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| Home Front: Politix |
| Alaska Governor Latest Incumbent Ousted |
| 2006-08-24 |
| ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The defeat of Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski in Alaska's GOP primary may have resulted from missteps throughout his first term - but vulnerable incumbents should take heed, political observers said Wednesday. Murkowski was trounced in his own party's primary Tuesday, finishing last in the three-way race. Sarah Palin, a former Wasilla mayor, won with more than 50 percent of the vote and will face former Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles in November. Murkowski took just 19 percent of the vote, which is ``literally almost unprecedented for someone who is not indicted,'' said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. Popular opinion turned on Murkowski after missteps that constantly thrust him into battle with his political opponents and his own Republican-led Legislature, including: appointing his daughter to his U.S. Senate seat, unpopular budget cuts his first year and a highly publicized fight to buy a state jet. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 As an Alaskan and a conservative...Frank should have never left Washington. He was an arrogant, self-centered, egotistical (but at least marginally effective) jerk. However, nobody knew wat a jerk he was because he was never "home" to piss people off. He did a lot of heavy lifting, and damage control from (D) Tony Knowles's 8 years as governor. However, he never figured out until it was too late that you can't constantly demonstrate what an arrogant, self-centered, egotistical jerk you are and be an effective governor. It's too bad because Sarah Palin has no real experience...which will open the door for another 4 years of Phony Tony. |
| Posted by: anymouse 2006-08-24 20:30 |
| #1 good riddance. |
| Posted by: Flavitle Omart7450 2006-08-24 00:51 |