It’s still very early in the election season. The sun is still low and coy, objects hidden under the snow haven’t even begun to think of stirring, and most Alaskans haven’t even begun to think about who they’re going to vote for in the upcoming elections.
It feels a lot like Joe Miller time.
I know that many of you common-sense conservatives have written Miller off. But common-sense conservatives have never been accused of being commonly sensitive enough to feel the fury of that small group of primary voters, the ones that Sarah Palin awoke from their long slumber and the ones that are now gathering during these long winter nights to plan for a Miller win, much like they did in the early days of 2010.
Word is that the meetings are happening with increasing frequency, particularly in the Mat-Su Valley, where there’s something in the water which makes everyone feel dispossessed. The meetings are revivalesque, I’m told. In other words: those people vote.
In the meantime, Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell , who also tries really hard to act like he’s dispossessed, is plugging along, sending out press releases accusing Begich of being soft on energy and not “enthusiastically” supporting Murkowski’s bid to end exports on oil. I say be careful of what you wish for. Any more enthusiasm from Begich and he’ll be knocking at your door, using that soon-to-be-grating, folksy voice to try and convince you that he’s as “independent as Alaska.”
And he’ll keep going until you agree.
Speaking of Begich. How’s this for his new moniker, a la Art Hackney: “Malarkey Mark.” And isn’t it interesting that the national Republicans are bashing him giving a speech in Hawaii rather than being in D.C., voting to extend unemployment benefits? Maybe they’ve been employed for so long that those same Republicans forgot they don’t like the bill?
Besides, in addition to attending fundraisers and giving a speech, Begich likely spent the rest of his waking hours in Hawaii convincing Alaskans that he’s as independent as they are. Indeed, you can’t throw a stone this time of year in Hawaii without hitting an Alaskan. Former Mayor Tom Fink is reportedly there, giving lectures to anyone who will listen on laissez faire economics and school choice. Rep. Les Gara is riding a girl’s 10 speed bike around Oahu. It was the affordable one available, he said.
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
Speaking of throwing stones, neither of the two Republican candidates running for lieutenant governor showed at the first state-wide candidate forum in Anchorage on Tuesday night. Mayor Dan Sullivan had other plans, so he declined immediately. Sen. Lesil McGuire called in sick right before it started. Malarkey? Who can blame her? I’d be sick too if I were a moderate Republican in that crowd, in this state, where to win statewide office, you have to get at least a handful of those Valley folks to cast their vote for you. Maybe the remedy is in the Valley water.
Anyway, because no Republican showed, the show was left to Democrats Sen. Hollis French and Palmer teacher Bob Williams, and independent Craig Fleener. As expected, Gov. Sean Parnell took a beating.
Sen. Hollis French, as usual, was like, “au contraire Parnell!” He was like, “Oil companies j’en peux plus!”
I don’t know Craig Fleener well enough to poke fun at him. He seems really nice, smart. Besides, he’s a former Marine.
But the line of the night belonged to Bob Williams.
Bob Williams? I hadn’t heard of him either, and yet he has blue eyes and even comes with props! On Tuesday night, there was a red cup, yellow cup and green cup, and some sort of piece of cloth all of which represented something important enough to warrant them. I can’t remember what it was, however. (My dog ate my notes, and then I suddenly came down with the moderate malarkey Republican flu.)
What I do remember, perhaps the only thing I remember, is when Blue Eyes called Parnell a wimp.
That got the requisite, snide, liberal chuckle. But Williams wasn’t done. Because it’s so uncool in school to call anybody a name, he went on to explain what he meant was that Parnell is “Wildly Inaccurate, Misleading, and Partisan.” It doesn’t quite work as an acrostic, but nobody, least of all Parnell, is going to challenge him.
What else is going on out there? Mayor Dan hired his buddy, high school friend and chief-of-staff Dan Kendall to run ML&P. His qualifications for running one of the state’s largest electrical utilities? For 30 years he was a corrosion technician for ENSTAR. For 30 years, he did nothing but drive around in his truck, getting a big union paycheck to check for cronyism. Oops! I mean corrosion.
Whispers of Eagle River Rep. Lora Reinbold, and Valley Rep. Wes Keller organizing what’s being called a “conservative caucus” in the House to push out the moderates. Because, you know, Alaska’s Republican dominated House is so full of moderates. Must be something in the water.
And there’s lots of talk about the good bureaucrats at Revenue and DNR, who could probably use a chug or two of Valley water, trying to untangle the state from the very last vestige of the Palin regime. Next session, the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, or AGIA, will be likely be a goner, taking its hundreds of millions with it, and one of the countless big dreams of a big natural gasline. Aloha AGIA.
As William’s might put it: “Alaska Gets It in the….Abdomen again.”
Contact Amanda Coyne at amandamcoyne@yahoo.com
I usually support democratic candidates. Mr. Chambers’ comment about his conversation with Bob Peterson on a constitutional amendment is disturbing. Unfortunately, Hollis French agrees with him. Why do politicians fear allowing the public to have a voice in government ? Wish we had politicians who supported the people instead of their wallets and special interests. For instance, democrats think its okay for the public to have a say when it comes to repealing SB 21 but not when it comes to changing a constitutional amendment when it might improve their childrens’ education. Democrats are becoing more and more left wing zealots in Alaska that appear to take their orders from organized labor. Guess labor gets something for all thoses big PAC checks they stuff democratic campaign coffers with.
I attended the forum the other night and directly after, I approached Bob Williams and asked him, as a politician, would he vote to allow citizens of Alaska the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment. He said NO. Bob Williams and the rest of the left believe that Alaskans are not qualified to make intelligent decisions concerning our children’s education.
Regarding your comment; “aloha to AGIA”. Speaking of the waters of the disspossed, what about the waters of those who refuse to see or the waters of those who cannot ask pertinent questions?
So after five years and 280 million in payments to Transcanada now yet another gas pipeline project (Son of AGIA?) is proposed by Governor Parnell. Interestingly enough Transcanada will be in on this one also. Add this latest project to the pipe lines already proposed including the Yukon Pacific line, the Alaska Port Authority line, the original AGIA line, the DENALI line, and the “bullet line” (now known as the AGDA/ASAP line).
The policy of the state is to prioritize the use of natural gas to aid in the extraction of oil because oil is of higher value and generates more state revenue. That is a valid justification to restrict sales of Alaskan gas in any location of the state. So what good does it do to chase these pipeline projects if we cannot tell potential buyers how much gas we have for sale? On December 20th on a radio call in show I asked Ms. Forester, a member of the AOGCC (Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) what volume of gas would the AOGCC support releasing for export. Her answer was “zero point zero”.
Yesterday, I asked the Anchorage delegation to go no further on this latest gas line proposal until the State can assure potential purchasers of North Slope that the gas will be available for the length of the contract.
Alas, I suspect the waters of those who refuse to see and those who refuse to ask await our legislators in Juneau.
The most interesting aspect of this article was the critique of the candidate forum. I find is very strange that a candidate, or in this case candidates, missed the forum. It seems that if you were a quality candidate with something to offer the public that you would go out of your way to participate. The Republican candidates running to be Parnell’s running mate leave a lot to be desired. I keep thinking that a better candidate with a more stellar reputation than what Sullivan or McGuire offer. It would be a shame if these two were the only choices to join Governor Parnell.
One word : hilarious.
Great article but depressing in terms of the quality of our elected officials, candidates and governance. Very disappointed that Begich puts politics in front of serving Alaskans. But, when you think about it, that’s who he is and all he is. Then, there’s Mead Treadwell who seems to reinvent himself from year to year and depending upon what group he is speaking to. There was a facebook post the other day from a long time Treadwell friend surprised that he signed the state’s new abortion regs because of his longstanding support of women and their right to decide what’s best for their bodies. I felt like calling her and saying, get up todate because the new Treadwell is NOW a conservative and pro-life. And even now, he doesn’t want to recognize gays even though in his past he’s made contributions to pro-gay candidates and pro-choicers. Then there is sweet Lesil, who’s number 1 supporter, her ex-husband legislator, is now out of jail and helping to guide her campaign. Isn’t that just precious.
Bob Williams sounds interesting because he isn’t yet tainted with the stench of the others. It’s going to be hard to pick candidates tvote for. In my case, I see at least one right in vote for Mickey Mouse.
Miller time ? Not this time.
Not last time either.
Voting for Miller is equal to reelecting Begich.
This article captures the sad state of affairs of Alaska poplitics. Our junior US Senator is off having political events to raise money while truly oimportant legislation is being dealt with in DC. Our Mayormeanwhile is at home dispensing patonage to the incompetent. The Mayor’s opponent for the number 2 job in the state, sounds flakey too. Sen, French is probably running for statewide office because je’d lose his senate seat is he ran again. I think this is what they call the Peter Principal? And whoever Bob Williams is. At least he has the courage to call Governor Parnell a wimp. I still like Congressman Young’s nam of Captain Zero for Parnell the best. We should start a fund and all chip in just to keep Les Gara in Hawaii. The news just goes on. Sad, isn’t it?