Posted on 09/14/2010 9:03:54 PM PDT by Qbert
If Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski attempts a write-in bid to keep her seat in the November election — and she will decide by Friday — her Senate GOP colleagues will not support it.
Several Republican senators told The Hill this week they are backing primary winner Joe Miller, an attorney who shocked the political establishment with his Aug. 24 victory over Murkowski, 51 percent to 49.
“I’m a big fan of Lisa’s, but I usually go with the primary winner,” said Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for her,” said Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma.
“I’m very supportive of her — I think a lot of her, and I’m very sorry about what happened,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. “On the other hand, the voters have spoken.”
A Murkowski spokesman has said the incumbent is “very much” considering a write-in bid, her only option for the general election. In a statement Tuesday night, the senator said she would "continue to seek advice from my fellow Alaskans about what is best for the state's future and announce a decision by Friday."
Some GOP senators said they doubted Murkowski would make the effort at all.
“I don’t think there’s any way for her to win,” said Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina.
Murkowski was absent from the Senate for the second straight day on Tuesday; spokesman Michael Brumas said she would return on Wednesday. Brumas said Murkowski spent Monday on “personal business,” but declined to elaborate.
Appointed to the seat in 2002 by her father, then-Gov. Frank Murkowski, the incumbent senator won a full six-year term in 2004 and has risen to become ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee — a critical position, given the industry’s impact on Alaska.
Miller was backed in the primary by former Gov. Sarah Palin (R), who recently dubbed a Murkowski write-in campaign “futile.” Miller has said he doubts Murkowski will wage one, saying she previously committed not to.
A Libertarian candidate is already on the ballot, meaning that an Independent write-in effort would be Murkowski’s only way to win.
"Advisors and friends had urged me to find a way to get my name printed on the ballot at all costs," Murkowski said in her statement. "However, after meeting with the Libertarian candidate last week and considering that option, I cannot in good conscience seek the Libertarian nomination. As disappointed as I am in the outcome of the Primary and my belief that the Alaska Republican Party was hijacked by the Tea Party Express, an outside extremist group, I am not going to quit my party. I will not wrap myself in the flag of another political party for the sake of election at any cost."
But other Republicans also distanced themselves from a Murkowski write-in bid.
“I’ll support the nominee of the party,” said Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the party’s 2008 presidential nominee. “I’ve already called Joe Miller and told him that I respect the party’s decision.”
“As tough as that is, that’s the reality,” added Sen. Mike Johanns (Neb.).
“I like Lisa Murkowski, but I’m going to support the ticket,” added Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.). “She ran in the primary, and she didn’t win the primary. I would hope she would support the ticket.”
Support from GOP centrists remains a possibility; the offices of Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.
Murkowski’s Alaska colleague, Democratic Sen. Mark Begich, put the chances of a write-in Murkowski campaign at “50-50.”
This post was last updated at 7:59 p.m.
I think it is a stupid idea, but why are Senators outside the states getting involved. This is totally up to Alaska. I think Senator Merkowski should do this. She will make the biggest fool of herself when she gets 10 whole votes (including her own)...lol. This is a total disaster for her.
Here’s some good news.
“her Senate GOP colleagues will not support it.”
Good Lord, that should have been without question.
Devastation!
GOP Senators quoted No to write-in for Murk.
She is done.
That may not be the point...she has a huge warchest of campaign cash - being on the ballot, she could use it all in negative ads blasthing Joe Miller out of spite. I hope she is adult enough not to do this, but so far I'm not hopeful given how she is even considering this in the first place - she ran the race and lost. Accept it and move on. She's not so old she couldn't run for something again - assuming she doesn't make a complete fool of herself with a scorched earth exit from the Senate - which is why this behavior does not make sense. Despite her loss in the primary she was not an unpopular figure in Alaska. If she does this, she will be.
said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. “On the other hand, the voters have spoken.”
Youre next hatch.
Nasty little lady, isn't she? HIJACKED??????? indeed!!!, just can't bring herself to face reality, but reality hit her up side her broad side and KICKed her fanny out.
Get over yourself Murkowski, no one is INDISPENSIBLE, no one. Time you learned that lesson.
“That may not be the point...she has a huge warchest of campaign cash - being on the ballot, she could use it all in negative ads blasthing Joe Miller out of spite. I hope she is adult enough not to do this, but so far I’m not hopeful given how she is even considering this in the first place - she ran the race and lost.”
—Yep. And the reality is, she was largely responsible for her own loss by straying from conservatism on a key issue. The race was so close that if she hadn’t taken her odd, out-of-touch position on Obamacare repeal, she might very well have won.
“She’s not so old she couldn’t run for something again - assuming she doesn’t make a complete fool of herself with a scorched earth exit from the Senate - which is why this behavior does not make sense. Despite her loss in the primary she was not an unpopular figure in Alaska. If she does this, she will be.”
—Exactly.
“””””Murkowski said in her statement. As disappointed as I am in the outcome of the Primary and my belief that the Alaska Republican Party was HIJACKED by the Tea Party Express, an outside extremist group”””””
—I think the past two weeks have been very eye-opening as to how the establishment-types really view us...
It’s amazing how a loss can turn these types into babbling, vindictive little people who sound exactly like garden-variety leftists.
Murkowski made me want to VOMIT when she got on TV and said something to the effect of: “If this was about me, I would just retire... but it is about the state of Alaska and the people so I must try again...”
LIAR! Her efforts show how she thinks IT IS ALL ABOUT HER! SHE THINKS SOMEONE TOOK “HER” SEAT.
Away, begone, bye, bye!
Well, in reality - not so much. She is not all that will liked here - other than certain folks who profit by her actions.
A lot of people are still ‘unhappy’ Daddy gave her the seat in the first place, she is a pi$$ poor campaigner and it showed.
Many that I know voted for Miller because he was not Lisa. I wish Joe all the luck and a win at the polls.
“Well, in reality - not so much. She is not all that will liked here - other than certain folks who profit by her actions.
A lot of people are still ‘unhappy’ Daddy gave her the seat in the first place, she is a pi$$ poor campaigner and it showed.
Many that I know voted for Miller because he was not Lisa. I wish Joe all the luck and a win at the polls.”
—Interesting- thanks.
And Go, Joe!
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