Alaskan Rumblings: Murkowski Implies She’s Not Sticking With Republicans If Re-Elected

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by Steve Krakauer | 9:43 am, November 1st, 2010

» 20 comments

The Alaska Senate race remains one of the most interesting – not just because there are three candidates, but because all three candidates actually have a shot of winning.

While Joe Miller was dealing with the lamestream media over the weekend, it was his opponent Lisa Murkowski involved in some campaign storylines.

It started yesterday morning, as ABC’s Jonathan Karl reported GOP leaders were thinking Murkowski could be their best shot to win: “A high-level GOP source tells me that party leaders have essentially given up on Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller and are now banking on a victory by write-in candidate Lisa Murkowski as the best bet for Republicans to keep the Alaska Senate seat.”

This was disputed shortly after.

But in an interview with CNN’s Drew Griffin, Murkowski implied she may not be voting with the GOP even if she is re-elected. “My gut tells me we are winning this campaign,” she told Griffin, continuing:

I will be going back in a different capacity. I’m not my party’s nominee right now. In a way, that’s really very liberating – to know that I’m going back, truly representing all of Alaska’s interests, not necessarily just my party.

When asked directly if she’d have to be ‘wooed back’ by the GOP, she said, “Let’s just say, I know very well who will have returned me to Washington, D.C.”

This exchange was immediately picked up by Dana Bash of CNN, who tweeted, “Woah. Lisa murkowski just made really clear to our drew griffin in alaska republicans can’t count on her to be w them.” Then, it got the rare media-related re-tweet from Sarah Palin.

This race could be one that the media is still talking about well after Tuesday night – because it could be days before it’s over. If “write-in candidate” wins, but the second place candidate is close, the write-in votes will have to be scrutinized and, in some cases, discarded. Meanwhile Democrat Scott McAdams will be a guest On The Record with Greta Van Susteren tonight.

Check out the CNN Murkowski interview:

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Alaska, Dana Bash, Drew Griffin, Joe Miller, Lisa Murkowski, Sarah Palin

The Real Royal King

No, she will caucus with the Republicans. This is just another ding at the Drop Out Governor. Frankly, this cat fight is getting very old. The Drop Out Governor has shown her usual lack of discipline, good sense and manners.
NORBIT

FREE JOE MILLER!

11-02-10

FREE JOE MILLER!
The Real Royal King

NORBIT said:
FREE JOE MILLER!

11-02-10

FREE JOE MILLER!

You might want to write out the date as many of us who served in the military and/or lived in Europe read 11-02-10 as 11 February 2010, which doesn’t make much sense in the context of your utterance.
Seeing November From My Window

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Lisa!
Big Eddie

” Elect Murky – The New Arlen Specter ! ” .
Big Eddie

Next time Murky can run on THE IGLOO RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH PARTY ticket .
Moderate

“Meanwhile Democrat Scott McAdams will be a guest On The Record with Greta Van Susteren tonight.”

Who is Scott McAdams.
NORBIT

The Real Royal King said:
You might want to write out the date as many of us who served in the military and/or lived in Europe read 11-02-10 as 11 February 2010, which doesn’t make much sense in the context of your utterance.

Have you had your coffee yet, King? We’re not In Country.
—————————————————————————–
But on a happier note = 11-03-10!

Has CBS decided which GOP candidate they’ll be Sandbagging today?
————————————————————————————————-
AND
THEN
THERE
WAS
ONE…

11-02-10
Harry Flashman

Oops.

She apparently forgets that the people voting for her are Republican. If they wanted to vote for a Democrat they would do so. Those who were holding their noses and voting for her because of some distaste toward Palin and/or the Tea Party listen to the news, too. Open mouth, insert foot.

Say good night, Gracie.
tgk

Maybe, just maybe THIS is exactly why she lost the REPUBLICAN primary! She is pretty transparent.
Arkansas Steve

I always suspected Murkowski’s intentions.
She is America’s classic “spoiled rotten, I’m entitled, it’s about me, little brat” !!
The_Reasonable_Lib

Seeing November From My Window said:
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Lisa!

Somebody’s a little angry, eh, Michelle?
Bill Mahwer

Why would Republicans vote for her after this RINO or not.

Judging by this she will join the Democrats if she is elected.

Voter Beware!!!
Seeing November From My Window

Not at all, merely bidding her a very fond Adeu!
Seeing November From My Window

Ps, Unreasonable Lib,
No matter how many times you call me angry, it won’t make it true. You projection is getting a little tired.
TeaPartyPatriot

murCOWski, crist, specter, castle…rino traitors that are the slime-beneath-the-slime, the lowest-of-the-low, the crud-at-the-bottom-of-the-barrel.
Seeing November From My Window

You forgot McCain and Gramnesty.
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Mangan/100000213524770 David Mangan

I want to see Joe Miller trash this entitlement cow who reneged on her pledge after losing the primary and has the ultra-left blockheads like Ben Smith saying she’s the favorite of old-time GOP RINOS. Her daddy appointed her Senator while Sarah was still in the Wasilla PTA and if anyone deserves a break, it’s the people who work for a living, not media skanks like Lisa M-whatever.
Orion Antares

I’ve actually asked this question of her when she announced her write-in campaign. She said she’s a Republican and when she returns to the Senate she will remain a Republican.

Seems like the only way she’d drop from the Repub caucus would be if they don’t allow her to caucus with them, in which case she’d need to caucus with the Dems to have committee appointments since you need to go with one of the two for appointments. I can’t really see the Republicans forcing her out unless they take an overwhelming majority in the Senate. If she makes it back in we’ll have to see if she truly will push back on the party line rather then falling back into lockstep.
alamo2

NORBIT said:
Have you had your coffee yet, King? We’re not In Country.

You know, “in country” has a special meaning for some of us. It is not something to be laughed at. No disrespect to you, I just wanted to say that.