[Coldwater Creek]

Mrs. Palin could appoint herself, but IMHO, she should stay on as governor.

[Condor51]

*** Mrs. Palin could appoint herself ...***

No, she can't. Alaska changed the law after Murkowsky(sp?) appointed his daughter. Now there's a special election (like in Mass).

[justlurking]

If Stevens steps down now, she could appoint herself to fill the remainder of Steven’s term. At least, that’s how it works here. They wouldn’t even need an special election!

Bad idea.

A governor in Minnesota did that back in the 1970s. When Mondale resigned to be Carter's VP, Wendell Anderson resigned as Governor, and then the Lt. Governor Rudy Perpich succeeded him.

Perpich then appointed Anderson to the Senator's seat. In the subsequent election, Republicans swept both Senate Seats and the Governor's office. It's still known as the "Minnesota Massacre".

I think that Alaska requires a special election, after Murkowski appointed his daughter to a vacancy. And you know how that worked out for him.

Sarah might do well in the special election, but I suspect she would rather stay in Alaska.