Palin Hands Alaska to the Dems?
19 07 2009Is it true? She said she was doing the best thing for Alaska when she quit, and by gum, she just might be right!
The soon-to-be official resignation of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) could hand Democrats a legitimate pickup opportunity, according to a recent poll in the Last Frontier obtained by the Fix. The survey, which was conducted by Global Strategy Group, showed Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell (R) at 41 percent to former state Sen. Ethan Berkowitz’s (D) 40 percent — a statistical dead heat. Democrats held the Alaska governorship from 1994 until 2002 as Gov. Tony Knowles (D) benefited from a fractured Republican party and serious independent candidates. As for those who argued that Palin decided to leave office for fear she would lose in 2010, this poll, which was in the field from June 14-18 suggests otherwise. Palin led Berkowitz 56 percent to 36 percent in a hypothetical general election matchup and carried a solid 56 percent/35 percent favorable to unfavorable score.
So, what we’ve got here is a statistical dead heat between the guy that Sarah Palin is leaving at the helm, and a progressive Democrat who hasn’t even said they are running yet. Interesting.
This invites further speculation as to why Palin decided to step down. It’s obviously not because she feared losing, yet. And it’s obviously not because she knew that the state was “safe Republican.” And if she had access to these numbers, she decided to throw in the towel knowing that our governorship could easily “go blue,” which obviously didn’t factor in to the equation.
So, here we sit, anxiously awaiting the numbers post-bombshell to see how Alaskans are feeling now that we’ve been tossed aside like a prom dress.
2010 is looking more interesting all the time…
July 20th, 2009 at 1:58 AM
PLEASE keep comments on topic. There is an open thread that is still active for off-topic comments. Thanks.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:30 AM
I can’t imagine that the Republicans are too happy with that scenario. She threw them under the bus as well and appears to have left an awful mess behind her.
July 20th, 2009 at 2:39 AM
AKraven Says:
July 19th, 2009 at 3:35 PM
It’s been obvious all along- she quit because she was tired of the job and just didn’t want to do it anymore. It was all about her- no other consideration at all. She tried to spin it in many other ways- but the number and insincerity of her excuses showed how it was all about her.
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that is how i see it, it just wasn’t fun anymore and the $$$ is calling
July 20th, 2009 at 2:54 AM
Sarah Palin, deep down inside, is just Anna Nicole Smith.
July 20th, 2009 at 3:54 AM
Gene Carr @98 wrote
“Whichever way you look at it, candidates in 2010 cannot ignore these numbers. My guess is that they, Democratic and Republican will be vieing to claim the Palin legacy.”
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While there are some who may want to claim the Palin “legacy,” I would think they more than likely just want the votes. IMHO, Dems wouldn’t much even try to attract these voters because the rabid Palin base really pays attention to the letter after the name. Devil- bad. Devil (R)- OK. Her teabag base listens for hot button words, which is their right, but Ds don’t venture far into using them to attract votes for fear of losing the majority.
I like that AKM is shooting for a bluish shade of purple. We need lots of views and ideas. I have never voted all D, nor all R. The more local the election, the redder I get due to where I live and the choices available. It depends on the individual candidate. And that leads me back to Palin. If she were a man, she wouldn’t attract the attention she does and her inconsistencies and silliness would be called out even by the base. The IDEA of a beautiful, strong, carhart wearing mother of 5ish taking on big guvment is compelling. It is what Palin represents to voters. Her reality is what was divisive. Parnell, if he does exactly what Palin did in office, will be a “finished out the term only” governor.
It does seem to me though that there are some good candidates lining up, and if nothing else, more people are aware of the issues. Trying to attach their names to the “Palin Legacy” is not something that would help them attract new voters. I would think Palin would be more the elephant in the room.
July 20th, 2009 at 5:45 AM
I suspect that whoever wins the election next year will realize that their administration will be under a lot more scrutiny that the first year of Palin’s. Our wonderful bloggers (yayyy!!!) have aimed a very bright spotlight on Alaskan politics that won’t go away any time soon. Lies will be exposed and promises had better be kept because people WILL be watching. Whether the state stays red, turns blue or becomes a lovely shade of purple, REAL accountability is a powerful thing and all to the benefit of Alaskans!
July 20th, 2009 at 6:11 AM
leenie17 Says: July 20th, 2009 at 5:45 AM
I suspect that whoever wins the election next year will realize that their administration will be under a lot more scrutiny that the first year of Palin’s
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Very true, leenie. But, I think the scrutiny extends well outside AK now. I couldn’t count how many times AKM or one of the others exposed something, and mudpuppies from all states checked up on how their own states were doing in that area. I think we all learned a great deal and will be armed with even better questions for those who ask for our votes. Not only that, we won’t stop watching!
July 20th, 2009 at 6:41 AM
On SP’s recent tweets, “No time to waste; teach US youth to avoid idleness; they can lead new American Industrial Revolution with/WORK and embrace “Buy American” mission.
Just wondering if U.S. youth are really that idle. The party animals, yes, over-indulged youth, maybe. And, in some cases, latchkey kids with one parent who have no role models, (where in some of these cases, they need more than cheap talk about “pull yourself up by your bootstrap”. But, most have a good work ethic. And, what is the new American Industrial Revolution?
Am scratching my head.
Next SP tweet, that perplexes me: “Time does fly! Work hard so you can genuinely enjoy every recreation minute! Avoid time spent tearing down, whining, complaining; WORK AND ENJOY
Kettle calling pot black feels the need to tell people to work hard? Look around, everyone is working pretty darned hard. Many don’t earn over $100,000/year, and don’t complain, whine that their boss doesn’t like them. They have no options, no book deals, no second income potential. Maybe they don’t have extended family support. Enjoy every recreation minute? Funny how a representative of a diverse State loves to preach on how to invest one’s time. Some don’t have planes, second homes, summer retreats, land, lakeside property. Statistics this year show many are staying home due to the economy, and why do they need to hear Gov. Sarah Palin recommend time off? Sounds like the new cheerleader for “summer fun”. Don’t know if she’s aware that her suggestions for “fun” at this time can be hurtful to many in different salary brackets.
I know a lot of folks who have to “sell” their annual vacation days because they desperately need the money
As an outsider, I feel Alaskans’ pain when I read these tweets.
July 20th, 2009 at 6:56 AM
History Goddess #104 “I like that AKM is shooting for a bluish shade of purple. We need lots of views and ideas. I have never voted all D, nor all R.”
I agree!! Neither party should expect to get everyone’s vote. In a perfect world, there would be progressives, moderates, conservatives, whatever, in each party, with folks voting on the person that fills the needs of that moment. Doesn’t seem to work that way, though, does it?
July 20th, 2009 at 7:03 AM
RE: 107 Rebekka
She sounds like big brother and the socialist slogans from 1984 by Orwell.
July 20th, 2009 at 7:05 AM
Sorry, I meant to post #107 on the open thread. Poopsydoodle!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:01 AM
HistoryGoddess Says:
But, I think the scrutiny extends well outside AK now. I couldn’t count how many times AKM or one of the others exposed something, and mudpuppies from all states checked up on how their own states were doing in that area.
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So true. Amazing how a few bloggers from one of the most geographically remote states can have such an impact on national issues. Yayyyy, Alaskan bloggers!!!!
July 20th, 2009 at 10:30 AM
103 Elrond Hubbard Says: July 20th, 2009 at 2:54 AM
Sarah Palin, deep down inside, is just Anna Nicole Smith.
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Hey now… anna nicole was just a drug addict. No need to insult her in that fashion.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Odd that Sarah would suggest that teen-agers work hard to help out our economy — or themselves — or what?
In light of the fact that 2 of her teens were so idle, one had to commit vandalism on public property and be shunted off to the Army, and one had to lie down with her boyfriend without protection, ensuring that she, at least for the next 18 yrs, would be working hard.
It appears that Bristol and Willow have begged off being present at Sarah’s latest public speaking forays, maybe they have seen the light . Alas, Sarah refuses to see the light.
Quite a sales pitch though, “watch for my flying fingers when I will no longer be hampered by State rules for twittering and I can really be politically incorrect, boy oh boy will I dish the dirt, don’t wait, sign up now. Look Dick look, look Jane look.”
One can only expect a great big thud, as nothing she has said she’ll do, has she done, why would this be any different?
July 20th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
pvazwindy thanks for an intersting link. This line just jumped out at me:
“But after hackers broke into her personal Yahoo email account, the lieutenant governor said his daily communications came to a halt as the governor had to cancel the account.”
How is the Lt Gov just admits that he and Palin were in violation of state laws requiring all state business to be conducted on state accounts and nothing happens? I just don’t get the blantant violation of Alaskan law and the failure of anyone do to anything about it. Sounds like from the article he will be Palin 2.0, now with twice the experince and intelligence but none of the charisma.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:18 PM
teutonic13, I too checked out your blog I have two daughters and although grown now I still have their finger prints that the sheriff department took in case something would happen to either of them,disappear etc Very moving article
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:24 PM
I don’t think I have ever voted a straight ticket just can’t do it .If I don’t think someone will do the job or and sometimes it comes down to I just do not like their attitude or the way the put things forth,say, makes me think they are not telling the truth or putting people on I will not vote for them. I think the idea of purple is just fine if you get good people in office