The Trail : A blog on the 2006 Alaska governor's race by Kyle Hopkins : Guessing game (UPDATED)

Guessing game (UPDATED)

Posted by thetrail

Posted: August 17, 2006 - 11:08 am

UPDATE: Real quick -- the Murkowski campaign brought up several different issues at the press conference. They handed out copies of the public records from Palin's tenure as mayor, for example, and talked about why that paperwork shows Palin mixed her city job and campaign. One reason for the event was to say they had documents to back up their latest commercial, which seems to accuse Palin of breaking the law.

Also: They showed a new TV spot that will begin running soon. It features an ex-Ted Stevens aide talking about Murkowski. Ted can't say who he's for, she tells viewers. But if he could, she just knows he's be for Murkowski.

This press release just came from the Murkowski campaign. Any guesses?

(PRESS RELEASE BEGINS)
Murkowski Campaign to Release Damaging Opponent Public Records

(Anchorage) – Murkowski Campaign to hold press conference on Thursday, August 17, 2006 at Campaign Headquarters. The focus of the press conference is to discuss sensitive public records of both Sarah Palin and John Binkley.

When: Thursday, August 17th, 2 p.m.
Where: Murkowski Campaign Headquarters - 407 East Northern Lights Blvd. (Anchorage)

(PRESS RELEASE ENDS)

Check back later for more on the day's bloodshed.

8 August 17, 2006 - 8:16pm | northeastbear

Palin's failings

It seems Palin has begun to bleed, And Franks whacks have just begun so it seems.

flag this »

August 18, 2006 - 4:56am | monkeyking

It's no worse than using the

It's no worse than using the company jet for personal business.

7 August 17, 2006 - 4:07pm | jacander

any news yet?

I am an Alaskan stuck out of state and am curious to hear what came out of this press conference.

6 August 17, 2006 - 3:41pm | akpoliticalanimal

Buser vs. Jonrowe

I just heard an ad from Martin Buser saying that John Binkley shouldn't have done a last minute smear campaign. He supports Sarah Palin.
Seems to me Buser's won the Iditarod and Jonrowe always comes a little short. Hmmm.
It's a good response from Palin.

August 18, 2006 - 7:38am | camai_2006

Riley Endorsement?

Where is the Jerry Riley endorsement for "the Murk"????

It would be very fitting for a musher that beats his dogs to endorse Murkowski!

August 17, 2006 - 9:55pm | lauriejo_6

I Don't Get It.

Would anyone ask the governor about the preferred method of training dogs for the Iditarod? Would you ask your mechanic his opinion on some dopey obscure 17 century British philosopher? No, then why would anyone care who DeeDee or Martin are supporting.

5 August 17, 2006 - 2:56pm | dillondaly

Good grief

It sounds like Gov. Frank Murkowski is continuing to play hardball with his opponents in the Republican primary.

First there was the accusations on live TV that Fairbanks businessman John Binkley lied on his resume – he didn't. Now he's sent out this press release promising dirt on Binkley and former Wasilla mayor Sarah Palin.

Here's the top of the press release:

Murkowski is supposedly going to chastise Binkley for refusing to pay the state rent for docking his family's Riverboat Discovery on the Chena River. The dispute is an old one that has gone back and forth between DNR and the Binkley family. It's nothing new and has been reported before. I don't know the details but I assume the Binkleys -- John has left the running of the business to his family while he campaigns for governor -- turned down the state's latest offer at a settlement, which last I recalled amounted to a head tax on Discovery's passengers.

Now Murkowski is waving it around like a battle flag trying to whip voters into an anti-Binkely frenzy. It won't work and here's why:

1. It's a cheap trick and one likely to backfire and make Murkowski look desperate.

2. It's old news.

3. If there's anyone who can appreciate a small businessman standing up to the government and refusing to pay taxes – it's Alaskans.

God only knows what insignificant piece of gossip he's got on Palin. She's cute and from the valley, so maybe he's found out she likes to swing? That's also likely to backfire – Alaska could use a governor with some sex appeal.

4 August 17, 2006 - 12:06pm | quixoticneophyte

Sensitive Public Records?!?

I like that phrase. It reminds me of Cheney's "secret undisclosed location."

Honestly, I doubt this media advisory is nothing more than a PR stunt to rehash more of same.

I guess we'll see...

3 August 17, 2006 - 11:03am | chilcoot

Murkowski's Competence

Based on the competence Frank Murkowski has exhibited throughout his career and this campaign, I expect that the governor has obtained shocking information that John Binkley neither graduated from high school nor attended Western Michigan.

2 August 17, 2006 - 10:56am | akpoliticalanimal

Rydel

Murkowski on Rick Rydel this morning was talking about John Binkley not paying fees for his dredging operation in fairbanks. it was a little convoluted. I'm not sure what he was talking about.

August 18, 2006 - 2:31am | disenchanted01

ABF

Wasn't Frank up to his eyeballs in bank scandals and failings back in the 70's? What did he do all those years in DC? Does any body really know?

August 17, 2006 - 12:07pm | thetrail

Riverboat and VOT docs

Mike Scott, Murkowski's campaign manager, says one issue will be the public records on Palin, that the Voice of the Times first requested, and the second will be about, in his words:
"Mr. Binkley and some documents that would demonstrate that he has been remiss in his obligations to pay for a tideland lease up in Fairbanks for the riverboat discovery for many many years and has rebuffed several attempts to pay.

1 August 17, 2006 - 10:41am | chilcoot

Here Comes the Smear

Here comes Gov. Murkowski's last minute smear of his opponents. Things to watch for:

(1) Will they be able to explain why this supposedly shocking information was not publicized months ago?

(2) Will his spokeswife give the conference? The governor, knowing how hated he is, likes to hide behind his wife.

Nothing short of competing admissions by his opponents that they are big fans of John Mark Karr PLUS an appointment of another Murkowski kid to run the elections division will be enough to return Gov. Murkowski to the governor's mansion.

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