The Princess Seeks Clarity On Write-In; The Carpetbagger Follows Sarah To California For Bucks

In today's Anchorage Daily News, write-in candidate Senator Princess Lisa Murkowski seeks a clarification as to whether or not a misspelled version of her name on the November ballot will be counted as a vote for her.

It's a valid concern for the princess, because according to Ben Smith at Politico, even her own campaign staff can't get it right.  Check out the web address at the bottom of the picture.  It's apparently been corrected, but not before someone managed to get a screen shot of it.

In other news, Joe "Carpetbagger" Miller is still clinging to Sarah Palin's skirt, being the keynote speaker at a fund raiser in that well-known Alaskan town of San Diego CA, (not to mention other hob-nobbing with the right-wing-elite of the GOP):

Two things about the picture above strike me.  The first:  "Combat Veterans for Congress."  Is that the name of the organization, or do they want people to combat the idea?

The second is that referring to Carpetbagger Miller as (R-Senate-AK) kind of makes him sound like the incumbent.

I'm guessing that was no accident.

Meanwhile, back home, Scott McAdams keeps plugging away, getting hosed by the PACs that SHOULD be supporting him, had not Princess Lisa decided to be a spoiler.

To AFN:

After your Murkowski endorsement... if (or when) you wind up with Senator Joe Miller, you'll have no one to blame but yourselves.

Per The Mudflats' Request

Why the DSCC Loves Sarah Palin

It’s mind-boggling how the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hasn’t shown up for Scott McAdams, Alaska’s Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

They’ve had weeks to help secure a now open seat they didn’t think they had a prayer to take. Why aren’t they fighting for Alaska? Lisa Murkowski asked McAdams where his DSCC support was. When it didn’t show, she threw back in as a write-in candidate.
The front page of their website features a picture of Sarah Palin. Fear of her brand of crazy has been an ATM for the DSCC. They’ve raised millions off of Palin word salads with guano dressing. The DSCC website also has a link to Palin’s anointed Alaskan proxy for US Senate, Joe Miller, but they haven’t supported his opponent.
Alaska is the cheapest place in the country to run a campaign. One hundred dollars of campaign money in such a small market is equivalent to $2,000 for a race in Texas. With Palin’s negative numbers over 50%, her candidate, Joe Miller, is vulnerable. The Tea Party is recruiting people with “Lisa M” type names to run a write-in, and every Murkowski vote will be challenged by their attorneys. It will make the Franken/Coleman recount look like play-dough hour in kindergarten.
52% of Alaska’s voters are registered independent or undeclared. Nate Silver thinks Murkowski could win a write-in campaign?  He’s wrong about Alaska – again. Ask NOT-Congressman Ethan Berkowitz. Silver projected Ethan would best incumbent Don Young in 2008.  He didn’t.
Nationally, both Democrats and Republicans are underestimating Sarah Palin. The DSCC and others do this at their own peril. There is a chance to drive a political stake through the heart of the Palin king-maker meme. I realize Palin is a money maker, but neutering her politically by electing a Democratic Senator in Alaska is priceless.
Please help Alaska take our state forward. Save yourselves. Support Scott McAdams for U. S. Senate.  Contribute to Scott McAdams campaign.
Call the DSCC and ask them to FINANCIALLY support Alaska’s democratic candidate. 202-224-2447 Email them at info@dscc.org
******************************
Mudflatters – I don’t often make a direct ask of you. I know time and energy is valuable, and not everyone finds it easy to pick up a phone and make a call.  But I am asking.  Alaska bloggers work hard to make a difference, and this time we need your help.  We need EVERYONE to pick up the phone and call.  And then email too. And if you haven’t done it yet, donate to Scott McAdams at the link above in the text.
Also, if you have a blog, cut and paste this.  If you have a Facebook account, share it.  If you have a Twitter account, tweet it.  If you have a progressive email list, email it. We need all hands on deck.  Thank you so much.
AKM

I couldn't agree more. 

Thanks, AKMuckraker.

"Dunce Cap of the Week" Award Winner: NEA-Alaska! Representing Educators? I Must Have Missed Something.

NEA-Alaska proudly proclaims they are "More than 13,000 teachers and education support professionals are working to create a bright future for Alaska’s children… and all Alaskans."

NEA-Alaska cheered when Congress passed H.R.1586 - the "Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act," a measure that will send some $23.5 million to Alaska to help support education jobs.

Then, on Friday, NEA-Alaska, in the persona of NEA-Alaska President Barb Angaiak, gushingly endorsed Senator Princess Lisa Murkowski in her desperate bid to retain her inheritance.

WTF?

The same  Senator Princess Lisa Murkowski who voted AGAINST H.R. 1586?  She voted AGAINST you, and you're now endorsing her? Are you people NUTS?

Dear NEA-Alaska members:

Your President's actions will help split the sane vote, furthering the cause of Tea/Carpet Bagger Joe Miller, who wants to ELIMINATE the Department of Education.

The Democrat in this race, Scott McAdams, has a track record of supporting education:

 

He's been President of the Sitka School Board, Vice-Chair of the Mt. Edgecumbe School Board, and President of the Association of Alaska School Boards.

Plus, he's a Democrat.  You know, Democrats usually have pro-union stances (and Scott does)?

Is NEA an acronym for "Not Exactly Astute?"

Perhaps Ms. Angaiak will attend the "Teachers for McAdams" event this afternoon at McAdams' headquarters, and explain to Scott, and to her membership present, just why she doesn't have their best interests at heart...  and if you think she will, I have some beach front property in Omaha to sell you.

NEA-Alaska members should consider getting some new leadership.

Coming Soon To An Election Near You: The Princess, The Carpetbagger, and the Small-Town Alaskan Mayor

After a lengthy, self-imposed hiatus, I’m back.

Recent political events have spurred me to once again wade in and offer my comments, on the outside chance that in some small measure, it may sway rational individuals out there to give the upcoming Alaska US Senatorial election some serious thought (yeah, I know I’m kidding myself, but I have to give it a shot) 

THE PLAYERS:

THE PRINCESS:  Not willing to accept the fact that the inheritance her father granted had been unceremoniously stripped from her,  Senator Princess Lisa Murkowski has rejoined the fray, running a write-in campaign in a last-ditch effort to retain her seat in the US Senate.

Of course, the opponent Lisa has her sights set on is the guy who handed her her stinging loss:  

THE CARPETBAGGER:  Sarah Palin-endorsed Joe Miller, the Tea Party Express (the astroturf organization financed by corporate giants the Koch brothers) candidate.

Joe Miller is a walking contradiction.  He decries ALL forms of government spending "not mandated by the constitution" yet has no problem availing himself of that spending.  Despite his "elitist" law degree from Yale, it becomes obvious that he really has little knowledge of Alaska history, or of US History and the Constitution. When pinned down, Miller has no answers other than the "mad as hell, scream and yell!" Tea Party Express talking points.Of course, yelling and screaming about "Taking Our Country Back" and "Everything Is Unconstitutional" plays well to the Tea Party base.  

The problem is, Joe Miller isn't really a Tea Party believer. He's a fraud.  He's  a hypocrite.  He's one who takes advantage of government largess and then tries to make a career of denouncing that opportunity for others (only AFTER he's "got his," mind you).

He's the perfect example of a political chameleon, willing to don whatever colors necessary to win.  A Carpetbagger from Kansas.

Which brings us to the third major player in all this:

The Small Town Mayor: Scott McAdams is currently the Mayor of the City and Borough of Sitka.  He grew up in Petersburg, Alaska.  He's not as "inexperienced" as his opponents portray him to be.

He's been Chairman of the Southeast Alaska Conference of Mayors and a member of the Alaska Municipal League Board of Directors.  Prior to being elected Mayor, he served as President of the Sitka School Board, Vice-Chair of the Mt. Edgecumbe School Board, and President of the Association of Alaska School Boards.

Unlike the Princess who wants to keep her crown, and unlike the intellectually dishonest Carpetbagger who desperately wants to BE somebody, McAdams is the real deal.

When there was no personal gain for him, he's given time freely to his and other Alaskan communities.

When it looked like any relatively unknown Democrat would just be another Sacrificial Lamb to be slaughtered on the Murkowski Altar, McAdams was willing to step up because he believed he had something to offer: An ego in check, a grasp of reality, and a willingness to work hard.

Does this sound like an endorsement of McAdams?  Well, it should, because it is.  I've met him, spoken with him one-on-one in a non-public arena, and believe he would be an excellent Senator.

In an Rasmussen poll conducted immediately following Murkowski's original concession to Miller:
Miller - 50%
McAdams - 44%.

From the article:

"Ninety percent (90%) of Democrats back McAdams while 79% of Republicans throw their vote behind Miller. McAdams holds a 22-point lead among voters not affiliated with either major political party." (emphasis mine).

Remember: More than 50% of Alaskan voters are not unaffiliated with any party.

In a heads-up against Miller, McAdams had a real shot. He had nowhere to go but up, and would have closed that 6% gap... and now Murkowski has thrown a real monkey wrench into it.

She will likely NOT win, but could certainly siphon off enough of the rational voters to ensure a Miller win.

Thanks, Princess Lisa.