Heart-ache: Begich now leads Stevens in Alaska Senate race … by three votes
posted at 8:20 pm on November 12, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Yes, really. Three votes.
The elections division still has over 10,000 ballots left to count today and thousands more through next week, but the latest numbers show Mark Begich leading Sen. Ted Stevens 125,019 to 125,016.
The new numbers, reflecting nearly 43,000 absentee ballots counted today, are from all over the state. Election night, Ted Stevens led the Democratic Begich by about 3,000 votes.
The state today is counting a total of about 60,000 absentee and questioned ballots.
Isn’t it odd how late vote counts inexorably favor Democrats? Ah well. If Stevens, Chambliss, and Coleman all end up losing, then the magic number 60 is attained and we’re at endgame — although for the moment, I’m more dismayed at the thought that we might be denied a Senator ‘Cuda after all. Exit quotation: “[I]f they call an audible on me, and if they say they want me in another position, I’m going to do it.”
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Why can’t we just have elections on Election Day?
D0WNT0WN on November 12, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Yes it is. Recounts, too.
Proud Texan on November 12, 2008 at 8:23 PM
57 58 59, no matter. Democrats already said they’ll use the nuclear option. Why does everyone ignore that?
In fact, we should want them to get 60 seats. The pressure to do everything they want will be enormous. They wouldn’t be able to show any restraint.
Crash and burn, baby.
lorien1973 on November 12, 2008 at 8:24 PM
GOOD. Stevens is a piece of trash and deserves a long prison sentence. Also this means its VERY unlikely that Palin will even think about running for the senate. Which is a good thing. She needs to stay as a governor.
ousoonerfan15 on November 12, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Here we stand, at the abyss.
Hold hands everyone and jump in!
ThePrez on November 12, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Have the Republican officials checked the back seats of their cars yet?
malclave on November 12, 2008 at 8:25 PM
I feel torn about this…I want the ‘Cuda to stay governor, but I don’t want the democrats any closer to 60. Sigh.
meltenn on November 12, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Lieberman will bail and break the Majority if it comes to that.
Gives him more power over a Party that mocked him.
profitsbeard on November 12, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Stevens doesn’t deserve to be reelected. (Unlike Coleman.) Yet, I find myself hoping he wins just so he can get kicked out of the senate and Alaska can have a special election.
I think remaining Governor would be best for Sarah, though. What about Parnell for senate? He came pretty close in his primary against Rep. Young, so clearly he’s interested in going to DC.
acasilaco on November 12, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Am I right that there’s an automatic recount in Alaska if the final difference is less than 0.5%? Of course, that rarely happens in Alaska because the population is so small that 0.5% of the votes is only a couple thousand votes or less right? And I think I read on Politico that there are still 30,000 or so ballots to count.
meltenn on November 12, 2008 at 8:30 PM
totally agree with you; let them have TOTAL power for a few years and see where it leads us. They are bound to overreach with a 60 seat Senate.
I realize someone will point out the liberal judicial appointments that will occur, but will it matter whether they have 57, 58, 59…? Let’s go for it with 60.
I then expect they’ll bump Sen Leiberman. Combining that with what i expect will be a more pro Arab stance in the middle east, and maybe the Republicans can finally gain a good share of the Jewish vote, which all common sense would tell us they should have had for quite a while.
Red State State of Mind on November 12, 2008 at 8:31 PM
The 2000 elections lit a fire under the Democrats to create a political infrastructure that would permanently return the favor.
The Pubs have some work to do and better quit playing patty cake.
Pull out the long knives or it’s game over.
mylegsareswollen on November 12, 2008 at 8:31 PM
The Constitution says 1st tuesday of November.
johnnyU on November 12, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Besides, there are enough squishy republicans that would make filibusters damn near impossible anyways.
60 votes is a false measure all the way around. Who cares.
Be nice to hold the seat, but effectively its meaningless.
lorien1973 on November 12, 2008 at 8:33 PM
You say that now but what if we make a comeback in 2010 or 2012 and we end up being one seat shy of taking back the Senate? There are only 100 U.S. Senators. Every seat matters. ALL THE TIME.
D0WNT0WN on November 12, 2008 at 8:35 PM
It is very tempting to give that particular baby a loaded, hair-trigger gun.
LimeyGeek on November 12, 2008 at 8:36 PM
It’s 1976 baby!!
Theworldisnotenough on November 12, 2008 at 8:36 PM
If only it were that “easy”. First, I am Jewish and I can tell you with certainty that Jewish liberals will never , ever turn on the liberals! That is their religion now. Israel could be completely destroyed (g-d forbid) and they would buy the line that Israel “deserved it”! Please do not waste you time thinking that Jews wil fall in line with us conservativesa.
As for the magic 60…. it doesn’t matter now.. the RINO’s will give the left what they need to destroy this republic.
beththebaker on November 12, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Give or take a couple hundred years.
Limerick on November 12, 2008 at 8:38 PM
If, after 2 years of democrat rule and the repercussions, the republicans cannot take back either the senate or house, then they don’t deserve to.
lorien1973 on November 12, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Palin needs to avoid the Senate. That’s crap work. She needs to stay Governor and keep getting experience that she could actually use if she wanted The One’s job.
I’m also starting to feel like we should just let the Dems have 60. We know they’re going to wreck the country whether they have 57 or 60 votes, so we might as well let all the blood be on their hands.
El_Terrible on November 12, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Oh man I did not even think of what Israel’s enemies will do… yikes. Putin invades Georgia, again. He had to, a Georgian threw a rock at tank, had to be done. Then watch Europe squirm as Russia squeezes them with energy.
Theworldisnotenough on November 12, 2008 at 8:39 PM
I don’t want our Governor to run for Senate…yet. She is best as an executive. I did want her to appoint the new senator in Steven’s stead though.
ashleymatt on November 12, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Looks like they’ve sent some of the Minnesota poll workers up to help out in Alaska.
eeyore on November 12, 2008 at 8:40 PM
I think we need to rationally questino whether or not we the people can have any confidence in congress at all.
I vote for “no confidence” and further suggest that we start planning for mechanisms to legally undermine and overthrow congress’ authority.
LimeyGeek on November 12, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Are their any attorneys on here, since the early votes are clearly unconstitutional, cant we get something going here
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on November 12, 2008 at 8:40 PM
You people banking on 60 that overreach and tick voters off are insane. Didn’t we just delude ourselves into thinking more than half the country can’t possibly vote in a creature who thinks the Constitution should be put to a popular vote?
I’ve heard this crap before about Alaska and the reality is there was a shitty choice this time: between a lying, property-tax raising, CodePink loving mayor and a convicted felon. Stevens will be kicked if he wins and I doubt Palin will appoint herself.
What you should be wishing for is that Alaskans don’t end up with a special elections ballot that has Mark Begich against three other republicans.
fireweednectar on November 12, 2008 at 8:41 PM
They don’t no nuclear option. They will have McCain, Graham, Snowe, and Collins.
SouthernGent on November 12, 2008 at 8:41 PM
This assumes there will be free and Fair elections in 2010 or 2012… election laws/decisions have been going the left’s way…. with motor voter, illegals voting, late ballots discovered in automobiles, voter registrations being accepted with park benched as home addresses, etc.
beththebaker on November 12, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Either way. It’s a false measure.
lorien1973 on November 12, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Look at the bright side…..I’ve told my kids to take advantage of every free program coming down the pipe. Save your money and invest it when the market crashes.
csdeven on November 12, 2008 at 8:43 PM
What, we can’t pre-register Piper, Willow and Trig and count their votes?
JammieWearingFool on November 12, 2008 at 8:44 PM
I like that plan. I’m still waiting on my free gas and mortgage. Have the waters turned back and the planet healed itself yet?
meltenn on November 12, 2008 at 8:48 PM
Recounts/late counts always favor Dems because they’re better at stealing elections and the media ain’t interested in exposing it.
I suggest the GOP hire as many megalomaniac lawyers as possible, lock them in a room filled with methamphetamines on Election Day, then turn them loose when the recounts start so they can sue any Dem who even looks at the ballot boxes.
If the can find any megalomaniac lawyers who aren’t already Donks, that is.
fiatboomer on November 12, 2008 at 8:48 PM
It doesn’t matter, the Democrats will nuke the Republicans. They are not kind and understanding like “reach across the isle” McCain. God, the Republicans are dumb.
rplat on November 12, 2008 at 8:48 PM
How to show you are a disgruntled U.S. citizen?
Here ya go
Limerick on November 12, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Our affirmative-action magical pet negro hasn’t taken office yet…..BE REALISTIC!
/sarc
LimeyGeek on November 12, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Are you sure you want to make that statement?
Aisle, not isle.
Republicans learned that in 3rd grade. Apparently, you haven’t quite caught on.
sherry on November 12, 2008 at 8:52 PM
I’ll
LimeyGeek on November 12, 2008 at 8:55 PM
So it’s….
I’ll aisle the isle?
Limerick on November 12, 2008 at 8:56 PM
This isn’t a “re-count” they never finished the count. Alaska has a lot of absentee voters (because it’s Alaska) and their mail system is slow because some of the areas are so remote and far out. Unfortunately for the GOP in Alaska rural areas go much more Dem than Anchorage does. It’s wierd but check out the county map in Alaska, big areas are red, remote areas are blue. The counties that are still to be counted are the remote areas so Begich will probably win.
BTW If the Dems do win 60 seats thats a much more powerful mandate than Obama’s crushing popular vote and electoral college victory. How can you overreach when the country is clearly saying we want dem policy and dem policymakers. The GOP is screwed.
DeathToMediaHacks on November 12, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Hey Alaskans, what’s the ACORN presence up there? How about your Sec of State? Alaska dosn’t seem like a place ripe for vote fraud, but the liberals are sneaky and everywhere. Upinak, whats the word?
hump1201 on November 12, 2008 at 8:58 PM
They probably found them in some attic, accidently put there by some Democrat on an election committee….
DL13 on November 12, 2008 at 9:00 PM
och aye the noo
LimeyGeek on November 12, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Bawhahahahahahahahahahha!
Resistance is futile! Join the hive or die!
Limerick on November 12, 2008 at 9:02 PM
I’m not generally into lecturing people online, Sherry, but I have adopted a no-spelling corrections policy for myself, given that I make them occasionally, and I’m willing to bet you do as well. You might want to consider that policy.
By the way, not all of us are native English speakers, so bloody lighten up.
Please.
fireweednectar on November 12, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Oh? Where does it say that? My copy doesn’t say when elections are held.
How hard is it to actually read the damn thing?
The Monster on November 12, 2008 at 9:04 PM
The election process is broken. Too many absentee, not here, somewhere else, sick at home, at the bar, on the toilet excuses for not going to the polls to vote. This is out of hand and we need Jimmy Carter and the UN to straighten this out. Somewhere I seem to remember people standing in lines to vote and then dip their finger in ink to show they voted.
How many people go you think get elected into office because of so many simpleton voters who just vote straight party line, having no idea who they are voting for. We have ruined what should be the honor of every citizen and made a mockery out of this right.
Wade on November 12, 2008 at 9:06 PM
It would take 100 years to undo the damage.
ddrintn on November 12, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Why don’t you review the comment and my response again. I am sure you will figure out the context of my post. It really isn’t that difficult. Please let me know if you need any help. I am more than happy to assist.
sherry on November 12, 2008 at 9:09 PM
If we see the death of neo-liberalism, it will be 100 years well spent.
LimeyGeek on November 12, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Starting 1/20/09, I think we should have a clock that counts how many days, hours, minutes its been since Obama hasn’t CHANGED the world by healing the planet or some other vague promise.
El_Terrible on November 12, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Really…
Are you for real?
beththebaker on November 12, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Wha?
DeathToMediaHacks on November 12, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Well, look at it this way. If Stevens loses and Franken wins they essentially have their 60 vote block.
If it takes the combined efforts of an uncheckeded Senate, House and Executive Branch to take us to rock bottom then the opening for a proper Republican return will present itself.
Of course there is always a chance the electorate will be A OK with what the dems. throw at them. We are not collectively bright at the moment.
FWIW I do not want to see my country hit rock bottom…..
FireBlogger on November 12, 2008 at 9:12 PM
10th Amendment
joey24007 on November 12, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Nope. When the feds go bankrupt, it’ll end. It’ll only take 5-10 years at most.
lorien1973 on November 12, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Saw this on Drudge
Democrats prepare to move forward with investigations of the Bush administration… Developing…
What else do these slimeballs want. I hope this guy wins just to piss them off forget about the 60 votes we need to have some fighters in there for us now. How much do you think this will cost us. Arent’we in a Crisis.
Brat4life on November 12, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Nice try.
1. It is the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November.
2. It is a law passed by Congress somewhere around 1840 and originally set for the Presidential election. Congressional elections were added later to that date on even years.
I am too tired right now to look this up for the exact date the law was passed however it clearly has nothing to do with the Constitution.
Wade on November 12, 2008 at 9:20 PM
I think that Stevens will still win, but I also thought the Red Sox would repeat as World Champions and the Patriots would win the Super Bowl.
technopeasant on November 12, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Corrupt porkster gets sent packing, or Democrats prevented from filibuster proof Senate…
Now that’s a pickle…
BKennedy on November 12, 2008 at 9:20 PM
Well,Mad Max doesn’t sound pleasant either.
ddrintn on November 12, 2008 at 9:21 PM
You think the markets are in trouble now????
Good God, if the Dims get 60… the market is going to 5500.
Sugar Land on November 12, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Why don’t you review the comment and my response again. I am sure you will figure out the context of my post. It really isn’t that difficult. Please let me know if you need any help. I am more than happy to assist.
sherry on November 12, 2008 at 9:09 PM
Since I’m obviously too stupid, then why don’t you just “assist.” And this time you can make your point without gratuitous bullshit.
fireweednectar on November 12, 2008 at 9:23 PM
………………. they allready have. Nothing more important than being invited back to the Sunday Morning “News”, the cocktail parties, and actually having reporters show up at your “News” conferences, or having your name on a Bill with Ted Kennedy.
………. ain’t this a great country? The one inside the beltway of Washington D.C. I mean…….
Seven Percent Solution on November 12, 2008 at 9:33 PM
I can skin a buck, I can run a trot-line, and a country boy can survive…
evollusion on November 12, 2008 at 9:33 PM
I’m on board with that.
I think I’ll listen to that song all the way to Alaska. I’m definitely going to have to buy a better coat on the way.
meltenn on November 12, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Yes I am for real and here is some realism for you. If you quote someone don’t add your foolishness to others words in quote. If you read my post in it’s entirely, you would know it is sarcasm.
Wade on November 12, 2008 at 9:45 PM
“Heart-ache”? I don’t have any heartburn about keeping criminals (Republican, Democrat, Independent, Communist, whatever) out of public office. I’m honestly surprised that Stevens got as many votes as he did. And people make fun of those who voted for Marion Barry?
Send_Me on November 12, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Palin should finish out her term, run for Senate in 2010 and then run for pres in 2016 when she’ll have a much better shot.
V15J on November 12, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Suffice it to say, it was too easy.
sherry on November 12, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Good point!
factoid on November 12, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Perfect. I’d like to see her do two terms as gov though, THEN the senate, THEN the White House. The Obama mistake of sticking a newbie in the White House will tell quickly. Let’s make the 1st woman president ready first.
Mojave Mark on November 12, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Suffice it to say, it was too easy.
Suffice to say, how did I know you couldn’t come up with something else?
Cheers.
fireweednectar on November 12, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I’m sorry you couldn’t follow. Sleep well.
sherry on November 12, 2008 at 10:11 PM
This is not a heart-ache! I hope the Democrats have a 60 seat majority and fillibuster proof majority in both the House and Senate.
America wants the Democrats. LET THEM HAVE THE DEMOCRATS. They will have no one to blame but themselves when the economy crashes, industries close and Americans lose their jobs. When foreign policy is screwed up and social agendas become openly liberal, Americans will be scared stiff. Those middle of the road folks who voted for changes because they wanted Obama to put more money in their wallets and food on their table will be confronted with the reality that liberalism cripples growth, kills jobs and slaughters basic, fundamental American values.
Holy Cow, we voted for THIS much change? They will say at the end of the Obama admin in 4 years. Obama will be a one term president and it will be made all the easier if Democrats have complete reign in Washington. This is a blessing in disguise.
Amy Proctor on November 12, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Her dog was really sick, hope she didn’t have to put it down, but she hasn’t been on since earlier today. If your here Upinak: hope your pup is o.k.
Chewy the Lab on November 12, 2008 at 10:13 PM
It’s called theft and rigging elections.
Our freedom is being stolen and our nation is being taken over by corrupt leaders. Our so called free press stands cheering and assisting in the theft of our liberty.
I love using that word liberty.
Don’t hear that word much anymore. So old fashioned.
Not quite as cool as words like “progressive.”
JellyToast on November 12, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I’d really prefer they reveal their Marxism through what they ATTEMPT rather than through what they succeed.
JellyToast on November 12, 2008 at 10:29 PM
One would have to either believe that God is on their side or that they cheat.
Tav on November 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Did someone move that guy from Minnesota to Alaska?
drjohn on November 12, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Then the GOP opposes EVERYTHING.
And they’d be freaking idiots if they didn’t.
They’d be freaking idiots if they didn’t calmly maintain that each of these races was stolen.
If they can’t do that, they should lose and they should be done away with in whatever means necessary. Because they would have learned nothing in the last four years.
drjohn on November 12, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Begich is closing fast on the absentee votes because he focused on early voting while Ted was, shall we say, “otherwise engaged” in Washington DC.
benny shakar on November 12, 2008 at 10:42 PM
I don’t know why her fans should want Sarah to go to the senate now. The GOP has been deballed, at least until the midterms, and she’d be just another freshman Senator with no guarantees of getting on a foreign relations committee. I’d stay in Alaska, and help as many GOPers as I can in the next four years to put some favors in the bank. Starting with Saxby Chambliss in Ga. I know there’s a rumor she might campaign for him for the runoff election.
Shotgun Messiah on November 12, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Stevens is a corrupt criminal and there is no way any conservative should be hoping he wins.
mark on November 12, 2008 at 11:04 PM
I find it strange that in every single one of these counts that the Democrats seem to pick up just enough votes to put them ahead. To me this is a crock of crap and if this continues the Dems should actually ask for recounts on all the Senate races and shockingly they will have well over 60 seats.
Irvin88 on November 12, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Oh come on….. is this really a shock to anyone? Alaska has had the strangest of elections and the results are still so far out of joint even if the Democrats win the senate seat. Look at the polling in the run to the election. Stevens was behind by 22 points and then it ends up a tie on the smallest of turn outs? This is the fishiest election in the nation. I understand why Alaskans continue to support the father of the state in big numbers but don’t be shocked if he looses in a squeeker with everything that has happened.
lexhamfox on November 12, 2008 at 11:46 PM
What exactly is Ted Stevens guilty of? Getting some tacky furniture from a bunch of losers whose interests he probably would have voted for even if he wasn’t paid?
Speedwagon82 on November 12, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Those damn Democrats sure are good at stealing elections, eh?
I’m pretty sure Gordon Smith got hosed in Oregon, too. That Merkley fool is such a joke that I almost feel like I should go after him in six years.
Sign of the Dollar on November 13, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Begisch is quickly gaining.
Meanwhile, the LA Times reports Palin’s favorite shop is not *gasp* a thrift store. It does sell second hand clothes for a tenth of the price, but they’re *designer* second hand clothes.
Phoenician on November 13, 2008 at 3:24 AM
I am SICK and TIRED of Conservative Republicans talking about giving up!! That is what got us into this mess to begin with. We gave up the 2006 election; we gave up the 2008 election. I am not…will not give up!!
I voted for Ted Stevens in hopes to save this seat for the GOP knowing it was too late to replace him without loosing. When and if a special election happens I will not hesitate to support the GOP candidate selected to replace Stevens. If the worst happens and Begich wins I will find a way to support any Conservative candidate to run against Begich!!
Instead of whining and complaining about the dems, why not find a Conservative candidate in your district to support?! Ignore the media when they try to smear our candidate, and you know they will try, so show them just how strongly you stand with someone who shares your principals. Don’t let the media define our candidates.
I have started to contribute directly to candidates around the country, totally bypassing the unreliable RNCC. I find it very valuable when other people post their candidate on blogs like this one. I then go to their web page and directly support the conservatives.
It is time to stop ripping our own appart and get behind the strong candidates. The 11th commandment is now in effect!!
lwssdd on November 13, 2008 at 3:58 AM
Too true.
And before we all decide to let them have their 60 seats in the Senate just to show how far left they can go, think about what unchecked legislation can do to or facilitate..
Judicial appointments…
Fairness Doctrine…
Radical changes to the military…
To name a few.
hawkdriver on November 13, 2008 at 6:44 AM
Don’t take TPVP’s vote for granted. He’s a Maverick.
Mr. Wednesday Night on November 13, 2008 at 7:52 AM
In that list, the only one that is really significant, IMHO, is the judicial appointments.
And even there, it seems that it will be more a lost opportunity for the right rather than real change. The SCOTUS has a few young conservatives on it that have no intention of retiring, so that base of 4 is quite safe. The members that might retire are already voting in a way that annoys the right, so replacing them with more of the same won’t make much of a diff.
mycowardice on November 13, 2008 at 8:14 AM
Begich is up by over 800 now according to 538, and they still are counting. It’s looking likely he’ll ultimately win by enough that they won’t be able to do a recount. Shocking that it was even this close though, I know nothing about Begich but…. he was up against a convicted felon. Even if he wins I’m thinking he’ll be vulnerable come 2014.
Typhonsentra on November 13, 2008 at 8:20 AM
I hated it when the Democrats blocked votes and I would hate to see Republicans do the same so the 60 vote things doesn’t matter to me.
And wouldn’t Lieberman be a step in the wrong direction? I mean he’s free to caucus with whoever he wants but I don’t want him as part of the Republican party.
And if the Democrats really want to start rumors of bringing up criminal charges on Bush they better be careful. Bush could pardon Cheney for all crimes, resign, then Cheney returns the favor.
cadams on November 13, 2008 at 8:22 AM
Yeah, god help us we have already seen what happened when the GOP had control for 6 years!
Monkei on November 13, 2008 at 8:30 AM
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