From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --
Here's the top of a story I'm working for tomorrow's paper:
Alaska Republican Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich is facing a coup attempt from disgruntled Republicans who say corruption has hobbled the party during his tenure his office and he needs to go.
Joe Miller, Interior regional chair of the state Republican Party, is calling on Ruedrich to step down.
“If he doesn’t, there will be a vote to oust him,” said Miller, a Fairbanks attorney. “We believe there’s a vast majority of delegates going to the state convention this week that want him to resign.”
Republican Gov. Sarah Palin is among those saying Ruedrich should go, according to her spokeswoman. Palin and Ruedrich were adversaries in the past and haven’t spoken since she was elected in 2006.
Ruedrich said Saturday that he has no intention of resigning.
“I have a commitment to Alaska Republicans to lead the party to victory in 2008 as I did in 2006,” Ruedrich said.
He said the ongoing political corruption scandal is not the fault of the state party. Three former state legislators, all Republicans, have been convicted so far for taking bribes and the federal investigation continues.
Ruedrich was re-elected in 2006 to another four-year term as party chairman. He wouldn’t comment on whether he thinks he still has enough support to keep the job.
He’s likely to find out at the state party convention that runs from Thursday through Saturday at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage.
Interior Republican leader Miller said it would take a two-thirds vote of the convention delegates to suspend party rules and get Ruedrich out before his term ends in 2010.
State party vice chair Cathy Giessel of Anchorage said at last count there were 401 delegates to the convention, representing districts throughout the state.
Miller wants Giessel to replace Ruedrich, also of Anchorage. But Giessel wouldn’t say where she stands on his ouster.
March 10, 2008 - 7:11pm | rfn
OK, so I'm a sucker for an opening....
"Liberals are communist, pinkos, left-wing wackos, environmental terrorists, eco-terrorists"
This is stated exactly backwards. There may well be liberals who are none of those things, however all those propensities listed are indicative of liberalism on other issues.
"Democrats are socialists, leftists, egg-sucking dogs"
Also false generalizations. While "leftist" is sort of part of the definition of a genuine Democrat, Socialists are a totally separate political organization. Perhaps a little to the right of a true liberal Democrat but fair is fair. Also I have never seen a Democrat OR a dog actually suck an egg.
"Independents are left-leaning, left of center, Palinbots, posing democrat (and all those labels) nut-cases"
This is the most false of the lot! There are independents who are so conservative as to be regugnant to The Republican Party. More and more of them each day. The rest of that is just plain silly.
"Ethical or moderate Republicans are RINOs, traitors and not "real" republicans"
They ARE all "real" Republicans. At least lean toward the party that has co-opted that name. Most conservatives didn't leave The Republican Party; it left them.
I hope that helps with the confusion!
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 11:47am | akgen
nope
he should wait till he can cast that superdelegate vote, THEN maybe resign... isn't that how it is done... continue to do damage till the bitter end?
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 12:00pm | TheSdog
AKG
Is he really a superdelegate?
It makes sense that he would be and an interesting twist indeed.
It is interesting that he was called a "Crusader" in the anti-corruption movement. A true Dem hero comes crashing down. This is not a one party issue and that is true even up here in AK.
Go through the APOC lists. Go through the national lists on opensecrets and it becomes obvious everyone has their masters. Compare DY and Oberstar on there and you will see that being the transportation committee chairman has big effects on contributions whether D or R.
Corporations, industry groups, lawyers, unions, environmental groups, etc. are all playing the game. Selective outrage over which influences are bad and good is ridiculous.
The Ds may think they have high ground here but it is an illusion. We need a third party but in order to become powerful it will need money. And to get money it will likely eventually fall victim to the same process.
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 12:14pm | Diogenes_lamp
two words...
Clean Elections...
Independents have a chance, lobbyists have no leverage and politicians owe no favors.
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 12:38pm | akgen
sdoggie and lamp
I like the clean elections or clean money-clean elections. What ever the nation calls it...
I've family in NY and Maine. Often they forward news stories my way. It is so interesting. Then my sweetie has family in AZ. What is going on there is juicy.
Spitzer is/was a crusader for anti corruption and he is/was a superdelegate with plans to vote for Clinton. To me that "anti corruption" mantra was a politician's tag line back in 04, 05, 06 and 07. Some of those anti corruption tag lines were just sick. It just felt bad and I didn't know why.
Anyway, apparently there is a big push for a third party in NY. However clean elections is getting super strong support, enlight of Spitzer's recent 'purchases'.
I'm not a D or a R and my voting record crosses both parties, but clean elections might be a way to wipe the slate clean. Like a new platform to start from. It is so messy out there in polling, oppps, politics land...
Also there is a movement to return AZ back to pre clean elections. I'll post the link to the latest (if I find it).
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 1:01pm | Diogenes_lamp
akgen...
Pretty amazing who is behind that effort too. There are certain "well-financed" special interest groups and a certain political party that are working to stop clean elections in the 7 states that passed it and in Alaska too. That's why it has to be done by initiative. Majority legislator's in our state and six of the seven states that passed it did not support clean elections...go figure.
There is a reason why these folks don't want reform, the status quo serves their purposes well...and it's not to the benefit of citizens.
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 11:46am | AK_Lady
Spitzer and his wife have three daughters.
Spitzer's wife stood at his side, her hands behind her back and her eyes cast downward, as he made the statement.
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 11:41am | twodux
Of course he should
I'm an independent voter tho, so that might not be what you're looking for.
Now if we could get Republicans to say that corruption in their ranks is wrong and get them to demand resignations for things other than gay sex in public bathrooms. A big part of corruption being able to exist is due to the fact that our leaders won't stand up against it unless it is from the opposite party. That has to end.
flag this »20 March 10, 2008 - 10:37am | healthychoice
Randy will stay as Party Leader
It was a few years ago that at a State
Convention there was an attempt to vote Randy out of his position as Chair of the Party. It didn't work then and it won't work now. He has support from within and I will predict that he stays on because is the only person willing to take on the job.
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 7:54pm | Cartman3_16
Then the party will
continue to unravel and lose credibility.
flag this »19 March 10, 2008 - 8:12am | wws
Ruedrich Corruption, Plea Negotiations, Pleas and Convictions
Many fine Alaska Republicans tried to "warn" Frank, Jim and AG Gregg Renkes that Randy Ruedrich's conduct was hurting Alaska and our Republican Party.
Randy Ruedrich's conduct was unconscionable, unethical and corrupt.
This occurred "even prior" to Frank's swearing in ... he would not listen ... Jim and Gregg "built a wall" around our Governor.
Jim and Gregg were "extremely insecure" in their "power."
This continued with the appointment to AG David Marquez.
None of these individuals had/have a "public servant"mentality ... it was all about them ... not Alaska or Alaskans.
It is good to see Jim Clark [and I hope all the others involved] are hiring very bright, experienced and thoughtful, ethical counsel to work with the government.
They need the best.
Alaska's corruption is so broad and goes so high "every plea agreement" expands the "credibility" of the investigation and future plea agreements ... Jim Clark is a real good start.
Randy Ruedrich's endorsement as Republican Party Chair by Ted, Don, Ben, Lisa, Lyda, Bill Allen, Rick Smith and so many of the "old guard" doomed "Republican Party Leadership" to corruption ...
It is going to get much, much worse ... better late than never.
Randy Ruedrich "danced and jumped" for Bill Allen and Rick Smith.
Randy Ruedrich "tried to intimidate" candidates who were returning or wanted to return VECO campaign contributions.
Hubris ... beyond the scope ... no integrity, honor or character.
John Harris and Lyda Green are "truly intimidated and compromised" ... they never took a stand against Randy Ruedrich and his corrupt unethical conduct
Why? Because they "thought" it was business as usual ... but now they are "concerned" ... and they sure should be.
There are extensive "complex plea negotiations" and pleas deals which have been ongoing/in the works for months.
There will be many more indictments in the public and the private sectors.
Who is/has been "wired"?
Who's offices and phones are/have been "tapped"?
Governor Murkowski failed to listen to the counsel of many of us who just wanted to help him succeed ... bad mistake!
Lyda Green, John Harris, Ralph Samuel, Mike Hawker and so many other legislators failed to listen ... bad mistake!
Randy Ruedrich has doomed our Alaska Republican Party ...
Governor Sarah Palin defined in detail the obvious Randy Ruedrich corruption on Alaska's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for Frank, Jim and AG Gregg Renkes.
Frank, Jim and Gregg ignored Governor Sarah Palin ... as did the vast majority of Alaska's Republican Party's "old guard."
Randy Ruedrich's "old guard Alaska Republicans" made a grave, grave mistake!
Thanks for someone "again" finally taking a stand for integrity, honor and character with Governor Sarah Palin ...
It's about time!!
Wev Shea
flag this »March 11, 2008 - 8:01am | frendz
What a load...
... of manure. You say: Alaska's corruption is so broad and goes so high "every plea agreement" expands the "credibility" of the investigation.
That percpective is so incredibly naive. The fed's success has nothing to do with their credibility, but everything to do with their vast power and resources. That is why their conviction rate is so high, not because there are so many truly corrupt people on their radar.
After seeing the travesty of justice demonstrated over the past year, their targets realize it is a waste of time, effort and money to fight such power. Instead they try to negotiate the best plea agreement they can. Not necessarily because they are guilty of any federal crime, but to protect themselves and their families.
Ever hear of the Project Innocence? Their numerous successes are proving that our justice system has a very long and prolific history of targeting and convicting innocent people.
flag this »March 11, 2008 - 9:13am | Special_Agent_Roswell
A Load..
That is why their conviction rate is so high, not because there are so many truly corrupt people on their radar.
Actually I think they need to turn up the sensitivity on their radar. There are some 'bogeys' that they still seem to be missing.
flag this »18 March 10, 2008 - 8:09am | akhalfwit
Hey Republicans! Please keep Reudrich in power
He's the best thing that has happened to the Democratic Party in Years. Where else can you find a crooked, immoral, shiftelss, worthless, lying stealing conniving backstabbing lowlife in charge of a political party than here? I mean this guy is beyond words. republicans should keep him there at least untill all the back room dealing Veco owned producer mastered lawmakers (Republicans from Anchoarge and Wasilla) are put out to pasture. Go Randy. You the man. Hang in there buddy. Don't let them honest folk tell you wassup!
flag this »17 March 10, 2008 - 4:27am | denseyler
Another angle on this Republican leadership issue for my family.
It seems there are even some dems out there more actively representing my family views which have caused us to support the republicans all these years. Here I am, ashamed to find our permanent fund has been investing and raking in cash while supporting the government in Darfur as they cunduct genocide, and I find that it takes a Democrat like Les Gara to speak up against it, meanwhile, the party who supposedly stands for the defense of lives of unborn children is too busy covering their backsides from association with proven and convicted criminals to even take interest in speaking up against this practice... we're only beholden to the "bottom line", Where have I heard that rhetoric in the past? Like I've said before, it seems in a lot of ways, we have gotten exactly what we deserve in our representation. We have no moral compass ourselves as long as our PFD check is bigger, we're willing to look the other way, and we're surprised to find our representation has similar views? Oh well, maybe it will take the extreme option of voting in a bunch of Dems to truly get reforms seriously undertaken.
flag this »16 March 9, 2008 - 8:50pm | denseyler
TheSdog has some interesting ideas for Sarah
I've got to say while I disagree with you about the "deer in the headlight" asssesment. I do agree she'd be a good one to have in DC and effective in bridging the change in power structure as the republican party begins to rebuild itself and repair the image it's built itself these past few years. I wonder if her and her family are willing to take on the impact of her working so far away and for what would obviously be a long term committment rather than simply moving to Juneau for a few months out of the year.
Who would we get in Juneau if she won and left? Binkley? Or would the "old guard" want to bring Frank back? He seems to think he can still help:) I honestly wonder if it were an option how those controling the Alaskan Republican Party would feel about that, they seem to not only have no remorse about how things went under his watch, but intent on defending his every action along the way.
So, Sarah does agree to tackle the leave Alaska behind thing to live in DC and work for reform on our behalf. SO she has to work things out with RR in order to do so... So he gets to maintian control of the AK Rep's and influence who's going to be next governor? I'm not sure how I feel about that one...
I'd like to see Binkley win the Senatorial seat. He's at a stage in his life where he could better deal with the DC living thing and still maintain his fingers on the pulse of us Alaskans through his family and network of friends and business associates.
I dont think AGIA is nearly as much the problem facing our gasline or oilfield developement as is the problem of public (and therefore State) distrust of the oil companies good faith and ethical intentions in their pursuit of a good business relationship with the State. Regardless of how things got to this stage, a spade is still a spade, and the oil companies need to continue to demonstrate their intent of being good corporate citizens and good business partners to the state rather than stuck on their mantra of "we're only responsible to the best interests of our shareholders" (we've been seeing some of how the shareholders actually view that cop out recently too) I think if the big three began to take the high road as COP seems to be trying, they will accomplish a lot towards living this period of mistrust down, and when that happens I believe Sarah and her Administration, and our Legislators, and the public, will be ready to welcome them back into a mutually beneficial business relationship to move forward to develpoing a better Alaska with sound fiscal policies and a supportive attitude towards their portion of our resource developement.
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 8:15am | akhalfwit
Binkley? Are you kidding? Binkley?
I have friends in Fairbanks and they tell me his is as crooked as a hounds hind leg. I remember back during the campaign even Binkleys own sister gave max contribution to Sarah Pailin. What's that tell you? Otherwise you have some valid points.
flag this »15 March 9, 2008 - 6:31pm | black33
CBC Chair Ruedrich is just a symptom- The Cure is coming
Alaska is not alone with its woes about the Republican party. A look at the national scene shows:
• The NRCC lags behind the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee by nearly $30 million in cash on hand.
• GOP House leadership endured an embarrassing scuffle when Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) tried to fire top two staffers working for the head of the NRCC, who then threatened to resign.
• There has been a wave of retirement announcements by veteran Republican lawmakers that will force the NRCC to defend what were once seen as safe GOP seats.
• Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.) was indicted on 35 federal corruption charges, which puts another Republican-controlled district in play.
• And the FBI continues its criminal investigation into a brewing accounting scandal that centers on the former NRCC treasurer’s activities.
But the GOP’s defeat in Illinois’ special election Saturday may trump those setbacks, at least in the short term.
“By itself, this would not be that big of a deal, but coupled with everything else it will just deflate the [House Republican] Conference,” said an aide to one top GOP lawmaker. “And symbolically, losing Hastert’s seat is like the toppling of the Saddam statue in Baghdad for Republicans.”
And we haven't even had the Tom Delay trial!!
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 6:43pm | Special_Agent_Roswell
The Cure
This is funny. The last frame says it all.
flag this »13 March 9, 2008 - 12:08pm | Diogenes_lamp
From the latest Voter registration numbers...
I have to wonder how many could support Randy, in reality. It's a small group of party insiders backed up by people that have been unwilling to change course.
Republicans 25% of registered voters
Democrats 15% of
Other Party 7%
Non-partisan and Und is now 53%...
The republicans 25% are divided between the Ruedrich cronies and blind supporters and the folks that want to clean-up and save the party. I say they are losing the independent voters in waves.
I for one, will not be voting for a single republican next election, for the first time in my voting life. With all the corruption from within Ruedrich's branch, I can't stomach it anymore. If independents will "just say no" to republican candidates, then we can force them to change by elimination of their political power, by removing them from office. When the party cleans their house...then I will consider returning.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 3:31pm | concerned1voter
From your posts
I would doubt that you have ever voted Republican.
I am an R and I want things cleaned up; I just do not think Democrats can do it. Since they took control of Congress, nothing has been resolved. They talk the talk but certainly do not walk the walk. They criticize but have no solutions.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 3:48pm | Diogenes_lamp
From your posts...
I can tell you jump to conclusions. The difference between us is, I have done plenty to actually clean things up. Some just want things cleaned up but expect it to happen by magic, others are quite satisfied with the status quo.
This has nothing to do with democrats and if you think that is the problem, you prove my point.
Now, to how I vote, which you would not know anything about. Just because I'm willing to call crooks, crooks doesn't mean squat as to how I have voted.
If you are sincere about wanting to clean up the republican party, quite apologizing for them and get to work. You are sort of right about one thing. This coming election, I will NOT be voting for ANY republicans...and I'll repeat it for you, voting for republicans is something I have done in every election in the past.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 4:16pm | Syrin
Good luck on being an
Good luck on being an Independent voter. What are you independent of? Your choice is going to be a dem or repub unless Sarah changes her affiliation and starts a wave of acceptance for the Alaska Independent Party. Because it is so independent! .. It is not the party that goes wrong, it's the people.... This new breath of fresh air is part of the status quo you speak of..
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 4:21pm | Cartman3_16
I've noticed you're
quite adept at identifying what you perceive to be problems. Not so good at solutions, though.
People do go wrong. But when otherwise "good" people go along, or look the other way at corruption, it becomes institutionalized, as is the case with the Alaska GOP.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 5:02pm | Syrin
What should be done, be part of the mob?
Who are those otherwise "good" people going along with this corruption. No one is going along with anything! What should be done, be part of the mob out to get anyone? It is, what it is, no matter how convientently to may seem..
Randy has not done anything wrong to be voted out of his position. Who is victorious in all this? Randy has not committed a crime, but in the public eye. I don't want the party leader to get along with this governor! She has nothing to offer this party of Lincoln...
just sayin as a "good" person
flag this »March 10, 2008 - 8:22am | akhalfwit
Randy has done no wrongdoing?
Are you crazy? What about releasing condifenetial doc's to the oil companies while on the Oil and Gas commission. payin $12 k in fines? Ftr what ? Some legal thing he did? Sheesh!
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 6:51pm | Cartman3_16
Here's what I mean:
People like you who are so obsessed with your anti-Palin/pro-industry rhetoric that you're willing to look the other way at the damage done by RR to the party.
Nothing wrong? Where have you been for the last few years? He was slapped with a huge fine in 2002 for his willful violation of APOC regs. If the AG at the time hadn't been equally corrupt, Ruedrich would've been pursued as a criminal, too, for handing over classified documents to a scumbag lobbyist trying to undermine Alaskans' private property rights.
Since then, he has been silent in the face of a parade of CBs in his party and gone out of his way to make life difficult for the only person who finally had the spine to stand up to all the BS.
It remains to be seen what the final tally of his crimes will be, if any. I suspect there is an indictment in his future. But even if there isn't, there is no denying that he has been an enabler to the VECO/oil industry-led corruption of our system.
If you think RR has more to offer the "party of Lincoln" than the governor, you are most definitely part of the problem. Surely Lincoln is doing somersaults in his grave, too.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 7:14pm | akwillis
Perhaps Syrin means the party of George Lincoln Rockwell.
Abraham Lincoln would not have approved of Tom Delay's K-Street method of government nor the new GOP (Greed Over Patriotism) Philosophy that has almost destroyed my former party.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 5:29pm | Diogenes_lamp
ok..
I'm quite sure I'll quit correcting your spelling Syrin...oh who am I kidding...
It's not "convientently" it's conveniently...oh my bad!
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 4:12pm | Syrin
quite...quit what do you mean?
I'm sure you mean >>>>quit<<<< apologizing for them and get to work.
Thanks for the advise.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 4:19pm | Cartman3_16
You're not serious, right?
Correcting someone else's typo? That might be the funniest thing I've seen all weekend.
Did you finally figure out how to operate the spellchecker on your computer?
flag this »12 March 9, 2008 - 10:40am | Stumpy1
Democrats for Ruedrich
A recent survey of Alaska Democrats found that 95 percent of Democrats surveyed want Ruedrich to remain in control of the Alaska Republican Party.
Gee, I wonder why?
(The remaining 5% preferred Bozo the Clown.)
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 12:10pm | windham
Jim Clark for GOP Chair
If Randy R. doesn't make the purge, Jim Clark is available during the transition, at least for a few more months before he joins Tom, Vic & Pete in Oregon. Think of the news value of having Sunny Jim at the helm! Instead of the M/V GOP listing and leaking at the seams, Captain Clark could breathe deeply, shed a tear, and steer the beast to the bottom of the briny deep. Hope springs eternal.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 11:54am | black33
You must have hired Dittman
The polls I've seen suggest that Democrats overwhelmingly support Frank Murkowski replacing Ruedrich.
flag this »11 March 9, 2008 - 9:55am | Valley_Dude
Ruedrich a convenient scapegoat
I'm no Ruedrich fan, but the reality is that this is like shuffling the chairs on the Titanic. Really, is Ruedrich responsible for Jack Abramoff, Tom Delay, Duke Cunningham, Dick Cheney, and the entire national Republican party culture of corruption? The reality is that the whole experiment in "compassionate conservatism" will go down as one of the greatest societal failures in America's history.
The party of "smaller government", "fiscal responsibility" and "family values" has had a decade or more to govern in an unfettered manner. The result: the largest state and federal governments in history, the largest deficits in history (from hundreds of billions of surplu under Clinton to a $9 trillion deficit under Bush) and a nation run by corporate greed and the rich elite.
To his credit, Ruedrich has somehow managed to keep the Republicans in majorities in the Alaska House and Senate, the Alaskan Congressional delegation and the Governor's mansion. Quite an accomplishment.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 8:57pm | denseyler
An accomplishment? Think about it!
We are morons when it comes to elections. RR didn't do anything to keep these rep's in office, we just don't know how to check any other boxes on the forms! And the dems havent fielded a great number of any really great statesmen (or women) Watch out if they come up with some! Especially when there are so many reps sitting around barely clinging to their party loyalty in the face of all the corruption and abuses finally coming to light. I personally think we are capable of re-electing a convicted felon in this state if they had a name we were used to voting for...
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 8:59pm | denseyler
Re-electing a felon? I take it back...
On further thought, I think we're even worse off than that, we'd re-elect an ax murder child molester if we didn't have to look very hard for their name on the ballot/
flag this »10 March 9, 2008 - 8:29am | black33
Keep CBC Chair Ruedrich until the indictments are over
Don't replace the CBC Chair yet. Otherwise his successor will be similarly accused of presiding over a party of scandal and corruption too.
Let the Feds finish their work. Then blame the whole mess involving Anderson, Kott, Kohring, Clark and the indictees yet to be announced on CBC Chair Ruedrich. Wait for the November elections. Blame that on Ruedrich too.
Altough, to be fair to him, it's not just an Alaska phenomenon. The loss of Dennis Hastert's seat in a Republican stronghold in Illinois to a Democrat yesterday is already sending shockwaves throughout the Republican Party.
Change is coming. There's no need to hurry- just wait for the voters to speak.
flag this »9 March 8, 2008 - 11:27pm | leowassilie
When i think of RR, all I think is:
Nasty campaign ads funded by Veco for years.
followed by oil company ads spelling out doom if you exert any type of control.
More nasty campaign lie-filled ads funded by Veco.
followed by oil company ads telling you how pretty they are.
Ruedrich is a product of Texas oil politics. You know, the kind that is aimed at bankrupting governments or a nation like the Bush Administration. The thing with Alaska, the dirty guys couldn't bankrupt it fast enough. They sure tried though.
First thing RR did was set up your connection to Veco to get the advertising dollars and smear campaigns rolling. After that, have Veco throw fundraising parties and invite all their oil buds to help pitch in.. especially for those tight races or where trying to topple incumbants. He ensured most of the trail was clean. Just made sure Veco's hand was in every basket. Sometimes, it was the HEAVY hand, the kind 4 aces do not even beat.
I think the coup already took place when Palin took office.
Oh, by the way, who advises a criminal (Vic) under investigation to run for office again? Or not ask one to step down publicly? (Cowdery) That's right, these are steps reasonable people would take.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 8:02am | twodux
Leo
Don't forget the "Voice of the Times" role in all this.
flag this »8 March 8, 2008 - 11:05pm | TheSdog
Ruedrich
needs to step down.
The Rs need a young fresh articulate go-getter from outside the present old guard structure. Being completely in line with Palin does should not be a requirement.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 9:01pm | denseyler
Problem is... who is that person?
Especially if you add in the "Ethical" attribute pointed out below...
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 8:19am | akwillis
How about one additional attribute please......
"Ethical"
flag this »March 8, 2008 - 11:33pm | leowassilie
You can't get over
that people love her, and RR didn't make it that way.
But it is exactly that, delegates in line with Palin's philosophy, that this issue is even raised.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 12:03am | TheSdog
Leo
Realistically, it does not matter who gets it as long as it is not RR. Aside from all his other issues, he is not a dynamic speaker. He is also unpleasent on the eyes which for better or worse matters.
The biggest job of the Rs coming up this time is to make sure Begich and Berkowitz(or JM) get painted appropriately as the liberals that they are. Begich is already trying to squirm over to the right and the party chairman will be the obvious attack dog to do it. He has a record and it must be front and center.
Palin will do one of two things. She will support Uncle Ted and DY or run for Uncle Ted's seat herself. There is no way she supports either of the Killer Bs. Whether RR is still there is unlikely to change that. It just is easier to coordinate if she is actually talking to the party chairman.
Palin should run for Ted's seat. She has gone from "stars in her eyes" to the "deer in the headlights" look over the past 6 months. Her staff also have the same look. That is what happens when you are in over your head. She could still escape to DC and that is a position that once she had it, it would be nearly impossible to lose in this state that understands seniority.
Ted is 84 and needs to go. Oddly enough, it is easier to learn to be a US Senator on the job than a governor. The time could be given safely for Palin to develop especially with the Ds in power. She may be better suited to the legislative branch for a long list of reasons. The best part is it might be an excuse for the exec branch here to get out from under AGIA if she exits.
Far beyond where you were going but that would be the ideal scenario for a conservative who would like to see something good happen for us all.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 12:53am | Cartman3_16
Oh fer two
There is absolutely no way that Palin will support Stevens or Young. This is true for reasons so obvious they don't need to be enumerated here. Consolation prize to you, though, for being right about her never supporting Begich or Berkowitz.
And with the election less than seven months from now and a baby on the way before then, it seems pretty darned unlikely that running for Ted's seat is a viable option.
On the other hand, you never know what form that "something good" you seek might take. It would be a shame to miss it by not allowing for the possibility.
Just sayin.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 10:39am | TheSdog
Palin
will support them. Endorse them? That is more of a question mark. The support may come in the form of subtle digs at the Bs and keeping her mouth shut about DY and Ted. Granted, Sarah holding her tongue is never a given but it is exactly what she expected out of people when she ran for governorer. She has managed to hold her tongue on bible thumping issues to date so she is capable.
That post was merely conjecture. I would never accuse Palin of being smart so I am doubtful she will run for the Senate although it would be best for her and the R party. She would clearly win without much effort.
I am not interested in the Republican party at this point. It is a question of the lesser of evils. From that perspective, Palin is far less problematic as a Senator than Stevens or Begich. It also gets her out of Juneau where she has accomplished squat so far.
The other thing is as disenchanted as many conservatives have become with the Rs they are still a better option than the Ds. Look at the Ds piling on earmarks right now and the Obama rhetoric on the trail. The Ds will tax and spend in new and inventive ways when they get complete control.
The bad news: possible depression which the media will try as hard as they can to blame on Bush. The good news: most people will blame the people in power and the current RINOs will be gone and possibly we can get some fiscal conservative bearing back.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 11:48am | black33
I must be confused
I thought Bush has been in power since the 2000 election. If so, I take it you agree he deserves blames for the recession.
ps Even people in Congress who claim to be fiscal conservatives have supported the giant increases in the bush budgets- sort of like the Alaska Legislature supporting the Murkowski/Palin double digit growth in the state budget while they all pretend to be anti-big government.
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 5:38pm | Syrin
Could it be just bubbles?
The pattern is all too familiar, which is why the argument is so intriguing: that these bubbles, with their hype and madness and overenthusiasm, are not to be feared—they're actually a primary engine of "America's remarkable record of economic growth and innovation."
The Good News About the Recession
flag this »March 9, 2008 - 5:58pm | rfn
How refreshing
to click on a link and not be greeted by a leering 9-percenter!
Other publications based abroad and having no political agenda have a somewhat different "take" on the U.S. Recession. They express deep concern that world economies are NOT as thoroughly "decoupled" as some would like to believe. In any case, we're certainly going to find out.
I personally subscribe to the belief that this thing has to be allowed to develop fully if it's to have any beneficial effect. If it's politically manipulated so as to be a 'shallow' and 'short' recession there will be no educational benefit. Generations have flown in the face of economic logic and been not just allowed but encouraged to continue the madness. Think of it this way: A teaspoon of Citrate of Magnesia won't get the job done. You have to drink the whole bottle.
This is not a new thing; remember, it's why I supported Tony last time out. Economic hard times are inevitable. The sooner they get started the sooner recovery can begin. IF anybody hurts long enough to learn anything. The concept of moving the capital to not just the population center but also the most accessible location (road/rail/even air) makes so much sense it's unacceptable. As it plays out Fairbanks will fear Anchorage; Juneau will come face-to-face with obsolescence and nobody will be happy. In all probability it won't actually happen. Yet.
I keep hoping that the recovery (if there is one) will be rational and built on solid ground. Maybe I should be supporting Obama; undefined though it seems to be for him, "hope" is at least proffered.
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