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Kyle Hopkins

Kyle Hopkins writes about Anchorage city government and politics. He covered last year's campaign for governor, and has blogged extensively about Alaska politics for the past year. He grew up in Southeast Alaska and was a reporter at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and Anchorage Press. E-mail Kyle at khopkins@adn.com

Sean Cockerham

Sean Cockerham writes about Alaska state politics. He spent three years based in Juneau for the Daily News before joining the Tacoma News-Tribune two years ago 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. Now he's back in Anchorage. E-mail Sean at scockerham@adn.com

Erika Bolstad

Erika Bolstad covers Alaska issues, including the congressional delegation, from Washington, D.C., for McClatchy Newspapers. Before joining the bureau this summer, 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.

Wall Street Journal on Stevens, Young

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: July 24, 2008 - 4:40 am

From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. --

The Wall Street Journal has a report today from Alaska on the likelihood of Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young holding on to their seats. It references what is likely to be a common theme of the 2008 election, nationwide: "Both men face the malaise afflicting many other Republican incumbents: voter disenchantment over the country's stewardship under the party," the Journal reports. An excerpt, after the jump:

Messrs. Stevens and Young have another challenge: Both lawmakers have been investigated in regard to a corruption scandal that has rocked Alaska's statehouse. The U.S. District Court in Anchorage has convicted two state legislators on bribery and corruption charges, and indicted two more on similar charges; others, including Mr. Stevens's son, are under investigation.

No one has charged the elder Mr. Stevens or Mr. Young, but the scandal is taking a toll on them. "It's the constant reference to potential legal problems," says Marc Hellenthal, an Anchorage pollster. "None of them are knockout blows, but they are all body punches."

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3 July 24, 2008 - 8:05am | leowassilie

let's see

we know the administration will stoop to every low possible known to mankind, therefore, it would be reasonalbe to expect the administration to pardon their pride and joy of the party before the administration exits.

If they are charged before December 31st (or whatever date GW decides to declare martial law and attack Iran), then they are guaranteed pardons. No doubt.

July 24, 2008 - 9:27am | Stags_Leap

the corruption of the 2004 TC proposal

the 2004 TransCanada proposal may be tainted. Parnell helped negotiate the 2004 proposal when he was an attorney in the oil & gas division. It has been kept sealed ever since. TransCanada has insisted that it remain confidential. I also think Marty Rutherford was working for TC at that time.

I call on the Senate Supercommittee to demand the full disclosure of the 2004 TC proposal before allowing the current TC proposal to go to the floor for a vote.

Something stinks here....and the stench keeps getting worse. If Parnell, Palin, and TC have nothing to hide -then why the persistent insistance to keep it from the public eye?

July 24, 2008 - 10:33am | I_am_Spartacus

Stags

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be treated. This story is on Ted and Don, yet you go tilting at Trans Canada again. You make valid points, as always. But your obsession is overflowing.

July 24, 2008 - 10:49am | Stags_Leap

Young and Stevens

"voter disenchantment over the country's stewardship under the party" -which I agree with. The problem is the new replacements seem to have a reduced capacity to make objective and intelligent decisions.

Parnell is one example. If we replace Don Young with pretty boy Parnell -sure, you have a nice fresh face...a new beginning. But Parnell has strayed from his conservative base by appeasing queen Palin.

July 24, 2008 - 10:57am | rfn

And so the puzzle.

Expressing disenchantment with Don Young but working so very hard for his re-election when it's obvious the California Candidate can't beat either Young or Parnell in November. Alaskans prefer to have their interests represented in Congress rather than just handing them over to Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein (D-Gunbanland). Must be the desire to see enacted Mr. Young's proposed gas tax and help save us all from Global Warming!

July 24, 2008 - 11:12am | blue_in_AK

A good reason to vote for Diane Benson

who is an independent Alaskan, running on her principles, and not beholden to the financial whims of the Democratic party and its national operatives.

July 24, 2008 - 11:18am | rfn

Couldn't agree more!

Should Staggs succeed in his push for Don Young (and his gas tax) in the primary some feel it might position a weaker candidate against San Francisco's favourite son in November. This, of course, overlooks Ms. Benson entirely. Very difficult to believe Alaskans could vote, in any numbers, in favor of Nancy Pelosi/Dianne Feinstein gun bans. Ms. Benson, who would represent Alaska, should have a much better chance against Parnell or Young.

Of course there is the problem of Ms. Benson having so embarrassed The Democrat Party hierarchy when she made so good a showing against Mr. Young previously and with only token party support.

July 24, 2008 - 12:17pm | blue_in_AK

I would strongly encourage the independent and unaffiliated

voters of Alaska to choose the Democratic ballot in August and vote to put Diane over the top because it's my belief that if she gets past the primary, she can defeat any one of the Republican nominees. Remembering back to 2006, Ms. Benson was warning Alaska's voters of Mr. Young's corruption and questionable ties well before the news stories came out, and well before the FBI investigations in Juneau were revealed. She is an honest, ethical, very smart woman, who will remain responsive to the people of Alaska. She should be given a chance to show what she can do.

July 24, 2008 - 12:37pm | rfn

The lingering concern

is that if Ms. Benson wins the primary The Democrat Party will give , at best, token support to her candidacy. They're still stinging from the near-victory last time.

July 24, 2008 - 1:25pm | blue_in_AK

I agree she may again have that issue with the party,

but the party doesn't vote -- people do -- which is my point. I think we have reached a time in history, not only in Alaska but in the country as a whole, where loyalty to either party is doing us more harm than good. The people need to stand up and take their country back.

I'm a registered Democrat, but I am deeply disappointed in the Democratic party, especially on the national level. They've been bought and paid for just as surely as the Republicans have been, and if "we the people" don't make our voices heard and elect people who put service to their constituents above party loyalty and personal enrichment, we may as well hang it up now.

July 24, 2008 - 1:30pm | rfn

While I DO understand

about who votes, the problem is that the people need to be informed about what a candidate stands for and the good said candidate has done.

Much of the money is under direct party control. Should they decide not to spend anything to help a candidate then it's harder for the message to get out.

Kind of tough with The Democrat Party....once you've been thrown under the bus it's almost impossible to get out. Consider algore and Kerry. Think, no matter how close they came, either one ever has another chance? The most surprising thing is not that Mr. Dean is where he is today...it's that his name is allowed to be spoken! In fairness, though, it was a nomination he lost, not an election.

2 July 24, 2008 - 7:40am | kwalters

Ted and Don certainly have corruption problems...they both want

to focus on the "issues". How about the issue of the erosion of United States Constitution?

In 2006, they both voted, along with Senator Murkowski, for the Military Commissions Act. Last month, the US Supreme Court reinstated Habeas Corpus-that which our entire congressional delegation voted to take away. The Supreme Court said, "the Framers viewed freedom from unlawful restraint as a fundamental precept of liberty, and they understood the writ of habeas corpus as a vital instrument to secure that freedom." The Court noted that freedom from arbitrary or baseless imprisonment was one of the core rights established by the 13th Century Magna Carta, and it is the writ of habeas corpus which is the means for enforcing that right. Once habeas corpus is abolished -- as the Military Commissions Act sought to do -- then we return to the pre-Magna Carta days where the Government is free to imprison people with no recourse.

They also voted for FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. This act gave retroactive immunity for law breaking telecoms that spyed on US Citizens BEFORE 9/11 and has now made warrantless surveillance legal so long as the entity doing the spying has written permission from the President. This law has changed our country from one based on the rule of law to a near dictatorship based on the rule of men.

They both took an oath of office to “solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”

And yet, they both have voted against that which they swore to defend-THEIR ONLY OATH!

Vote them both OUT!

July 24, 2008 - 4:51pm | gwichin

ethics

What ethics are you talking about? His ability to play a game of give and take, one that he didnt created, to bring fed bucks to our state? the fact that after 17 terms he is still one of the poorest members in congress? Don has defied his own party when it comes to protecting the rights of Alaska. You have to ask yourself what has he gained? Money to get reelected, big deal, his heart beats Alaska. Sure he’s spent money on lawyers, if you felt wronged and had to defend yourself, because it would effect the people in your charge, it would be your duty to defend yourself. His style may not be reporter friendly and he has ticked off just as many GOP’s as Dems, he does bring it home for Alaska. Vote for him or not, He will be just as happy in FT Yukon as he would be in DC. Don is one of the most ethical persons I have ever met. You could make a mini series on all the good he has done for Alaska. “Where there’s smoke there’s fire” ( legal fees ) kinda lame since the w. bUsh admin has proved that when there’s smoke there’s smoke. It’s intresting to note that the population base of Alaska allways sides with big outside buisness ventures, could it be all the big bucks in advertisement, look at the pebble mine issue, reminds me of when big oil came out aganst seperate accounting, flood the airways with your agenda, well when your constituants are convinced, guess what, a congressman has to to his job. It’s to bad when big bizz convince the people that they are better served sending all their natrual resources out of state instead of trying to build a infastructure at home to develop industry ( so called Bridges to Nowhere) Alaska could be bigger than China with exports if people shared what was dwelling in the heart of Don Young, Is it Alaska Inc. ? Big Bizz do’nt break laws they change them

July 26, 2008 - 1:11pm | monty_doe

Bridges?

The proposed "Don Youngs Way" to his buddy's land.
Like the airport we should refrain from naming these places after politicians until their dead. This spares us the embarresment of renaming them when the are found to be ....RATS....Have small hearts.....big cheese friends.

July 26, 2008 - 3:44pm | rfn

A similar mistake

in the naming of a trail that prevents improving the airport to meet future needs. True, not needed at this moment, but it will come up again when there's a belated response to the mega-airport being built in Canada. Of course naming something that will do immense damage to Alaska in the way it was may prove to be wholly appropriate.

Impressive, however, that nothing of consequence was named for Mr. Murkowski. It IS, however, rumored, that a powerful group of women in Wasilla is lobbying mightily for the new high school being built up the road to be named for Vic Kohring.

July 26, 2008 - 6:09pm | blue_in_AK

You're funny, RFN.

Vic Kohring. Hahahaha.

July 26, 2008 - 6:57pm | rfn

This not funny!

Rumors say there was a HUGE argument among the membership of The Constantly Complaining Coven about what to do with the leftover signs from the candidate who turned tail and fled. One segment wanted to repaint them and store them a way with "Welcome Home" messages. The other faction wanted to convert them to campaign signs, leaving open only the specific office.

It is said the campaign sign proponents won though there were several taken to the ER with slashes from rapier-sharp tongues and a few cases of really deep cat-scratches.

They had but one thing in common; the name on the signs.

Not hard to guess what that is!

1 July 24, 2008 - 7:22am | undeclared

Shadow Governor?

Read the story about Todd and Bitney: andrewhalcro.com

July 24, 2008 - 10:05am | HD

No, thanks...

I'll wait for the movie version. Halcro has become a petulent muckraker - a rather pathetic development.

July 24, 2008 - 10:33am | Stags_Leap

what is pathetic

is how a First Gent can be so involved with the affairs of a state that ends up resulting in an Abuse of Power scandal.

Wooten, Bitney, who else? There is a pattern here...a frightening pattern.