This is the place to talk about Alaska politics -- state, local, national. Public life in the Last Frontier has probably never been more interesting than right now -- the governor as candidate for vice president, the broad and still-evolving corruption investigation, a big election, powerful members of Congress under scrutiny, and the usual hardball Alaska politics. Come here for news, tidbits and information, and join the discussion. Keep your comments civil and on point. Avoid personal attacks. Do not use profanity. Posts that violate the Terms of Use will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be banned.
Erika Bolstad
Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau in 2007, she spent seven years as a reporter at the Miami Herald, where she covered politics, government and the state legislature. E-mail Erika at ebolstad@adn.com.
Sean Cockerham
Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the ADN before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune to write about Washington state politics. He went to Iraq twice for the News Tribune, and previously wrote about Alaska government and politics for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com
Kyle Hopkins
Kyle Hopkins covers politics and other stories for the ADN. He covered the 2006 campaign for governor, has blogged extensively about Alaska politics, covered Anchorage city government and was a reporter based in the Mat-Su. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and previously was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com
At one point the races with Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young promised to be the highest-profile campaigns in Alaska history.
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The nation was captivated by Sarah Palin's run to the White House, and now Alaska awaits the return of their governor.
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The FBI raided state legislatures offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.
Obama and the governors - 12/1/2008 7:50 pm
Palin mania in Georgia - 12/1/2008 4:07 pm
Palin on the trail (UPDATED: Video) - 12/1/2008 2:20 pm
Judge nixes Monday hearing in Stevens case - 11/28/2008 3:03 pm
Palin's gifts - 11/26/2008 4:32 pm
Stevens defense wants to see secret document filed by prosecutors - 11/26/2008 3:39 pm
The interview that won't die - 11/25/2008 2:21 pm
Hearing Monday on Stevens witness issue - 11/25/2008 2:07 pm
Palin back on the stump - 11/25/2008 12:28 pm
'Don't blame me! Blame Joe the Turkey Slaughterer' - 11/25/2008 12:18 pm
Senator for life - 11/25/2008 7:16 am
So what happened with DOJ and the Anderson letter? - 11/24/2008 7:33 pm
A Palin Thanksgiving: Thank-you notes or contempt charges? - 11/24/2008 11:15 am
Mayoral maneuvering - 11/21/2008 11:35 am
Palin talks turkey (Updated) - 11/20/2008 5:36 pm
Croatian village celebrates Begich victory - 11/20/2008 2:14 pm
Exit polling on Stevens-Begich - 11/20/2008 2:13 pm
Stevens farewell - 11/20/2008 9:22 am
Development crowd reserved with Palin, Begich - 11/19/2008 1:20 pm
Young, Murkowski and Palin on the Senate race (Updated) - 11/19/2008 12:20 pm
Stevens: 'It is apparent the election has been decided' - 11/19/2008 11:48 am
Begich on early voters and absentees: 'That's the group we worked.' - 11/18/2008 5:20 pm
Posted: June 6, 2008 - 6:44 am
Governor Palin holds her youngest child Trig during a bill signing for Senate Bill 265, the omnibus crime bill, on the Capitol steps, in Juneau today. Also pictured, from left, Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, Sen. Hollis French, D-Anchorage, and Alaska State Trooper Christopher Umbs. (AP/Chris Miller)
By the Associated Press
Gov. Sarah Palin has given her blessing to a sweeping crime bill, one of pieces of two criminal justice legislation passed this year.
Palin signed Senate Bill 265 on the Capitol steps Thursday while toting her newborn son, Trig, in a harness.
The bill targets bootleggers, sex offenders and child pornographers with stiffer penalties.
It started as a sex offender bill by Sen. Lesil McGuire, an Anchorage Republican, but eventually became an omnibus measure to include offerings from several lawmakers.
The House and Senate unanimously passed the measure.
McGuire said the bill's passage was an example of how lawmakers can set aside differences for a common cause.
June 9, 2008 - 7:01pm | rfn
this country...at least for now....is that we're all free to talk about our leadership as we wish. No politician is protected from attacks whether based on their policies, their principles, the clothes they wear or the color of their shoes.
In some quarters that's at risk; as when "stooges" planted in audiences shout down speakers with whom they have "issues". Regrettably, it happens in some of our universities; places where freedom should be recognized and cherished.
Which, perhaps, explains how some of that attitude spills over into more and more public places. In the end it'll be what brings this country down. The process seems to be quickening. Of course a free press will be among the early casualties.
Probably starting with the elimination of blogs.
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June 9, 2008 - 4:44pm | _Syrin
Yes, let's get an honest women in there. Sarah ain't it! To tell the old men who know, whats up, is not always wise. FYI, to abandon reality and push forward a sophomoric- poorly informed and immature policy is clearly a dereliction of duty. History shows she is not Hero material...
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June 9, 2008 - 11:31am | AK_Lady
She's more like an obstructionist.
Please, do tell, what has Palin done for you to justify referring to her as a "hero"?
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5 June 7, 2008 - 4:43pm | AK_Lady
Not making the rounds with mommy anymore?
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June 8, 2008 - 12:52pm | coccinelli
Piper was there though not mentioned in this photo description.
ADN AK Ear mentions People magazine was in town last week and it would be about Trig. That explains why your governor chose to sign the bill with kids in tow. Talk about SB 265 re: exploitation of children. This picture will most likely end up in the article.
Think People mag will mention that Palin's water broke in Texas, lied and deceived to AK Air agents and hid the fact that she was in labor to get on the flight back to AK, and seriously risked the life of herself and the baby?
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June 8, 2008 - 9:44pm | akgen
Did you even read the work up and eventual completed SB 265? Or why it was drastically changed from its original reading?
With this kind of jilted response, me thinks you have not a clue.
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June 8, 2008 - 11:08pm | Cartman3_15
juno doesn't care about truth,
only about grinding a personal ax.
Although by now it's probably worn down to a stub.
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June 9, 2008 - 11:02am | rfn
gotta swim!
Bats gotta fly!
Too nice a day to get upset about God's creatures...or anybody's...for doing what comes naturally.
The bill Governor Palin signed provided a very nice example of what people of different parties can accomplish when they focus on solving problems rather than exacerbating them. Congratulations to all involved and let's hope it makes Alaska at least a little bit safer. Or keeps some of the nasty element locked away a little longer.
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June 9, 2008 - 12:24pm | akgen
gosh, there were so many 'loop holes' this bill closes...
Lesil opened the door with the original version and she never let that door close. Gotta give credit to where credit is due. She listened and kept a focus that Alaskans really needed at the time. (yes, I have been critical of Lesil however, I am thankful I didn't get nasty with it. Unlike others who get totally gross, I didn't stoop. Yee Haw!)
This bill flowed like sweet honey on a hot day. There are lots of smiles with this SB 265!
Good work legislators!
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June 8, 2008 - 1:02pm | rfn
will display a modicum of sensitivity and not beat the drums of negativity at the expense of a small child.
Rage on.
Unfortunate that Confidential Magazine is no longer published. Might have had a market there for the "nasty" perspective! Opportunity lost, it might seem. Observe the list of the writing talent preferred....
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June 8, 2008 - 4:14pm | TheSdog
The Palin has continually injected her kids into the debate for political gain and pandering purposes.
Did you know Track was in the US Army? How could anybody not know since Palin kept mentioning it.
Piper's toothbrush also seemed to be a matter of Alaska security for a long time. That is not when The Palin was teeling us Piper wanted her mother to pull Lyda's hair.
The only time she has not made her children an issue is with her irresponsible behavior during labor.
Was all of that a "modicum of sensitivity?"
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June 8, 2008 - 4:22pm | Cartman3_15
It's called acting like a mother.
And in the case of your obsessive need to keep pointing it out, it's called nitpicking.
Get over it, Dog. The lady's got kids. It's natural to talk about them.
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June 8, 2008 - 5:33pm | AnnieLuvsAlaska
My apologies for interrupting...
But as a female with kids I would beg to differ. Children are interesting but as a voter, I am voting for the person who I think makes the best leader, not who wins the "best mother" or "best father" award. There are lots of good mothers and fathers out there who would make terrible politicians. If I want to hear about great kids I have lots of friends to call.
I have listened to all of the national level politicians (I've yet to make up my mind) and rarely do I hear anything about their children. Have seen photos of Obama's girls and of course Chelsea, but not much mention of them. I could be wrong, since my children are more of a priority at the moment.
It's also natural for a politician to want to talk about something comfortable, like family, especially when they are having trouble with difficult questions. Family hits home for everyone, like baseball and apple pie. But a politician's love of their family doesn't equate to effective leadership, IMO.
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June 8, 2008 - 9:23pm | akgen
good gawd some of you are just sick
THE LADY HAS KIDS !
To think some folks here are twisting it into negative issue for the Gov. is totally gross.
The only time anyone hears about the Gov's kids is when one of the jilted, jealous bloggers mentions something negative and disgusting.
Think about it, all these comments started cause a known jilted one is wondering about one of the Govs kids. Then the negative crap spews from others.
Sick and twisted, er, twisted and sick.
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June 8, 2008 - 9:33pm | TheSdog
Are you trying to say Palin does not use her kids regularly for gain?
The Palin has mentioned Track and Piper more times that can even be counted. It is not the people of this blog making it an issue.
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June 8, 2008 - 9:37pm | Cartman3_15
You? Yes.
Get over it.
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June 8, 2008 - 4:26pm | TheSdog
try to keep their kids out of the spotlight.
The tabloids may go after them but you will rarely see politicians use them for political gain.
Then again, it is likely Palin spends her spare time reading People.
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June 8, 2008 - 4:41pm | rfn
of your acquaintance?
Really, there ARE others......
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June 8, 2008 - 5:23pm | AnnieLuvsAlaska
This is copied from the NY Times. Would be glad to provide the link.
"The majority of People readers are baby boomers, now in their 30's and 40's and with children of their own. The magazine says these readers, most of whom are women, have become more attuned to a troubled world.
"We have 10 million male readers and 20 million female readers, but People feels more like a female magazine," Ms. Moore said. "We should be promoting and selling causes that women care about. Every time we dabble in women's causes, we have been stunned at the response."
Ms. Moore is the President of People magazine.
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June 8, 2008 - 5:35pm | TheSdog
to wondering about magazine reader demographics. It is always fascinating to me what magazines people read in my waiting room. I started putting my alumni magazines out there a few years ago and was truly stunned at how many people read them.
I did find this which is interesting. It suggests a lower number for People. It also is interesting given the senior debate on another string.
And no rfn, the magazines in my waiting room are not 10 years old.
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June 8, 2008 - 9:33pm | Cartman3_15
has an alumni magazine?
Who knew.
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June 8, 2008 - 5:55pm | AnnieLuvsAlaska
It was very interesting from a sociological perspective, who buys magazines. I think it is obvious: women.
I also found it interesting that AARP has a huge subscription rate. Perhaps because they are less influenced by internet media access.
Also interesting that almost all media publications have gone down, especially Time, though again one would expect that with internet access. (Why buy when you can get it for free?)
Gossip magazines rank pretty high too. Again, not surprising since Americans seem to be more interested in the Britney Spears of the world than anything more meaningful.
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4 June 7, 2008 - 11:39am | coccinelli
For passing SB 265 that addresses the abuse and exploitation of children.
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3 June 6, 2008 - 7:16pm | Emperor
...Palin gets the photo op.
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June 8, 2008 - 12:14am | Cartman3_15
not to mention prescribed by law, for the governor to sign a passed bill. As much as you or anyone would have it be otherwise, that means Palin will be present at a bill-signing ceremony.
Apparently your reflexive anti-Palin mindset blinded you to the others in the photo -- those, as you say, who did the work. For what it's worth, though, Palin's own crime bill was one of several others that got rolled into this final version.
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2 June 6, 2008 - 11:49am | akgen
for once the word FINALLY sounds good...
FINALLY this bill is signed !
Several years ago, a convicted sex offender of a minor lived in the subdivision below my place.
This jerk attended a community gathering, braggin about what he is going to do with his PFD. He was drunk and stumbling about, bellowing loudly.
Having been new to the area, I asked another who the loud mouth was. Another lady responded that he was the neiborhood convict of internet child porn. So I looked up my neiborhood on the state sex offender registratry. Well there he was and totally uncompliant with registration.
But he was able to get a PFD? I admit to getting a little ticked off about it... ug.
Anyway one thing this bill does, is if someone is non compliant with Sex Offender Registration, NO PFD.
This bill also provides for funds to investigate and proscute internet sex crimes. Basically dedicated staff with the funds to do a job THAT IS SO NEEDED in the state of Alaska.
Not to worry folks, it ain't just about SEX. ... Those that are caught taking game illegally, must pay or what some would call "restitution". And this bill will allow the state to go after those that get caught and choose to ignore the "restitution" part of their crime.
FINALLY this bill is complete and signed !
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1 June 6, 2008 - 10:24am | AK_Lady
Thank you, Senator Lesil McGuire!
.
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6 June 9, 2008 - 10:14am | missg
palin is a hero
you people need to stop nitpicking and see that she is the best hope for alaska, look at all the people getting caught for fraud and beings crooks, im glad we can finally get an honest women in there to show the old men whats up! she has my support and my vote and i encourage her to keep talking and including her children in her political life
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