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.
SECTION
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 by Alaska_Politics
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.
41 August 25, 2008 - 10:00pm | Concerns
He is not effective as Lt Gov how in the world could be effective in DC. Oh yea by cleaning up corruption. Oops he is part of the administration that is being investigated. Wonder if he called Monagen?
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August 25, 2008 - 10:32pm | Cartman3_15
I wonder why Don Young has spent $1.3 million of his campaign contributions on criminal defense lawyers?
I wonder if Alaskans realize that soon they will know more about the Northern Mariana Islands than anyone thought there was to know?
It's no wonder I'm voting for Sean Parnell.
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40 August 25, 2008 - 9:33am | truthgazer
Republicans: Two from California, One from Maryland
Both Parnell and Young were born in California:
Don Young (Rep)
Birth place: Meridian, CA
Representative Gabrielle R. LeDoux (AK)Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Lieutenant Governor Sean R. Parnell (AK)Birthplace: Hanford, CA
I list the birthplaces of all three only because of the continued ridiculous labeling of Ethan Berkowitz as a negative because he was born in California.
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39 August 25, 2008 - 8:22am | Concerns
Parnell is part of the this Administration who is laying claim to the idea they have cleaned up Juneau. Really - No. 1 - This administration is under investigation and being sued for ethics vioations. He is part of that.
No. 2 - Those investigations started before they were even elected.
Most importantly - this administration has tried to completly dismantle Public Safety. If you can't keep the State Safe - How will we rely on you to keep the Nation that way.
Sean Parnell can't and won't stand up to Palin - He does not have my Vote - Too Soft to do anything in DC
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August 25, 2008 - 3:49pm | Gus_Davis
There were people who "took a stand" way before that was ever used as a campaign slogan.
No one on board the administration who's leader pledged to "Take a Stand" has concerns about what has been swept under the rug by previous administrations. No doubt the Governor wants this investigation to end for the better of the state, but she has inherited a host of people who continue to choose inaction on violation of state law, putting themselves in violation of state law.
"Taking a Stand" should have included corecting some problems with workplace morale. Instead the same set of characters that should have been ruled out as part of this new ethical "Stand" continue the dummy-up policies of the previous administrations rather than reading the statutes and applying them.
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August 25, 2008 - 6:14pm | Emperor
...this is getting ridiculous. Will Palin or any of her Stepford Supporters EVER take ANY responsibility or be held ACCOUNTABLE as the Palin promised?
I expect her to show up walking on water at any time now. What a joke Palin and her supporters have become. A bad joke to boot.
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August 25, 2008 - 8:06pm | Diogenes_lamp
Careful what you wish for. Palin is supporting the dumping of toxic mining wastes in the water...after a while, there may be so much waste that she could actually walk on that water.
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August 27, 2008 - 10:38am | midnightsundreamer
Sarah is not supporting the dumping of toxic chemicals into Bristol Bay or any of Alaska. She voted against 4 because the advocates provided a poorly written, overly broad measure that gave them to much room for over-interpretation. I voted no on 4 because of the lack of specifics and I know I would have considered voting yes if the bill had been more clearly defined. Many times groups try to pass off bills with a hidden agenda...this was the case on 4. Re-write it and try again. Alaskan's aren't fools for the most part.
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38 August 24, 2008 - 7:24pm | Cartman3_15
is the best choice for the job.
He will represent us honestly and responsibly, and he will restore dignity to the office of congressman for all Alaska.
And he won't spend $1.2 million of campaign money on criminal defense lawyers.
Sean Parnell is the sensible choice for Alaska.
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August 25, 2008 - 6:15pm | Emperor
Parnell is a nice guy. Too nice to be effective in DC. He can't even get out from under the shadow of Queen Palin.
No thanks. I'll vote NOTA
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37 August 24, 2008 - 2:47pm | c_staatsburg
Parnell makes me cringe in disgust for the type of pillow-soft, pansy some Alaskans want to sent to represent us in DC. Building and re-building the crumbling infrastructure of the US is a major priority for the future and Don Young knows this fact. Within the next 30 years, it has been projected that the US population will grow by 100 mil to exceed 400 mil. The Alaskan population will grow by proportion as well. As the former Chairman of the transportation committee, Don Young knows very well that moneys, most likely in the form of gas taxes must be raised to meet these demands. While Parnell wants us all to just be nice and provide for ourselves like lilies of the fields, Don Young has the know-how and means to get us what we need for now and the future.
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36 August 24, 2008 - 2:01pm | Stags_Leap
reason enough to vote for LeDoux or Young. Alaska needs strong representation...not some weak-knee little guy afraid of his own shadow.
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August 24, 2008 - 4:26pm | rfn
that Alaska needs representation in The U.S. House of Representatives? I mean ANY!
Y'see, if Mr. Berkowitz-Pelosi is elected then there won't be any.
Californian interests 54 Representatives in Congress and Alaska will have none (that, Staggie baby, means 0, zero, zip).
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August 24, 2008 - 4:27pm | Stags_Leap
as you well know. And the guy is a wuss, who hides behind Palin's skirt...just my opinion.
Parnell & Palin raised taxes on Alaska industry by billions; they grew the state's operating budget by 23% in Year One of their dog and poney show; and neither of them had the courage to advocate for two pro life bills in regular session nor the decency to add them to special session agenda.
It's a weak-a*s camapign to have no platform...and just complain about Berkowitz being from California originally. Parnell was unable to name even ONE earmark of Don Young's that he disagreed with...even though his campaign has been attacking Young over earmarks for months.
It's a weak a*s campaign to complain about Young's PAC money -when Parnell uses the east coast anti-senior citizen Club for Growth to fund three-quarters of his campaign.
Parnell is a fake..a phony conservative...someone who can't be trusted. He is not from Alaska. As such, LeDoux and Young are better options.
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August 24, 2008 - 6:18pm | rfn
providing a new opportunity to correct the falsehoods and distortions that are so common!
....a wuss, who hides behind Palin's skirt...just my opinion.
A most unique opinion! Not shared by The Democrat Party which most fears Parnell; shown by Democrat's own pollster to be THE ONLY Republican who can defeat Mr. Berkowitz-Pelosi in November.
....Parnell & Palin raised taxes on Alaska industry by billions;
The legislature raises taxes. A governor may sign their legislation but The Lieutenant Governor has nothing to do with the signing process. Sorry to have to repeat this lesson in Alaska civics so frequently. "Legislature" having multiple syllables, may be quite difficult for some to comprehend.
....grew the state's operating budget by 23% in Year One...
Yet the smallest attempt to make cuts to the budget are the topic of endless whining by those who initially complained (and still do) about the size of the budget.
...to advocate for two pro life bills in regular session nor the decency to add them to special session agenda.
Denying, of course, that the Senate President, the "retiring" Lyda Green, bottled the issue in committee. A ploy for political power that went painfully awry costing the lives of countless unborn. Then, having decided the campaign was too tough to continue, withdrew hoping to force others to do here work.
As to the issue of where people were born, it's a non-issue since both Mr. Parnell and Mr. Berkowitz-Pelosi were born in other states. Mr. Parnell having been brought to Alaska by his parents as a child; Mr. Berkowitz-Pelosi having been educated and thoroughly indoctrinated in the political philosophies of free-spending, gun-confiscating San Francisco Liberals before arriving here.
The desperation in downright laughable. The phonies who claim to be supporting Don Young and his evergreen proposal to raise gasoline taxes, are doing so only out of stark naked fear. Fear due to the realization that only Mr. Parenell can keep Alaska's lone U.S. House seat for Alaskan interests.
Of course Mr. Young does have genuine supporters though they seem to be reluctant to contribute to his campaign/legal defense fund since contributor names are public information and who knows.......
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August 24, 2008 - 4:42pm | AK_Lady
Right on, Stags!
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35 August 24, 2008 - 10:26am | akgen
for NOT showing a photo of The Dom.
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34 August 24, 2008 - 8:47am | pete_moss
I am still stuck on the fact that the Gravina Bridge was being sought after at the same time a viable project, Knik Bridge was and then the public saw how ridiculous this all was....Don Young never did spell out why Gravina was happening? I thought it was a genious ploy or an idiot that he was doing to super bridges at once with lots of money...unfortunately, I will vote for DY as he has power in DC and senority and that cannot be discounted at this time!
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August 25, 2008 - 8:03am | lecjb
1: Better airport access
2: Like Anchorage, Ketchikan needs room to expand
3: Murkowski family owns land on Gravina
Some good reasons, and some not-so-good reasons.
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33 August 23, 2008 - 7:38pm | palmeranian
I have voted for DY for so long I don't remember when I started. But he is finished. Better to dump him in the primary than in the general.
If he were to survive the primary by some miracle, I'll vote for an alternative party in the general and encourage everyone I know to do the same. I WILL NOT vote for Berky...and will not longer vote for Young.
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32 August 23, 2008 - 3:42pm | Yossarian
That is so awesome, I can just see Young standing among the reporters grinning at Parnell like a cheshire cat during his press conference after rattling him by strutting around his HQ. That is hilarious. Parnell just got schooled.
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31 August 23, 2008 - 3:06pm | LilysDaddy
the legal problems facing Rep. Young, you need go no further than a reading of this ADN article from April of this year. The CliffsNotes© version of the story: a client of lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, wanted and needed help to kill proposed legislation (ironically, introduced by then-Senator Frank Murkowski) that would rein in sweatshop and slave-labor practices (and correct certain immigration issues) in the garment industry on the Mariana Islands. Rep. Young's committee oversaw fiscal affairs of this U.S. territory in the Pacific when he chaired the House Resources Committee from 1995 to 2001. The facts are that Rep. Young wouldn't even allow his committee to hold a hearing on the bill, and said bill died. Young and his staff met several times with Abramoff and his staff on this issue when the bill was before Young's committee.
Now, keep in mind that Abramoff is currently in federal prison, serving a 70-month sentence, but *only* for defrauding Florida banks of $23m. On Sept. 4th, Abramoff will face a Washington D.C. judge for sentencing on federal corruption charges, to include "undue influence" over certain Congressmen and others. Abramoff can expect to receive a 9½-11 year sentence; bank fraud may be the least of Jack's worries.
Federal prosecutors in the case have noted (on June 12, 2008) that "...the parties believe that they are in a position to inform the court about the full scope of his [Abramoff's] misconduct and cooperation" at sentencing, and that testimony from Abramoff is possible in the future.
September 4, 2008. Is $1.3m in legal defense funds enough, Rep. Young?
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August 23, 2008 - 10:14pm | n0se
Keep in mind too, that Mark Zachares, before he went to work for Don Young and Jack Abramoff, was the head of the Department of Labor and Immigration for the Marianas Islands.
As a Senior Staffer to Don Young on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Zachares was more than likely helping Abramoff expand his Florida-based Sun Cruz gambling interests to the Marianas.
Trivia question -
Who was Mark Zachares' boss while he was the head of DOLI in the Marianas ?
Former Alaska AG Herb Soll. Soll replaced Mark Hickey who was forced to resign from the Sheffield administration.
Small world.
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August 23, 2008 - 10:29pm | LilysDaddy
Thanks for the additional info, n0se
and it appears the world may be getting smaller yet for Rep. Young.
Saipan and Tinian and Rota. Oh my!
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30 August 23, 2008 - 1:10pm | TheSdog
cannot even string a noun and verb together in a debate and we are supposed to believe he can be effective in the US House.
His campaign has been bankrolled by a PAC and yet we are to believe he is not politics as usual.
He has attached himself at the hip to Palin, an administration that increased the operating budget by a whopping 23% and has been part of the largest capital budgets in state history. Yet, he wants us to believe he will fight to control spending.
Likewise, Palin has increased taxes on the biggest industry and major economic engine in the state. And yet again Parnalin who attaches himself to her wants us to believe he will fight to cut taxes.
So, who did I vote for?
I wrote in Frank Bailey for US Senate because he is about to be unemployed for doing exactly what his boss told him to do.
I wrote in the Prom King(TP) for US House. If he is going to act like he is a government official we may as well make him one.
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August 23, 2008 - 1:56pm | Cartman3_15
I always suspected it.
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August 23, 2008 - 2:49pm | TheSdog
When the real election comes I will likely hold my nOse and vote for whoever the Rs are.
Marky Mark and Francisco Berkowitz would be bad in both the long and the short term.
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August 23, 2008 - 3:17pm | Diogenes_lamp
the R's hold their nose to vote...
the rest of us hold our noses for their entire terms in office....no life is not fair.
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August 23, 2008 - 3:22pm | TheSdog
You still cling to the belief that the Ds are somehow less corrupt than the Rs. It simply is not true.
Unless a true third party develops the country will be stuck in a rut for a long time.
To a certain extent this does come down to an argument of my corrupt bastard is better than your's.
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August 23, 2008 - 3:55pm | Diogenes_lamp
I just call'em like I see'em Doc. So far the problem in Alaska is an R thing. With Randy Ruedrich running the show...it's no wonder.
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August 23, 2008 - 5:53pm | TheSdog
Bobrick is a D and he is front and center in a lot of this. Is that not a problem?
Do you not see the problem with the sweetheart union deals that Begich rolled out when he became mayor?
Or how about the obsession to save the 4th Ave Theater for a contributor?
How about the way local lawyers poured money into D campaigns to stop malpractice reform?
How about Less Than Gara's letter?
It all depends on how close you want to look and whether you want to try and connect the dots. The media tends to treat lawyers and unions differently than big business. Somehow their interference is okay.
This goes beyond room 604. It goes to the big machines that are the two political parties and all the money that is contributed to back them. That trickles down to every last one of these clowns.
Some other things...
It was interesting when Vckers started calling it Bush's DOJ that was going after Stevens. One thing Bush did not do like his predecessors was clean out the DOJ. He left many of the Clinton people in there especially in the US Attorney spots. When he finally did get rid of a few of them the left cried foul.
Do you think that may have something to do with why they are more interested in Rs? Just asking but it is a valid question to ask.
Consider as well that the party in power is always the one more tainted. In Alaska, that has been the Rs for a long time.
If you think you are going to change things by putting Ds in there maybe you should look at the history of Chicago or New Jersey or Massachusettes or the list goes on.
You are assuming that if you are not hearing about someone they must not be under inluence and it simply is not true.
Is the money in room 604 any different than money from a PAC for a campaign? Or from a union? Or from an individual? Or from a pack of individuals like you will see going from fundraiser to fundraiser in town? Not really, everyone is trying to get what they want.
The truth is if a third party came along it may eventually fall under the same spell if it did not have the right people keeping it on course.
That is why you will see me advocate for things that might really change things instead of idiocy like prop 3.
We need term limits.
We need US Senators elected by state legislatures and elimination of the corruption process that made that impossible in the past. In other words, they finish their term no matter what happens back in their state.
We need to amend the US Constitution to allow the line item veto.
The ugly truth none of the crusaders against corruption want to accept is that all of the influence peddling has its place. Most pieces of legislation including the good ones start with organizations or people that hire lobbyists.
When does the line get crossed? Hard to say because one man's undue influence is another man's free speech simply advocating for his position.
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August 23, 2008 - 10:38pm | Cartman3_15
are undermined by the double talk and contradictions.
I have become accustomed to apples to oranges comparisons from you. But this post outdoes anything else I've seen from you. This is more like apples to automobiles.
Especially laughable -- and indicative of your phony nonpartisanship -- is your mention of the Gara letter, which broke no laws and violated no established ethical standards.
Considering how dismissive you are of "chump change" corruption like we saw from Bill Starr and Dan Coffey, it is the height of hypocrisy for you to attempt to spin corruption out of that letter.
You would be much more credible if you lived in the world as it is, instead of as you think it should be.
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August 24, 2008 - 10:57am | TheSdog
much like The Palin holds himself on a pedastal and therefore deserves to be held to the highest possible standard.
The rest of your post is your typical ad hominem attack nonsense.
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August 24, 2008 - 11:36am | rfn
Practicing a little secretive, outside-the-specialty surgery? Please share!
Meanwhile, and returning (ever so slightly) to the topic of this thread: It is good that Mr. Young is having a grand time. After all, it IS his going away party!
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August 24, 2008 - 4:11pm | Gus_Davis
The Domsday clock ticking.
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August 23, 2008 - 7:36pm | Diogenes_lamp
In Alaska it's an R thing. Sure people in power are more likely to be bought. No one will support term limits..they all will until they get elected.
The voters won't do it either. They always say we need "seniority and experience" in office and continue to elect the same people over and over....look at the incumbents for proof, look at their political ads...even they tell you the same.
So you're spitting in the wind if you are supporting term limits...which I support as well...it goes no where.
Prop 3 will level playing fields for office..it works. The people against it all believe in big money.
The common thread in corruption of officials...is money. Pretend all you want doc.
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August 24, 2008 - 1:09am | Gus_Davis
I think it's more like the bomb went off during an "R" Administration. A shorter fuse and the Oil companies would be caught calling the shots in the Knowles Administration.
I see it as more of an "OUR" thing. Register independent, both parties have problems .
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August 23, 2008 - 9:00pm | TheSdog
will not do squat except maybe make you feel better for a short time.
People will still be sent back again and again. It is why people hate Congress and love their Congressman. The country is full of people only asking what is in for them and AK has the disease even worse than the rest of the country.
When JFK asked the question about what people can do for their country it was a different world. There was a time when this country could come together for a common good. We knew how to stick it out and win wars even if the losses were great.
The culture has changed and nobody is willing to sacrifice or delay gratification. They figure the government will do everything for them. That is not what made this country what it is and it could ultimately be our demise.
It comes down to a "dog" talking point which is we need leaders who are willing to make the tough right decisions even if they are not the popular ones.
Those people have existed throughout our history and they fought wars and accepted short term hatred towards them to ultimately be judged great. It is my belief those leaders still exist in this country but the mob now rules. It is what the founding fathers feared because the government does run verything when that becomes the case.
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August 23, 2008 - 11:29pm | Cartman3_15
It's clear you know nothing about Clean Elections by the way you throw out a single-line comeback that's more personal attack than fact-based statement, then quickly change the subject.
Fact: Clean Elections laws have lived up to or exceeded all expectations in all states that currently employ them. Big money is out. More regular people are in. And everybody -- except for moneyed special interests -- is better for it.
Only people who have a vested interest in the political status quo don't like Clean Elections. Vote yes on Ballot Measure 3.
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August 24, 2008 - 11:02am | TheSdog
The reviews on clean elections are at best mixed. Your post is complete misrepresentation.
When you sit down to do research you need to come up with endpoints that actually mean something. You also need to understand that these endpoints may be off some time in the future after the experiment is done. Hence, it is much to early to declare any "clean elections" process a success or failure.
Already, there are some cracks in the clean elections process even in Arizona. There have already been some rumblings and a few decisions by SCOTUS that if some of these laws get challenged they may get struck down. You can make your usual railings against SCOTUS and its present makeup but strict interpretation of The Constitution does require you to admit these laws infringe on people's rights to speak.
It also is a system where the tax dollars of a citizen can be used to run the campaign of any person able to meet the minimum donations. And who is to say you should have to meet the minimum donations if that ever gets challenged?
It adds even more paperwork into the process as well. And if you think all the extra monitoring and paperwork is going to prevent anything you are delusional.
The idea of "clean elections" is a good one, the reality is that the government should not be paying to run campaigns.
You want an example why then go here and ask yourself if this is what you really want. It seems a whole lot like the reasons you oppose The Patriot Act.
What's next? Are you going to get on board with Nancy Pelosi's plans for talk radio? Why not just control everything that goes out to the public?
The sad truth is we would not need any kind of reform if we had an educated voter base. The whole premise here is that people are stupid and easily influenced and unfortunately it is true.
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August 24, 2008 - 11:13am | Cartman3_15
spent your Sunday morning educating yourself on Clean Elections. Good for you.
I agree. In principle, the government should not have to pay for elections. In reality, though, if government doesn't, moneyed special interests like the AMA will continue to game the system and stack the deck against regular people.
Those who are opposed to Clean Elections often have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo so their big bucks will buy them influence. But you know that, doc, don't you?
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August 24, 2008 - 12:12pm | TheSdog
In the last decade I have given a whopping 1K to political campaigns. I am not buying any influence.
My position on clean elections is that it is a farce. Most of what I have researched on it was about a year ago when it was a hot topic on here.
The Posse loves to push Palin's approval ratings as evidence that she is a good thing. The next thing you know they want to be on the side of "clean elections" nonsense and save the stupid people from themselves.
You cannot have it both ways which is what you are trying to do here. You either trust the inherent abilities of the voter to figure things out or you do not. If you do not, then no policy is going to change that.
Do you really want government being the special interest driving the zombies?
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August 24, 2008 - 12:51pm | Cartman3_15
Of course there's no benefit to you whatsoever from the powerful AMA lobby, right?
More apples and oranges nonsense from you.
Reasonable people who care about a truly democratic process untainted by big-bucks special interests know that Clean Elections can be part of the solution in Alaska -- just as they have been elsewhere.
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August 24, 2008 - 1:57pm | getridofthefish
I'm in the rare position of being in agreement with some folks (like SDog) so here goes:
Take a look at some of the perennial candidates we have here in Alaska for a variety of offices and ask yourself - Should the state be paying for these folks to run campaigns?
To call it clean elections is fine, but I for one do not want state dollars going to anyone running for office. My reading is there is no real cap on how much the state would kick in to these campaigns. Think how much money could be wasted if a few candidates happened to run against someone like Vic Vickers who is willing to put in massive amounts of his own cash.
I guess on the plus side, no one has to bother asking me for donations anymore if this passes. I won't give anyone squat if it means the state is going to match my contribution and give it to Teresa Obermeyer or Andree McLeod.
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August 24, 2008 - 3:26pm | Diogenes_lamp
it's yes on #3 and no on #4...Read why the T.O. and Andree McLoad couldn't get enough base support to qualify for clean elections.
I like your argument though...It's broke, let's don't fix it....real smart
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August 24, 2008 - 5:14pm | getridofthefish
If its broke, don't fix it? Hardly.
I read the intiative and the idea of matching contributions for any nut job that can get on the ballot is not what I call fixing the system.
If you think it's a fix, by all means be "smart" and vote Yes. I just happen to not agree with you at all.
I don't have the language in front of me right now, but if you think TO or AM wouldn't be able to collect enough $5 contributions and signatures, I think you're underestimating both of them. They're both tenacious enough to badger plenty of folks into giving $5 just to get them to quit bothering them.
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August 24, 2008 - 5:20pm | Cartman3_15
God forbid anyone YOU deem a "nutjob" should be allowed to run for office.
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August 24, 2008 - 8:38pm | getridofthefish
Everyone should be allowed to run for office. The question is whether the state should finance their campaign. That's what #3 is all about.
I've apparently run into some diehard fans of #3, the same thing happened on the Pebble Blog from the other side.
Just giving my opinion here.
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August 24, 2008 - 1:34pm | Diogenes_lamp
All the clean election nay-sayer material...
comes from a few, big money special interest groups that are opposed to clean elections because it puts a stop to those group's personal agenda. (not reducing their big money influence)
If you do the research Doc...you will find this to be the case. Instead, you find their reports and talking points and repeat them like the mindless parrots that support the status quo.
I'm glad that the sdog in not in medical research...because we would still be blood-letting for most medical maladies.
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