An Open Letter to Mudflats from Bob Poe
An open letter to The Mudflats community—AKA Mudpuppies
My name is Bob Poe and as many of you know I am running for Governor of Alaska—a state I have a deep love for. I have devoted 28 years of my personal and professional life to its success–I want to do even more now when we need it most.
And I am hoping you will help me in creating a future for Alaska we can all be proud of…a future that is inclusive, full of opportunity and open to change. Over the last several months since I announced my candidacy I have been traveling the state—to many regions I have worked with previously and to many I haven’t–sharing my vision but also listening to Alaskans. I have to say not only have the road miles taught me a lot but I have learned quite a bit from “web miles”—through forums like The Mudflats.
Like many of you, I recognized immediately after last November’s election that Sarah Palin had been blinded by the spotlight of national attention and was indeed going to pursue a campaign for President. The wisdom of this strategy will be for you and millions of other voters in our country to decide in 2012, but the immediate impact for Alaska is that we need a leader now who is Governor in more than name only.
Over the last several months I have had the opportunity to get to know many of you through this outstanding forum, The Mudflats. We shared views on the cynical way in which Sarah Palin responded to residents of Emmonak, Nunam Iqua and other Western Alaska villages as they were forced to choose this winter between feeding their families and keeping them warm. When AK Muckraker was outed we vented our strong feelings about the inappropriate actions an Alaska legislator took upon himself. And yes, I have occasionally muttered the “N”arcissistic word about GINO’s rejection of federal stimulus funds.
I know I can win this race for Governor of Alaska but only with your help. So I am writing today to ask for your financial support. Alaska has some excellent, but tough, campaign laws. One of those restricts campaigns to raising money no earlier than 18 months from the general election so our fundraising did not begin until after May 2nd. I have been personally financing things since beginning my campaign in January. While I am happy to commit personal funds to such an important cause for Alaska’s future, in order to succeed I now need to ask for your financial help. We have the website infrastructure in place to begin accepting contributions on line at http://bobpoe.com.
You and I both know there are a lot more challenges to come as my campaign proceeds.
That’s why I need your financial support now to really kick the campaign into high gear. An outstanding Democrat and extremely knowledgeable political manager, Kay Brown, joined me as campaign manager this month. We are now moving into the next, more accelerated, phase of the campaign, and that takes money. I hope you will do me the great honor of becoming an early contributor to my campaign to get Alaska back on track to a bright future for us, our kids and grandkids.
With sincerest thanks,
Bob Poe
Candidate for Alaska Governor
Bob Poe For Alaska
www.bobpoe.com
info@bobpoe.com
www.facebook.com/bobpoe
The ONE question I want an honest answer to is “Will you be putting an immediate halt to the barbaric aerial killing of predators and the gassing of the dens of wolves and bears?” If not, I will not give one red cent.
‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated’ ~ Gandhi
Well Hello Bob !!
Wish I lived there so I could vote for you. But we got work to do down here. Perry.
BTW – Can us out of state ‘pups send money ??
As you are aware , mudpuppies get it done !!
I have alot more questions for you and I will do a little more research but so far, I like what I’ve read and seen.
Hi Bob! Will you twitter and tweet? Will you live in Juneau in the Governor’s Mansion? Will you charge the State for your kid’s travel? Thanks in advance for your answers, and please know that I am a FAN – I appreciate your intelligence and your attention to Native issues.
@Lori: Great questions! Left an answer for you on last thread.
@Austintx: Left you an answer on last thread. Dont want to get in trouble for being OT. LOL!!
To: austintex
Sure, you can donate to anyone anywhere. Bob’s site donate button currently links to PayPal.
To: Bob
You might consider also setting up an account on ActBlue. Currently the only Poe on that site is for a former TX candidate.
Dear Mr. Poe, I have read your qualifications, and you do appear to be a good candidate, both in broad experience and in temperament. If I still lived in Alaska I would vote for you. Best wishes on your campaign. Alaska needs a good governor.
dear mr. poe, a.k.m. seems to think well of you. may people from out of state be allowed to contribute? on the other hand ,we mudpups are already getting word that the native people in your state are looking at another winter of extreme hardship. lots of mudpups sacrificed their own funds and time to help last year. i will looking to see what you do before i make a decision about sending money to you or them. i can’t do both..sincerely …b
Hi Bob,
I believe I read a post which included a video that listed all your credentials and accomplishments. I was VERY impressed with your talent and was grateful folks like you even consider public service. It’s a big commitment which MOST people take seriously. (*I’m lookin’ at you Sarah!!*) LOL
I do support progressive candidates whenever I can. Though I’m not from Alaska, I’ve been exposed to Alaskan politics because of Mudflats. IMO, the state needs better governance.
If AKM and Shannyn support you, that’s good enough for me. Thanks for taking the time to post here and good luck in the election.
CoyoteMarti @ post #6 is right. Get going on ActBlue and post a diary on DailyKos with a link. Think BIG. Good luck.
Mr. Poe, I would like to join in the question about predator control and also ask how you feel about the proposed Pebble Mine.
Bob knows AKM has developed a community of decency and respect. His ability to appreciate her and moreover her respect him enough to offer an opportunity to introduce himself…I am intrigued.
BTW, I can still vote in Alaska.
Bob, I’m looking forward to your campaign. I second the suggestion that you set up an Act Blue account. One of the many unexpected benefits of this last national election cycle was being able, through Act Blue, to support progressive candidates all over the United States.
I was very happy to financially supportIng good candidates in other states and I look forward to supporting your campaign in (my former home of) Alaska. I learned, again, this year that we are all in this together, and that I AM affected by the actions of elected officials in other states. It is in all of our best interests to get the very best people serving in every state.
The second suggestion I have is that you also introduce yourself to the community and Daily Kos and report on the status of your campaign there. That community, like Mudflats, is amazingly supportive of progressive candidates and Kossacks really appreciate candidate’s reports.
Dear Mr. Poe,
As an Alaskan, who did not vote for Palin, I am impressed with your credentials.
I will say my attitude is helped some by the reference you made in the above letter of the governor as GINO, that helps you get my vote. It is not about the snark as much as it is about your understanding of our feelings here.
As I write this post I am at comment 12 and my fellow mudpuppies have asked some very good questions that I would also like the answers to. I would also like to here your opinion about the ethics process in the state of Alaska, and what you feel the solution is. I feel that citizen watchdogs are very important and their complaints need to taken seriously. I also feel that our last 2 governors have behaved very badly indeed.
You have an up hill battle before you on your quest for an office that has gotten a very bad reputation over the last several years. We need a manager an executive not a celebrity as Chief executive of this state. One of the problems in rural Alaska is power and fuel costs along with infrastructure and jobs. I would very much like to hear your recommended solutions to these problems. I tend to support the Party financially over the candidate until I see what the playing field is going to be. though this year it is different and we need to start now repairing the damage from the last 6 years.
Just wondering before I head over to paypal. . . will Brian be invited to your Gubernatorial Inauguration & will the AK bloggers receive press passes from the Governor’s office?
I’ve lived in Alaska since 1975, and have been registered “undeclared” … From what I glean about our past Governors, is, the Good Ones, have a record of being involved with the community before they sought office. And after office, they continue to do so. That, to me, defines their commitment, integrity and real heart. Sometimes, they may not be on the exact same page on an issue, but that’s okay, if they work with the legislators who we vote in. We can’t have every single thing perfect. Remember what President Obama said, about the work that one does in the shadows? PO was a community organizer and low paid civil rights attorney before elected office. Okay – lets get back to Palin- remember her? – What was she before becoming mayor of a small town? A beauty queen? Did she ever serve on a non-profit board, or help a charitable organization besides the hockey team? We can see where her true heart lies-now, too late. In my opinion, with knowing what I know about Bob Poe, is, he is the closest thing we have to Jay Hammond. A real people’s governor. Berkowitz seems all right, but he is a somewhat recent transplant from CA, and doesn’t have the real pulse on Native issues, rural development, oil, fishing, mining, and overall big picture… I think.
Former Governors Knowles, Hickel and Hammond stayed involved in our community after their terms, the rest of them went to Palm Springs or Vegas. Where’s Murkowski? Where is former mayor Mystrom? Wuerch? Before Begich became mayor he was an active board member on several boards including Assets, and the Youth in Court (forget exactly what it is called). I think we need to be sizing up our candidates by “their works” in the “shadows” when no one is watching — I know you mudpuppies do, but in case anyone else is reading this….
So, a small donation to Bob Poe right now, just might be good therapy for me! To get rid of some of the bad SP taste.
I’m GOP and like what I see. Can ‘outsiders’ donate?
Mr. Poe, I have the impression that you are more of a business liberal than a progressive liberal.
Where do you stand on social issues?
How about fiscally? Are you willing to spend $ on ensuring equality of opportunity for all Alaskans, whether they choose to remain close to their land and heritage or not? Or is your priority ensuring that small business and big business will flourish, trusting that things will trickle down?
Recognizing that AK rural issues, including subsistence & commercial harvesting, energy availability & efficiency, transportation, health care, education, and disaster planning are bound up in complex regulatory and legal issues at local, state and federal levels, what will you do to help simplify the situation and improve coordination of services and opportunities to the remote parts of the state?
Bob, I am another mudpup who can’t literally vote but can “vote”, so to speak, with Paypal.
So I will send my Paypal vote and watch to see how you answer the questions already posted.
I know you will listen to the Akaskans here. They are smart and can help tremendously. Good luck!
1 AlaskaDisasta Says:
July 12th, 2009 at 3:54 PM
The ONE question I want an honest answer to is “Will you be putting an immediate halt to the barbaric aerial killing of predators and the gassing of the dens of wolves and bears?” If not, I will not give one red cent.
———————-
Thank you for bringing to the front this important issue, and one that is very dear to me. Please consider becoming a member of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance if you’re not already.
And Mr. Poe, could you please outline where you stand on this and other critical environmental issues, such as global warming, Pebble Mine, drilling in the Arctic Refuge, protection of polar bears and beluga whales from extinction, and keeping our salmon streams polution free?
Mr Poe, Where do you stand on Equality for every Alaskan?
IMO the legislature needs to get the Palin panel out of the way and go the way of most states and elect an AG and let them handle complaints so they can not just be swept under the rug,
Mr. Poe:
I would also like to encourage you to address some of the issues that are currently being masqueraded around up there for photo ops. ie, the Assembly issue and the Ordinance. You mention the word “inclusive”. As a gay person, I take that to mean me. Others in another “minority” might take that to mean them. It doesn’t matter to me personally, as I can’t vote nor will I ever live in Alaska, but it will affect my brethren.
I’d also like to know where you stand on the issue of Separation of Church and State. Clearly, there is a blurring of the line in Alaska, as we have seen through the stories here on the flats as well as other progressive blog sites. The extreme Right seems to have pushed a religious agenda on Alaska’s decision-making in several arenas.
And one last thing: What would you do with the Personnel Board? It appears they have outlasted their usefulness there. I dare say that they have acted unethically themselves.
I, too, have listened to what Shannyn and AKM have said about you. Your resume is impressive and I wish you the very best of luck and good fortune in becoming the next leader of the great state of Alaska.
And PS: I stand together with other Mudpuppies in solidarity against the further slaughter of innocent wild animals. This includes not only those things mentioned above, but the inaction regarding climate changes that affect the sea-dwellers’ well-being and the potential losses to wildlife as a response to mining and oil drilling.
thank you for being here.
I do not live in Alaska so obviously I am not an active participant in this election and as such, my question shouldn’t be asked by me. But I would like someone to ask it.
Mr. Poe. You came to the Democratic Party somewhat recently. I’d like you to explain in detail why. Because it looked easier to run against Palin and win as a Democrat? Or was there something that changed your mind about being in the Republican Party and a change in beliefs that drew you to the Democratic Party.
You need not limit yourself to 500 words.
Mr. Poe, I have been impressed with your willingness to get out and meet the people and listen to their concerns.
As other out-of-Alaska folks have already said, I can’t literally vote for you but I can (in some small way) help financially.
I echo everyone else’s concerns, but my major concern is the dire straits of the rural villages (the restrictions on subsistance salmon fishing I find particularly galling), especially since I live in a remote area of Appalachia and experience the same “invisibility” when it comes to government.
I just read Margaret & Helen’s commentary on SP’s resignation. They are so good at what they do. Take a look. (Also one on MJ)
oops, sorry, OT, I thought I was on the new thread.
Mr. Poe: I am a resident of New Jersey and have developed a great respect for those residing in your state since Ms. Palin was announced as the VP choice, and I found The Mudflats. Although New Jersey has an interesting political climate and has for some years, the concerns of the people of Alaska have become concerns of mine. I hope that you will address the many questions posed here by my compatriot Mudflatters, who are very dear to me.
I applaud your candidacy and look forward to being able to support you.
Thank you for posting here.
Mr Poe – What is your position on Pebble Mine?
Please go beyond the usual ‘they have a right to go through the process before we make up our minds’ argument.
Tell us your heart. It will decide my vote.
Perhaps Mr. Poe can put some of his ideas/positions on his website. Background info is good, info about policy positions is better.
I’m also very interested in Mr. Poe’s positions on both the predator eradication programs and the Pebble Mine.
Seconding the above- positions on issues would be a great addition to Mr. Poe’s website.
First, thank you to all the folks who have taken the time to contribute to my campaign, I personally appreciate it more than I will be able to convey here. Let me try to answer the many questions that have been put to me in this string of comments.
As a candidate for the Democratic Party’s Nominee for Governor I offer…
Competent, experienced, ethical and principled leadership
o A proven ability to build a sustainable, healthy economy
o An appeal to swing voters
o And an appeal to Alaska Native voters
o But most importantly, I strongly hold Democratic Values
• If you elect me as Governor I will …
o Work hard for Alaskans and Alaska and will never forget who I serve – I have no political ambitions beyond serving as Alaska’s Governor.
o Be cognizant that Alaska is a lot bigger place than Southcentral Alaska. I will keep Rural, Interior, Southwest, and Southeastern Alaska in mind as I make decisions for Alaskans.
o Assure we maximize the value of Alaska resources and minimize environmental impacts. Development can only be successful here if it is done in ways acceptable to most Alaskans.
o And when dealing with any industry in Alaska, whether oil and gas, mining, tourism, fishing, etc., I will be working solely for the long term benefit of Alaskans and Alaska.
• I know how companies think,
• I speak their language,
• I understand they are only Alaska’s friends as long as it suits their business objectives.
• I will only be their friends so long as it suits Alaska’s interests.
o Create long term sustainable jobs – I’ve done it in the past, like FedEx and UPS – I know how to do it again.
o Create sustainable, diversified, economic growth – slow and steady growth has always been the best for Alaska’s development.
o Assure we have a well educated work force
• By helping more Alaskans graduate from high school
• By assuring we have well targeted vocational education
• By supporting in-state apprenticeship programs, and
• By enabling Alaskans who desire it, to attend University
o I will solve the Medicare problems depriving our Seniors access to primary care services and forcing them to leave Alaska.
o Develop a newly diversified base of safe, affordable, and renewable energy resources for Alaska. Not only will we produce low cost energy, but we will produce some of our country’s best experts in energy technology.
o And I will build upon the work that’s come before me to get natural gas resources to Alaskans and new revenues to state coffers.
• I am proud to be a Democrat
o I grew up as a Democrat in St. Louis
o I contribute to Democratic candidates
o I vote for Democrats
o I’ve served 3 Democratic Alaska Governors
o MOST IMPORTANTLY – I SHARE DEMOCRATIC VALUES
• I support reproductive freedom for women of all ages
• I oppose erosion of our right to privacy – especially here in Alaska where our constitution guarantees it.
• I support equal rights to all people – period.
• I support the right of same sex couples to marry.
• I believe we are our brother and sister’s keeper and support the social services that enable us to live up to this responsibility
• And I believe capital punishment lowers us to the level of the criminals we would punish. I don’t believe in it, neither do Alaskans.
• I believe Alaskans can have it all – a vibrant economy while retaining Alaska’s incredible natural beauty and wild vitality.
o Moving to Alaska was the most important thing I have done in my life – being Governor of this great state will be the next most important thing I do.
o Like most Alaskans – I have spent a good amount of my time here in the wilderness – I don’t want to screw it up.
o I believe it will take a Democratic Governor to work between conservation groups and industry to develop our long term, sustainable, economy, and to do it right.
o I am a pro-business, pro-development, pro-environment, Democrat – and I don’t think that’s an oxymoron.
I (we) will not embarrass you
I (we) will make you proud
I respectfully seek your support for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2010
Mr Poe, I am not Alaskan, but would love to contribute what I can.
You’re from St Louis?? I am originally from southern Illinois, small towns just across the river from St Louis!
Small world!
Sorry, my computer has a crack in its case that sometimes causes my touch pad to do things before I intend them. The above long post was a short speech I made to the Democratic Central Committee which I thought would give folks a better understanding of where I stood on issues. Unfortunately it went out before I edited it to better respond to your questions.
First, I believe in the separation of church and state.
I do oppose aerial killing of wolves and other predators, but also support active management of our wildlife populations. For those out of state, please remember many Alaskans get a big portion of their food from the land.
With respect to Pebble, I oppose the plans for a 900 ft. tailings dam above the richest fishery in the world. I do support their right to due process in submitting a plan of mining and the right to pursue the required permits. Since I ran a large portion of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, I know the people who will be reviewing those permits and have faith in their ability to take the right actions.
52% of Alaskans are registered as non-partisans. Up until last year only 16% were registered as Democrats in Alaska. I registered as a Democratic candidate because I’m a Democrat. If the Democratic Party is going to put a Governor in Juneau, they are going to have to embrace candidates who appeal to a majority of Alaskans, I think I am that candidate.
In regards to community service, I’ve served on many non-profit boards in Alaska, am a founding member of the Urban League in Alaska, was a founder of the Village Institute at Sheldon Jackson College and have been a vocal and visible supporter of rural Alaska and Alaska Native issues. Before the challenges faced by Emmonak and Nunam Iqua, I was active in the support of Hooper Bay after a fire burned a large portion of the village.
My plans after serving as Governor will be to teach at the University of Alaska.
Finally,
Yes, folks from out of state can contribute up to a total of $20,000, maximum of $500 per person per year.
Thanks to all of you for your interest in my campaign.
Bob Poe
For those out of state, please remember many Alaskans get a big portion of their food from the land.
______________
Not just in Alaska. Please remember that there are many northern countries that also get a large portion of their food from the land, yet do not stoop to the barbarous and cruel usage of planes to chase down and shoot animals who also are just trying to live off the land. Man cannot be the only predator on this planet unless it his aim to destroy all that is natural.
Mr. Poe,
I’m not being snarky, but Eagle has been needing gravel for quite some time now. FEMA has approved the funds to the homeowners for their losses, but Alaska state government is apparently dragging heels for the very necessary gravel which, is as I understand it, the state’s responsibility.
I find it unbelievable that the current administration has been so lethargic. It’s just gravel!
Will you commit to being more hands-on and heads-up when disaster strikes?
thank you AlaskaDisasta, most excellent point!
I’m in Kentucky and a LARGE part of my family’s food comes from the land…
right now we are at the beginning of a two-month harvesting of fruit and veg.
We also fill our freezers with whitetail deer for winter. And we raise goats and chickens and cattle, but not so much relying on those as we do the deer.
and every time we harvest a deer, we apologize and thank the deer.
Bob,
AKM obviously thinks highly of you or she would not have agreed to allow your appeal to be posted here. I will review your written position statements on important issues and seriously consider a contribution — once I have done a proper review and comparison to others who have indicated interest in the office of State Governor of Alaska.
BigSlick
Mr. Poe,
Thank You for a very timely response, for that and your positions, and well because you used GINO in your first address to us mudpups, I have made my first donation to your campaign as Governor of Alaska.
I’m thinking about Alaskans and know that the 2nd amendment is important to them (GINO being on the radio show in Fairbanks). Do you think it would be important to address it?? I think that is why most up there lean red, just because of that. Am I wrong?
A finer blog “conversation” is rare, but then it’s the Mudfats. Thanks all for expressing your concerns that speak the Liberal Progressive language, a concern for the environment, the people, and wildlife. These things are not necessarily separate.
Perhaps there is hope for Alaska. I too have developed a great interest in the ability of Mudflatters and others to help where the need arises.
To paraphrase “That One”, sounds like Mr. Poe is “Fired up and ready to go!”
Thank you Justafarmer for your comments. All living things are totally and undeniably connected through the life and abundance of Mother Earth.
A couple of follow up responses. Yes, lot’s of folks earn their sustenance from the land, in Alaska most of that comes from fish and wildlife. Generally Alaska works to manage in favor of wildlife abundance which I support, but there have to be better ways to reasonably reduce predation than shooting wolves from planes and helicopters. I don’t support that approach.
If the challenges in Emmonak or Eagle happened while I was Governor, I would have been there as fast as humanly possible to learn first hand what the state could do to help the people affected. I’ve been to Eagle, I have not yet had a chance to visit Emmonak.
Regarding the Personnel Board and the ethics complaints. No Governor previous to Sarah Palin had anything near this level of ethics complaints. The best way to avoid ethics complaints is to behave ethically. The Personnel Board needs to be more independent from the Governor. Honestly I’m not yet sure what the best approach should be, but the current process clearly failed and we need to develop a more valid process.
Regarding an elected Attorney General, prior to Greg Renkes (Murkowski) and Talis Colberg (Palin) Alaska has had a stellar record of Attorneys General. An elected AG causes as many problems as it solves. The best way to assure good AG appointments is to elect good Governors and make sure the Legislature does its job in vetting them.
For comparison on ability to fundraise.
SarahPAC= maybe 1 million.
Barack Obama:
Individual contributions $656,357,572 88%
PAC contributions $1,830 0%
Candidate self-financing $0 0%
Federal Funds $0 0%
Other $88,626,223 12%
Gee whiz – Sorry, I meant to post that on the other blog!!
Thank You Mr. Poe your communication with us is very reassuring.
I agree with your assessment of the personnel board.
Hi, I´m just lurking, but want to express how impressed I am by this conversation. Thankyou
Mr. Poe, Thank you for posting here, also for responding to questions. The people in Alaska need a Governor like you.
The other night I dared to tune in to the Eddie Burke show (eek!) and would like to compliment you for managing to get some of your message out there. I think it was important that you tried to reach out to all people. Good job!
I agree about ActBlue. I donated to candidates from OK to Montana and I live in NYC.
Governors may not be as crucial to me as senators or reps, but people will support good candidates from other states.
If the challenges in Emmonak or Eagle happened while I was Governor, I would have been there as fast as humanly possible to learn first hand what the state could do to help the people affected.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have this and next fishing season before the 2010 election. Many of us here are concerned about preparations for the coming winter.
Could you please update us at anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com as to what measures have been or are being taken by government agencies to avoid a repeat of last winter’s crisis in rural Alaska?
Maybe make a couple of phone calls for us? We don’t seem to be getting much response.
Thank you,
Jane
Anonymous Bloggers
Mr Poe…
Thanks so much for posting responses to not only Alaskans but to those of us who don’t live in Alaska and can’t vote in the elections.
I’m so impressed by what you have written so far. Alaskans would be lucky to have a gov who really cares about the state.
I’m an avid reader of ADN and I’m shocked at the violent crime rates there. I read article after article detailing some really awful acts against citizens. I’d like to know how you plan to address these types of problems.
Thanks…I’m on my way now to make a contribution…
Mr. Poe, having been to Alaska four years ago, I fell in love with it. I hope that you win the Gubernatorial election because you seems to be on top of all the issues there.
I just read where oil and gas drilling may start in Bristol Bay. That’s alarming because of all the wildlife that that will threaten. I hope that you will oppose that.
I live in Colorado with a Democratic Governor who I feel is doing a great job, and I think you would do the same in AK. Good luck!
By the way, we stopped in Eagle and what a unique small village.
Iknowbobpoe. I don’t see a better candidate. We will have to wait and see how the process develops but…no body has a better shot at the job than B-O-B.
Don’t screw it up Bob:) we need ya!
Mr. Poe:
When Hollis French announced he was running for governor, my first thought was, ” AH HA ! So THIS is why he did not censure, much less ask for impeachment proceedings against Palin after the legislative investigation found her guilty re: Troopergate. He was protecting his own best interest rather than the interest of the state of Alaska.
Apparently I am not the only one to thing so. Her is a short excerpt from an article by Don Mitchell, attorney for Andee McLeod:
“”Last March I had a conversation about that with Alaska State Senator Hollis French, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. At the conclusion of that conversation Hollis begrudgingly admitted that the Alaska Senate had a constitutional duty to investigate whether Sarah should be impeached. But neither he nor any other member of the Alaska Senate has taken any action in that regard. In March when he and I chatted, it was well-known in Alaska political circles that Hollis, a Democrat, intends to run for Governor in 2010. And it was assumed that the job he wants would be open because Sarah would not seek a second term. So Hollis had – and today continues to have – no reason to provoke the ire of the thousands of Palinistas who will be voting for someone other than Sarah for Governor next year.
Whether allowing personal political ambition to trump constitutional duty explains Senator French’s refusal to urge the Alaska Senate to initiate an impeachment investigation only Hollis knows. But I can guarantee that if Sarah had decided to stay for her full term the perjury issue would have circled back on her…”
Mr. Poe, would you put the state’s interest above your own political ambition?
I am not asking what you would have done had you been in Mr. French’s position because you were not and not all the facts are know to you–or to Alaska voters either for that matter.
But, the legislators gave NO logical rational explanation for their non-action and I believe that showed a disrespect for the people of Alaska and I feel personally offended by their nonaction and their lack of explanation.
I want to know how you feel about the legislator’s lack of action in addressing their own guilty verdict and their lack of explanation.
Thank you.
Mr. Poe, thank you for your comments on what you would like to accomplish as Governor and what your vision is for Alaskas future. I have lived here almost 50 years and have seen many politicians come and go..some good, not so good and recently.. some really, really bad.
A lot of what you want to accomplish is going to require a co-operative Legislature. You have your vision and they have theirs. How do you propose to merge the two, especially if the two are far apart…say a Republican legislature with a Democrat Governor?
All of us here have just gone through a” train wreck” of epic proportions and the after effects are going to be felt for a long time to come. Hopefully after the 26th of this month a period of healing will begin, but with the incoming Governor already stating that he will follow the policies of soon outgoing one, I have serious concerns. But this is just my opinion.
I am not a Republican nor a Democrat..I prefer to think for myself rather than blindly follow a party line. I wish you the best and we will have to see what the future has in store for this Great State that I proudly call home.
Thank you Mr. Poe. I do feel like I know Bob Poe a bit better after this conversation and I like what I am hearing.
Very much appreciate your comments, Mr. Poe. I’m not only impressed with your credentials and experience but also your intelligent vision for Alaska.
Mr. Poe, I like your response, but I still didn’t get a direct answer on Pebble Mine. This is an important issue to me, and I would appreciate your thoughts.
Bob Poe makes Tony Knowles look like a liberal. I like Tony, and think Bob would be better than any of the republicans rumored to be lining up.
I have had the chance to meet Mr. Poe and have conversations with him on some issues and each time I was left feeling more uneasy about his running, and I will definitely be supporting someone else in the primary.