Long-running `Ted and Don' show showing age with voters [Alaska Republicans]

AP via Breitbart.com ^ | May 3, 2008

[John Jorsett]

BUTTE, Alaska (AP) - For decades, Alaskans have contentedly called Ted Stevens senator, and Don Young congressman, their Republicans in far-off Washington.

Now other, less flattering names are creeping into conversation. Crook, for example. Or jerk. Or old, washed up.

And because of it, Democrats sense opportunity even in the Last Frontier, a state that has dealt them mostly defeat for a generation.

"I've been voting for Ted and Don all my life," says Scott Frank, 45, a blue-collar Republican sipping coffee at the Butte Cafe, "but they've really screwed up."

Shoulder-to-shoulder around a slab-wood table, Frank and his pals form a cigarette-smoke circle of plaid shirts, faded jeans and baseball caps. These men and many of the folks they know build radar equipment. They eat fried foods. Hunt and fish. Drink beer. Vote Republican.

"Maybe not this time," says waitress Diana Gage as she scoots behind Scott and his brother Randy, two plates, heaped with beef, held high above her head. "Don and Ted have done good, but let's get some young blood in there and let them build up some of that seniority."

Stevens and Young have served a combined 74 years in Congress—39 for Stevens and 35 for Young—and Alaskans consider that longevity a valuable commodity. It brings roads, bridges, jobs and other federal perks to this isolated state.

"But they can't live forever," says Landon Wells, adjusting his American flag cap. "Eventually, either God or us voters are going to end their seniority."

The Justice Department may have a say, too.

The FBI is looking into whether the 84-year-old Stevens, whose name graces the state's largest airport, received illegal gifts from VECO Corp., a once powerful oil services firm.

[FlingWingFlyer]

With all the “republicans” telling the media buffoons that they will be voting Communist this election, why is the DNC spending so much money on campaigns? It doesn’t make sense. According to the MSM, this one is already in the bag for the Rodent Party.