The Murkowski name
The Corner melt-down over Lisa Murkowski’s decision to run as an independent is something to behold:
This is outrageous. The Murkowski name should be struck from every temple, monument and obelisk in Alaska.
I think independent campaigns or party switches are forgivable or understandable on some grand issue of principle. Joe Lieberman’s steadfast support for the war comes to mind. But reading this, it sounds like Murkowski thinks she should run because the people who like her have told her what she wants to hear. How is she anything more than Arlen Specter in a dress?
I suppose I have to plead guilty to supporting her decision for the sole reason that it pisses off conservatives.
September 17, 2010 6:31 pm
Posted in: Hoot-Smalley
97 Comments
97 Responses
SIA - September 17, 2010 | 6:33 pm · Link
Nevada, Delaware, Colorado, Alaska. Which of these gifts can our team fuck up?
beltane - September 17, 2010 | 6:33 pm · Link
So I take it this isn’t good news for John McCain.
Roger Moore - September 17, 2010 | 6:36 pm · Link
FTFY.
rootless_e - September 17, 2010 | 6:36 pm · Link
Well, it’s about that time here in the heartland so if i offended anyone I didn’t mean to offend, sorry, but stop whining.
This Texas Halacha is tough stuff.
Jim, Foolish Literalist - September 17, 2010 | 6:36 pm · Link
How irresponsible would it be to speculate that she’s doing this out of raw hatred for Palin?
Cain - September 17, 2010 | 6:36 pm · Link
@beltane:
This is excellent news for John McCain!
Will our Lady of Grizzilies be out there doing her shtick? Dammit, I’m going to miss all the fun when I go to India.
cain
DougJ - September 17, 2010 | 6:38 pm · Link
@Roger Moore:
I think Miller will win anyway. I’m honestly just happy to see the right-wing scream about it.
CalD - September 17, 2010 | 6:39 pm · Link
They have obelisks in Alaska?
Bokonon - September 17, 2010 | 6:40 pm · Link
Short version: independents are great when they split from the Democrats – hey, that’s principle!
But anyone who splits from the GOP to run as an independent is a HERETIC and TRAITOR that deserves to DIE for their DISLOYALTY.
And then when they are good and dead, their name must be stricken from buildings, highways, etc,. and they must be buried in unconsecrated ground, in an unmarked grave, with a stake through their heart … as one who has forsaken God.
You see, this is all very consistent and principled. Because we are told that it is by the great brain trust at the National Review.
manwith7talents - September 17, 2010 | 6:40 pm · Link
obelisks? Her name is on obelisks?
eastriver - September 17, 2010 | 6:40 pm · Link
I’m sending Murkowski a couple hundred bucks. Just because.
Let’s start the stealth “Realpublicans” campaign, and try and get all the losers to run as third partiers.
El Cid - September 17, 2010 | 6:41 pm · Link
@CalD: Yeah, I thought those were warm climate lizards.
Steve - September 17, 2010 | 6:41 pm · Link
I never expected this kind of selfish conduct from the political family where the corrupt father appointed his daughter to a Senate seat!
Cris - September 17, 2010 | 6:42 pm · Link
Which never happened to Lieberman, no not at all.
Lev - September 17, 2010 | 6:43 pm · Link
Nate Silver seems to think Murkowski could win:
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.n.....-write-in/
Would she still caucus with the GOP, I wonder? Since it looks like Crist is losing ground in FLA, I guess this is what will replace it.
Villago Delenda Est - September 17, 2010 | 6:44 pm · Link
Cripes, popcorn futures are going sky high this year!
Bokonon - September 17, 2010 | 6:48 pm · Link
I think the crack team at The Corner confused “obelisk” with “oil rig.” There are lots of the latter in Alaska, and not so much of the former.
And those oil rigs have got PLENTY to do with Murkowski’s political career. In fact, you could even call them her base!
Loneoak - September 17, 2010 | 6:48 pm · Link
I wouldn’t get into the middle of an Alaskan circular firing squad. Those dudes use big game ammo.
Sean - September 17, 2010 | 6:50 pm · Link
There’s a Murkowski obelisk?
slag - September 17, 2010 | 6:51 pm · Link
@CalD: Surely not! Alaska is real American country. But the thought of an obelisk with Lisa Murkowski’s name on it is especially disturbing.
Belafon (formerly anonevent) - September 17, 2010 | 6:51 pm · Link
And I’m pretty sure they’ll all hold to that view when a Democrat runs against the nomination.
cleter - September 17, 2010 | 6:52 pm · Link
@manwith7talents: The thing about obelisks is a quote from the Charlton Heston “Ten Commandments.”
Mark S. - September 17, 2010 | 6:53 pm · Link
Tell us more, Mr. Jackass.
ruemara - September 17, 2010 | 6:53 pm · Link
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
1. Does it matter? & 2. Wouldn’t you, by now?
Odie Hugh Manatee - September 17, 2010 | 6:55 pm · Link
Guilty but I’ll deal with it. :)
Lev - September 17, 2010 | 6:55 pm · Link
Well, integrity is overrated anyway.
Martin - September 17, 2010 | 6:56 pm · Link
Could dreams come true? Could the land of the midnight wingnut find itself with two Democratic Senators?
Jinchi - September 17, 2010 | 6:58 pm · Link
Okay, so what does it do for the math of passing legislation between now and the elections if the Democrats are smart enough to get her to stop filibustering with the Republicans?
Jbird - September 17, 2010 | 7:00 pm · Link
I don’t know; perhaps the two are more comparable than the Corner thinks.
Joe Lieberman, for instance, ran as an independent because he was in favor of the war and the Democratic candidate wasn’t. Lisa Murkowski will run as an independent because the Republican candidate is now a fumbling idiot who doesn’t understand how the U.S. Congress works and thinks that Mitch McConnell determines seniority.
You could say that both of them have arguments to advance.
maya - September 17, 2010 | 7:00 pm · Link
Murkowski is actually demonstrating the highest possible obtainable Republican virtue there is: Every man,( or woman), for himself, Jack.
AlanDean - September 17, 2010 | 7:00 pm · Link
“for the sole reason that it pisses off conservatives”
I agree but can you really piss off the professionally outraged?
Lev - September 17, 2010 | 7:01 pm · Link
@Martin: It’s a real shame that the teatards didn’t try to take on Don Young. I’m not sure why they didn’t, since he’s pro-choice and all. The combination of two frosh senators (Begich and Miller, most likely) plus a rookie congressman would mean that their congressional delegation would have no seniority, and so the federal spigot to Alaska would have been completely cut off.
For shame, teatards!
Admiral_Komack - September 17, 2010 | 7:03 pm · Link
@Mark S.:
...sniff… sniff…ugh…smells like Dean…Howard Dean.
Bob Loblaw - September 17, 2010 | 7:04 pm · Link
@Lev:
Of course she would still caucus with the Republicans. Do you think any GOP bigwigs are excited to see Miller come to Washington?
This isn’t like Rubio/Crist, where Rubio had already put in his time with the state party leadership and become speaker of the house down there. He’s slimy as all get out, but the guy has a discernible political game (and future). Miller’s some fucking nobody Palin pulled in off the streets.
Murkowski’s a premium grifter in the oil & gas industry. They wouldn’t cut her loose. It doesn’t matter though, since nobody wins write-in campaigns. Even in a tiny state like Alaska. All this probably does is hurt McAdams a tiny bit.
Tsulagi - September 17, 2010 | 7:05 pm · Link
Sounds like as good a reason as any.
Of course the vaunted RSSF is all up in arms about this too. Maybe they’ll demonstrate their bold seriousity by buying some snow to send to her.
Um, when Lieberman went that route didn’t they say that was the only thing a man of principle like Joe could do? And don’t teahadis themselves say their principles transcend party affliation? Maybe Lisa is just doing a little transcending on her own. They should cheer her convictions.
morzer - September 17, 2010 | 7:05 pm · Link
@CalD:
Only the 200 obelisks along the ceremonial way to the Temple of Federal Pork aka The Ted Stevens Memorial Shrine and Don Young Annexe.
Jinchi - September 17, 2010 | 7:06 pm · Link
@Jbird:
No, Lieberman ran as an Independent because he lost the Democratic primary. He didn’t care what Ned Lamont’s position on the war was. He wanted his Senate seat.
Likewise, Murkowski doesn’t care that Miller is a nut any more than she cares that James Inhofe is a nut. She’s an Independent because the Republicans rejected her. That’s all.
JAHILL10 - September 17, 2010 | 7:07 pm · Link
I think the Repubs are starting to figure out that throwing your support behind the Know Nothings to try to ride the Teatard Tiger is going to backfire big time. It’s the whole Republican hierarchy obsession. All these people who have supposedly paid their dues in the party are now finding they’re under the party bus and don’t take kindly to it.
beltane - September 17, 2010 | 7:07 pm · Link
Murkowski has tons of cash on hand. If her true motivation here is get revenge on Sarah Palin, this could end up as the epic take-down of an epic mean girl.
Martin - September 17, 2010 | 7:09 pm · Link
And this will be very difficult for her to pull off. Every write-in will be contested and ‘Murkowski’ will get misspelled a lot. You can’t bring in any campaign materials either (electioneering laws) – and the parties will be out scouring for those things.
The good news is that McAdams can probably run a good positive local issues campaign and do alright since she and Miller will go hammer and tongs after each other.
gbear - September 17, 2010 | 7:09 pm · Link
@eastriver:
Give it to a food bank instead. Make it do some good.
Tom - September 17, 2010 | 7:10 pm · Link
I understand that Murkowski is a multi-generational political family but how many votes will be stricken from spelling errors? Lieberman got himself on the ballot, not a write in. This is a great gift and the Dem candidate seems to be just fine.
edit—I see Martin beat me to it regarding spelling issues for the voter.
beltane - September 17, 2010 | 7:10 pm · Link
@gbear: Better yet, send it to McAdams.
Cris - September 17, 2010 | 7:12 pm · Link
I question the significance of this, though. Isn’t there a “voter intent” clause?
cat48 - September 17, 2010 | 7:14 pm · Link
The email one of the hysterical people at NRO says NO chairmanship; stripped of everything!; etc…....sounds encouraging.
cat48 - September 17, 2010 | 7:16 pm · Link
@Martin: Yes, but they have the “Alaskan Handprompter!” No need to take anything in.
gbear - September 17, 2010 | 7:16 pm · Link
@beltane:
Nope. Screw giving money to politicians now. There are far too many people falling into poverty. Fucking 20% of all children are living in poverty now.
Tsulagi - September 17, 2010 | 7:17 pm · Link
That’s funny. Hadn’t thought of that. In addition to reading voting instructions, she’s counting on her base to be able to spell. Good luck with that.
Martin - September 17, 2010 | 7:17 pm · Link
@Cris: Sure. And there will be at least one party and possibly two, depending on the vote counts here, fighting over that intent. Does the phrase ‘hanging chad’ ring a bell? If it’s in any way close, and it pretty much just guaranteed to get a lot closer, this should prove to be an epic clusterfuck of politics meets voter rights.
Jbird - September 17, 2010 | 7:17 pm · Link
@Jinchi:
Well, yes, you’re right, but I’m saying, you extend as much generosity as you can to Lieberman’s stated reasoning and you still have to admit that Murkowski can make an even better argument as to why Miller has to be kept at the kids’ table.
This is because Ned Lamont does not appear to be an unqualified idiot.
General Stuck - September 17, 2010 | 7:17 pm · Link
The only monument for the small government wingnuts in Alaska is a giant pig trough plugged straight into the national treasury in Washington DC.
Martin - September 17, 2010 | 7:18 pm · Link
@cat48: Heh, taking cues from Caribou Barbie to get Murkowski elected. That’s gonna leave a mark…
beltane - September 17, 2010 | 7:19 pm · Link
Reading this in The Hill http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-.....ers-summit makes me wonder if some of this has to do with taking Jim DeMint down a peg. The old guard, corrupt but sane Republicans must be more than a little resentful at this point, especially as the teabaggers are calling Murkowski the antichrist.
aimai - September 17, 2010 | 7:19 pm · Link
If Murkowski is “Arlen Specter in a dress” does that make Lieberman “Arlen specter in pants?” I don’t get this sartorial thing.
aimai
Jbird - September 17, 2010 | 7:19 pm · Link
@Tsulagi:
Well, I believe Alaska has an intent law that governs here, so you could actually write in ‘Lisa “Heifer” MOOcowski’ and that would probably count.
New Yorker - September 17, 2010 | 7:22 pm · Link
Oh boy, am I going to enjoy the Murkowski-Palin catfight.
Gus - September 17, 2010 | 7:22 pm · Link
@SIA: All of them?
El Cid - September 17, 2010 | 7:22 pm · Link
@aimai: And would those be “man pants”?
General Stuck - September 17, 2010 | 7:22 pm · Link
@aimai: Lieberman is just Lieberman in a tutu./
gbear - September 17, 2010 | 7:25 pm · Link
@aimai:
Man-pants.
Edit: damn, too slow.
Corner Stone - September 17, 2010 | 7:25 pm · Link
@Jinchi:
Shit. The D’s will “respect” the will of the people and not push through any legislation during a lame duck session.
dmsilev - September 17, 2010 | 7:26 pm · Link
They can’t even get their butchered movie quotes right:
dms
JGabriel - September 17, 2010 | 7:26 pm · Link
aimai: Lieberman is Arlen Specter with lead weights in his jowls and a Droopy Dog modulator on his vocal cords.
.
Omnes Omnibus - September 17, 2010 | 7:28 pm · Link
@aimai: Temporally speaking, the Lieberman situation came first. Perhaps a jerkin (for homophonic accuracy), a fig leaf (for faux biblical street cred), or naked (for the sheer horror of it) might be considered.
Tom Hilton - September 17, 2010 | 7:37 pm · Link
Fixed.
MikeBoyScout - September 17, 2010 | 7:38 pm · Link
WARNING: Do not allow your mind to picture this!
Obelisks are reviled by real Murikans as phallic symbols in homage to the Egyptian (Muslim!!) sun god.
No way that the former half-term First Dude’s obelisk needs to have Murkowski’s name struck from it, does it?
SIA - September 17, 2010 | 7:41 pm · Link
@Gus: I’ll give ‘em 50/50. But here’s a fun game. Which of the teabags would be the worst?
Florida wasn’t in my list, since Crist isn’t helping the Dems. But Rubio could be the worst, as a true believer and not as dumb as a sack of hair. Angle definitely scary bad. O’Donnell, even worster, as Sarah’s LittleMe. Buck is a big goof ball, but not as bad as the chicks, I hate to say. Miller. Dumb ass. I vote O’Donnell, Angle, and Rubio in that order. Who am I leaving out? Rand Paul aka Eddie Haskell. Add him in position 4.
Help us Jeebus.
efgoldman - September 17, 2010 | 8:00 pm · Link
@JGabriel:
To all of you who say “Lieberman is..”
What Lieberman is, is still in the senate, still a pain in the ass, still fncking democrats in general and the president specifically every chance he gets.
So snark all you want. Somehow I don’t think he gives a rat’s ass.
I expect the Coburns and Imhofes and McConnells of the world to act like the ignorant, benighted bleepholes that they are.
But I never expected it of the fncking 2000 Dem VP nominee, f’r crissakes.
I hate him.
soylrnth - September 17, 2010 | 8:20 pm · Link
What’s really funny is they are appropriating pharoah’s rhetoric instead of moses’. All pharoah really needed was a tax cut and more grateful slaves.
Omnes Omnibus - September 17, 2010 | 8:25 pm · Link
DougJ, I see you are now BJ’s McMegan. Are congratulations or commiserations in order?
Kirk Spencer - September 17, 2010 | 9:31 pm · Link
@Bob Loblaw: While in normal times I’d agree, these aren’t normal times.
See, Miller said, publicly and many times, that McConnell has told him that if Murkowski runs independent and wins, she won’t have her seniority as a Republican because she won’t be a Republican.
Now McConnell hasn’t verified, that, but on the other hand he’s had a lot of opportunities while remaining silent. And as this goes on, sooner or later someone is going to push him for an answer. Murkowski if nobody else. Because if McConnell will take either, then Murkowski gets the Republicans who like her plus all the ones who couldn’t vote in that primary who like her for a relatively easy win. But that tees off the Tea Party folk who canned Murkowski.
On the other hand if he backs Miller, well, Murkowski has this decent chance of winning. And you can just hear the minds working through the Democratic party past: Jeffords, Lieberman, Specter all got to keep their de facto seniority. So if he backs Miller and Lisa wins, what party do you think has a decent chance of having one more member?
No guarantees, just lots and lots of cards to track.
Mark S. - September 17, 2010 | 9:48 pm · Link
@Omnes Omnibus:
Huh? Where do you get that?
BGinCHI - September 17, 2010 | 9:49 pm · Link
@Omnes Omnibus:
Obviously Cole is drunk. Dougj goes nuclear.
I predict a riot.
Mark S. - September 17, 2010 | 9:54 pm · Link
@Mark S.:
Never mind, I get it now.
JohnR - September 17, 2010 | 9:56 pm · Link
Bwahahaha! That principle being, of course, if it helps the GOP. My reason is always square-jawed, manly and noble with just a hint of heroic self-sacrifice, while your reason is always craven, corrupt and self-serving with a hearty helping of greedy back-stabbing.
Omnes Omnibus - September 17, 2010 | 10:02 pm · Link
@BGinCHI: Ooooh, fun.
Chris G. - September 17, 2010 | 10:12 pm · Link
@Tom: Clearly, she needs a catchy jingle that will help voters remember how to spell her name.
Anne Laurie - September 17, 2010 | 10:18 pm · Link
DougJ, just wanted to say that I love your new title!
Chad N Freude - September 17, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
@Lev:
I am so gonna steal this!
DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice. - September 17, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
@Anne Laurie:
Thank you. I couldn’t fit the stuff about all the start ups and MBAs into the title line.
Left Coast Tom - September 17, 2010 | 10:29 pm · Link
Is the Balloon Juice “business and economics editor” title a “hypothetical”?
Also, too. If there’s anybody on the planet who visits Alaska to see it’s “temple[s], monument[s], and obelisk[s]”, please don’t introduce me to that person.
DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice. - September 17, 2010 | 10:31 pm · Link
@Omnes Omnibus:
I tell you what’s going to happen: two days a week, I am going to forcefully rebut whatever Keynesian nonsense Paul Krugman has written in his column that day. The rest of the week, I am going to reprint FreedomWorks propaganda and blab about pink Himalayan salt.
The challenge will be writing 1200 words posts about all these things. I may need your help.
catclub - September 17, 2010 | 10:37 pm · Link
The key point about Lieberman was how the democratic senators treated him and Lamont. And the answer is they sucked up to him and told Lamont to kiss off.
That includes Obama.
It will be very interesting to see how the GOP senators treat her.
Omnes Omnibus - September 17, 2010 | 10:42 pm · Link
@DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.: I await your call.
Corner Stone - September 17, 2010 | 10:48 pm · Link
@Anne Laurie: Thank God I finally got this.
dww44 - September 17, 2010 | 10:50 pm · Link
@Jinchi:
Your reading of both Lieberman and Murkowski’s rationales for running as independents is “on the money”. Heh.
rikyrah - September 17, 2010 | 11:03 pm · Link
I think it’s hilarious.
Sentient Puddle - September 17, 2010 | 11:18 pm · Link
TPM:
asiangrrlMN - September 18, 2010 | 12:26 am · Link
@DougJ is the business and economics editor for Balloon Juice.: So, if you’re MM2, does that make dengre TNC? Who’s Sully? So many questions, so little time!
As for Lisa Murkowski, this is gonna be fuuuuun! Watching the haggling over the ballots in MN for the Franken/Coleman race was not fun, but this one? Pass me the popcorn, Francis!
cmorenc - September 18, 2010 | 1:08 am · Link
@SIA
Actually, Murkowski’s decision to run isn’t quite the gift it at first may appear to be. She’s equally or more likely to drain off potential GOP voters repulsed by McAdams’ extremism who would have considered crossing over for McAdams than she is to drain off potential GOP voters who would have shown up to vote for Miller instead if she wasn’t running a write-in campaign. Her net effect may be to drain off too many GOP voters dissatisfied with Miller that McAdams needed to attract to make up the GOP-leaning partisan demographic gap in Alaska.
cmorenc - September 18, 2010 | 1:10 am · Link
er…that should be Miller’s extremism that repulses some GOP voters who might have considered voting for McAdams, had MurKowski not jumped in.
Ailuridae - September 18, 2010 | 1:19 am · Link
@efgoldman:
I hate Lieberman as well and I think he’s a genuine sociopath. That being said he voted with the caucus 90% of the time since Obama’s election and I highly doubt it would have been anywhere near that number if he had been removed from the caucus.
Ailuridae - September 18, 2010 | 1:23 am · Link
@Kirk Spencer:
Whether she wins or not the Democrats would be foolish to not approach Collins, Snowe and Murkowski to caucus with them the day after the election. Neither Collins or Snowe will survive the inevitable primary challenge from the right in Maine (where the Republican party is as extreme as anywhere) and there simply isn’t a place for a pro-choice politician in the GOP any more.
celticdragonchick - September 18, 2010 | 2:16 am · Link
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
I can’t think of a better reason.
I am actually donating to her campaign. It’s about time somebody in the GOP stood up to Palin, Rush and the tea idiots.
Jinchi - September 18, 2010 | 3:12 am · Link
@celticdragonchick:
When did she stand up to the tea idiots? She’s continued to vote in lockstep with the Republicans since she lost her primary. She voted to filibuster the Small Business bill just 2 days ago.
Specter left the party the moment it became obvious they were going to throw him overboard. And Crist has managed to derail their plans in Florida since Rubio pushed him out. Sure these guys are acting completely out of self-interest, but at least they’re showing the party that purges have consequences.
But Murkowski? Maybe you should wait to see how she votes on the next few bills before you jump on her bandwagon.
Reaganite Republican - September 18, 2010 | 7:15 am · Link
Murkowski’s no Crist, either: He is at least a ruthlessly talented politician/snake who’s actually got his name on the ballot- and who at least started his independent candidacy with a big lead, NONE of which are the case with Murkowski
Now Joe Miller can whip two libs instead of one, as Palin said about Murkowski’s decision yesterday “It’s all good”.
And even Orange Charlie is getting creamed by double digits in the latest poll, so far Rubio had no problem facing two boneheads that support the Obama agenda AT ALL- Miller won’t either.
Go get ‘em Joe
Ron - September 18, 2010 | 8:09 am · Link
@SIA: You think it would be a gift, but polling data doesn’t really support it. Poll numbers in a 3-way race that I saw were something like Miller-38,Murkowski-34,McAdams-22 so it’s still quite an uphill battle to take advantage of this one.