Alaska Politics Blog : Raw Feed: Stevens, Begich interviews

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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

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Raw Feed: Stevens, Begich interviews

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: August 27, 2008 - 4:46 pm

From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

After winning their party primaries yesterday, Democratic Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich and Republican Sen. Ted Stevens held a pair of twin press conferences today to announce new endorsements.

Afterward, they talked about their coming match-up in the general election race for Stevens' U.S. Senate seat.

I'll try and put up some quotes later, but here's the raw feed video for now. Among the questions - does Begich have time to be mayor, and what will he do if national Democrats launch an attack on Stevens? And for Stevens - how's he going to campaign at the same time he's going to court? (And yes, you'll see Stevens take aim at the Daily News at the end of his video clip.)

Stevens:

...

Begich:

Note: Begich's endorsement came from the city police union. Stevens' nod from the NRA.

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11 August 29, 2008 - 3:10pm | Natalie_0

Given the recent Palin VP nomination......

....I'm kinda glad that Stevens asked for an early trial date. Considering that the trial will last 3 to 4 weeks, that should take us right up to election night! With 7 separate charges, and the Justice Departments track record, he's bound to be convicted of at least 1 or 2 of them! It will be another great moment in Alaska's history, don't ya think?

10 August 29, 2008 - 11:12am | lom

If McCain/Palin

do get elected in November, it would be foolish for Alaska to elect Mark Begich to the Senate.

Palin is certainly a "breath of fresh air" for our State-- compared to the "good 'ol boys" club.

9 August 29, 2008 - 8:06am | TheSdog

Picking a woman was a good idea

if that woman had been Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

McCain gains nothing with Palin. Alaska was already ion his column.

She will get slaughtered in the debate with Biden.

The left wing sites will also pull up the "I do not know how the state budget works" and the giggling on the Bob and Mark Show.

She is also being investigated and that will now become front and center in the media as well as her fumbled handling of the episode.

Obama will push 400 electoral votes now.

August 29, 2008 - 8:40am | rfn

Biden?

His long track record shows he'll overplay his hand and become arrogant and abusive in any future debate.

All Ms. Palin needs to do is stay cool, let him bluster, and reduce him to a pile of something other than ashes with a single glance. Would be totally wrong for her to actually debate him; just let him make a total fool of himself.

While The Democrat Party is busy running against Palin (and they will), Obama's inadequacies will be highlighted with every word they utter.

From a long-term view this was not the best choice; that would have been Joe Lieberman. But for getting elected.....whole different story!

8 August 28, 2008 - 3:15pm | lom

Its too bad

so many good public servants are being painted with the same brush as those few in the APD union who decided to back their former real estate rep, Mark Begich. Begich'--the very person who's website outlines how Alaskan politicians have let us down through secret meetings, hidden favors, and special access for special interests.
Clearly there is special access given to the APD union, secret meetings held (are contract negotiations completely open to the public?) and hidden favors given by the Begich administration--DEMONSTRATING Mr. Begich' behavior is the same as those Alaskans who have been recently investigated, tried, and convicted in federal court--as inferred on his own website.

It is also interesting to note who was the paid lobbyist for the APD union during Begich' time on the Assembly.

7 August 28, 2008 - 11:05am | TheSdog

The city police union

endorses Begich.

Of course they do because Begich has let them rape and pillage the city for outlandish labor deals.

They made the outrageous claim that Begich was much better for fighting crime in the last mayoral election. More like he was better for their paychecks because in 2007 Anchorage had more murders than it has had in decades.

Why? That is an easy one. Begich also has been Anchorage's finest to get him revenue on Minnesota and the Glenn. Traffic tickets jumped 50% when he took office.

Did it save lives? No. Fatalities involving automobiles were also up last year.

Unions as a special interest are every bit as bad as any other special interest. Based on the blood flowing on our streets they may be worse.

August 28, 2008 - 2:43pm | Gus_Davis

City of San Diego

City Attorney is an a suit that alleges undue influence of unions on certain administrations. The attempt is to roll back the retirtements by a few years because it has bankrupted their retirement systems and become unsustainable. Sound familiar?

Five trustees have now been charged with felonies.

Five former San Diego city officials were charged with fraud yesterday in a federal complaint that says they misled bond investors and Wall Street analysts in borrowing $262 million in 2002 and 2003.

After years things are still grinding away in the case(s).

August 28, 2008 - 6:08pm | TheSdog

San Diego's

problem has matured futher along than Alaska's.

Vegas is full of people who are 50 and retired from places in CA. Many are pulling down 6 figure incomes while cities that set up the sweetheart deals are dealing with bankruptcy. San Diego just happens to be the epicenter of the problem.

You only need to look at the way the unions have lashed out at Arnold in CA who is actually trying to clean up some of the mess. The worst of all is the teachers.

Private sector unions are also a problem. The California Nurse's Association which heavily promoted Michael Moore's movie Sicko has also pushed legislation through in CA which is pounding hospitals in the state.

It would be nice if all the bad players were treated the same in the media. Unions and trial lawyers, the Dems favorite puppet masters, often make Exxon look like Mother Theresa.

August 28, 2008 - 7:28pm | Gus_Davis

Further along..

But $10-11 Billion is where projections are putting the AK PERS.

All because of Duplicitous Duncan and his promises to upper level management folks of the incomp persuasion.

And then there's those RIP retireees drawing a salary from the state to sit at the same desk and do next to nothing.

Talk about undue influences of a union.

August 28, 2008 - 3:21pm | lom

Gus

it would be interesting to know what the unfunded liability of PERS is in AK, especially in light of the excess funds the State recently came across and the recent effort to throw that money at the public in the form of a $1200.00 rebate.

August 28, 2008 - 7:34pm | Gus_Davis

Interest payments or not

Murkowski's plan was to pay it off in installments of $500 million a year. For only about the Next thirty years though . Wish they could have that same 30 year foresight earlier as it only took ten or twelve years to rack up that kind of deficit.

We need some of those responsible defending a host of felony charges.

Good thing they didn't put Jim in charge of the PFD. He was on the short list for that.

August 29, 2008 - 11:01am | lom

Gus

interesting commentary--I heard (nothing short of a rumor) the study of PERS under the Murk admin over-estimated the total PERS debt. It would be well worth the present admin's time and effort to re-assess the debt and get it paid off (while we still have money). It'd be nice to pass off a debt-free AK to our kids.

6 August 28, 2008 - 8:57am | akmooster

here are a couple for begich....

1) Having never gone to college, never been in state government, never had a business that didn't fail except your Mom's, being a far left winger in a right of center state, and with the majority of your backers from east coast law firms, liberal senators who look at you as nothing more than a number to promote their (often anti-Alaskan) personal agendas, and beverly hills women who think your dimples are cute, just what makes you remotely qualified to be in the US Senate, much less represent this state?

2) In your ads you say that Senators and their wives should show their taxable income. Why won't you? Especially in light of the allegations that you are lying about the money you got from Rubini. These questions won't go away.

3) As a pledge to stop corrupt Alaskan politicians, will you agree to step aside if it becomes publicly undeniable that you are under investigation by the FBI, or will you admit to it now?

Interesting that NRA is backing stevens and they got nothing. The police union backs begich because they were bought with how many million dollar's of taxpayer's money?

August 28, 2008 - 3:24pm | lom

Mooster

say what we are all thinking: when is this guy going to embarass us like so many of our politicans recently have. MB went to the same school....

5 August 28, 2008 - 6:51am | Tpayne

43,000 Alaskans chose AGAINST these two...

...Don't be fooled by Bob Bird's primary numbers, what do you expect with the format of the GOP primary?

I hear a lot of complaining on this blog about Begich and Stevens, complaints backed up with 43,000 votes consciously AGAINST these two.

Regardless of who you voted for Ray, Vic, Dave, whatever...if you're against these two, Bob Bird is your guy in November.

Stevens is so sure that the Republicans will "come back into the fold", I wouldn't bet on it, especially as the trial wears on. And as Obama's raging socialism become more apparent, will Alaska REALLY vote for someone who supports him? Not if it's still the Alaska I know.

August 28, 2008 - 4:07pm | LilysDaddy

Will Bob Bird

be the Gabrielle LeDoux of the general election? Will he tip the election to Begich or Stevens?

4 August 27, 2008 - 10:20pm | idiocracy

Let's get down to brass tacks!!!! URGHHH!!!!

boxers or briefs?

3 August 27, 2008 - 9:38pm | Stags__Leap

How about asking Begich

why he won't release his 2002 tax return? If he's such an "open book", if he's got nothing to hide, if he really wants the questions to go away, he'd just do it.

August 28, 2008 - 9:43am | leowassilie

double lined stags

Wow, some people resort to the lowest forms of filth.

Let me guess, you're a republican in our state attending the Prevo Palace. Only makes sense.

August 28, 2008 - 11:26am | TheSdog

Leo

How is it low?

It would be an easy thing to do uless of course he has something to hide.

And by the way...

Catch the GDP number today. What happened to your recession?

August 28, 2008 - 11:31am | leowassilie

if you noticed my headline

you'll see that is not Stags_Leap but Stags__Leap.

Imposter.

Filth.

I don't object to any questions being asked. Just don't impersonate someone else.

August 28, 2008 - 6:11pm | TheSdog

You mean I

cannot create a new account and call it leowasillie.

August 28, 2008 - 11:07am | rayrocks

What's wrong, Leo?

Why is this not a valid question?

All the guy has to do to put an end to the questions is release the return. I think reasonable, non-Kool-Aid-drinking people, are right to be suspicious that he won't.

Let me guess, you're a Democrat in our state attending the Church of Begich, who thinks full disclosure and transparency are only for Republicans. Only makes sense.

August 28, 2008 - 11:37am | leowassilie

I vote

who I vote for.

Good people and good candidates.

People need to ask difficult questions. Do it with your name attached and lend some form of credibility.

See above to Doggie's statement above regarding Stags__Leap.

Imposter. Lowest form of life lying to be something or someone they are not.

August 28, 2008 - 12:13pm | rayrocks

Leo

My name is Raymond Stone. Do you think I'm more inclined to get questions about Begich's tax return answered now?

Let's see if the mayor or any of his many surrogates who prowl these blogs will answer me. I won't hold my breath.

As for your outrage over "imposters", I think you could stand to lighten up a bit. Seems to me to be more parody-driven than a serious attempt at identity theft.

I think it's funny. But you're entitled to your opinion, too.

I wonder why you have no similar outrage at obvious lies posted by others here, including the subject of the parody. Could it be that those lies are in keeping with your own partisan agenda?

2 August 27, 2008 - 9:19pm | corafl

More Questions

Veterans for Peace in Juneau has been trying to get Senator Stevens to respond to questions about the Iraq War, his support of torture, and related defense matters for a couple of years; he has yet to respond.

Below is the text of a series of 9 questions posed to all candidates before the primary. As usual, Senator Stevens did not respond, or even acknowledge receiving them.

To see the other candidates' responses, go to www.vfpjuneau.org.

1. Many scientists and physicians believe that the use of ordnance tipped with Depleted Uranium (DU) has harmed our troops (and civilian populations), resulting in vastly increased occurrences of cancers and other radiation-related illnesses. If you are elected, what steps (if any) would you take to curb the further development and use of such weapons?

2. In May, more than 100 nations agreed to a treaty that establishes a deadline to eliminate cluster bomb munitions and to ban their use. The Bush Administration, insisting that the U.S. must have the discretion to manufacture, use, and export cluster bombs to other nations, declined to sign the treaty. Do you agree with this position? Why or why not?

3. The expenses associated with providing appropriate long-term care for veterans of the “Global War on Terror” have been estimated to equal the combined cost of waging the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Will you support necessary future appropriations for these purposes? Why or why not?

4. The U.S. Government recently contracted with the Lawrence Livermore Laboratories to develop a “new generation” of atomic bombs. Do you support further nuclear proliferation? Please explain your response.

5. What steps, if any, will you take to repeal or revise the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, as applied to gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces? Please explain.

6. Under the terms of the No Child Left Behind Act, local school districts that seek federal aid to education must provide student contact information to military recruiters (unless the student or his/her parent/guardian has directed the district not to release the information). Do you support this policy? As a general matter, do you believe it is appropriate for military recruiters to target youth before they reach the age of 18? Why or why not?

7. The invasion and occupation of Iraq has, to date, cost more than $600 billion and has resulted in the loss of more than 4,100 American soldiers (not to mention the devastation of that country and its civilian population). Nevertheless, the Bush Administration has articulated no “exit strategy.” Instead, the President is seeking a pact with the Iraqi government that would establish a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq for an indefinite period of time. Do you agree with that policy? Why or why not?

8. With reference to Question 7 (above), do you believe that finalizing such an agreement is within the discretion of the President (in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief ), or should an international obligation of this sort be viewed as a treaty, thus requiring approval by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate? Please explain.

9. In its prosecution of the “Global War on Terror,” the Bush Administration has authorized our military and intelligence services to utilize “enhanced interrogation techniques” (i.e., waterboarding, sleep deprivation, stress positions, etc. – believed by many to be torture) against detainees. Do you support this position? Why or why not?

1 August 27, 2008 - 8:27pm | akallegro

Kyle heres a crazy idea

You have shown a propensity from time to time to leave the ADN reservation and actually ask worthy questions and dig on a story.

We have seen the front page used as a tool to repeat ad nauseam the investigation points and indictments on Stevens while ignoring any issues that paint Begich in a bad light.

We get it, the ADN wants Stevens gone and Begich to win.

The next time you get both men on camera in the same day how about talking about issues that Senators actually deal with.

Would you support building a fence on the southern border?

Are you for increasing legal immigration so that if we stem the flow of illegals with a fence you provide a method for the same amount of immigrants to come here legally so we actually know who entering our country?

Do you support giving foreign combatants on the battle field the same legal rights as Americans?

Dont ask if they support habeas corpus for Americans, ask if they support giving it to folks who were not killed but detained on the battle field just before they where trying to kill American soldiers.

Do they support giving all citizens the same tax write off for health care that all public and many corporate employees get?

If not, would they support taxing the value of those employee's benefits as income to level the playing field?

Who do they support for President?

Do they see Joe Biden's 5 votes against the trans Alaska pipeline as a sound decision for America?

Kyle you had access to two men who one of which will either gain immense power or the other will continue to wield and you failed miserably.

Instead of seizing the moment and helping us to see the differences you brought us Begich quotes of "Alaska is looking for real fresh change", and Stevens telling you again that he's not here to talk about the trial.

You wasted your day.

August 27, 2008 - 9:53pm | goshrx

Right, Kyle "wasted his day"

because he didn't ask Ted Stevens and Mark Begich who they support for President.

Dangit, you just wasted 20 seconds of MY life.

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