But Tuesday, Murkowski will be put to the test as Republicans head to the polls for a closed primary and decide whether or not they want to stick with her or change course with Fairbanks attorney Joe Miller.
Miller was relatively unknown in Alaska politics, with his only prior experience coming in 2004 when he unsuccessfully ran for state house. His insurgent candidacy has attracted the support of the Tea Party Express, former Gov. Sarah Palin, and most recently, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Despite big-name backing, Miller has lagged in fundraising. Earlier this month, he reported having only $84,000 in his campaign war chest, compared to Murkowski’s $1.8 million, though the Tea Party Express has supported him with about $300,000 worth of advertising. Even with the Tea Party Express support, Miller is behind in every poll just ahead of Election Day.
Miller has portrayed himself as an outsider and “true conservative,” repeatedly calling Murkowski a “Republican In Name Only.” Murkowski has said Miller has been dishonest with her record, and she will continue to fight for Alaskans in the Senate.
In the closing days of the campaign, each candidate sat down with the News-Miner for about 30 minutes. Click on the links below to read what they had to say about the issues.
• Lisa Murkowski on the issues
• Joe Miller on the issues
He would have avoided any charges to him as being racist if he handled things with the grace and intelligence of Republican candidate for the Florida senator-ship Marco Rubio . Rubio was asked to respond to Harry Reid's statement : " I don't know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a republican, okay ? Do I need to say more ? " Rubio gracefully responded with how economic empowerment and upward mobility is the major concern of those of Hispanic descent and goes into this concern on a personal level concerning his own parents ,then explains how Democrats have failed in this, then leaves us with "..how not only can you do so for yourself, but leave your children better off than you were." The NAACP, National Urban League, Harry Reid , et. al view ' Black ' , ' Hispanic ' as monolithic/ homogeneous entities without individualism ; holding entitlement, reparation and payback as requisite to their race.
A lot of you got things bass-ackwards concerning racism. This view that any self-determination beyond those requisites is a betrayal to the race is what is true racism. If you study the new NAACP, NUL, etc., that is exactly what they are pushing.
It is the ultimate slap in the face to those who these individuals and organizations suggest they be.
Yup, many of you got it wrong.
(Of course, they'll change their mind in November.)
Fact: Murkowski is one of 11 remaining Republican senators who voted for amnesty for illegal aliens.
Fact: Murkowski is a co-sponsor of Senator Inouye's S. 1011, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. This bill enables fully assimilated people to withdraw from the jurisdiction of Hawaii into an ethnic enclave with its own government powers and immunities.
Why would Murkowski support federal legislation to divide American citizens and create racial animosity in one of the most mixed and assimilated states in the Union?
Fact: Murkowski voted for TARP and the "Son of Stimulus".
Txak- lets get our facts straight the Joe Miller campaign has recieved $0.00 from the Tea Party express. They are running the ads on there own and are not allowed by law to talk to the campaign about the content.
I think it is very good that Mr. Miller is running a campaign for a fraction of the money Lisa is. I also think that it is very telling that he has spent roughly a tenth of hers and is dead even or ahead in most of the polls. The people have spoken and will scream there distaste for more of the same in the ballot box!!!
Remember vote on Aug. 24 every vote will count in this very important election.
And you buy it? Tell me you're smarter than that.
As for issues, Miller has a plethora of beliefs and opinions, as do we all, but no record of holding a position that required working with other people toward consensus such that the business, government, or whatever, actually functioned. Rather, Miller condemns people who make small compromises in an effort to attain a greater result. Miller's campaign has demonstrated that he is willing to trumpet half-truths and outright lies to confuse the public while touting his hard-line conservative positions saying that he won't compromise on those all-important conservative ideals. Reality is, though, that when the going gets tough, Miller quits. It isn't hard to understand why Palin likes him.
Why would we want to hire him to be a US Senator?
Sad truth.
You may be right. And if he quits, I'll accept ALMOST anyone the Governor appoints to fulfill his term of office (as long as they don't have the same last name as the Governor, whoever the Governor turns out to be).
I'd just like to be done with "Lease-A-Murkowsky" (the best Senator that Lobbyist Money Can Buy)...
Vocal Murkowski supporters, as evidenced by the content of the posts here, are attempting to create the illusion of “inevitability” for Murkowski. Turn out among conservative voters is essential and ballot measure #2 will help with turnout.
Txak’s comment infusing “racist” allegations into the debate is a classic liberal accusation in lieu of actual issues. To throw the race bomb accusation and then claim “moderation” is self evident of the desperation and lack of substance from the commentators’ argument.
I find it disgraceful to attempt to taint a military veteran who served with distinction in a fully integrated military with racism.
I would not call Murkowski a joke or any other denigrating label. The reason for supporting Miller over Murkowski is limited to issues and what is required of a senator in the current environment. Murkowski is simply too liberal to be effective for solving the serious issues affecting the nation and Alaska.
The post November congress will be a very different place. The surviving Dems will be desperate to maintain their socialist agenda and the pressure on weak Republicans will be intense to stay repeal of repulsive legislation. The 2010 cycle is only half the job of electing a sufficient majority of conservatives to change the disastrous course we are on. The 2012 cycle will complete the job and we can enjoy the benefits of a course change to fiscal solvency.
I would encourage conservative voters to turn out on Tuesday and vote for Miller and ballot #2.
Miller is a joke. He has the backing of a racist organization; racism that I hope does not have the support of conservative Alaskans. He has no record to hang his hat on and so he is able to say what he believes about something and doesn't have to worry about it being vetted at all. Politicians have to compromise and work together if anything is going to get done. Uncle Ted was a master at bipartisanship. We need a lot more of it in D.C. nowadays. Miller clearly states that he would maintain his black and white stance on many issues and condemns the occasional compromise that Murkowski has made. This country is going nowhere but down if we leave it in the hands of crack-pots like him. Luckily, we won't have to worry about listening to his bs after Tuesday.
Vote Democrat for Scott McAdams.
The whole idea of the primary is to vet candidates; this process was eliminated for Murkowski when her father appointed her. This has given her the incumbency advantage.
Approximately 90% of Murkowski's funds are from out of state interests, including strong union support. Her campaign is un-nerved because polling shows a surging crest of support for Miller among conservative Republicans.
In an open primary Murkowski would prevail over Miller due to the cross over votes from Dems and liberal Independents whom Murkowski's Democrat-Lite voting record appeals to. This is a closed primary and the leftist appeal is limited.
The key for her political survival at this time is to give the impression of "inevitability". This is why you see the barrage of pro Murkowski comments and letters.
Ballot measure #2 will likely turn out more conservative voters on the 24th and the primary is closed to a large block of Democrat support Murkowski could otherwise count on.
The important thing is for conservatives to vote on Tuesday for Miller and Ballot #2 and commence the road to recovery.
The effects of seniority in the senate are based on party affiliation, not state delegation. Alaska is better served with conservative Republicans in key committee posts and a reliable block of votes willing to filibuster or kill in committee the socialist agenda items, and pass positive legislation.
The basis for anti Miller arguments invariably rely on innuendo and confusing facts, because of the issues that matter, Murkowski is the inferior candidate.
Murkowski has been forced to speak and move to the right on several issues because of the Miller test. She would not be reliable to follow through (based on the record voting history) once re-elected. She will have 4/5 years to drift to the left before playing conservative again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke5Mr5eCF2U
right after this inspiring speech he shuffled off to his medicare appointment and cashed his social security check....