Alaska surprise: Another GOP incumbent goes down
Entrenched GOP incumbent Bob Bennett of Utah — ousted in May by a grass-roots revolt against big government Republicanism — has company. Voters have retired liberal GOP incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. She is reportedly conceding tonight to upstart Joe Miller. It’s a big win for the Tea Party — and Sarah Palin.
Stacy McCain is liveblogging in Anchorage.
Allahpundit has a big Hot Air round-up here.
The latest from Fox News:
In a major upset, Sen. Lisa Murkowski has conceded her GOP Senate primary race to Tea Party Express favorite Joe Miller, who had the backing of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
“I don’t see a scenario in which the primary will turn out in my favor,” Murkowski said in her concession speech.
Murkowski made the concession speech Tuesday night, a full week after the primary.
Murkowski trailed Miller, a Fairbanks attorney, by 1,668 votes after last week’s primary. Election officials began counting absentee and outstanding ballots Tuesday. Murkowski made slight gains, but was never able to get Miller’s lead below 1,200 votes.
And here’s the NYT:
Mr. Miller shocked the political establishment here and in Washington last week when he emerged with a narrow lead, 1,668 votes, after the primary vote, on Aug. 24.
Mr. Miller, who had trailed badly in local polls in the weeks before the election, benefited from a last-minute flood of advertisements, mailings and automated calls casting Ms. Murkowski as a Democrat in disguise. An abortion-related ballot measure also brought conservatives to the polls .
Ms. Murkowski’s concession followed the counting of about 16,000 additional ballots on Tuesday, which left Mr. Miller with a lead of about 1,469 votes out of about 103,000 cast. Several thousand more votes were to be counted on Friday but the trend suggested Ms. Murkowski would not gain enough ground to win.
Here’s to the growth of the liberal Republican retiree club!
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BOO-yah!
What Doug said (the fact he said it first proves why he’s guest-blogging here and I’m not
Well,that takes care of that one.
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I hope all RINO’s really enjoy the many lumps they will get with their tea!
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GO SARA’CUDA! And another one bites the dust…and another one…..and another one……..
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John Bibb
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What’s going on with the comment numbering and outputting software? Numbers are missing and comments are going into the “bit bucket. Reminds me of my 28 year old Harris Computer at work when the sickness started coming on. Or when the software aces did another “minor change that won’t affect anything!”
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Computers are hell when they are well–but they are sure sick a lot.
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John Bibb
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So will she run as an “independent?” I could write that speech for her. Heck, anyone could.
One at a time. Are you watching Smokey?
Probably comments that went into moderation, rocketman.
It is a good night. Michael Steele probably can use an extra scotch right now. OH YA!!
If you take the number of comments and add the number of trackbacks, you will arrive at the last comment number. Not sure why the software insists on burning a comment number for a trackback, but it seems to do so. It’s been doing this since they upgraded the software a few months ago.
Party time!!!!
Queue up Freddie Mercury
Hear, hear!
Yes! Warming up for November!
1 down…
The rest will just start with the talking points to keep their jobs. Let’s see if Floriduh puts Crist in the “thanks but, no thanks” column. I will then be a believer…
Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, Lisa.
This is the way to go about change, one incumbent RINO at a time. We won’t get all of them this time, but we’ll scare the tar out of the ones that are left and demonstrate that moving left is not the way to re-election. And to those who want to take their ball and go home because their candidate lost in the primary, that’s not the way to change Congress. If you stay home or vote for third party losers, you do nothing but make yourselves irrelevant and/or help elect Democrats.
The real shocker would be if these new Republicans ousted the House and Senate leadership. Now THAT would be something.
I would love to see someone like Paul Ryan or Jeb Hensarling take over as House Speaker. No chance for DeMint as Senate Majority Leader though.
Let’s just see if all of these up and comers stick to their word and we don’t have to hear about how down to earth they are because they “drive a truck with over 200,000 miles on it” while they walk right across the aisle and screw us over just like the old guard.
Not that I’m a little cynical or anything.
Any chance that McCain might still concede to Hayworth in AZ?
Any chance you’re going to vote for Fiorina?
The next House election is in 2012. Just ask the Blue Dogs how fast two excruciating years of endless misery go by when you forget why you were elected in the first place. That’s a lot of work for “two years and out”.
Don’t worry Murkowski. Your fellow RINOs can keep you company at the retirement zoo. Political heirs to the throne and cronyism is a cancer the Conservatives are curing.
Well done!
No. Fiorina is dumb as a post and I don’t vote for Democrats and/or liberals, especially when they run as Republicans. Palin blew it when she failed to endorse viable conservative Chuck DeVore.
Palin is all over the map and considering that her first act in “going rogue” was to ingratiate herself to the GOP establishment by endorsing McCain, I can’t rule out that she is a stalking horse for the GOP.
That is nice, very nice…retaking America one congressional seat at a time.
I love the smell of victory in the evening…or morning! I look forward to taking in that wonderful, wafting aroma, en masse, come November.
If this is the R’s, the D’s must be dirtying their britches.
It’s a shame the same thing didn’t happen in AZ.
I hate to say this but, having Fiorina as a senator is one hell of a lot better than having Boxer for another 6 years. She can be replaced in 6years, with Boxer there may not be another 6 years for our country.
So….you’re saying you’re not a big picture guy? Would you cut off your nose to spite your face?
I’m curious: “Fiorina is as dumb as a post,” compared to whom, Boxer? Boxer is as obtuse as they come, no?
Of course, we all can’t be Mensa candidates, now can we?
rir. Where do you get off calling the most honorable senator “Boxer”? Don’t you know how to address your superiors?
Phil I agree with you. I don’t understand how McShamnesty got re-elected. Palin got it totally wrong. I don’t think we are going to see the “hope and change” we need to take back america.
Tonight, Palin is looking Reagan dumb…
which is to say, pretty damned smart.
excuse me? that was meant to be humorous, right?
Very much so! Sorry, I haven’t been around much lately, many life changes, so my spectacular wit may not come through all the time!
np, understandable, I was sure that was the way you meant it. It is difficult to always understand what one means when in print.
I guess your right, altho, I should have prefaced Boxer with ma’am…as the general learned.
Nice!
And another one bites the dust. Bye incumbents.
We have to keep the wide-angle shot in the lense, people.
Obama expanded his war on Arizona today.
Then we will be suffering from his Gulf war for many years.
The West is being robbed…some more.
Killing the Bush tax revisions will also kill whatever little vitality we have in the economy.
I could go on, but you get it…
wonderful, now lets see what Nov brings…..VOTE…..
So you’re comfortable with Boxer’s once and future voting record then?
As for dumb as a ‘Box’er full of rocks, I will hold my nose and vote for her opponent. Hopefully, enough of the obamanites will be gone that the conservatives can put some pressure on the RINO’s.
As Erick at Red State pointed out, Just about everyone on Mitch McConnell’s leadership team has been cashiered by their constituents. Unlike the gang that Newt ushered in who rapidly went native, today’s GOP will either return to conservative fiscal (more than social) principles to save the Republic or – if Eric Cantor has his “it’s OK when we do earmarks” way – they will be sacked in the next cycle, to be replaced by those who are aware and fired up.
Murkowski’s biggest mistake was not consulting with Al Franken before deciding to concede.
Who could forget that Al was elected. If you think a few weeds being pulled will change anything… If you don’t get them all, you spend too much time ruling here only to have them spring up elsewhere.
We may end up with an R congress, things may not change much. R’s are notorious for not taking advantage of the D slip-ups.
Let’s don’t go all hope and change because a few RINO’s bite it.
*too much time pulling…
All I have to say is:
Way up north, (North To Alaska.)
Way up north, (North To Alaska.)
North to Alaska,
They’re goin’ North, the rush is on.
North to Alaska,
They’re goin’ North, the rush is on.
Next!!!
Hey Lindsey Grahmnesty! Are you paying attention?!
How about you John Cornyn?!
Olympia Snowe?!
Susan Collins?!
The rest of the RINO wing of the party?!
Are you paying attention to your base yet?!
OMSB – If they all got canned then maybe I would get all ‘hopey changey’, at least for a little while. I’d love to find out..
Unexpectedly!
This is good news. However, I prefer to hold my celebrations in check until I see how conservative these conservatives really are. How often have we been mislead and thus disappointed by the so called “new blood?”
Great, great news! The Republican Party continues to receive its much-needed enema. Clean out the RINO’s.
Translation:
Please don’t listen to me. My vote doesn’t matter anyway.
I agree, but there are some who feel better voting, (or just not voting), for whoever they want, and apparently feel the difference between a Republican they don’t want and a Democrat is too small to matter.
Not that many though.
Juan McLame won because he spent $20 million to JD’s $1 million in shrilling his message. JD did a poor campaign. Also Juan attacked JD as vicously as a true blue democrat. Had he did that to Zero he could have had a chance at the big house with Sarah at his side. His viscously attacking his own side more than the other side is a telling character trait.
My prediction: Within 6 months of his re-election Juan will do a Specter and finally join the party in his heart. After screwing over AZ as hard as his bitter, twisted self can.
As far as Fiorina being “dumb as a post” and running against Barbara Boxer, I’ll take the, um … post. Thanks.
Let’s hope Murkowski is not so self-centered (Charlie Crist) that she does run as an Independent.
Lemmesee, Miller is a West Point grad, combat vet, true Conservative.
Murkowski is… the former governor’s daughter.
I’m just surprised it was as close as it was.
Still, congrats Alaska!
About time!
Glenn just said on his radio show that he would be on vacation next week and would be going to Alaska to give a speech with Sarah. He didn’t say what or where the speech was about. I am really happy Joe won!
L
They sure are. BUT blogs, Tea Parties, conservative talk shows and a few unelected superstars are carrying the load until the house is cleaned.
Gotta wonder how those on this forum that bash Palin no matter what the issue seems to be, how those folks are handling this turn of events!
“Juan McLame won because he spent $20 million”
Or how about JD was not the conservative answer?
You folks keep acting like JD was the “one” but got screwed.
JD was NOT the “one”.
Let me put it this way. If Miller was running in AZ, McCain would have lost.
Bingo!
Most of us Non-Arizonans just look at the results. We know McCain and what a douche he is, and we really don’t know anything about Hayworth except that he was ALWAYS against illegal immigration amnesty. Congresspeople rarely get national coverage, so what we see of him we like. But if McCain goes back to Washington, and back on the Sunday morning talk shows to bash republicans and their ideas, I’M GOING TO HURL IN TECHNICOLOR.
If he wasn’t the conservative answer why did you vote for him? (allegedly)
He just won reelection so I’m sure he’s too busy working on comprehensive immigration reform.
Better buy yourself a bunch of barf bags, cheapseat. Six years is a long time.
“why did you vote for him?”
I’ve answered that question more than enough times.
Get over yourself.
If by more than enough times you mean never, then yes you’ve answered it more than enough times.
Go ahead and link me up to your answer and I’ll be more than happy to admit I’m wrong.
Appropriate celebratory music here: Queen- Another One Bites the Dust
“Go ahead and link me up to your answer”
Like I said. Get over yourself. Not spending any time linking you to answers I’ve provided many times. Your tactic of hold my breath until I turn blue and answer my question is infantile.
Answered. Moving on.
Me too. NOT.HOLDING.MY.BREATH
They will all start the conservative-speak. They know:
1. Their jobs are on the line.
2. The voting public (in general) has no memory, is pretty stoopid (think Obama) and cares more about Dancing with the Stars.
RINO Mumbo Jumbo Soup in Florida:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDGdVXSONao&feature=player_embedded
If anything, it’s just the opposite. If politicians know they can take your vote for granted, they won’t listen to you. Why would they? They’ll only listen to voters whose votes are in play.
Can you summarize what makes McCain better than J.D.?
I think J.D. seened highly preferable to most non-Arizonans.
CONGRATS to the citizens of Alaska… Too bad the citizens in Arizona did not show the same COJONES!!!
Yes…Franken stole the election here in Minnesota. No doubt about it!! On the other hand, Norm Coleman was a RINO. Now…Pasadena Phil…who would you have voted for…Norm Coleman or Al Freaky Franken? Who?? I’m really curious!
Why is Boxer ahead in the polls? She has to be one of the lamest people I have ever had the misfortune to be represented by. The power of the incumbancy is on full display.
At least Meg has some ads going to set up her campaign. I see nothing from Fiorina. Is she out of money so she has to wait until October to run any ads? It may be too late for her then. She should be setting herself up right now. Strike while the iron is hot, then ride that out. She is going about this the wrong way and will end up losing to that dolt Boxer. It takes momentum. Incumbents have it inherently, Challengers need to create it. Come on Fiorina, get with the program!
She really is dumb as a brick but Boxer is a brick and is weighing down our country. We must not allow that to continue, no matter the alternative cost.
I didn’t think politicans listened at all. The ones I see on tv are always telling people what they should know, not listening.
No, to a post.
If they get a set of sheepskin car seat covers, they can each do a “sheep” ad….
Bob, can’t speak for JSM but I have a mother-in-law who lives in PHX. She’s a total conservative and mad at McCain but couldn’t get herself to vote for JD. In her mind, he didn’t convince her he was any better than the RINO.
*Very good news; We can’t take out all the RINO’s in this hunting season, but we can get the ones left to get religion or get out of the way; Jim DeMint and his SCF are making headway also with Angle, Paul, Buck, Rossi, Johnson, Rubio, etc.!
*Jim DeMint for Senate Majority Leader, and Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House; Out with the RINO rat bastards with little or no spine to move the right way forward!
Right. That’s why Obama keeps pushing these bipartisan compromise bills.
Oh, and how he always goes with the popular choice, like Obamacare, financial reform, and suing AZ.
You know what he will listen to? A GOP majority in Congress. We’re going to get that done despite Phil’s vote for N. Decided
One thing to come out of Miller’s win is the not unexpected liberal taunt that if he wins all of his supporters should cease “collecting social security and any other govt money”. Another big bleat is how much Alaska recieves in fed funds. What they always seem to neglect mentioning is how much of that fed money is DOD money that goes to maintaining the 4 huge military bases in Alaska. Ft. Wainright and Eilson AFB in Fairbanks and Ft Richardson and Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. There are many other smaller facilities as well. Clear AF Station near Nenana, The Coast Guard facilities at Sitka and Kodiak. Alaska, if memory serves is located geographically in such away as to make closer to a lot of places in the world by the over the pole route. Ah, which is why many commercial overseas traffic goes through Alaska, business needs top notch airports in Anchorage and Fairbanks just for the traffic passing through to refuel. I would like to know the percentage that goes to the military side of things as far as fed dollars is concerned, but I have no doubt it is sizable.
In a general election it is always easier to find new votes in the direction of heavily occupied soft center than it is to convince the scattering of ideological die hards on the edges.
Always.
You are not pulling the RINO to the right when you refuse to vote for him in the general. You are pushing him further to the left.
Amen.
Thought so.
Keep typing it and maybe someone other than yourself will believe it. Maybe.
Of course he can’t…He voted for JD.(ask him) Do it at your own risk though, he may start calling you names.
You won’t move his arse to the right either, Roland. Especially in McCain’s case. Amnesty for criminal aliens will destroy conservatism as we know it and I guarandamntee you Mcsellouttheright will vote for some form of comprehensive reform…Amnesty. That single issue will change our country forever.
Take a look at California and tell me how a real conservative can get elected statewide or in a Presidential election? Hell, pandering fools like Bush and McComprimise didn’t stand a chance. Millions upon millions of turd worlders just waiting for gubmit to give them their fair share turning the entire southwest (including Texas) into a dem stronghold like the northeast.
McCain, Graham and other rino’s that support amnesty are a cancerous tumor to conservatism that must be removed before it metastasizes. If we wait much longer it’ll be too damned late.
I agree with most of the people here 90% of the time. It’s this one issue (amnesty) that many of us on the far right think is a game changer. I wouldn’t put it past McCain & Graham to join with the dems and force it down our throat after the election. Hope I’m wrong.