count, and there are still 8,000 write-ins to go.

[joebuck20]

Miller surely doesn't care about hurting the Republican party, though I'm sure he cares about his wallet.

Who's paying for this? If it's the state OR the Republican party, Miller will contest it until he runs out of appeals or the party pulls the money plug, at which point he'll start attacking the party. If it's his own campaign funds, he'll be dine this week.

Well, Miller's already taken to soliciting donations to help with the legal battle,

[Boyo Jim]

Murkowski has now passed (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/15/1555926/murkowski-passes-miller-in-vote.html) Miller's vote count, and there are still 8,000 write-ins to go.

The Tea Party has apparently developed a proprietary type of mathematics, with the basic units being the "Miller" and the "not Murkowski".

[Frank]

Murkowski has now passed (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/15/1555926/murkowski-passes-miller-in-vote.html) Miller's vote count, and there are still 8,000 write-ins to go.
And apparently they also counted up a bunch of absentees yesterday, and only have about 600 left. Plus whatever else trickles in today and tomorrow.

It's all over but the posturing. And me attempting to cherry-pick my OP in order to prove that I was mostly right. :cool:

[waterj2]

Miller surely doesn't care about hurting the Republican party, though I'm sure he cares about his wallet.

Who's paying for this? If it's the state OR the Republican party, Miller will contest it until he runs out of appeals or the party pulls the money plug, at which point he'll start attacking the party. If it's his own campaign funds, he'll be dine this week.Exactly. The Minnesota recount battle* was all about keeping Al Franken out of the Senate seat he'd obviously won. This benefited the Republican Party, so they poured money into his legal battle, even knowing that it had no chance of success. Keeping Murkowski out of the Senate doesn't benefit the Republican Party (and, for all I know, Alaska allows a winner to be seated provisionally earlier than Minnesota does), so they won't fund him. I can think of one prominent politician with a PAC that has deep pockets, little loyalty to the Republican establishment, and a very strong grudge against Murkowski, and who might just be crazy enough to try. That would be fun.


*The 2008-09 Minnesota Senate recount battle, not the forthcoming 2010 (-11??) Minnesota gubernatorial recount battle.

[gonzomax]

Exactly. The Minnesota recount battle* was all about keeping Al Franken out of the Senate seat he'd obviously won. This benefited the Republican Party, so they poured money into his legal battle, even knowing that it had no chance of success. Keeping Murkowski out of the Senate doesn't benefit the Republican Party (and, for all I know, Alaska allows a winner to be seated provisionally earlier than Minnesota does), so they won't fund him. I can think of one prominent politician with a PAC that has deep pockets, little loyalty to the Republican establishment, and a very strong grudge against Murkowski, and who might just be crazy enough to try. That would be fun.


*The 2008-09 Minnesota Senate recount battle, not the forthcoming 2010 (-11??) Minnesota gubernatorial recount battle.

I can think of a wealthy Repub that is probably too busy watching "Dancing with the Stars" to get involved. Besides Sarah doesn't spend, she collects.

[BobLibDem]

I can think of one prominent politician with a PAC that has deep pockets, little loyalty to the Republican establishment, and a very strong grudge against Murkowski, and who might just be crazy enough to try. That would be fun.


I doubt it. Even Sarah knows a dead fish when she sees one. She'd have nothing to gain by delaying the seating of a Republican senator and wouldn't want to burn any bridges before she kicks off her 2012 campaign.

[descamisado]

FWIW, Sarah Palin did contribute $5,000 to the recount effort.

[Steve MB]

FWIW, Sarah Palin did contribute $5,000 to the recount effort.

$5k out of how much?

[BobLibDem]

FWIW, Sarah Palin did contribute $5,000 to the recount effort.

That's like what she makes cutting one fart behind a podium. It's like you or me tossing a dime into a wishing well.

[descamisado]

Hence, the "FWIW." I wasn't posting that to praise her, only to say she did put her sofa cushion change where her mouth was.

[Paul in Qatar]

MIller's position is no longer tenable. If he had some sort of double-secret recount aided by a court ruling, he would forever be tainted. It is time and past time for him to be a good sport.

[silenus]

MIller's position is no longer tenable. If he had some sort of double-secret recount aided by a court ruling, he would forever be tainted. It is time and past time for him to be a good sport.

Riiiiiight. :p

[Chefguy]

Miller is now asking for a hand recount (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/16/1557873/murkowskis-lead-more-than-10000.html)of ALL ballots cast. He says the state's electronic counting is "suspect". Apparently it was just peachy in the primary, though. Since he can't possible recoup 10,000 votes, this is just harassment.

[Nametag]

That's like what she makes cutting one fart behind a podium.

... she did put her sofa cushion change where her mouth was.

:D

[jayjay]

MIller's position is no longer tenable. If he had some sort of double-secret recount aided by a court ruling, he would forever be tainted. It is time and past time for him to be a good sport.

Haven't been paying attention to this race (and this candidate), have you? :D

[hajario]

This is beyond ridiculous. She is over 10,000 votes ahead of him. Even if every one of his challenged votes is accepted, she is over 2,000 votes ahead of him. There are 600 ballots left to count. It is impossible for him to catch up.

[Fotheringay-Phipps]

Miller is now asking for a hand recount (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/16/1557873/murkowskis-lead-more-than-10000.html)of ALL ballots cast. He says the state's electronic counting is "suspect". Apparently it was just peachy in the primary, though. Since he can't possible recoup 10,000 votes, this is just harassment.FWIW, his argument is that all of Murkowski's votes have been counted by hand (since they were write-ins) while all of his have not been. This means that if there were smudges on X% of all ballots cast, the vote counts for Murkowski would include those ballots while those for him might not. This was not true in the primary, where all ballots were counted the same way, and both sides presumably lost the same X% of their ballots.

At the end of the day, he is not going to be senator from Alaska, but his argument is not as silly as might seem. If he can disqualify some of Murkowski's votes and add a bunch of his own, he could theoretically win.

I think one reason he might be more reluctant to step aside than another politician might be is that he is not a career politician or otherwise prominent personality who needs to keep his reputation clean for another election or endeavor. For Miller, this is his big shot. If he loses this election, he will probably never be heard from again. So he has to go for the Hail Mary where another might take a knee.

[Fear Itself]

Miller is now asking for a hand recount (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/16/1557873/murkowskis-lead-more-than-10000.html)of ALL ballots cast. He says the state's electronic counting is "suspect". Apparently it was just peachy in the primary, though. Since he can't possible recoup 10,000 votes, this is just harassment.Does he have to pay for it?

[Chefguy]

FWIW, his argument is that all of Murkowski's votes have been counted by hand (since they were write-ins) while all of his have not been. This means that if there were smudges on X% of all ballots cast, the vote counts for Murkowski would include those ballots while those for him might not. This was not true in the primary, where all ballots were counted the same way, and both sides presumably lost the same X% of their ballots.

At the end of the day, he is not going to be senator from Alaska, but his argument is not as silly as might seem. If he can disqualify some of Murkowski's votes and add a bunch of his own, he could theoretically win.

I think one reason he might be more reluctant to step aside than another politician might be is that he is not a career politician or otherwise prominent personality who needs to keep his reputation clean for another election or endeavor. For Miller, this is his big shot. If he loses this election, he will probably never be heard from again. So he has to go for the Hail Mary where another might take a knee.

You're probably right, and I would have to respect your opinion anyway, as you have a hyphenated name. :D

[Kolak of Twilo]

I doubt it. Even Sarah knows a dead fish when she sees one. She'd have nothing to gain by delaying the seating of a Republican senator and wouldn't want to burn any bridges before she kicks off her 2012 campaign.

But given the relationship Murkowski and Palin have it seems that bridge was reduced to ashes a looooong time ago.

[Steve MB]

I think one reason he might be more reluctant to step aside than another politician might be is that he is not a career politician or otherwise prominent personality who needs to keep his reputation clean for another election or endeavor. For Miller, this is his big shot. If he loses this election, he will probably never be heard from again. So he has to go for the Hail Mary where another might take a knee.

If he loses after raising as big a stink as possible, he'll be a movement hero and one of the tea party backers will give him a nice cushy lobbyist job. If he concedes, not so much.

But given the relationship Murkowski and Palin have it seems that bridge was reduced to ashes a looooong time ago.

That bridge led to nowhere, anyway.

[Ludovic]

Miller is now asking for a hand recount (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/16/1557873/murkowskis-lead-more-than-10000.html)of ALL ballots cast. He says the state's electronic counting is "suspect". Apparently it was just peachy in the primary, though. Since he can't possible recoup 10,000 votes, this is just harassment.
How's that Dieboldy, Promise-to-deliver-electronic-votes-to-the-Republicansy thing working out for them?

[BobLibDem]

But given the relationship Murkowski and Palin have it seems that bridge was reduced to ashes a looooong time ago.

Not so much that bridge, it may not endear her to Republicans nationwide if she persists in an effort to keep Murkowski from being seated.

[Boyo Jim]

For what it's worth, AP has now called the race for Murkowski (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sectionfronts/politics/index.html?tid=postpolitics?wpisrc=nl_natlalert).

[Chronos]

FWIW, his argument is that all of Murkowski's votes have been counted by hand (since they were write-ins) while all of his have not been. This means that if there were smudges on X% of all ballots cast, the vote counts for Murkowski would include those ballots while those for him might not. This was not true in the primary, where all ballots were counted the same way, and both sides presumably lost the same X% of their ballots.
So, presumably the counting machines kept a tally of the number of ballots that were smudged or otherwise spoiled. Does anyone know that number, and is it enough that it could even conceivably tip the race to Miller?

[Boyo Jim]

It would seem to me that a hand count could end up eliminating more Miller votes than adding new ones. If Murkpwski is smart, her people will start to challenge any machine counted ballots with stray marks or incomplete erasures.

[hajario]

If Murkpwski is smart, her people will start to challenge any machine counted ballots with stray marks or incomplete erasures.

I am sorry but we cannot accept this post as valid.

[Boyo Jim]

What did I misspell?

[waterj2]

I doubt it. Even Sarah knows a dead fish when she sees one. She'd have nothing to gain by delaying the seating of a Republican senator and wouldn't want to burn any bridges before she kicks off her 2012 campaign.Oh, I know. I'm just pointing out all the delightful ways the Republican Party's firing squad would look so much nicer in a circular formation.

[Chronos]

What did I misspell?Miller. You only got the first letter correct.

[Snowboarder Bo]

First write in win since 1954 (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ALASKA_SENATE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-11-17-23-06-21), too!

[Frank]

Does he have to pay for it?
Yes, Alaska only pays if the difference is less than .5 of a percentage point. Also, he won't get a hand recount (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/17/1560285/murkowski-proclaims-herself-the.html).
But [Elections Director Gail] Fenumiai said Wednesday that state does not grant recounts entirely by hand. A traditional recount using optical scan equipment costs about $15,000, she said, and is only paid for by the state if a candidate is within .5 percent of winning.
Of course, I would assume that they'd have to recount all the write-ins as well, which would drag it out for a bit. I guess it all depends on how much of a jerk Miller desires to be.

[No Wikipedia Cites]

May I interrupt the partisanship and ask an actual question: How did Murkowski win as a write-in candidate who lost her own primary (as an incumbent, no less)?

[Fotheringay-Phipps]

Primaries are intra-party elections, have low turnout and tend to be dominated by hard-core partisans, in this case Tea Partiers. General elections are open to both parties and feature a more moderate electorate generally.

Same story as Joe Lieberman, in that respect.

That plus Miller himself was somewhat exposed as a flawed candidate between the primary and the election.

[DrDeth]

Is there any possibility that she will decide to caucus with the Dems?

[Fotheringay-Phipps]

I believe she's already said she won't. And doing so would not help her chances in 2016.

But that's probably one reason the Republican leadership has not gone all out to help Miller (e.g. their ads in support of his candidacy focused on attacking the Democrat in the race). They don't want to alienate their current and future colleague Murkowski.

[Chefguy]

May I interrupt the partisanship and ask an actual question: How did Murkowski win as a write-in candidate who lost her own primary (as an incumbent, no less)?

Your question is a bit vague. If you're asking how it is that she could run after losing the primary, the answer is: as an Independent candidate. If you're asking how it is that she was able to win at all, it's because of feet-on-the-ground campaigning, name recognition, and Joe Miller shooting himself in the foot. She should have beat him in the primary, but was too complacent about her reelection and didn't take Miller seriously, IMO.

[Chefguy]

Is there any possibility that she will decide to caucus with the Dems?

No. Her base is the Repulican & Independent (right wing) voters in Alaska. While she is more moderate than she generally lets on, there is no way she will caucus with the Dems. At least not if she ever expects to be reelected in the future.

[Frank]

It appears that Miller wants to be a world-class jerk. He has filed for an injunction to stop certification of the election. This is part of his earlier suit about write-in votes serving as a spelling and penmanship test. He seem to be oblivious to the fact that even if he gets every single challenged ballot thrown out, he still loses.

From the Anchorage Daily News (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/18/1561739/miller-seeks-to-stop-election.html), which has been getting a lot of views from me lately, and if I ever move to Alaska, I'll know where to get my 2011 moose calendar.

[ShibbOleth]

She would have quit.Senator is not big enough for her. But what is scary is people think that dingbat should be president. How low a person can we elect to the highest office? I fear for the union.
Palin now has a Learning Channel show on Alaska. I read a biography that said Palin does not hunt and fish, and never has. Now she embraces the culture and calls herself "mamma grizzly". This show is free advertising for her push to be president. I shudder at the thought. Her campaign is on many fronts simultaneously. There is big money in back of her.

It's not "free advertising"; I'm fairly certain she's getting paid for it.

[gonzomax]

It's not "free advertising"; I'm fairly certain she's getting paid for it.

Yes and it is probably quite a bit. People who have watched it told me she seems pretty uncomfortable out there. But that is like Bush clearing brush all the time. He is a rich kid with family money and he has to clear brush all the time? He has plenty of people working for him. He was forming a persona.
I read a story about Palin by an Alaskan woman a couple weeks ago. She said Palin does not fish or hunt or go in the woods. She just sees some political benefit in acting like it. So here we go again. Palin is forming a regular Alaskan persona.

[Chronos]

But that is like Bush clearing brush all the time. He is a rich kid with family money and he has to clear brush all the time? He has plenty of people working for him. He was forming a persona.I always got the impression that Bush's brush-clearing was honest: He doesn't need to do it himself, but that's the way he relaxes. Of course, one could argue that he should have spent less time relaxing and more time doing his job, but that's a separate issue.

[jayjay]

I always got the impression that Bush's brush-clearing was honest: He doesn't need to do it himself, but that's the way he relaxes. Of course, one could argue that he should have spent less time relaxing and more time doing his job, but that's a separate issue.

He never owned a ranch to clear brush from before running for president. And he sold that ranch right after he left office.

[Chefguy]

Yes and it is probably quite a bit. People who have watched it told me she seems pretty uncomfortable out there. But that is like Bush clearing brush all the time. He is a rich kid with family money and he has to clear brush all the time? He has plenty of people working for him. He was forming a persona.
I read a story about Palin by an Alaskan woman a couple weeks ago. She said Palin does not fish or hunt or go in the woods. She just sees some political benefit in acting like it. So here we go again. Palin is forming a regular Alaskan persona.

Have you seen that ad that shows her firing a shotgun? She's clearly a non-shooter, as the recoil damn near snaps her neck. I laughed my ass off when I saw that, and I would suspect she had a hell of a headache afterward.

[aceplace57]

Well, the first shot was fired in the long legal nightmare.

Some federal judge blocked the certification.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/19/federal-judge-halts-certification-alaska-senate-election-miller-eyes-lawsuit/?test=latestnews

I guess this crap will drag on for five or six months just like they did in the Al Franken election.

The lawyers will get a lot richer. The state will blow a crap load of money. All for nothing.

I miss the days when a defeated candidate manned up. Gave his "I got my ass beat" speech and left the building. Now, everyone has to blow millions trying to find some technicality or loophole. Let's spend 15 million recounting every stinking vote by hand. Hows the penmanship? Did they print or use cursive letters? I could understand taking this to court if the election counts were even remotely close. This is all just an exercise to show off in the press and make some political points. It's Miller's chance to grandstand and gives Palin another chance to stick it to someone she personally dislikes.

[Chronos]

Have you seen that ad that shows her firing a shotgun?No, and a Google video search for "Sarah Palin shotgun ad" isn't bringing it up. Got a link?

[Fear Itself]

Well, the first shot was fired in the long legal nightmare.

Some federal judge blocked the certification.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/11/19/federal-judge-halts-certification-alaska-senate-election-miller-eyes-lawsuit/?test=latestnews

I guess this crap will drag on for five or six months just like they did in the Al Franken election.Sauce for the goose. At least this tiime it is a Republican vote stuck in limbo. With any luck, a conservative issue will be defeated by one vote, and the blame will fall squarely on the Tea Party.

Let's you and him fight.

[Chefguy]

No, and a Google video search for "Sarah Palin shotgun ad" isn't bringing it up. Got a link?

It's part of a longer trailer for her TV "reality" show. Not sure which channel it's on: TLC?

[Ionizer]

Chronos / Chefguy: I bet its this (http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/sarah-palins-alaska-bristols-skeet-shoot.html) one, fwiw re: the 'commercial' footage. There's lots of other snippets here (http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/sarah-palin-alaska-video/) (if you feel like getting sick, imho).

HTH

[Paul in Qatar]

Joe Miller is ensuring he will have no (conventional) political future. He is setting himself to be the next Oliver North. I predict he will be eating rubber chicken at every Tea Party conclave for the next ten years.

[Chefguy]

Chronos / Chefguy: I bet its this (http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/sarah-palins-alaska-bristols-skeet-shoot.html) one, fwiw re: the 'commercial' footage. There's lots of other snippets here (http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/sarah-palin-alaska-video/) (if you feel like getting sick, imho).

HTH

That's not it. It was part of a montage trailer for the series, which may not be around anymore.

[yola]

What a race this was! Wasn't politics as usual thats for sure.

The best part was Lisa Murkowski won!

Now all those yipper snappers who don't vote anyway can't say she's in there cos her daddy appointed her.

[Ionizer]

That's not it. It was part of a montage trailer for the series, which may not be around anymore.

I fully realize about the montage - which seems to be mostly composed of bits and pieces of the linked trailers. I did see that friggin' commercial one too many times, and the shotgun-shooting portion (from the ad, per se) *is* found within the linked site, fwiw. Not that it matters, of course :)

It is great that Miller was trounced in by write-in. How embarrassing that must be (for Miller) to be remembered by history for such a thing. Perhaps it'll end up as a Trivial Pursuit question?

[Chefguy]

I fully realize about the montage - which seems to be mostly composed of bits and pieces of the linked trailers. I did see that friggin' commercial one too many times, and the shotgun-shooting portion (from the ad, per se) *is* found within the linked site, fwiw. Not that it matters, of course :)

It is great that Miller was trounced in by write-in. How embarrassing that must be (for Miller) to be remembered by history for such a thing. Perhaps it'll end up as a Trivial Pursuit question?

What I was saying is that the clip of her at the trap range does not contain the bit shown in the trailer. The video you linked to does show her shooting, but not with that head snapping recoil in the trailer. I'm wondering if her skeet gun is a .20 ga and somebody handed her a .12 ga. But you're right: it doesn't matter.

[gonzomax]

The article I read about Palin that says she never went hunting or fishing is certainly backed up by the program and ads. The shooting and fishing shows them to be raw beginners. This is about trying to create the impression that the spoiled beauty contest celebrity is just another person. It fails if you are a hunter and fisherman. But for some city folk, it will work.

[Chefguy]

The article I read about Palin that says she never went hunting or fishing is certainly backed up by the program and ads. The shooting and fishing shows them to be raw beginners. This is about trying to create the impression that the spoiled beauty contest celebrity is just another person. It fails if you are a hunter and fisherman. But for some city folk, it will work.

Yeah, I wanted to reach out and snatch that shotgun from her daughter's hands before she hurt somebody. While secretly wishing she would hurt somebody.

[Chefguy]

Senator and noted major asshole Jim DeMint is still raising money (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/21/1566331/demint-still-raising-funds-to.html) to try to overturn Murky's win in Alaska, all the while making overtures to her just in case it doesn't pan out for his ego. She isn't buying it. I think that even though she has stated she will return to being a Republican once reseated, she is a prime candidate for a swing vote for the Dems if they can ever break the mindless lockstep of the right. I fear the republic is on a downward spiral, however. Our congressional members have become very adept at politics, while losing the ability to govern.

[hajario]

Why would DeMint do this? It's a near zero percent chance of a win.

[Merijeek]

Senator and noted major asshole Jim DeMint is still raising money (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/21/1566331/demint-still-raising-funds-to.html) to try to overturn Murky's win in Alaska, all the while making overtures to her just in case it doesn't pan out for his ego. She isn't buying it. I think that even though she has stated she will return to being a Republican once reseated, she is a prime candidate for a swing vote for the Dems if they can ever break the mindless lockstep of the right. I fear the republic is on a downward spiral, however. Our congressional members have become very adept at politics, while losing the ability to govern.

Ability? They've lost the desire to even attempt. And the problem is that a good chunk of their constituents see the lack of governance as a positive, not a negative.

Why would DeMint do this? It's a near zero percent chance of a win.

He recently managed to bitchslap Droopy Mitch into line - maybe he wants to see if he can get a second senator under his thumb.

-Joe

[Chronos]

All I can figure is that it arises from a black-and-white, with-us-or-against-us mentality. They were trying to beat Murkowski before, therefore she's the enemy, therefore she's absolute evil, therefore she must be defeated at all costs.

[gonzomax]

Why would DeMint do this? It's a near zero percent chance of a win.

If he can get it into the court system, he can win it. Get it to the Supreme Court and Miller would be a lock.

[aceplace57]

Did you see the Federal judges injunction/stay as a warning to Alaska?

They better take Miller's legal challenge seriously or else?

I can see the Feds itching to jump into this unless Alaska treads carefully.

If this gets into Fed court it could get ugly. Is a write in vote even constitutional? I rather not see this challenge played out.

[hajario]

I hope that DeMint loses something that he really, really wants for lack of one GOP vote.

[Chronos]

Of course a write-in vote is Constitutional. How could it not be?

[aceplace57]

That was just an example.

If this gets in Fed Court there's no telling what sort of desperate argument Miller and Demint's side will try.

I'm baffled why he hasn't shook Lisa's hand and lived to fight another day. Sore losers don't get far in politics.

[Merijeek]

That was just an example.

If this gets in Fed Court there's no telling what sort of desperate argument Miller and Demint's side will try.

I'm baffled why he hasn't shook Lisa's hand and lived to fight another day. Sore losers don't get far in politics.

The whole Teabagger movement is built around nothing but sore losers. He's King Teabagger - he's supposed to not be a sore loser?

-Joe

[Chefguy]

I don't care if it gets locked up in the courts forever. It's one less vote for the Pubs in the Senate.

[DigitalC]

That was just an example.

If this gets in Fed Court there's no telling what sort of desperate argument Miller and Demint's side will try.

I'm baffled why he hasn't shook Lisa's hand and lived to fight another day. Sore losers don't get far in politics.

Because there won't be another day for someone like him no matter what he does now.

[Frank]

Because there won't be another day for someone like him no matter what he does now.
I agree. This is his big chance, probably his only chance, and people are, for whatever reason, willing to throw money at him to pursue it. I'd likely do the same, even though in my heart I knew it was over.

It will do neither him nor Palin any good in Alaska politics if his court challenges wind up costing Murkowski her seniority, however.

There is not yet any breaking news that he has filed for a recount today, which was the judge's requirement to maintain the injunction. What time is it in Alaska?

[Chefguy]

I agree. This is his big chance, probably his only chance, and people are, for whatever reason, willing to throw money at him to pursue it. I'd likely do the same, even though in my heart I knew it was over.

It will do neither him nor Palin any good in Alaska politics if his court challenges wind up costing Murkowski her seniority, however.

There is not yet any breaking news that he has filed for a recount today, which was the judge's requirement to maintain the injunction. What time is it in Alaska?

Let the circus (http://www.adn.com/2010/11/22/1567823/miller-files-vote-suit-in-state.html) begin! Miller has complied with the federal judge's order and filed suit with the state, thus triggering the second half of the mess requiring the state to withhold certification of the election. His assertions are just bizarre, and it's apparent that this is just a loser poking the eye of the electorate.

[gonzomax]

Miller claims you can not interpret the name. It has to be exactly Lisa Murkowski. If they put a y at the end it should be thrown out. One signature had a cursive L and the rest was block letters. His team felt that should be thrown out too. He wants the job very badly.

[Chefguy]

Miller claims you can not interpret the name. It has to be exactly Lisa Murkowski. If they put a y at the end it should be thrown out. One signature had a cursive L and the rest was block letters. His team felt that should be thrown out too. He wants the job very badly.

Correction: he wants the instant retirement check and the lifetime healthcare for serving one term very badly.

[Merijeek]

Miller claims you can not interpret the name. It has to be exactly Lisa Murkowski. If they put a y at the end it should be thrown out. One signature had a cursive L and the rest was block letters. His team felt that should be thrown out too. He wants the job very badly.

I usually write the opposite - block capital letter and cursive to finish the name.

Oh no, I won't get to vote in Alaska!

-Joe

[waterj2]

Miller claims you can not interpret the name. It has to be exactly Lisa Murkowski. If they put a y at the end it should be thrown out. One signature had a cursive L and the rest was block letters. His team felt that should be thrown out too. He wants the job very badly.Isn't he still about 2,000 votes short even if they throw out every single vote he challenged?

[Boyo Jim]

Isn't he still about 2,000 votes short even if they throw out every single vote he challenged?

Supposedly yes, but now he's claiming that there was something wrong with the machine counting of ALL the ballots, not just the ones that had a write in for Murkowski on them.

[Chefguy]

Miller is now under investigation (http://www.adn.com/2010/12/03/1586076/millers-missing-borough-e-mails.html) for possibly deleting up to 15,000 emails when he suddenly resigned his position with the North Star Borough. This is a felony offense, if true.

[Frank]

As long as this is bumped anyway, the judge in Fairbanks on Tuesday moved the case to Juneau, citing that he did not want to take any chances of possible damage/loss of ballots if they had to be moved to the court. The new judge in Juneau on Wednesday set an expedited hearing for this Wednesday.

Miller's lawyers, of course, argued, "What's the rush?"

Miller is, in my opinion, burning every bridge for future success in electoral politics in Alaska behind him. Not only burning the bridges, but setting off dynamite in the piers and bulldozing the banks in.

[Frank]

Judge Carey has ruled (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101211/ap_on_re_us/us_alaska_senate) that misspelled write-in votes count under Alaskan law. He also mentioned that it didn't matter which way he ruled, as even throwing out all the challenged votes still leaves Murkowski with a victory.

He has stayed the ruling until Tuesday, to give Miller an opportunity to appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court.

Gov. Parnell, meanwhile, is exploring the possibility of appointing an interim Senator if the Miller camp continues its campaign of obfuscation and fairy tales. Presumably, such an appointment would go to Murkowski, as otherwise she loses her seniority anyway, and why bother?

[jayjay]

Anything Parnell does that looks like it legitimizes Murkowski will have Miller's camp in flames.

[Frank]

Anything Parnell does that looks like it legitimizes Murkowski will have Miller's camp in flames.
Probably true. So what?

My impression is that Miller is losing support amongst Alaskans who are not named Palin or DeMint by bushel baskets every day. He's showing himself to be the quintessential sore loser. I'd wager that if the courts ruled that the election should be recontested, he'd finish below McAdams.

[jayjay]

Probably true. So what?

No huge point. I was just noting that Miller's likely to throw another metric ton of spaghetti against the media wall if Parnell did that.

[Chronos]

I would be so happy if he manages to drag his feet until after the new senate is seated, and even happier if some piece of generally-Democratic legislation manages to pass the Senate by one vote in that window.

[Chefguy]

Probably true. So what?

My impression is that Miller is losing support amongst Alaskans who are not named Palin or DeMint by bushel baskets every day. He's showing himself to be the quintessential sore loser. I'd wager that if the courts ruled that the election should be recontested, he'd finish below McAdams.

It's certainly no surprise that Palin supported him without bothering to check on his background. It's just the latest in a pattern of supporting people with ethics and qualification problems going back to when she was mayor. She shoots from the hip, making messes that others have to clean up. It's the reason she would be a catastrophe on the national level.

[foolsguinea]

"You don't blink."

[waterj2]

It's certainly no surprise that Palin supported him without bothering to check on his background. It's just the latest in a pattern of supporting people with ethics and qualification problems going back to when she was mayor. She shoots from the hip, making messes that others have to clean up. It's the reason she would be a catastrophe on the national level.I respectfully submit that that's not the only reason she would be a catastrophe.

[Chefguy]

I respectfully submit that that's not the only reason she would be a catastrophe.

It's just one aspect of her complete lack of interest in the job she's hired to do.