Alaska Politics Blog : Young crashes Parnell event

Young crashes Parnell event

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Anchorage Daily News

Posted: August 22, 2008 - 4:04 pm

From Sean Cockerham in Anchorage --

Sean Parnell is claiming that national Democrats are trying to smear him because they want Congressman Don Young to win Tuesday's Republican primary.

"(Democratic House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi and her liberal allies will stop at nothing to get Don Young through the primary, so they can win in November with Ethan Berkowitz," Parnell told reporters this afternoon."They want Don Young and they can't have him, because Alaskans are going to stand up and elect me for Congress."

Parnell had an unexpected guest arrive right before his press conference -- Young himself -- who strolled into his opponent's campaign headquarters in downtown Anchorage, laughing and joking like he owned the place. He said the Democrats have no idea what they're doing.

"I'll bet you any money you want to bet that I can win the primary, and I can beat Ethan Berkowitz," Young said in an interview after the event.

The press conference was called for Parnell to criticize a mailer the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent out to attack him.

While Parnell spoke to the cameras and microphones, Young stood among the reporters with a big grin on his face. Young told Parnell he was just there to support him against meddling Democrats.

Anchorage Republican state Rep. Bob Lynn spoke at the event in support of Parnell.

“I see that our friend Don Young is here, I’m a little bit surprised. I guess he came here to concede the election,” Lynn said.

“Ha!” Young replied.

The anti-Parnell mailer started showing up in Alaska mailboxes on Thursday. Parnell said he's only heard of them going to registered Republicans, suggesting the Democrats are targeting voters who will be asked to choose between him and Young on Tuesday.

"It appears as though, in this highly unusual and disappointing move, that national party Democrats feel they can influence the minds and hearts of Republicans by spending a little money," Parnell said.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has sent out other recent mailers attacking both Young and Parnell, although Parnell was more prominent.

Young handed reporters a statement saying he's seen last minute campaign attacks countless times.

"Sean is new to this and appears shaken by it," said Young's statement. His statement also said it's funny Parnell is complaining about outside interference when his campaign is mostly funded by the Washington D.C. anti-earmark group Club for Growth.

Young's statement noted the Democratic mailers have attacked him too.

Yoni Cohen, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said he couldn't say whether the mailers only targeted Republican households.

"We have no preference as to the Republican nominee and are prepared for a vigorous debate with whoever emerges from the Republican primary," Cohen said. "We believe Don Young is much too conservative for Alaska and have repeatedly criticized him as such in the run up to the election."

"And we believe that Sean Parnell owes Alaskans answers about where he stands on issues that are important to Alaska's families," he said.

The mailers vary, but generally portray Young as a big spender and Parnell as a big taxer. Parnell said claims against him are not true.

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Young crashes Parnell event

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