Alaska Politics Blog : 'I saw you again today'

Alaska Politics Blog

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.

Contributors

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

Features

SECTION

Alaska political corruption

The FBI raided state legislatures offices in Aug. 2006, and the fallout since has been epic in Alaska's political world.

'I saw you again today'

Posted by Alaska_Politics

Posted: September 4, 2008 - 7:39 pm

From Kyle Hopkins in Anchorage --

Wait. Did they just play Heart's "Barracuda" when Palin joined McCain on stage after his speech?

login or register to post comments

5 September 9, 2008 - 12:56pm | Sockeye707

Barracuda? Puffer?, or Trigger?

A barracuda is a long narrow fish that has a mouth like a Doberman attached. It is fearless, and schools up sometimes, and sometimes it's alone when a small ball of fish schools up. It swims fast and slashes a strip from a fish and then after it bleeds down it comes in for the kill. I have on occasion caught them on a line and have been up close underwater. Sarah likes the aggressive term, but in all reality she is more of a puffer fish. Looking at the conversation about her, and her small insignificant record so far, I see a woman being used by the republican machine to fool the nation into believing that this very inexperienced lady is ready to put her finger on the nuclear trigger. Maybe we should call her the trigger fish.

4 September 5, 2008 - 12:16am | counterpoint

country first

Mccain made an outstanding case tonight regarding America's need for a leader who has spent a lifetime serving his country as compared to a lightweight with no measurable accomplishments. The bloggers who think they are so clever fail to recognize the shift that has taken place as McCain and Palin establish themselves as the true agents of change, with the experience to make it happen. Be afraid D's, be very afraid.

September 5, 2008 - 1:31pm | Emperor

I'll ask again.

What is the difference between Bush and McCain? What specific changes do you expect from the election of McCain/Palin?

A vote for them is a third term for Bush with a prettier but dumber VP.

September 5, 2008 - 4:43pm | palmerbuyer

WOW!!

Did I just hear you call Cheney SMART?

Don't forget that tenacity and Alaskan woman are hard to beat.

September 5, 2008 - 4:46pm | Emperor

I didn't say Cheney was smart.

I said Palin was dumber than Cheney.

September 5, 2008 - 5:01pm | rfn

Well, yeah.

Just as Stephen Hawking thinks of himself as dumber than Einstein.

Cheny WAS twice elected Vice President and has two years experience in the job. Executive experience. Something utterly foreign to Mr. Obama.

September 5, 2008 - 5:17pm | Emperor

So you're comparing....

...Cheney to Einstein now?

September 5, 2008 - 5:28pm | rfn

Well,

Einstein in his prime......

He hasn't said much about politics of late.

But then he never did.

September 5, 2008 - 4:28pm | counterpoint

Spending

The difference in a single word is spending. McCain has consistently opposed wasteful government spending while Bush did nothing to contain the growth of government. While it is convenient to keep repeating the D's talking points that McCain is just another four years of Bush, they don't get along for a good reason. McCain is a proven figher for reform. I expect McCain to restore the solvency of social security and medicare and to get our government focused on the constitutionally required basics. Specific enough for you?

September 8, 2008 - 11:48am | ranger01

Compare

Republicans lead "pork" spending lists: report New York Times

September 5, 2008 - 5:47pm | Emperor

McCain voted the Bush line....

...90% of the time.

Now he is trying to distance himself from the most unpopular President in our history. He's said he wouldn't care if our military were in Iraq for another 100 years.

What reforms has McCain championed and won when it matters?

How do you think he is going to "restore solvency of social security and medicare"? Is he going to lower benefits? Is he going to raise taxes? Is he going to restrict or change access to social security benefits?

As a man and fellow American I have nothing but the highest respect and regards for him. I appreciate and I'm grateful to him for his military service, including the horrific treatment as a POW. He's on my list of men I'd like to sit down and have a beer with. I'd even buy.

But that doesn't mean I want him as my President. Nor does it mean I can overlook the very poor choice of Palin as his VP.

September 5, 2008 - 5:53pm | rfn

The realistic alternative

is the totally inexperienced Mr. Obama who voted with Harry Reid and the majority of the 13% approval rated, do-nothing Democrat Congress over 90% of the time. Well, of the time he was present to vote and actually casting a Yes or No vote.

Of course there is sound reason, in such a case, to vote for perhaps Mr. Nader or Mr. Barr. That is a far better alternative than simply staying home and joining the growing crowd of the apathetic.

The nation owes a great debt of gratitude to Ms. Palin for having entered the contest. Win or lose, she's the greatest enemy voter apathy has had in over a century.

September 6, 2008 - 12:36pm | Emperor

Although I'm not...

...an Obama/Biden supporter, I would much rather risk the REAL change (for good or bad) they would bring, to more of the same from McCain/Palin.

September 5, 2008 - 9:21am | ak_iceman2003

McSame

...and how can McCain tout change when he's been the same old thing for 26 years? "Change doesn't come from Washington. It comes to Washington."

September 5, 2008 - 9:20am | ak_iceman2003

...wait - I thought it was ALASKA first

Obama gets raked over the coals becuase he doesn't wear a label pin everyday and Palin gets a free pass for attending a secession convention?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/us/politics/04party.html?ref=politics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmt0rLtgmK0

3 September 5, 2008 - 12:00am | akgen

Okay

now I'm really looking foreward to the Stevens - Beigch debates...

2 September 4, 2008 - 9:46pm | erak

The media should have vetted Obama

It is astonishing and irresponsible he made it so far and not exposed as the joke he is until the R convention.

September 5, 2008 - 10:55am | Emperor

So expose him.

If he's the joke, give us the punch line. Of course, you need to provide proof... or you're just the joke.

September 5, 2008 - 9:23am | ak_iceman2003

vetting

Everyday Obama and Biden grant interviews (Obama was even on the O'Reily show last night) -- Palin talks to the celebrity gossip rag People.

1 September 4, 2008 - 7:52pm | TheSdog

The real thing don't do the

The real thing don't do the trick, no?
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn it to the wick
Ahh, barra- barracuda!

Not that anyone pays close attention to lyrics but it is kind of funny how the song actually indicates what is going on here.

McCain's speech gets a C on both delivery and content.

September 4, 2008 - 11:10pm | stumpy01

Dog

I'd have to agree with your grade of McCain's speech. Ho-hum. Nothing really inspiring. He would have been doomed if he picked an old, white guy for the VP slot.

Sarah got a well-deserved "A" from most of the pundits- she is clearly much more inspirational than Biden and McCain.

Sarah is about to do at the national level what she did to Murkowski, Binkley, Halcro, and others.

They can underestimate her skills- at their peril.

The word is that Sarah is raising all sorts of money for the D's. Seems the D's recognize just how much damage Sarah is going to do to them, and the rich D's are contributing a lot of cash to try and ward off the damage. (That, and finding more ways to attack Sarah's family. Weasels.)

September 4, 2008 - 11:20pm | TheSdog

Colonel

Alaskans are easily fooled. It lights fires under people to say it but it is true. Alaskans want to pay nothing for services and have no problem being completely dependent on government as much as they claim otherwise.

Your hero has fed into that by taxing industry, ballooning budgets, and even finishing it off with $1200 bribes. All of that and no attention at all paid to a long term plan to diversify the economy for survival in a world where resources are no longer there.

There is a little about her fiscal misrepresentations on the internet but it does not fit the liberal agenda well so it is subdued comparitively.

In a way, she is Obama except the two of them thump on the Bible in different ways.

VPs do not win or lose elections and this one will be no different. So far, the two campaigns have both been inept. Given the mood in the country though it equals advantage Obama.

You can wake up Colonel, there is a conservative in there somewhere. Vote for Bob Barr since your hero is going to take AK anyway. You know you want to do it.

September 4, 2008 - 11:29pm | stumpy01

SDog

You are correct on one point- the fact is Sarah will take Alaska. Obama has ZERO chance up here.

We've been through this before- but as I suspect this blog is being read by many media types in the Lower 48, lets correctly present the facts regarding Alaska's oil taxes.

The last system was corrupt. So was the one before that. (PPT and ELF).

Legislators who supported those systems were corrupt, and some are now in prison.

Alaska's oil is a finite resource, and must be sold for a maximum value- as Article VIII of our Constitution requires.

Sarah understood that, and got most of the legislature to agree with her. The record surplus(es) that Alaska now has gives us the opportunity to build our infrastructure. It is not clear yet that we have leadership in the legislature that recognizes just how important that is.

September 5, 2008 - 12:20pm | TheSdog

Colonel

PPT and ELF were not ideal and tainted.

That still does not justify the highest marginal tax rate on oil production in the world by some measures. It may not be there right now with the drop in oil recently but marginal tax rates in the 80-90% range are obscene.

The original ACES was not unreasoanable when The Palin proposed it. The problem is it was like most things Palin, it was hastily thrown together and short on detail. She could have taken "a stand" against excessive taxation when the modified ACES passed but as usual she can only make popular decisions, not ones based on principle.

The operating budget increasing 23% has nothing to do with infrastructure. Nor do many of the things left in the capital budget which was barely touched on a percentage basis the past two years true infrastructure. In fact, some critical pieces of infrastructure like the Anchorage Port were vetoed by Palin.

It is also worth pointing out she protected "earmarks" with her cuts as long as those earmarks were in the Valley. Football fields and kitchens are hardly necessary infrastructure

One other thing, she was elected primarily to get a gasline deal. AGIA has produced a "deal" that will give away money and not get us a project. You know her line in her speech about the gasline being started was a blatent lie. You and the other people in Wally World riding the LNG coaster remain ticked off at the "out of order" sign on the ride.

As a supporter of The Palin you have advocated nationalizing the oil industry. Now, she has not but that is the mindset of the people on here that support her and that should give America pause.

Now, at the RNC we heard she cut taxes which is false. We heard she stopped earmarks which is false. We hear she cut spending which is false. We even heard she stood up against corruption which may be true if you ignore using the governor's office to settle family vendettas (alledgedly, ha!).

You tell a nice fairy tale sometimes Colonel and it is possible McCain can hide the truth about her fiscal record. The left certainly cannot win on that ground because they are just as bad.

The thing is there are people like me out there. I was ready to vote for Palin in Alaska until it was clear there was nothing between her ears except desire to participate in populist pandering. I was ready to vote for McCain and hold my nose until he proved he is not above pandering himself and ignoring the truth.

No wait, he would have actually had to do research and know the truth to ignore it. He is not a details man from what we see which actually makes Palin the perfect pick.

Populist pandering is what we get from both tickets in this election. The differences are miniscule.

Indeed, let the world read and figure out the truth Colonel. I would not bet on most people caring whether you or I are right and that is the saddest thing of all. The election will not be decided on economic policy.

Vote for Bob Barr, he is more in line with you than Obama or McCain.

September 5, 2008 - 12:46pm | rfn

For the uninformed outside Alaska:

The 90% marginal tax rate so often stated simplistically is no more true than is the statement that Santa Claus drives a Lincoln Navigator and puts gold coins under the pillows of children who floss their teeth.

To arrive anywhere 90% one must include royalties that were set when the leases were auctioned. Federal income tax. Payroll taxes. Social Security Taxes. The one that really hurts some....Medicare Taxes. Plus State income taxes. Plus local property taxes. The only tax remotely concerned with the governor (and only then through signing a bill passed by the legislature, controlled by a convoluted Democrat/old guard Republican coalition is the tax on the oil company's obscene profits.

But, hey, why let the truth stand in the way of a good story?

Does anyone really (well anyone other than Frank Murkowski) feel the oil giants obscene profits, gouged from American's hides, should NOT be taxed?

September 5, 2008 - 2:21pm | TheSdog

Taxes

are taxes.

You would understand that if you actually paid them to any extent.

The marginal tax rate is close to 90% and that is absolutely true America.

September 5, 2008 - 10:58am | Emperor

Who cares about...

...our lousy three electoral votes. Alaska has never made a difference and won't this year.

Record high oil prices is what gave Alaska the surplus. You want to give her credit for that?

September 4, 2008 - 10:30pm | blue_in_AK

I read that the Wilson sisters

issued a "cease and desist" order.

September 4, 2008 - 10:47pm | TheSdog

Interesting

Since Brooks and Dunn (Dunn especially) have been know to be conservatives were flattered their song crossed party lines.

September 6, 2008 - 8:07am | blue_in_AK

Maybe Brooks and Dunn

are closet Obama supporters. Stranger things have happened.

September 6, 2008 - 9:17am | TheSdog

In actually googled it

to see and they are not, at least not Dunn. Brooks tries to stay as apolitical as possible in the public eye.

September 6, 2008 - 9:41am | Cartman3_15

September 4, 2008 - 8:38pm | rfn

Just gotta deal with it.

Republicans now know the should have nominated Governor Palin for President, Not VP.

After her speech of last night that reduced the Obama campaign to a mass of quivering jelly there was no way he McCain could compete.

Not only would Ms. Palin win on experience and articulation (when compared to Obama), she's far more energetic. Hillary, step up so Barry can step down and build a little more of a resume!

September 4, 2008 - 9:23pm | TheSdog

rfn

Most conservatives have not come to the realization that The Obama Nation is inevitable. Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated.

Instead, true conservatives, and there are not many left, hope they can get the bible thumper entitlement crowd to come along and save them.

It is a fool's game because McCain is no different than Obama. The devastation will just be slower. It will also mean "Carter's second term" once served by McCain will be followed with "Carter's 3rd term" possibly with Hillary or Gore.

The casualty of The Palin on this ticket will be that it will be viewed exactly for what it was. It was a political move that had nothing to do with her qualifications. That will set the feminist movement back at least a decade.

If revelations continue about The Palin it may ensure no Alaska politician ends up on a national ticket for a long time as well. It may mean Jerry Springer starts doing live shows from Wasilla though and the economic impact of that would be far greater than anything she has done as governor.

September 5, 2008 - 2:48am | jenniie27

Not many conservatives????

Are you kidding me??? Not many conservatives?? You are completely out of touch with reality, as most (not all) liberals are.

September 5, 2008 - 9:16am | lecjb

I think this will be a very interesting election.

Two of my older relatives, both in their upper 70's who have never voted Democrat before are voting for Obama.

September 4, 2008 - 9:44pm | Cartman3_15

she could turn out to be the new party superstar that all the pundits say she is, and she ends up reflecting very well on Alaska and Alaskans -- even the ones who don't deserve it.

September 5, 2008 - 1:44pm | Emperor

You have a...

...very rich fantasy life if you think that of Palin.

Remember Geraldine Ferraro? She was everything and more than Palin yet fell into irrelevancy after her failed run as VP.

September 5, 2008 - 2:37pm | rfn

One must remember

that Ms. Ferraro was a Democrat.

Unlike the Republicans, who respect their fallen warriors, Democrats maintain a gigantic bus. It doesn't run but it doesn't have to. It's merely the place where they cast aside the battered political shell that remain after losing. Look under that bus of shame for:

Kerry
Dukakis
Gore
Johnson
Carter
Eagleton
Edwards
Lubinsky
and, sadly, Diane Benson.

September 5, 2008 - 1:59pm | Cartman3_15

I said nothing about

thinking that of Palin. Only that it must be considered in the range of possibilities.

September 5, 2008 - 2:33pm | Emperor

Why "must" it be considered?

September 5, 2008 - 3:14pm | Cartman3_15

Correction

You're right. I should have said "reasonable people understand it must be considered in the range of possibilities."

September 5, 2008 - 4:52pm | Emperor

I suppose...

...that I will receive a million dollars from an unknown distant family member in their will should be considered in the "range of possibilities" too?

Without hope you have nothing, so keep hoping.

September 5, 2008 - 5:47pm | Cartman3_15

Ah, now I understand.

You missed my use of the word "reasonable".

September 4, 2008 - 9:36pm | rfn

While I do prefer

Obama, if only for the probability of the faster coming of Universal Medical Care, I also prefer that Democrats place on their own backs the monkey of Term Carter II. I remain attached to my prediction that whichever party assumes the presidency in 2009 will, come 2012, leave office and remain in the wilderness for minimum 12 years.

Recall, that until Mr. Barr entered the fray, Ralph Nader was the most conservative of the lot.

Still, the discomfort Ms. Palin has caused the Obama "organization" (which he has proven is a linguistic falsehood) is a joy to behold. They have totally lost sight of running against McCain and are chasing the lesser target.

The entire premise of an Alaskan candidate on a national ticket is a fluke of circumstance. Given the electoral college system Alaska has no real role to play. Unless The U.N. could be convinced we are an oppressed colony and make us free. Then, in an energy-hungry world, it might all change. NBL.

The upside is the dent the Alaska Republican turnout will make in the campaigns of Mayor Mawk and Mr. Berkowitz-Pelosi. The smell of their fear is sweet on the evening air.

Can anyone, however, that what was a boring election with the probability of the lowest voter turnout in history, has become at least a horse race?

September 4, 2008 - 9:49pm | TheSdog

The Obama Nation

has organization issues. It will not matter.

Obama does not care about The Palin. That is your misperception. Palin was like manna from heaven for him. she gives the left wing attack machine a target. He, meanwhile, gets to look "presidential" by staying above the fray and even give her compliments.

It may be a horserace for a little while. Still, lookng at the electoral map and the likely eventual impact with bounces settling out Obama will be around 330 EV. He will likely win the popular vote at about the same clip Dubya did last time.

It will be interesting to see the tracking polls the next few days to see what kind of bounce McCain gets. McCain was moving up until the past week when Obama started spreading it again. One has to think it was the DNC that caused that. It could not be Palin, right?

Barr and Nader are barely scratching 5% combined in national polls. the question is will either pull enough in individual states to cause problems. Right now, the only state that may be a problem in s Barr's home state of Georgia.

September 5, 2008 - 10:55am | rfn

What a strange definition of

"looking Presidential".

Groveling and pleading with a mob that's supposed to be your friend? Then enduring them laughing in your face?

Well, I guess no accounting for personal preferences.

The economy is going where the economy is going, regardless whether McCain or Obama is elected. It's circling the drain and the sucking sound got louder yesterday and again today. The Vice Presidency matters little in context; Obama did make a smart move though not in who/what he choose. Rather that he did not choose Hillary. His life expectancy is more enhanced than if he suddenly turned vegetarian and started running laps around his mansion.

We'll get Universal Health Care and mandated acceptance of Medicare by all "medical professionals" anyway; it's just a matter of timing. It'll come more quickly with a Democrat Congress and Democrat president than with a division.

In state, Begich and Berkowitz-Pelosi are in trouble and, so long as Ms. Palin is on the ticket, should just save their campaign money for the next time or for legal defense funds as has become so fashionable here in Alaska.

Barr might made a small dent but Nader is now toast. The truly disaffected right that had abandoned McCain was his (Nader's) to command, he being to the right of either McCain or Obama but some number of those on the right are now holding their noses and leaning McCain.

I'll say it again; up to now it was a snooze-fest. But now minds are off global warming and oil prices. So maybe Ms. Palin's run WAS promoted by Exxon....if only to take the heat off.

September 4, 2008 - 8:07pm | vdub

lol...

SO TRUE! Sdog, you need to post this realization elsewhere! Or send out an email...let it go viral... Thanks for reminding me of those lyrics! :)

September 4, 2008 - 7:58pm | n0se

...

Was that a speech or a eulogy ?

September 5, 2008 - 7:57am | thomja

change of view

Think about this...... Many people here are rapidly changing their opinion of Sarah. In my workplace yesterday, many of my conservative co-workers are no longer wowed by her "style". They realize now they were not paying attention before. I overheard many conversations that were not warm and fuzzy to her.

Sarah may come home to a public who no longer finds her endearing, but rather an embarassment. She has created more questions than answers. Alaskans are not known for hungering for the spotlight, we try to be a little more than that...... and turning your image over to an ancient platform like the GOP is disheartening. She's disappointed me.

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