When U.S. Sen. Mark Begich told Politico that “maybe” he would stop using Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s name against her will in his campaign ads, it appears that his “maybe” means, ‘Heck no.’ The campaign on Tuesday released a television ad that corresponds with a recent radio ad featuring Republican pilot Skip Nelson, touting what a great team Begich and Murkowski make and how they vote together as often as “80 percent” of the time. The claim, it should be noted, is only true for 2014. Since 2009, when Begich was elected, the two have voted together about 60 percent of the time. The issues where they deviated, Murkowski has pointed out, were significant.
In any case, the ad is not likely to help soothe tensions between Begich and Murkowski, tensions that have been simmering beneath the surface for years since Begich stumped for Democratic Senate candidate Scott McAdams in 2010, and which now how become full-on public boil.
The bottom line is that Murkowski believes that the so-called “team” would be a stronger team for Alaska if Begich were replaced by a Republican and the Senate switched from Democrat to Republican.
It’s hard to argue with her logic: If the Senate doesn’t flip, Murkowski loses her ranking status on Energy, but if it does flip she would be chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a huge assignment for an energy state. Secondly, she’d run the powerful appropriations subcommittee, which has control over the Interior Department’s checkbook.
Begich is a master politician, but it’s hard to see what he gets out of this. Polls show that Murkowski is the state’s most popular politician, particularly with moderate Republicans and independents, which are vital voters for Begich. She would have likely worked hard to get a Republican in his seat regardless, but this likely will provide the impetus to work all the more. Now it’s personal.
Contact Amanda Coyne at amandamcoyne@yahoo.com
I was shocked when I read the article in the Anchorage Daily News that basically fact checked the ad. The guy is not a Republican and didn’t vote in the election for Lisa that he claims to have done. So, in essence the whole ad is a fraud. Is this the same Mark Begich who screamed bloody murder, issued press releases and condemned a group earlier this year complaining that the person staring in the ad wasn’t even an Alaskan? This is the pot calling the kettle black. I’m learning more and more that you just can’t trust what Mark Begich says.
I am flippin done with liars. You are toast Begich.
This ad is one big LIE. Nelson is not a Republican and claims to have voted for Lisa and didn’t. Check the records. This is demonstrative of the lies that come from Begich almost daily. Got caught this time! There are two senate candidates that lack integrity: Begich and Treadwell.
Leave lisa out of it begich, she obviously cant wait for you to go
… keeps saying Begich votes with Obama 97% of the time and you don’t do an exposé on that. I wonder why?
“Sullivan’s claim hinges on one statistic in a way that doesn’t accurately reflect Begich’s voting record on economic policy. We rated this claim Mostly False.” – Politifact
Just got an email from Begich campaign:
”
Now, for the Koch brothers, “cheap” is a relative term. They’re dropping million-dollar checks on Alaska like it’s going out of style. But for Mark’s campaign, every penny counts. And that’s why I’m writing to you today.
Mark’s never counted on the special interests for financial support. Frankly, that’s a pretty good idea — he doesn’t vote the way they want, so why should they cut him a check? Instead, he counts on grassroots supporters like you and me.
”
Wha whaaa? Lol. How dumb do they think their donors are? Unfortunately, I’ll probably still vote for him unless his opponent really moderates hard after the primary..
Thanks. Need an editor clearly!
What is wrong with having our two senators working together for the good of all Alaskans? You’d think it is something to be proud of. But not in today’s toxic political climate. So sad and disheartening for them to harp on how they do not get along. More divisive gridlock is the result.
Good article. I am not sure what is to be gained by continuing to tout this claim. Once we have a Republican nominee I could see it getting very contentious between our two Senators. I guess the feeling from the Begich team is to “just win baby”. Damn the torpedo, full speed ahead. Holding on to this seat is the most important thing to Mark. He’s desperate to keep it.
And by the way, it’s “impetus” not “impetuous”. Great article and great work as always.