Here we go: Murkowski set to launch write-in campaign tomorrow?
posted at 4:11 pm on September 8, 2010 by Allahpundit
Roll Call thinks it’s a done deal, which can only mean that the Libertarians finally gave her a hard no about being the party’s nominee. Amazing. They had a chance to get a flawed candidate elected to the U.S. Senate, and instead they stood on principle with a purer nominee knowing that it meant certain defeat. Foolish or admirable (or both)? Reminds me … of Delaware.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski is strongly considering mounting a November write-in campaign to keep her seat and could make an announcement as soon as tomorrow, according to a source with knowledge of the situation…
Should Murkowski pull the trigger on a write-in campaign, GOP sources say she would face opposition from the National Republican Senatorial Committee. The NRSC endorsed Joe Miller immediately after Murkowski conceded the primary, and the GOP committee intends to stick with the Fairbanks attorney and provide him with the full weight of its backing…
While waging a write-in campaign is a daunting proposition for any candidate, the one source noted that with Murkowski’s strong name identification, fundraising ability and the state’s election laws, she could pull it off.
Serious question: Is this outcome actually better for the Democrat McAdams than having Murkowski on the ballot as the Libertarian nominee? Remember, according to that PPP poll from last month, if she ran as a Lib she’d pull 38 percent of the independent vote, 32 percent of the Republican vote, and 28 percent of the Democratic vote — a remarkably balanced haul. As a write-in candidate, though, my hunch is that those numbers will skew more heavily towards the Republican side since only the most devoted Murkowski supporters will take the time to pencil her in. And, let’s face it, the most devoted Murky fans are likely to be centrist Republicans, not Dems. Not only that, but surely some Democratic voters sympathetic to Murkowski will recognize their strategic opportunity here: If they rally behind McAdams, she and Miller will split the GOP and suddenly their long-shot nominee has a real chance at winning. So, just spitballing, what will the partisan breakdown be for a Murky write-in candidacy? Maybe 30 percent indie, 25 percent GOP, and 15 percent Democratic? If so, that’s a 10-point gap between Republicans and Dems whereas having her on the ballot as a Libertarian is merely a four-point gap. Might not be enough to put McAdams over the top but it certainly improves his chances. Or does it? What am I missing here?
Blowback
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So, can we officially change her last name to “Crist”?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 8, 2010 at 4:13 PM
I put a spell on you….
I think of that every time I see that picture.
Oil Can on September 8, 2010 at 4:13 PM
She won’t hit 10%.
Loser.
artist on September 8, 2010 at 4:14 PM
Question:
Do you have to spell “MURKOWSKI” right for it to count? I remember a few years ago the woman running for Delay’s old seat had a hyphenated name and it caused problems during the write-in..
picklesgap on September 8, 2010 at 4:14 PM
At least that much is good news. Kudos to AK’s Libertarians.
petefrt on September 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Cover-up Murkowski’s hair in this story’s picture with your fingers…you will see Tom Daschle.
WashJeff on September 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM
I’ll write in – she won’t like what I write – but I’ll write in.
jake-the-goose on September 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM
If more than a few Alaskans bring their crayons to the voting place to scrawl Murky’s name on the ballot, that’ll hand the win to the Democrat.
MrScribbler on September 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Found it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelley_Sekula-Gibbs#2006_Congressional_race
picklesgap on September 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM
0_o
Abby Adams on September 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Evidently she doesn’t care that the “People” have spoken. She will make this about her, and hopefully it won’t go so well.
GFW on September 8, 2010 at 4:15 PM
She’s don imus sister. Also she sucks.
bessex on September 8, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Honestly, how successful has any write-in campaign been? Most voters are too damn lazy to go to the trouble. Hell, most just look for the (D) or (R) and pull the lever accordingly.
BacaDog on September 8, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Another despicable politician refuses to take the hint and go away.
csdeven on September 8, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Murkowski loses; the only real question is how much damage can she do to the republican (Tea Party — Palin) candidate. Pure revenge sabotage. No party loyalty, no running again for some other office, no campaign for administrative appointment; pure sabotage.
Skandia Recluse on September 8, 2010 at 4:17 PM
This woman is pathetic.
fesofee on September 8, 2010 at 4:17 PM
“I would retire but the people want me in office so much! That’s why I lost the primary and can’t win the general. Because they love me!”
Anything to keep sucking on the government tit. I’m surprised Daddy Murkowski didn’t write a check to the Libertarian Party so she could run.
amerpundit on September 8, 2010 at 4:17 PM
^ This.
KinleyArdal on September 8, 2010 at 4:19 PM
If the Alaska State Republican Party is not able to discourage Lisa Murkowski from running a write in campaign, then the Republicans in Alaska need to demand changes in the leadership of the Alaska State Republican Party.
wren on September 8, 2010 at 4:19 PM
No chance. If her name ain’t actually on the ballot, she ain’t winning. Hell, even as a Libertarian, she wouldn’t have had a shot.
I don’t understand why she’s doing this. If she keeps attempting to circumvent the will of the people and the GOP leaders, she’s not gonna have any friends left in DC should she wish to seek office in the future.
Doughboy on September 8, 2010 at 4:19 PM
Nope. The article addresses that. As always, the voter’s intent is what counts.
Allahpundit on September 8, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Read the entire Roll Call article. Toward the end it says the name doesn’t have to be spelled correctly in Alaska, it is the voter intent that matters.
Mark1971 on September 8, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Oh I have a feeling there may be another Dem senator. sighs
upinak on September 8, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Well, if Alaska allows stickers to be affixed in the write-in area, she might have a shot.
She has enough cash she could flood the state with Murkowski stickers to be affixed to the ballot.
ButterflyDragon on September 8, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Disgusting.
Oink on September 8, 2010 at 4:22 PM
It proves one thing…she has no other skills, except to feed at the government trough….
right2bright on September 8, 2010 at 4:23 PM
Agree completely. It didn’t have to be personal, but Murkowski made it personal. She’ll give the seat to the Democrats out of pure spite.
jwolf on September 8, 2010 at 4:23 PM
thanks i skimmed it the first time myself.
Second question: who judges intent? what if they put “Female Tom Daschle” or “Shameless political opportunist” or “Legacy Senator” just for kicks? I would totally award that to lisa because clearly that is intent.
picklesgap on September 8, 2010 at 4:23 PM
The Angry-Tranny ticket didn’t want her?
Seriously, she thinks she can win a write-in vote?
If she really that stupid? I mean really.
What in HELL was she doing in the US Senate in the first place.
It’s appalling the low quality of people we have in Congress.
We place our lives and our hard earned dollars in their hands and a good portion of American just doesn’t give a crap whether they’re at all qualified or not.
NoDonkey on September 8, 2010 at 4:24 PM
Lizard people!
bitsy on September 8, 2010 at 4:24 PM
BacaDog on September 8, 2010 at 4:16 PM
A councilwoman named Donna Frye almost won San Diego’s mayoral race in ’04 by going through the write-in process. Still, though, Lisa is asking for it by going this route.
BradSchwartze on September 8, 2010 at 4:24 PM
If someone writes “daddy’s spoiled little b!itch” on the ballot will Murkowski get that vote?
Mark1971 on September 8, 2010 at 4:25 PM
Nothing says spoiled brat more than what she’s doing.
Go away, troll. The people have spoken and DON’T WANT you representing them.
Sponge on September 8, 2010 at 4:25 PM
So if someone writes “Lizard People” that will count for Murkowski, right?
Just based on precedence set in the Franken-Coleman race.
Norwegian on September 8, 2010 at 4:25 PM
Pretty obvious now that her goal isn’t winning; it’s making sure Miller loses. If she goes through with this, it is utterly loathsome.
jwolf on September 8, 2010 at 4:26 PM
ButterflyDragon on September 8, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Do you know of any state or locality that allows that? And could you think of the mischief if that sort of stunt were permissible?
BradSchwartze on September 8, 2010 at 4:27 PM
There’s a Charles Johnson sighting?
Sponge on September 8, 2010 at 4:27 PM
Anybody want to shop a cowboy hat on her?
Hopefully some bad polling and pressure from people who care about not having two Democrat Senators representing Alaska will put an end to this stupidity.
forest on September 8, 2010 at 4:27 PM
What do traitors Murkowski, Scozzafava, Specter, Jeffords and Crist all have in common, they’re pro-choice. Notice how the one pro-life moderate GOPer who lost, Bob Bennett, in the end decided not to do anything rash. It seemed most of the traitorous Obamacons, lil Buckley, that Philly talker, Leach were pro-choice. To these people, everything is expendable but their careers and power. Abortion really is the litmus test of GOP fidelity.
TimTebowSavesAmerica on September 8, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Of course she won’t win. She’s like Saddam lighting up Kuwait’s oil wells in retreat.
Mark1971 on September 8, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Murkowski’s only reason to run is to spoil the race for Miller, she has no chance whatsoever of winning as a write-in candidate.
I expect Castle to do the same if he loses in DE.
Despicable RINOs, both of them.
Norwegian on September 8, 2010 at 4:28 PM
tell me you could not imaging McCain doing the very same thing had Hayworth taken him in the Primary…..
Elitist RINO’s who think it is a job for life no matter how bad they SUCK!
SDarchitect on September 8, 2010 at 4:29 PM
The R’s have to explain that Murkowski is the Polish word for McAdams.
Mr. D on September 8, 2010 at 4:30 PM
what if she does?
Okay guys.. I have never seen anything like this even in the small city run elections. I have no clue who is going to win. But it is time to just watch, sit back and have some popcorn.
I won’t be writting in, I am holding my nose for miller, because I don’t want the dem to win.
upinak on September 8, 2010 at 4:30 PM
Write-in campaign slogan:
Vote for the career politician!
There must be some other’s out there. Terms that come to mind are windsock and leaf.
shick on September 8, 2010 at 4:31 PM
What do Crist, Blanche Lincoln and Murkowski have in common?
They are all holding on to power in a disgusting way. May they all be punished, harshly.
Schadenfreude on September 8, 2010 at 4:33 PM
MOO-COW-SKI
Did I spell it right?
tims472 on September 8, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Are you so enamored of politics that the concept of principles are alien? How would this RINO advance the principles of Libertarians? Do you think she would be their advocate in the Senate, or that she would abandon them once the election was won? You can make the argument that the GOP should embrace RINOs to seize the power that comes from the majority, but since the Libertarians have no chance at seizing a majority then why should they violate their principles?
DFCtomm on September 8, 2010 at 4:33 PM
MurCristKy
Schadenfreude on September 8, 2010 at 4:34 PM
She’s not a Libertarian…why would they want her to run as one? No need to over think this one.
And funny story…I wrote my own name in years ago while voting in our small town primary for party chair as a joke…and was called to do a run-off. Turns out someone else wrote their name in as well, so we both tied at 1 vote apiece.
I quickly conceded.
Asher on September 8, 2010 at 4:34 PM
MurCredo
Mark1971 on September 8, 2010 at 4:34 PM
so if she tries the Write-In route and still doesn’t win…is she gonna chain herself to her Senate desk?…barricade herself in her Senate office?
What the hell is it gonna take to make this woman realize she freaking L-O-S-T????
PATHETIC!!
Justrand on September 8, 2010 at 4:35 PM
“It’s MY seat! DADDY gave it to me! I want it BACK! WHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!11!1!!” -L. Murkowski
Phil-351 on September 8, 2010 at 4:35 PM
So her goal is to become a political pariah? To p-ss off the GOP and the Tea Partiers equally? The woman’s in her early 50′s. Does she plan on a successful career in the private sector, cuz she ain’t getting squat in the political arena if she ends up handing this seat to the Dems.
Doughboy on September 8, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Generally people don’t like sore losers. It is one thing to run as a write in if you haven’t already run and lost in a primary and quite another if you have already lost. I have never seen a write in candidate win after losing the primary. What it can do is actually increase the GOP turnout for the candidate on the ballot line, I have seen that happen.
Lisa, don’t go away mad … just go away – folks will respect you more and you might still have a future in politics.
Done That on September 8, 2010 at 4:36 PM
You know. Being fair and all.
She did run 2 yrs after “Daddy” gave it to her and won it.
Keep it real.
upinak on September 8, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Scene from election night 2010, somewhere near Ketchikan:
“Here’s a write-in ballot marked ‘guy from Sitka’…. one for McAdams”
“Here’s one written ‘Palin’s judge candidate’… one for Miller”
“Here’s one covered in @$%@….. one for Murkowski”
picklesgap on September 8, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Randy Ruedrich is the Chairman of the Alaska Republican Party.
Steve Colligan is the Vice-Chairman of the Alaska Republican Party.
Alaska Republicans should let Ruedrich and Colligan know what they think of Lisa Murkowski’s potential plans for a write-in campaign. Their contact information is on the Alaska Republicans website:
http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/site/c.clKSI7OSIqJcH/b.6037199/k.2032/State_Party_Leaders.htm
Alaskans may also want to express their opinions to their local Republican leaders:
http://www.alaskarepublicans.com/site/c.clKSI7OSIqJcH/b.6037203/k.5A57/Your_Local_Party_Leaders.htm
We all need to learn how to work with the Republican Party infrastructure to express our opinions on Republican issues.
wren on September 8, 2010 at 4:38 PM
She had a contested GOP primary that year?
picklesgap on September 8, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Writing in a candidate is too foreign an experience for most people. In the booth they’ll balk and mark the party candidate of their choice. Murky won’t pull more than 3% of the vote.
Rocks on September 8, 2010 at 4:39 PM
Quite honestly, I don’t believe she is acting and thinking rationally. She is wrapped up almost insanely in the “denial” stage of grief, and boy is she ever denying it.
jwolf on September 8, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Frank gave the seat to her Daughter, when he won the Gov for Alaska. 2 yrs later she had to run on her own merit to keep the seat and won and her “Daddy’ didn’t write one check for her or her campaign. She has been a Senator for 8 yrs.
Before that se was a state senator… but I forget how long she was in that seat.
upinak on September 8, 2010 at 4:40 PM
Honey, you’ve been fired.
Look for a new job.
MassVictim on September 8, 2010 at 4:41 PM
This is an ‘OMG I love my office’ moment. ‘Spoiler’ is her greed reacting to cold wind outside the windows.
Limerick on September 8, 2010 at 4:41 PM
Charlie Crist showed the way … Liars are never trusted again. And turning on your own party is the quickest path to that achievement.
tarpon on September 8, 2010 at 4:41 PM
That’s a man, man.
WisCon on September 8, 2010 at 4:42 PM
I think Norwegian’s right. Murkowski doesn’t have a chance. The only reason she’s doing this is to stick it to Palin and to the GOP.
But what’s going to happen is that she and Miller are going to split the Republican vote, and Adams will win. Kinda ironic for Alaska of all states to have two Dem senators.
And guys, mark my word: the more active the Tea Party gets, the more this is going to happen. I can even see a 2012 presidential election that goes three ways among Obama, Palin and some old-style Republican like Romney. Palin will do remarkably well, but still, Obama will win with as little as 35% of the vote.
factoid on September 8, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Lincoln will be.
fesofee on September 8, 2010 at 4:43 PM
But, but, but it’s her birthright to be the senator from Alaska. Her daddy gave it to her.
toongoon on September 8, 2010 at 4:44 PM
Shades of 1912. I sincerely hope that does not happen.
jwolf on September 8, 2010 at 4:44 PM
So, no i take it.
A contested GOP primary means the GOP wants you. Haven you yourself said that in Alaska, the general election is just a formality, and a D never wins barring crazy circumstances (begich-stevens)???
picklesgap on September 8, 2010 at 4:45 PM
I don’t understand people like Moocowski who think they are entitled to the job no matter what the voters say. Did she miss something after the vote? She lost. She conceded to Miller. Does she think that going back to DC is the only way the world will survive? Sure it’s a great job with great bennies but come on it can be done by a paid monkey.
inspectorudy on September 8, 2010 at 4:45 PM
Glad to see you won’t be writing her in. What does this move say to YOU about her integrity?
JonPrichard on September 8, 2010 at 4:45 PM
picklesgap on September 8, 2010 at 4:38 PM
One crucial difference between 2004 and 2010: No GW Bush or Karl Rove to lean hard on local parties and tell them to get behind their preferred candidate.
BradSchwartze on September 8, 2010 at 4:45 PM
Murkyowski and obummer are going cry us a river.
toongoon on September 8, 2010 at 4:45 PM
She’s no longer a Republican.
The NRSC is not supporting her and neither are Alaska Republicans so what’s the point of contacting them to complain about her?
This dingbat is doing this on her own. Don’t blame the Republican Party for something they can’t control.
NoDonkey on September 8, 2010 at 4:46 PM
So all I have to do is write “Whiney b****”, right?
PackerBronco on September 8, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Weasels and blind power are indignant.
Schadenfreude on September 8, 2010 at 4:47 PM
She does realize that if she does this, she “loses” no matter what, right? Whether she wins or loses the election, she will NEVER be able to get party support to mount another campaign. People in Alaska will never be able to trust her in any office again – her lack of integrity has been fully exposed.
TeresainFortWorth on September 8, 2010 at 4:48 PM
In the Minnesota(?) election, someone wrote in “lizard people” on their ballot, but meant to vote for Al Franken. The voter said they didn’t realize their ballot wouldn’t count if they wrote in the write-in box and bubbled the oval next to Franken’s name. Soooo… everytime I hear “write in candidate” I automatically think of lizard people.
bitsy on September 8, 2010 at 4:48 PM
So all I have to do is write “Whiney b****”, right?
PackerBronco on September 8, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Love it!
toongoon on September 8, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Conspiracy much?
upinak on September 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM
I take you point, but the Republicans who really need to hear about this are people like Mitch McConnell. So Mitch, do you want to be Majority Leader? Then curb your, uh, Senator.
Mr. D on September 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM
You show me a
goodsore loser and I’ll show you a loser.TugboatPhil on September 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Pathological, despicable loser.
rrpjr on September 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM
factoid on September 8, 2010 at 4:42 PM
A few thoughts toward that line of buncombe:
1. Dwight Eisenhower was challenged for the ’52 nomination for President on the GOP ticket, all the way to the convention floor. This was despite the GOP being out of the White House for 20 years.
2. The GOP of ’68 didn’t want Richard Nixon, even to kick him around. It got to the point where Nixon lost his erstwhile home state’s primary (CA).
3. The GOP of ’80 thought Reagan was too old and washed up, and tried to get bureaucrats like GHW Bush and John Connally (a former Dem!) to run against him.
4. Yet the GOP of ’88 and 2000 were squarely united behind both Bush 41 and Bush 43.
What do you garner from that little history lesson I provided?
BradSchwartze on September 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Quick question: Where’s the money for this going to come form? The federal government, the state of Alaska or does she have to front the money herself?
Tommy_G on September 8, 2010 at 4:50 PM
upinak on September 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM
I’m sure Pat Toomey will tell you it’s no conspiracy, even if it didn’t explictly happen in Alaska.
BradSchwartze on September 8, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Only a few days after polling in Alaska was shown up to be so unreliable AP is back with his crosstabs and chicken livers weaving a whole narrative from questionable data – it’s beyond parody!!
callingallcomets on September 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Dear Herky-Jerky Murky: What is it about losing a primary that you don’t understand? Are you really less classy than Arlen Specter?
In the 2004 election, when George W. Bush was re-elected President, when Republicans won a net 4 Senate seats, Lisa Murkowski only won by 9,349 votes, or 3%, over Tony Knowles, out of about 308,000 cast, and didn’t even break 50%, when she was the official Republican nominee.
To win a three-way race, she would need at least 100,000 votes, while 54,000 Republicans already voted against her in the primary, and how many voters will take the time to WRITE HER IN if she’s not on the ballot?
If Murkowski tries to run a write-in campaign, she will certainly attract Sarah Palin back to Alaska to actively campaign for Joe Miller, who is now the OFFICIAL GOP nominee. This might distract Palin from campaigning for other Congressional candidates nationwide, which may be what Murkowski is trying to accomplish here.
Steve Z on September 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM
No I am being serious. You are a complete moron and a conspiracy theorist. LMFAO Bush and Cheney sending money!!!! OMG Priceless!!!!!
This is just as good as the presidential campaigner for Ron Paul killed his sisters boyfriend because he thought they were doing mind control.
upinak on September 8, 2010 at 4:54 PM
i’d be interested in a serious historical comparison of our current politicians with other generations.
i know that there have always been miscreants and scalawags
in politics…it goes with territory
but thieves, idiots and dynasties? that really has to rank the current crop pretty low
r keller on September 8, 2010 at 4:54 PM
What I remember most about the 80 election was how horrible Bush 41 was to Reagan. He did every short of calling Ron a baby raping ax murderer and yet Bush was chosen as his running mate. To bad Reagan didn’t stand up to the party a little more and gotten a better VP. You know a real conservative who could have been elected to two terms all on his own.
Tommy_G on September 8, 2010 at 4:55 PM
I remember reading many articles and blogs about how awful it was going to be for the GOP when these Tea Party candidates lost in the primary and then decided to run as third party candidates in the general election.
The media and bloggers were close with their predictions. They just confused the “extreme” Tea Party candidates with the “moderate” establishment types when included in their predicted theories.
Purity test indeed.
The GOP establishment has a small tent.
chief on September 8, 2010 at 4:55 PM
How to lose friends and influence what?
Schadenfreude on September 8, 2010 at 4:56 PM
r keller on September 8, 2010 at 4:54 PM
Even a cursory knowledge of what went on with Tammany Hall and Pendergast in the late 19th Century should make you feel rather sheepish about making the statement you made.
BradSchwartze on September 8, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Dede Scozzafava
Charlie Crist
Lisa Murkowski
These “moderates” keep on screwing us over, but then we are supposed to vote for more of them (Mike Castle) for strategic reasons. Better we kill them (politically, of course) when we can and finally be shut of them.
Anon Y. Mous on September 8, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Is there no-one, no friend or loved one that can tell people like her and Crist how foolish they’re making themselves look? Is there no-one who can say, “Hey, you gracefully conceded the primary, let it go, and take a run at a different gov. position or if Miller screws it up, rerun next time. Come out and fully support Miller who won the primary and you’ll look like a team player who has the good of Alaska at heart by keeping the Dems out instead of looking like you’re only out for #1″?
It’s sad, and in more eeyore moments, I see this type of thing that the GOP (and certain members) pull to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory this election cycle.
DrAllecon on September 8, 2010 at 4:59 PM
The woman is delusional. What a petty,vindictive, loser.And loser is what she will be. The trouble is she is possibly going to take the republican down with her.This is certainly her intent.
sandee on September 8, 2010 at 4:59 PM
Massachusetts and Maine do.
I looked up Alaska election law and they have specifically banned stickers for write-in candidates.
So, that’s a good thing.
ButterflyDragon on September 8, 2010 at 5:01 PM
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