The Mudflats

Tiptoeing Through the Muck of Alaskan Politics

Archive for the ‘Democrats’

estermap

Racism Exposed by Redistricting Board

By Elstun Lauesen One of the terms we often hear lately is “agenda.” This politician has an “agenda” or that group has an “agenda.” Mostly we mere mortals are left to speculate what an “agenda” might be among the players in the rarified climes of politics. Thanks to the just concluded trial over the lines [...]
garystevens

Gary Stevens and the Red Badge of Courage v. Captain Zero and Big Oil

~Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) Yesterday, Senate President Gary Stevens (R) spoke to Commonwealth North at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage about a variety of issues facing the Legislature in its upcoming Session, including HB 110 (also known as Governor Captain Zero’s oil tax plan). Below, you will find a copy of his prepared [...]
constitutiongavel

Begich and Murkowski – Alaska’s Constitution-Optional Senators

Let’s play a little game. Imagine this scenario, and then tell me in what country this story takes place. You wake up and go to work. Maria, in the next cubicle over, isn’t there. And she isn’t there the next day. You and your coworkers come to find out that military officers knocked on her [...]
akdemauction

Open Thread – Auction Time!

Here are a few of the items that will be up for bid!  It should be a great time! * Halibut Cove Weekend. Two nights for up to 4 guests at Peter Mjos’ beachfront rustic cabin at Halibut Cove, across Kachemak Bay from Homer. Enjoy a unique and fun-filled excursion hosted by Peter and Karen. [...]
deadduck

Rep. Kawasaki Introduces Safe Ducky Bill!

Kudos, and a rousing “Ho ho ho!” to Rep. Scott Kawasaki from Fairbanks! He has introduced legislation aimed at protecting children’s health from unnecessary and dangerous chemicals in everyday consumer and child products. The bill would require Alaska to adopt and publish a watch list of priority chemicals of high concern, and would also requires [...]
gravelrock

We Won! Alaska Takes Two of the Top Ten Most Bizarre Political Ads (video)

Are we really surprised that Alaska is overrepresented in anything having to do with bizarre politics? No, we are not. Inspired by the very strange Herman Cain ad, in which his campaign manager, as a finale, takes a nice deep drag off a half-smoked cigarette, followed by a cutaway to an extreme closeup of Herman [...]

Working Hard Representing… Who?

‘Tis the season for political fundraisers. Invitations come via email, and Facebook, and robocall, and some still even come the old fashioned way and arrive in the mailbox. Each invitation tries to sound a little exciting, a little different, a little “stand out from the crowd.” Well, this is one that definitely stood out. We’ve [...]
thanksgiving

Diebold Voting Machines Can Be Hacked for $10, and How This Could Save Your Thanksgiving.

I roll over lazily, stretch, yawn, and open one eye… I do a combined gasp/shriek, recoil a little, and bury my face in the pillow. Yes, my strange bedfellow is still here. I thought he left after the 2010 election, but apparently not. Given that you all know how I feel about former U.S. Senate [...]
palinsep

Baldwin and Warren – Ready to Reframe What it Means to Be a Woman in Politics

I don’t think there’s a progressive woman out there who hasn’t at one time found it more than a little frustrating that the women in politics who seem to get all the press, and who seem to represent the gender in general are… how shall I put this kindly … nuts. Not to name names, [...]
dfa

Open Thread – Basic Training

This weekend, anyone who’s anyone in progressive politics is going to have noses to the grindstone, shoulders to the wheel, boots on the ground, hands in the air, and brains focused on the Democracy for America Campaign Academy. We’ll be learning all kinds of fun things you need to know to win campaigns, and make [...]
mudboots

Are You Ready for Campaign Boot Camp?

Raise your hand if you are frustrated at the current political climate in Alaska. Raise your hand if you are ready to stop wringing your hands and are ready to do something about it. OK, everybody better have raised their hands that last time. And this is a very good thing, because your opportunity to [...]
Total Recall in Wisconsin - Photo Credit - T. Evers.

Wisconsin Total Recall: Democrats 6. Republicans 0.

Democrats made a clean sweep against the fake democrats fielded by the Republican Party of Wisconsin in order to force primaries and grant the republican incumbents an extra month to campaign…and grant them the  opportunity to receive plenty of money via independent expenditures from the likes of Americans for Prosperity and other corporate-backed special interests. [...]
greenlantern

Alan Grayson and the Purple People

By: Zach Roberts/Russell Burlingame I’m finally getting to look over the footage I shot while at Netroots Nation, and I came across this gem from the always quotable former Florida Congressman Alan Grayson. He uses the the release of The Green Lantern movie as a way to talk about what the Democratic Party does for [...]
lucyfootball

How the Alaska House Gave Away State Sovereignty to the Federal Government

By Rep. Les Gara I’m not a big fan of failure, and not a big fan of spending money on wasted Special Sessions. I’ve now voted three times, including yesterday, to pass the Coastal Zone Management bill that passed the Bi-Partisan Senate Monday, but surprisingly failed by three votes in the House yesterday. Failure to [...]
empirestate

Pride Weekend – Joy and Sadness

  ~The Empire State Building in rainbow colors last night to celebrate marriage equality   I, like many Americans, sat last night riveted, watching the New York State Senate debate and vote on a bill for Marriage Equality. I watched while Senator Ruben Diaz monopolized the floor talking about how his rights were being violated [...]