Note how Stevens’s daughter takes care to say that Murky was simply too considerate to air this ad during the primary, out of alleged respect for the family. Now, though, when she’s fighting for her political life? Run that baby.

This is, of course, also a not-so-coded appeal to Alaskans that Murkowski will continue to bring home the bacon in terms of federal dollars. Stevens is a congressional hall-of-famer when it comes to delivering pork and Murky’s base is counting on her to continue the tradition. I wish I could tell you that this spot didn’t worry me, but between sympathy for the Stevens family after his plane crash and the political rehabilitation he enjoyed after the DOJ dropped all corruption charges against him, it’ll probably help her. Damn.

Exit question: Is it time to explore … the nuclear option? There are a lot of Lisa M’s in Alaska!