Lisa – The New Ted.
22 01 2009
Well, looky here. Isn’t this interesting…
If the collective raising of eyebrows made a sound, you’d be hearing it.
Alaska’s new senior Senator (R) Lisa Murkowski, has landed the big one, and slipped into the vacuum left by convicTed Stevens on the coveted Senate Appropriations Committee. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, was a longtime Appropriations chairman with oodles of influence on spending projects in Alaska. This is one of the reasons nobody could imagine life without Ted.
In order to take the slot on Appropriations, she’s giving up membership on the Foreign Relations Committee. But she’ll retain her spot as the ranking Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and she’ll stay on the Indian Affairs Committee and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Murkowski says she pursued being on Appropriations in part to push for funding projects that can benefit Alaska, from basic infrastructure like roads to hospitals.
Basically an Alaskan Senator would give up their right arm, nevermind the Foreign Relations Committee, to get this assignment. Looking forward to 2010, this does not bode well for anyone who’s thinking about challenging Murkowski for the senate seat. If the party powers that be, let’s say, were trying to figure out how to assure that a certain governor from Alaska had a tougher time of knocking down the incumbent in a senatorial race, and worming her way into the nation’s capital, this would be an excellent way of doing it. Just sayin’.
I’ve mentioned before that it would be in the Democratic leadership’s best interest to be awful nice to Mark Begich, and give him lots of goodies in the next six years for that very reason. He needs to come home “the golden boy” with feathers in his cap. I doubt there are many in D.C. on either side of the aisle that would relish a “Palin Dynasty.” A cross-border alliance between a competent and influential moderate Republican and a competent and influential moderate Democrat is the best path for anyone wishing to avoid “Mrs. Palin Goes to Washington.”
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Alaska may have a hard time getting a lions share of the stimulus funds for infrastructure for one major reason.Most of the money will be expected to be used for projects that are already researched,thought out,planned and approved,just not yet funded.Tying up funds for years while projects get proposed,agreed upon,voted upon,studied,planned and approved will serve no purpose in quickly jump starting the nations economy.Those areas such as southern Missisippi,New Orleans,Houston,towns and cities in the midwest that have been ravaged by tornadoes,and other cities,states,counties ,etc with forward looking leaders,already have a host of projects that can hit the ground running.Palin would need to get her aides to tell her what she should do,select a committee to study it,then give a speech about it,then propose it,etc . The energy proposals,for instance,if they were real projects instead of possible ones to be looked at,would have given her an oppurtunity to to be poised to act.Unfortunately,the only thing she seems to have in the works is the pipeline,and I think that would be a hard sell to get Federal tax dollars to give to a Canadian company that may never build it. Projects in Alaska would be years of planning away from actually benefitting the economy,unless some competant politician like LM is able to cut through the bull and make things happen.Maybe thats another reason she was given the seat,perhaps the leaders are afraid to leave Alaska citizens at the mercy of clueless,hapless,whiny,Mrs Palin.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Palin just delivered a very uninspiring SOS address. And again she parades Trig being bottlefed by Todd in the audience. Also , this women needs a hairbrush, anyone. You can sure tell the stylists have left.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Well, geeze. The audio and video feeds didn’t make it out of Juneau. All I caught on the live audio was Mike Chenault adjourning the House until Monday. Dang. Herself will be furious. *snicker*
Sarah’s people emailed the text of the speech to her PR mailing list at 7:23 p.m. I have to go read it right now…
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:04 PM
@ mommom (19:47:21) :
You’re right. Why exactly are there no ’shovel-ready’ projects, particularly relating to climate change and road upgrades in Alaska? These are precisely the projects the Obama administration wants to fund – as they said wayyy before the election! Why wasn’t Alaska ready to take up its role in helping the US economy get back on track – starting on November 4??
Alaska has more than its fair share of bad roads and climate issues. Did the State have no plans at all to resurface bad roads and do something about direct human suffering resulting from climate change? No plans at all?
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:05 PM
First I read the speech, Then I suffered through the video. I heard nothing of substance on Alaskan issues. No mention of the Yukon Delta crisis, a lot of self promotion. Does she not realize Obama won? And in 4 years her own party will have put her in her place, but I doubt the Wasilla PTA will have her back.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:08 PM
pvazwindy (20:01:12) :
Palin just delivered a very uninspiring SOS address. And again she parades Trig being bottlefed by Todd in the audience. Also , this women needs a hairbrush, anyone. You can sure tell the stylists have left.
———————————————————–
An average performance, and a rubbish speech. As for the hair, those curlicues would have been done by the hairdresser in her office – immediately before what was obviously a major prayer session.
Bleuucchhh! What was the idea of coming in being held up by two other people? Can you imagine Hillary going to make a major speech holding hands with her preacher and/or staff? Pathetic!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I saw McCain on Larry King tonight, he said he would be seeing Sarah in about a week. Another trip paid for by Alaska for her and her family?
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 PM
empish (20:05:39) :
First I read the speech, Then I suffered through the video. I heard nothing of substance on Alaskan issues.
———————————————————-
It was all about self-promotion. “How good am I?” I wonder how many Republican speechwriters it took to write that drivel.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:13 PM
@ mommom(19:47:21) : Lots of NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) in Alaska have “shovel-ready” projects that are just waiting for funding. We’ve been building them as we could get the money. Bridges, trails, habitat mitigation, wildlife habitat enhancement stuff, things like that. That’s just the little corner of the NGO world that I’m involved with.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:18 PM
late as usual…bad highlights in hair, tattoo lips (ewww!) Praying for Obama ( you know the terrorist)
Thanks Bush???Thanks Steven’s????
Dud is back there feeding Trig or is it TriPp? who can tell?
Students, and special needs children.
Health, can’t ignore that with a (barf) irondogger….
killing more wolves ie: predator control
Federal misuse of EDA
Allot of clapping seems forced…
Had to mention….are we surprised here??? Mother grizzly and the need to ignore sensationalized distractions….(jaw juts out)
the end.
Barf…..
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:20 PM
I’ve heard better speeches from high school debate teams. No substance, just personal glorification. And I said it earlier, she looks like hell. And she’s married to an “irondog”, gee I didn’t know that.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:20 PM
KaJo – Your google earth isn’t wrong. There AREN’T any roads out there….just mountains, tundra, etc. The road system in Alaske is incredibly small – if it wasn’t for planes and boats half the state couldn’t survive.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Aussie Blue SkyNo Gravatar :Bleuucchhh! What was the idea of coming in being held up by two other people? Can you imagine Hillary going to make a major speech holding hands with her preacher and/or staff? Pathetic!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yeah, I was thinking to much coffee with Sherry right about then!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Maybe she caught a hot nut in the bucket, that would explain the disheveled look, I mean she’s married to that iron man.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 PM
grewingk–I hope some of those projects make the cut,at least the citizens of the state are forward thinking and civic minded.Its a shame that Governor Palin will probably not even submit any of those projects,but perhaps the Senator can help.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:40 PM
@ pvazwindy (20:20:05) :
The “iron dog” comment was her warning that people with lifestyle-related health problems will get nothing but lectures from her government. Perhaps a warning about her planned health care changes? All I know is, it’s a stick to beat someone with, given she went on and on about it.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:42 PM
@ crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl (20:18:54) :
Of course the clapping was forced – Parnell was leading it!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:44 PM
off course “the gash” didn’t mention Emmonak….Diva has a updated story along with the Emmo council member appointed by….you know who…who on Fagen’s show told people not to send stuff, check it out:
http://divasblueoasis.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=422
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:48 PM
“if the party powers that be, let’s say, were trying to figure out how to assure that a certain governor from Alaska had a tougher time of knocking down the incumbent in a senatorial race”
may have been said in thread above, it’s late, not sure i’ll get that far — think it bears saying –
i wouldn’t be surprised if they are more concerned about a democrat taking that senate seat if it’s a choice between a democrat and palin in the final election pairing.
republicans are giving this to murkowski to ensure that seat stays safely in republican hands.
ain’t president obama grand?
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:48 PM
mmBoucher Florida…I think I may have your answer. When I read this earlier today at Huffington, I wondered if Sarah would be there as a draw.
“Lobbyists Who Pay $25,000 Get To Mingle With GOP At Winter Retreat Next Week”
Go to: http://tinyurl.com/dyxfz9
A peak at what the article contains: “The Huffington Post has learned that the retreat, taking place on January 29-31, will be at the Homestead, a mountain resort in Hot Springs, VA.”…” A photo of this resort which appears to be quite swanky….and many more details that might make you want to hit your head against the wall.
################
mmBoucher Florida wrote: “I saw McCain on Larry King tonight, he said he would be seeing Sarah in about a week. Another trip paid for by Alaska for her and her family?”
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Aussie Blue Sky…..The older I get the more I remember my youth. Ah, those were the days. I would run 75 miles a week, bike ,swim, all that stuff, triathlons, marathons . Now in my old age I don’t need someone telling me how to stay healthy. Stuff happens and you deal with it. I’ll never forget that commercial Wendys, I believe. The little old lady falls down and yells out, “help I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”, Thats where I’m at today. But I keep trying to stay healthy and it’s tough.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Ok, did anyone keep a tally of Martha’s list of Palin Phrases? How long did it take before The Queen of Word Salad put all players under the table? Just askin’, dontcha know (wink)
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:01 PM
la palin didn’t mention the rural villages in her SOS?
i’m surprised people aren’t storming her house with torches and pitchforks.
i ‘m going to bed. great thread.
i leave you with the following clipped from a late post at dependable renegade:
(CNN) — Could Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin be coming to a bookstore or television near you?
Palin has reportedly hired a powerful Washington, DC attorney who has successfully landed lucrative media deals for other political rock stars, a signal the former Republican vice presidential candidate may be interested in further expanding her media exposure in the coming months.
…
Several publishers have said Palin could fetch up to $7 million to write a book about her unlikely VP bid, and could rake in millions more as a television host after her gubernatorial term ends in 2010.
But should Palin decide on a presidential run, federal election regulations would almost certainly keep her from hosting a television show.
The Boreal Narcissus. Coming soon to a Regnery Press outlet near you!
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:09 PM
SMR (19:02:03) :
Points taken.
1. I do remember a recent Compass piece co-written by Senators French and Wielechowki pleading to then PE Obama for federal support of the AGIA project. That is what I based my statement on: http://tinyurl.com/bskucj
I believe Rep. Gara has been an outspoken proponent of AGIA as well.
I agree with you, AGIA is a pipeline to nowhere. (I live in a neighborhood full of PE’s). I question the involvement of Marty Rutherford. The whole crew just acted like a bunch of spoiled brats rather than professional and competent negotiators.
2. Yes, tough choices for the GOP next go-round. Huckabee was on Mike Porcaro tonight saying he wasn’t going to run for 2012. Of course, that may mean nothing. However, my theory is that the GOP is quite aware of Obama’s popularity and may put up a sacrificial lamb for 2012 and save their “top dog” for 2016. Palin could be that sacrificial lamb. Or she could be chosen as a running mate again. Either way, I will be campaigning heavily against her.
I think Obama’s popularity will carry him through unless he really screws up. He appears so level-headed that I doubt that will happen. It’s been a long time since I’ve liked a politician as much as I like Obama, and though I don’t agree 100% with him, that doesn’t matter at the moment. This country NEEDS him.
I don’t look at the freak-show websites promoting Palin. I would much rather have my teeth pulled out without anesthesia
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:20 PM
@ pvazwindy (20:59:09) :
I don’t believe Mrs Palin was referring to you. I believe she was referring to the people who prefer to eat rubbish and vegetate on the couch until they get heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cholesterol issues, etc. You know – the ‘average’ American. She has been getting her lessons Outside if this lifestyle and consequence doesn’t predominate in Alaska.
She did make a passing reference to “prevention” of these health issues and I thought she was going to announce a prevention/screening initiative. But – no …… Alaska is not going there.
The fact that she used Dud to introduce the subject was just pathetic, and demonstrates that it’s not something her administration cares about.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 PM
“I have confidence in Alaskans, in their judgment and groundedness. Even more so after the journey I completed on November 4th. I learned more about fighting the good fight, facing long odds, the need to protect family – my own and our Alaska family – and putting Country First even when voters put you second. Not unlike Alaska’s journey.”
Good Lord, Palin can’t even get through a state of the state speech without highlighting herself. Arrrggghh!
“Groundedness” isn’t a word. Someone obviously didn’t proofread, and I highly doubt a skilled speech writer wrote this worthless speech.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:42 PM
How did that woman ever graduate from college – she must have paid someone off. She gets a “degree” in sports journalism but can’t construct a real sentence and doesn’t know anything about the First Amendment. She has spent more time trying to model the verbal snarkiness of Reagan and the imperialism of Bush than in pursuing any real education. And please, tell me how she could have POSSIBLY passed geography?
OK, maybe she didn’t pay anyone off – she just winked and phony-giggled her way through school. Bleck!
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign (21:42:43), I was on ADN site, saw an ad:
“Sarah palins IQ = 116″
funny
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
LOL. “she’s always got a lie on her lips”— is this a new lipstick colour?
Just askin’. wink.
grewingk freakin’ awesome stories. I know SO is significant other, but FIL and MIL? WTH? Can we have more Alaska stories too? Wonderful, love reading about that.
silverfox67 Beautifully, softly stated. I believe the same thing. People are fed up and things are going to change.
tree fitz — I believe disbursements won’t be due to any connections or power or what have you, it’ll be based on needs. Like post Katrina residents too, for instance. Old is gone. Believe it. As for Dems angling SP out of the picture — you betcha, it’s all political and prudent to boot. If you were in power, wouldn’t you keep the trash outside? You don’t invite it in. It reeks. Just my opinion.
SillyWhabbit — um, your SP nick, in Britain, that’s rather vulgar, just saying. Hee. You’ve got crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl cussin’ left right and centre now./
Too funny. I’m sticking with “Grifter”.
karen marie — Well said, “republicans are giving this to murkowski to ensure that seat stays safely in republican hands.” plus the ain’t President Obama grand? Agreed.
As always, a great read and much laughter.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 PM
It’s been fun to see “new” posters! Keep it up – we ALL need to speak up whether it’s sad or funny or frustrating or insightful or brilliant…
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:35 PM
or silly… (silly is great in my book and it’s a great stress reliever!)
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 AM
@crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl (18:31:06) :
Alaska is the LARGEST state, by more than a factor of 2, just so you know. 50 years ago Alaskans ticked off Texans even more than they already were (at being pushed out of being the largest state) by telling them we could cut Alaska in two and then they’d be the third largest…
And for everyone complaining about SP being led into the House Chamber by two people, it’s tradition that anyone important (or whatever) coming to talk to the combined House and Senate is led into the Chamber by one member of each body out of respect. So knock off the snark at this one; Frank and every other Gov. got it, U.S. Senators and Rep. get it when they come to do their annual speeches to the Legislature, the Chief Justice of the AK Supreme Court gets it…
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:04 AM
Quetzalcoatl(22:33:58) : said:
SillyWhabbit — um, your SP nick, in Britain, that’s rather vulgar, just saying. Hee. You’ve got crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl cussin’ left right and centre now.
——–
Yup. Here, too. Basically the equivalent of the “c” word, only possibly more, shall we say, descriptive.
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 AM
@ mommom(20:35:03) :
grewingk–I hope some of those projects make the cut,at least the citizens of the state are forward thinking and civic minded.Its a shame that Governor Palin will probably not even submit any of those projects,but perhaps the Senator can help.
—
We have a good, close working relationship with Lisa and have face to face meetings with Mark lined up. There’s no glory in our projects for SWWNBN, so we ask for state funding but never count on getting any. Uncle Ted was our Patron Saint. We put a lot of projects on the ground and employed a lot of people with his help. (My SO and I are both unpaid volunteer board members for several non-profit NGO’s. Several boards each.)
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Re the future: I read somewhere that the Repug really did such a shoddy job with
the campaign {letting McCain have it as a sop, letting SP be chosen, etc. all the stuff
that Rove masterminded better in the past] because they [neo con puppetmasters]
knew that the country was in such a mess that no one could really fix it…
so let the Democrats be saddled with the mess, do what they could fixing
the holy disaster.
Then in 2012 the Repug part could have at it again, in their long sweep toward
fascism.
I kind of believe this, and so feel we have to thank SP for waking us the REAL
citizens of the USA to the peril that we were slipping and slidding into.
She succeeded paradoxically in saving the nation for all its citizens.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Good morning,
Thanks to all who left positive blogs on my message!!!
I don’t want to hate anyone….I really believe in live and let live.
But I need some one to talk me down…I am so angry and I have a bad heart (quintuple by- pass in2004). I guess from getting the crap scared out of me while working the Police Department.
Rush and Hannity are wishing so much ill on the Obama Administration that it is making me really….really scared.
Help me with this….if President Obama fails…don’t we as a nation….all fail?
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 AM
@ silverfox67
It’s the knowledge of the hatred and racism we face that Hannity and Limbaugh give to us. In a way, that’s a gift because it keeps it out in the open for examination. It shows us how much hard work we have yet to and it’s important to not overstep or be too confident that as a country, we are fully enlightened.
The last eight years have literally been hell – and the saddest part to me is that there is a young generation that was raised in midst of that selfish quagmire of bad politics. There are some mean little Hitler types out there, thanks to Bush and the right wing fundies – but they’ve always been there anyway – just not so out in the open. The tide is turning, and it’s important to work toward the goal that we will have eight years to raise the next generation with thoughtfulness and respect. Every day we beat the dark shadow back into its cave – don’t ever give up! YES WE CAN.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 AM
silverfox67No Gravatar (09:59:13) :
Help me with this….if President Obama fails…don’t we as a nation….all fail?
————
No, one man does not have all the solutions and if one man fails, others will step in to provide other ideas.
“Failure” is completely subjective, in any event. Depression? Another terrorist attack? Neither would be pleasant, but neither would be Obama’s failures.
I expect that a lot of the things that we would think of as successes the Rush and Hannity crowd would consider failures and vice versa. Peace in the middle east would be kind of hard on their military contractor buddies. Affordable health care would be a disaster for their HMO friends. And ethics in government? Well, let’s call that an epic fail for their ratings.
The only way that Obama’s “failures” are failures is if the nation as a whole believes it, and starts to push back massively against his plans for change. Won’t be happening.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 PM
@silverfox67,
I just got around to reading your initial post this morning (Irish time), and as I read on, my smile got broader and broader. Where have you been hiding? You must post more.
As regards Rush and Hannity, take a look at this Jon Stewart clip.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/01/fear_and_imbalanced.php
Just laugh at them like Jon Stewart does.
These guys are a sick joke. And everyone is sick of them. Don’t get too worried and stay positive.
By the way, I am fairly certain nothing like this would be allowed on Irish TV or radio….by that I mean Rush. The incitement to hatred or violence act would be called up straight away.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
I’m calming down….I like your thinking…out in the open…that’s good…I didn’t think about it that way
The problem child….
Calming down more…..thanks for the input….I am going to sit back and take it easy for a while.
I have two sons, 48 and 49. When I go to them for help of any kind….the younger son often has to tell me ‘Mom’ you need to step back and let us handle this…and when I take their advise….they get things done.
So…. I voted for this 47 year old and I have got to step back and let him and his cabinet do the job.
GOSH!!! I LOVE ANONYMOUS BLOGGERS!!!
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 PM
UHmm, you forgot to mention this one.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Irishgirl Rosebud,
Thanks for that post….it did lighten things up. I usually watch Jon Stewart every evening and they do make you think about things differently and more often than not, say the things that we were thinking.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:31 PM
Siverfox, take care. Obama will do his best.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Silverfox…my apologies.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The critters in the slough would like to invite SilverFox in for tea/coffee/fresh roadkill or whatever she prefers.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Moose Pucky
Thank you for the invite. I want to go into the slough, if you mean the chat rooms, in fact I have gotten to the door and was just to…..something……to go in. I’ll get there soon because I am thoroughly enjoying these blogs…..I just started doing this last month…..but it really feels like having this great group of people in my living room with all this great information on anything I might have a question about. Thanks again
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:54 PM
@ silverfox67
You MUST read “The Audacity of Hope” by BO if you have not already. You will find that our new smart president really IS smart and he knows politics well. It’s available in the Mudflats shop. It will make you feel a LOT better!
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Martha Unalaska Yard Sign
I am going to get that book, Thanks
January 25th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
[...] The Mudflats » Lisa – The New Ted. [...]
January 25th, 2009 at 1:38 PM
I have a question for the Educators out there in the ANONYMOUS BLOG ZONE….
But I must preface my question with this info.
I watched Gov. Palins’ SOS speech (simply because I feel it is very important to keep up with potential national political candidates)
She seemed to be saying some important things, but I could not tell when one thought ended and another one began.
So my question to you Educators is this: is there a place in the brain where punctuations live, like periods and commas. And is there a lesson for children on this subject to teach them to pause at a comma and stop at a period?
Because the Gov plows through commas and periods like a DRUNK THROUGH A STOP SIGN. I need to know this information.