The Mudflats

Tiptoeing Through the Muck of Alaskan Politics

Senator Begich on Rachel Maddow Last Night. Anchorage Press Conference Today.

Senator Begich is in Anchorage, and just finished up a press conference. He’s not happy with the governor’s rejection of stimulus money and reminds us that other Republican Governors, like Arnold Schwartzenneger of California will gladly take stimulus money rejected by other states. We deserve the money allocated to us. We don’t need to give up money to California.

He also addresses the group of “moderate Democrats” of which he is a member. (See clip below)

If you’ve got 10 minutes to spare, check out this segment of The Rachel Maddow Show, where Rachel talks to Senator Mark Begich (d) of Alaska. Begich has signed on to the Evan Bayh-led group of “moderate Democrats” who progressives worry will stall the progress promised by a new Obama administration. Begich tries to put our minds at ease about the intentions of the moderate Dems, and the independence of the individual members.

The segment includes a fascinating analysis of the “old way” a bill became a law, and how the Republicans have abused the filibuster, and substantively changed that process, and the way our democracy works.

And for fans of Schoolhouse Rock, the “Bill” makes an appearance. Here’s the full clip Maddow talks about.

35 to “Senator Begich on Rachel Maddow Last Night. Anchorage Press Conference Today.”


  1. 1
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Did any one besides me kinda see a “chemistry” of sorts between the 2 ??

  2. 2
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    AKM – tricky !!

  3. 3
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    s-s-sh-h-h-h………let’s see how long this takes……….

  4. 4
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    well I guess I’ll talk to myself………

  5. 5
    MonaLisa (call me Kelly) in CTNo Gravatar says:

    I’ll talk to you, Austin!

  6. 6
    MonaLisa (call me Kelly) in CTNo Gravatar says:

    (I love the School House Rock series, btw! Thanks AKM! I still know all the lyrics!)

  7. 7

    Well howdy, sneaky new thread.

  8. 8
    MNo Gravatar says:

    Does anyone else still get that excited tingly feeling every time they see “D-Alaska”? I love it!

  9. 9
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Well -well………..glad to see you guys !! I left to get my camping gear………didn’t know how long it would take !!

  10. 10

    We can listen to the crickets, and do the dishes at the same time! Seriously, just did a sinkful between my last and this one.

  11. 11
    Dr.TruthNo Gravatar says:

    How do you think I feel ?? Look at my 1st post time. I’ve taken out the trash , took my son to SXSW , loaded the dishwasher.

  12. 12
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    oops – blew my cover !!

  13. 13
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    AKM – while everyone is snoozing……..can we fix that ??

  14. 14

    It’s okay Dr. austin, no one is looking anyway. ;)

  15. 15
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    I know……I’m back from helping tuck Irishgirl in.

  16. 16
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    BTW – did you see Begich on with Rachel ?? If so , I thought they had a mini love fest of respect and understanding of each other……..”chemistry” if you will………

  17. 17

    Nope, no cable (and if I had it, no MSNBC on Canadian cable). I always have to wait for the web edition. Which should be up by now.

  18. 18
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Well that sucks about no MSNBC on Canadian cable…………a friend just moved back from Maryland and the cable co. wanted to charge him for MSNBC . Gave him CNBC (big deal) but wanted to charge for MSNBC. So he did what you do………

  19. 19

    Watched RM and KO. Did some laundry. Agreed, RM can flirt with the best of them. So can MB. Cute. He will be back for more.

  20. 20
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Did a load of clothes , unloaded dishwasher , watched KO and RM talk about the “list”………..

  21. 21

    I gave them a hint. Should I give them a shove?

  22. 22
    sauerkrautNo Gravatar says:

    I watched it last night. He does seem so much brighter than any of the Palin/Heath adults.

    Well, I think Chuck, The Dud, Sarah, et als. are adults.

  23. 23
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Oh – I’m sorry……..took a little power nap……..sure , after all , the more the merrier !!

  24. 24
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Wonder if Begich will get on this list ?? Don Young is on it.

    http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=13149

  25. 25

    Checked out other AK blogs, brushed the senior cat, hung laundry. DH is away tonight, obviously, or I wouldn’t be such a domestic goddess…Well, it’s getting close to cat-filled bedtime. Dr. austin, want to tuck me & cats in, too?

  26. 26
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Yeah – The party that wasn’t………my cat is acting crazy……..a racoon has come creeping around and cat “thinks” he is gonna go kick some ass……..NOT. Well…….I guess this is your official tuck-in. We’ll rejoin the stragglers later.

  27. 27
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    the problem child – morning……..you up ?? our own private sanctum here……..too funny !!

  28. 29
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    morning sunshine !!……..cats ok ??

  29. 30
    KenNo Gravatar says:

    Sorry I’m late with this, I’ve been distracted. We’ve had several consecutive days of sunshine in western NY; not accustomed to it this time of year, threw me off schedule.

    Yeah, I watched Begich on RM show, and frankly I wasn’t impressed with him. He starts out on the defensive with his “short-straw” comments. Acting like a kid who knew he was going to get taken to task for getting “caught”. Which brings me to this Conservadem group. If Begich is trying to reassure us of his “independence” and not bloc voting, then why did he sign-up with this group? Something doesn’t quite strike me right about this guy. At one level, since he doesn’t directly represent my interests as a Seneator from NY state, I’m indefferent to this guy; but as an American, and Begich is a member of the ‘upper house’ in Congress, which impacts everyone, I’m a bit concerned about him.

  30. 31
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    Dear – we have a guest……..

  31. 32
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    the problem child – well – I’ve heard of not checking in…….but this………thank the stars I’ve only had to entertain one guest earlier………

  32. 33
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    AKM – this one went right by everyone………..too funny !!

  33. 34
    austintxNo Gravatar says:

    d
    r
    o
    p
    p
    i
    n
    g
    away………………

  34. 35

    Hi, I’m back! I see you cleaned up after the party. Didn’t you see — oh — I posted it elsewhere — I was going to be away all weekend. See you upthread.