[cotton1706]

Up for re-election next year. This is how it works. The democrats get enough idiot republicans to support their legislation so that democrats seats in danger can be protected.

McCain, Graham, Ayotte, Isakson, Heller and Flake plus 55 democrats makes 61. So Reid can afford to let Begich vote against it. And as more republican dupes join in (Chambliss, Johanns, Collins, etc.) that many more democrats can be protected (Landrieu, Pryor, Bauchus, Hagen, Warner).

[Eska]

I just called his office last week and told staff that if Begich had his act together, he'd be jumping on the band wagon with Cruz & Paul filibuster. Staff didn't laugh either which I found surprising. You see they know that Begich is going to lose in 2014, just in the numbers, way more conservatives in Ak and everybody is pissed about gun control & taxes.

Ya know, they know my voice as I call every couple weeks and send letters all the time and I get a bunch of the dem Indians to send letters.

Alaskans are libetarians when it comes to social issues and ultra conservative in most other matters. If Begich had followed that lead in the beginning he'd be getting re elected in 2014, he didn't and has already lost the 2014 election; and he knows it. I always remind them that ole Donny Young has got re-elected for over 30 years; he's as crooked as they come, but he's our crook, puts on a show, and everybody knows where he stands and trusts him.

I told Begich's staff that Mark better start shaking the tree if he wants to stand a chance in 2014.