About the blog: The race to become Alaska's next governor is on and it's about to get muddy. Grab your boots and follow the Daily News along the winding campaign trail.
Contact: thetrail@adn.com
Blog : Alaska Politics
Happy trails - 11/8/2006 8:05 pm
Forty-two - 11/8/2006 8:01 pm
Election hangover - 11/8/2006 10:25 am
Tonight (updated) - 11/7/2006 12:18 pm
Full Moon - 11/6/2006 7:11 pm
Fishy photos? - 11/6/2006 12:08 pm
Smelly deal? - 11/5/2006 3:31 pm
Sunday best (part two) - 11/5/2006 3:18 pm
'It's going to be madness' - 11/4/2006 8:33 pm
Final push - 11/4/2006 8:26 pm
Ivan Moore - 11/4/2006 1:45 pm
Furrowed brow - 11/3/2006 2:20 pm
New poll (updated) - 11/3/2006 2:00 pm
Berkowitz - 11/3/2006 10:29 am
Predict the future - 11/2/2006 10:53 pm
Live debate (updated 9:37 p.m.) - 11/2/2006 8:19 pm
More on the e-mails - 11/2/2006 7:14 pm
Channel 7 debate (updated) - 11/2/2006 7:12 pm
Round two - 11/2/2006 4:20 pm
Read the e-mails - 11/1/2006 9:45 pm
TV debate tonight (updated) - 11/1/2006 11:02 am
Anchorage Rotary debate - 10/31/2006 4:58 pm
Posted by thetrail
Posted: November 7, 2006 - 12:18 pm
The polls close soon and Julia's got our election night blog up and running.
Here we go.
What's it look like at the polling places? Anyone plan on going to election central tonight in Anchorage?
You'll be able to post comments here all night, but the real action will be on our main page, where we'll post photos and election results while reporter Julia O'Malley will write rolling updates.
26 November 8, 2006 - 11:45am | SuperVoter
Coldtalker, Straightstrings, Mike?
Must be hard to go from 60 posts a day to zero. C'mon Coldsrtings how about some eloquent words about uniting as Alaskans behind our new Governor. Straighttalker surely you have some witty comments about how a republican in Maine is going to eat my children. And Mike, a morning without your daily dose of hate is a scary place for those who enjoyed the laugh. I am waiting.
November 9, 2006 - 12:32am | Beachwriter
Palin supporters lack humility
Supervoter you've shown yourself to be among the lowest of the lows.
Great! Your scary weird candidate and all her psycho followers won...just wait, time tells all. I'm so glad I've got myself invested so no matter what happens I'll be fine. Too bad for the little people who don't have a pot to pee in.
November 9, 2006 - 10:17am | SuperVoter
Beachwriter, scary and weird is when someone in this day and age suggests Palins place is in the home taking care of her children. You are truly the most ignorant poster on here and a disgrace to any one who has ever considered themselves to be a writer. Also, anyone who would invest a moron like you should have their own head examined. You're pathetic.
25 November 8, 2006 - 9:07am | Black3
I'd be singing the old "Koolaid, Koolaid, tastes great" theme with more enthusiasm had things not been so ugly on the national scene.
I fervently hope that we do not look back and see that yet another enemy has won its "Tet Offensive" for the minds and hearts of the American people. In that context the world will little note nor long remember what happened here in Alaska last night.
Were I a Democrat strategist thinking of '08, I might be thinking that it would have been better to lose narrowly than to win narrowly. Gingrich certainly comes to the forefront of Republican thinking again, and he has proven himself to be a master of torturing a narrow majority. The DNC recruited lots of DINOs to run in the irredenta in Red States who now have to enter an electoral suicide pact to be a part of San Fran Nan's majority. Were I a Republican strategist, I'd let them be themselves.
Here, I'm heartened that Gov. Palin did not follow Knowles too far down the yellow brick gasline road. A gas line has never been more than a forlorn hope without heavy State financial participation. Getting the Alaskan res publica to bet their annual free money on a gasline will be a daunting challenge.
I have said here to much derision by TK supporters that being Governor is not fun; it isn't. The government is so powerful and pervasive in Alaska that any time a Governor does something for a constituency, he or she does something to another constituency. The price of oil is headed downward; the Murkowski administration made down payments on lots of things that a Palin administration will either have to find a way to pay for or abandon. There is tremendous pent up wage demand from State employee unions, the majority of whose contracts expire June 30, so labor strife is almost a certainty. No matter who won, it was going to be a tough couple of years. The Ds picked up some seats in the Legislature and on first blush, the pickups seem to be pretty hard Ds, so the minority will not be docile.
Now it is time to put it all behind us; there's a State to run.
24 November 8, 2006 - 2:35am | truthseeker
Truthseeker predicted several times sarah over tony by 10%. Last I looked it was about 10.5%. By the time the bush comes in it ought to be just about there.
Sheeeeeeeet! I ought to go into the business, could probably make some big bucks doing this.
Great job on the blog kyle, it has been fun trying to be you over the past couple of months. I sure hope they are paying you enough.
Will look forward to hearing from all the big mouths on here explaining what went wrong. Hopefully it will be more insightful than "the public was misinformed."
November 8, 2006 - 10:42am | realist
I've sparred a little with you over the past weeks, but I have to hand it to you -- you were just about spot-on in your prediction, as you were about some other things.
Congratulations to you, Sarah and all her supporters. I am hoping for the best. Anyway, it's going to have to be an improvement over what we have now! :)
One of my kids was sick last night, so I was preoccupied and didn't see any analysis, but here's what this particular big mouth thinks were Tony's mistakes:
-- Getting into the race in the first place. I really think, in hindsight, he should have left it to Ethan. Sure, Ethan would have lost, but often you lose your first statewide race. Maybe Ethan would have done better than Tony did in the end. And an Ethan-Sarah-Andrew race would have been really interesting, as all see themselves as agents of change.
I really like Tony, but I think he's about a decade late. As much as I liked the 90s, it's no longer the 90s. I also really wish he had been elected to the Senate, for Iraq if nothing else, because we desperately need national leaders who will change the disastrous Bush course (my opinion; I realize others differ).
-- Making the campaign about "experience" and getting the gas pipeline done. The experience argument didn't exactly pan out for Murkowski and Binkley. And call me skeptical, but I'm not sure any governor can do too much to speed the gas pipeline along. This thing, after all, has been promised for decades. The producers will let it happen when, and if, they're damn ready. (Maybe the Prop 2 people and the LNG people have a valid point after all.)
Instead, he should have emphasized social issues, health and education, his strengths. And he wasn't as strong as he should have been on global warming and its effects on Alaska, but then none of them were.
-- Too many of what Truthseeker and other critics call "Tonybots" working on the campaign. A campaign does NOT need a whole bunch of cheerleaders or the die-hard supporters making strategy. That's why, I think, the resulting campaign did not sufficiently resonate with the public.
All in all, it's a really stunning defeat for Knowles, considering how well Democrats did elsewhere. (By the way, thank God the legislature is going to be improved. I don't think too many people will lament the departure of Ben Stevens and Ralph Seekins. But what't the deal with Vic Kohring still getting re-elected despite all? But I digress. . .)
Anyway, Truthseeker, I really hope all goes as you predict with the Palin administration.
Best of luck, and I've enjoyed your posts, even though I haven't always agreed with them.
November 8, 2006 - 3:39pm | alaskandomer
I think too, that most Alaskans were sick and tired of the status quo. Frank found that out the hard way. With him out of the picture, Tony's experience actually worked against him, because he was also seen as part of the establishment we wanted to be rid of. I, too see hope in the new legislature. Some of the most strident folks on both sides are out of the picture. Let's hope that means less confrontation, and a bit more cooperation.
November 8, 2006 - 3:38pm | realist
After talking today to a Republican friend who told me I was craaaazy to think that Ethan would have been better off without Tony, and that I'm dead wrong on my first conclusion about Knowles campaign mistakes, I am reconsidering. Should he have gotten in or not? I go back and forth. One suggestion I heard was that he should have challenged Don Young instead of running for governor.
November 8, 2006 - 6:48pm | justintime
Still would have had a primary
It would have been a better one, but Croft would have won.
22 November 8, 2006 - 1:58am | christineofkodiak
I have never blogged before, but I have become an absolute junky. Kyle, you have done a great job with this blog and I really hope you will continue blogging during the legislative session. It would be a lot of fun.
November 8, 2006 - 2:10am | lwilson
Great forum for us malcontents to vent, and the candidates seemed to pay attention to it. Did it make a difference? I hope so. Alaska isn't so big a state... that way, yet.
I hope that we all can now pull together and make this gasline a reality.
21 November 8, 2006 - 1:29am | signwaver
those insired, hungry for change, undervoters.
I said 9.
Looks like it will be 9, 10, or 11.
Now we will get the right gas line.
See ya all in 4 years.
20 November 8, 2006 - 12:32am | steve15
Halcro - The best is yet to come
The fuse is lit on a brilliant political career. Halcro kept it interesting. Halcro kept it honest. Halcro made us laugh and he made us think. What a fine politician and more important, what a fine person. I hope he sees this as a stepping stone to run again-- Congress? Senate? Run, Andrew. Run.
Kyle, thank you for this blog.
Over and out until 2008.
19 November 8, 2006 - 12:27am | marty2
"Tony Knowles stands at Election Central, with wife Susan and son Ethan "
The photo is of Tony and Susan Knowles and his running mate Ethan Berkowitz.
And that photo is right under a comment by a Knowles supporter complaining that the reason Tony lost is because of an "uninformed electorate".
18 November 7, 2006 - 11:45pm | qtwkids
Halcro did a fine job for effort made
So many people have said Halcro was the most educated. He made a great showing for the small amount he spent compared to the others and the little campaigning he did. Imigine next time when he rolls out the big guns. After Sarah has made a better showing than Tony we can at least hope he will finally give up and go away. Hopefully she will stack her staff with people competent enough to help her in the many areas she is weak.
16 November 7, 2006 - 10:21pm | alaskandomer
Kyle,
Thanks for managing this blog. It's been fun.
15 November 7, 2006 - 10:19pm | alaskandomer
First results with 43% in
Sarah 52%
Tony 37%
Andy 10%
14 November 7, 2006 - 8:14pm | turdball
I will miss this blog. Thank you for the opportunity to interact,and enjoy cheap entertainment for a couple of months. I have to tell you though ADN should have gone after a couple of candidates. The two that just keep traveling like the energizer bunny. Or the timex that takes a licking and keeps on traveling.
I have appreciated your insight and keeping this clean, although a couple of times it got a bit to personal.
Take care you are a good reporter and a good guy.
13 November 7, 2006 - 6:58pm | alaskastraightalker
Major upset in US Senate/Rhode Island Race
CNN is now projecting a new Democratic Senate seat in Rhode Island. Whitehouse is crushing Chafee.
November 8, 2006 - 12:41am | turdball
alaskastraightalker you dont know what your talking about and the November 7 poll showed it.
Good luck the next 4 years. Send Leslie back to Begich.
November 7, 2006 - 7:20pm | rfn
Appears that even Republicans are voting against Chafee in incredible numbers.
Problem is that he has been a Democrat in Republican clothing for so long that the party regulars have decided that, if they're gonna have a Democrat, they might as well have a REAL one.
Not joking here; have family members in RI who took that approach themselves!
12 November 7, 2006 - 6:44pm | signwaver
I have had my fun here.
I honestly have no idea who will win.
I voted Palin, Bensen, YES on both Initiatives and NO on every judge except Suddock.
Good race ALL campaign bots.
This is real Democracy in action!
God bless Bill Gates!
If TK wins, then let's all come together and build that gas line!
11 November 7, 2006 - 6:43pm | mike_l
looks like they will get control of the House and possibly the Senate.
Biggest issues are anger over the Iraq War and political scandals.
We in Alaska are fed up with the VECO/Republican -Corrupt Bastards Club scandal. That is why so many people are voting Democratic -for Knowles, Benson, and the entire slate of candidates.
November 8, 2006 - 2:14am | truthseeker
Do they still make acid?.........
Boy there are some seriously scrambled brain waves going on here. Didn't you see that VECO endorsed tony?
Thank god sarah owes nothing to bill allen, VECO and all the other gaggle of corrupt business leaders that supported tony.
At least their workers were smart enough to support sarah.
10 November 7, 2006 - 6:32pm | blow
Kyle, thanks for the great ride aboard "the Trail." I hope you save this site as an archive for information and entertainment. Some of it was pretty hilarious stuff. I'm making no prediction as to who will win tonight, but I will say this: I've noticed that the tone of blog postings has taken a rather nasty turn during the past month or so. Careful scrutiny shows that most of the mean-spiritedness comes from the liberal left. Why is that, Kyle? Do you have an explanation? Probably, it reflects on the general readership of the liberal-leaning Daily News. Or, maybe Democrats are just particularily nasty after being out of power for so long. Whatever the reason, I hope that you will take note too and make some of your own comments about this. If Palin, Don Young, and a Republican state House and Senate are elected, can we expect more bitter-bloggin at the Daily News? Maybe you can host a post-mortum blog for the offended and dearly departed.
November 7, 2006 - 6:42pm | kazoom
Interesting that you said this. I was right with you up until you said most of it is coming from the liberal left. While both sides definitely had more than their share, I was thinking it was just the opposite on where "most" came from ... maybe it just has more to do with whose beliefs are closer to your own.
November 7, 2006 - 7:34pm | alasscan
You said it well!
This has been interesting, although to me it has been mostly for enjoyment. I have enjoyed seeing so many people INTERESTED!
I didn't think there would be much mind changing going on. We were all pretty set in our views. The exception may well have been about Diane Benson, but she did her own shining.
For all of you that are celebrating do be careful out there!
Thank you Kyle.
9 November 7, 2006 - 5:34pm | Black3
Over the next three and one-half hours
everyone who hasn't voted will. There really isn't much that will change how they vote at this late hour.
Whatever the World looks like tomorrow, life in America and Alaska will go on. Day after tomorrow, it will all be ancient history and all political thoughts will turn to '08.
Whether our candidates win or lose, we can all be proud and honored by the fact that we are one of only a handful of nations in the World that can go through a bitterly fought election without without violence, without arrests, with relatively minimal fraud, and all go about our business, some perhaps hungover, tomorrow like it was any other day. What a Country!
November 7, 2006 - 5:49pm | akisok2
... but I agree with you yet again (this is only the second time.) Great point.
November 7, 2006 - 8:03pm | jmcgaughran
Kyle, thank you for setting up this blog for all of us to share our view-points, and take our stand on the Election. I must say I have enjoyed it. Soon we will have a new Governor of Alaska; nobody knows who, and yes, life will go on, as it always does. I must say I have been much more involved this Election, then any other - and it felt GREAT taking a strong stand!! Thank you to all who have blogged - and will connect with you again - next Election : )
8 November 7, 2006 - 4:52pm | alaskastraightalker
Democrats Capture Ohio Senate Seat
CBS News projects Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown is the winner of the Ohio Senate race, defeating incumbent Republican Sen. Mike DeWine in one of the key contests that could decide control of the Senate.
November 7, 2006 - 5:39pm | aktraveller
Little early to call don't you think?
0% of the vote in. Under 10K votes tallied might be a bit early to call. Good old exit polls, so reliable in the past aren't they.
7 November 7, 2006 - 3:27pm | alaskastraightalker
Observer, Fox polls show gains for Democrats in Senate
Fox News is reporting strong showings for Democrats in 6 key Senate races, with Republicans maintaining 3 seats. Fox failed to decline which seats were in play, saying they didn't want to affect voter turnout.
The New York Observer is also reporting Democratic leads in four key races, with no information available on others. That list follows:
Casey (D) 61 - Santorum 38 (R)
Cardin (D) 51 - Steele 48 (R)
McCaskill (D)53 - Talent 46 (R)
Webb 55 (D) - Allen 45 (R)
November 7, 2006 - 4:55pm | signwaver
for Tony.
Huge turnout everywhere today.
Juneau downtown precincts up by 15%
Kenai precincts up by 30-35%.
Fairbanks is "heavy".
Anchorge, E. River huge.
Mat-SU very heavy.
Heavy on the red.
Palin by 9 now.
My undervoters are showing up in droves.
Sorry bots.
November 7, 2006 - 8:02pm | arajack
Here at sportcenter in Soldotna, and drove by city hall was packed. We had to wait in line to get in voting booth. I think the peninsula D,s are worried about this being a heavy conservative area.
November 7, 2006 - 5:34pm | signwaver
flat tire, worked today.
will stay home and watch the Red fiesta tonight.
did you wave any signs truthleeker?
probably for Velcro?
are you Susan Harvey or not?
November 7, 2006 - 5:10pm | mike_l
those undervoters are all voting for Diane Benson and Tony Knowles. Halcro took too many votes away from sound-byte-Palin.
November 7, 2006 - 5:42pm | cconstant
I know several who voted Palin/Benson. I think they wanted to see the women spank the boys.
6 November 7, 2006 - 2:58pm | alaskastraightalker
First exit polls show bad news for GOP
The first exit polls released by a group of top news agencies have indicated that national issues drove today's votes by a margin of nearly two-to-one.
While 62% of respondents indicated that national issues made biggest difference in how they cast their votes, just 33% indicated that local issues decided their vote. Republicans had recently been pressing their case that local issues would decide the races.
In what is seen as more bad news for Republicans, corruption ranked as the top issue among those casting ballots, with 42% indicating that concern in that area drove their vote.
Terrorism ranked second, with the economy and Iraq following shortly behind. Of those indicating the war weighed heavily in their vote, 57% said that they disapproved of Bush's handling of the situation, with just 41% indicating they approved of his performance.
Taxes, an issue President Bush tried to bring to the forefront in recent weeks, did not rate highly among voters.
November 8, 2006 - 7:20am | turdball
Youre too attached to the lower 48
Alaskans dont care what happens outside for the most part. We care what happens right here at home and thats why your candidate did not win. He spent money outside and he could not catch her.
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27 November 8, 2006 - 3:10pm | bmcdaniel9
Fun last night
The Mat-Su Democrats were a happy lot last night at the Mat-Su Resort party. Great news for moderates all around the country had us cheering and celebrating big time.
Too bad most Alaska voters aren't hep to the national zeitgeist. But I did enjoy MSNBC's panel raising their eyebrows about Palin's win and Alaska not "getting it" (the desire for balance of power) and Matthews explaining the oddity to them, that "they are still a conservative state up there."
We had some terrific Dems elected around the state, some wonderful feminists, and many champions of the middle class. It brought a smile back to my face that I've been missing since 2000. I expect I'll be smiling for at least two more years and will have many, many more "positive" things to say about my government.
And the good news out of South Dakota was glorious for women everywhere!
Good bye, I've gotta go order my "Don't blame me, I voted for Tony" sticker.
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