Lisa Murkowski the Libertarian?
by PubliusEarlier this week, Big Government reported that the Alaska Libertarian Party, after initial opposition, was open to reversing itself and welcoming Lisa Murkowski has their candidate this November. Now, Alaska Dispatch reports:
A new poll has U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski beating Joe Miller by six percent if she runs on the Libertarian ticket. The bigger news? The Alaska Libertarian Party isn’t as opposed to the idea as it sounded a few days ago. The party’s candidate for senator, David Haase, said he would support Murkowski if she agreed to certain Libertarian principals.
“If Lisa Murkowski will take up the banner of the people’s bailout, then she’ll have my support,” said Haase, 68. “But with sincerity and for real,” he added, chuckling. “I’m not going to buy a pig in a poke here.”
For Murkowski to run on the Libertarian ticket, Haase would have to step down and the party’s executive board would have to approve Murkowski. According to the party’s chairman, they are willing to sit down and listen to Murkowski.
“We are open to a sit-down chat with Lisa, anytime,” said Scott Kohlhaas, the party’s chairman and a candidate for House District 20 in Anchorage. Kohlhaas didn’t rule out the possibility of Murkowski running on the Libertarian’s ticket, but he did offer two reservations.
First, it is Haase’s decision on whether he wants to step down, he said, and second, the party’s executive board would have to decide whether they even wanted to give Murkowski the ticket.
The poll that shows Murkowski winning a three-way race between herself, Miller, and Democrat Scott McAdams was paid for by Andrew Halcro and four other Republicans. It cost $5,400 and was conducted by Dittman Research and Communication.
In a hypothetical three-way race, Dittman’s poll gives Murkowski 37 percent, Miller 31 percent and McAdams 19 percent, with 13 percent undecided. The poll questioned only 383 people and Halcro is an outspoken Murkowski supporter, so critics looking to dismiss the poll have plenty of ammunition. But it does add fuel to that burning question: Is Murkowski really done?
Read the whole thing here. Principles.
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108 Comments
She is no way even remotely a Libertarian. She is a big government republican lining her pockets all the way. If Libertarians fall for her schtick, then they will be set back generations. Don't be stupid guys! The poll listed is pretty vague. That is a pretty big percentage of undecideds.
It's a perfect fit.
The Libertarian Party is a Party without principles….. Lisa Murkowski is a Politican without principles.
Now the Libertarians are dishonest…..what the hell is the world coming to. Murkowski is just as Libertarian as…as….No Bama is a Constitutionalist.
Who is she kidding? She's just a political-class elitist looking to sustain the corruption of absolute power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Doesn't it, Lisa?
Murkowski is a joke. She believes we don't care how much money the feds spend, or what it is spent on, as long as it is spent "wisely". Absolutely clueless.
Only new blood, Constitutionalists, with no Quid Pro Quo history, need apply!
I have become less and less trusting of Libertarians. I'm not seeing anything good that they offer. I watch a lot of Austrian economics vids on you tube and they tend to be snotty, whiny and hedonistic. I wholly approve of "Austrian Economics" as economic policy but the personnel leave much to be desired.
if these libs cut a good candidate for political coin – they deserve the death of a 1000 paper cuts.
It's remarkable the twists, turns and bends Professional Politicians do and make in order to stay in power and in the game. The TAKE must be Tremendous.
What's so hard to understand when the voters tell you to get lost?
The Libertarians are more stupid than I thought. Whether she runs as a Libertarian or not, she is still the same freakin' person. She may say she accepts their terms with words but in her "heart" she will still be the RINO she is now. She will never change. Their first clue should be her willingness to go against the person that beat her fair a square in the primary. "I didn't win so I'm just going to change my party and try again." (sarc)
Another Charlie Crist. Narcissist.
Remarkable indeed, these career politicians have to go, the further the better. Lets send them all packing to China….thats where they had our jobs sent.
Just what we need is another rino in the senate. Hope the good folk in Alaska realize that. She will side with the progressive dims in the senate effectively giving them control. Alaska doesn't need a continuation of a dynasty. They need someone who will fight for Alaska not bow to the will of spin city east and BO.
A party that is willing to take someone solely because they might win is a party with NO VALUES! A person who is willing to change parties for a better chance of winning is a person with NO VALUES! And both should be put out of business!
Fire Sale! Principles up for auction to the highest bidder! Just give me the paper, I'll sign anything, say anything, do anything, just to be your Senator! Please, I want it so bad…..
Signed, Lisa Murkowski
PS – You know that dang seat is mine – daddy said so!
She's a rino.
Perhaps she had an epiphany? I think this is just a matter of Libertarians basking in their newfound political relevance. Most tea party candidates and those running as constitutionalists or “true conservatives” are more or less, libertarians. I think what we’re seeing is a battle for the ideological soul of the Republican Party – in the end we may see a powerful libertarian wing of the RNC & the Libertarian Party may become redundant ( already has?). If this happens, we’re going to see a lot of arguing about economic & philosophical ideas – a good thing for a healthy republic.
Now she'll be a "LINO."
You can almost hear her fingernails scraping the asphalt as they drag her off to the ash heap of history. Get a life – get a real job for Chrissakes!
A political party who sells out meets a politician who's for sale. Perfect. So much for ethics or core values.
If she is "without princiles" then we should soon hear her announce:
I'M RUNNING ON THE DEMOCRAT TICKET!
This is precisely why I have never voted Loosertarian. They are a joke party looking for attention.
Just another "notch" in the belt of proof that the elitist believe they should stay in power in perpetuity.
This crap would not be happening if the 17th amendment were to be repealed; thereby giving the state legislatures more control making these turds more responsive to the states as the Constitution was designed.
For now, they believe their own lies and MUST be replaced starting this November!
In all my years I have only used this phrase one other time, when Hillary Clinton moved to New York because there was a senate seat there she thought she could win:
If Lisa steals the Libertarian Party nomination, she is a Political Whore.
If the Libertarian Party gives her that nomination just because they think she can win, even though she has absolutely NO Libertarian principles, then the Libertarian Party has become the Political Whore Party.
Libertarian! any port in a storm? get a clue, the leaders are dillustional, the rank and file are not lemmings.
If the Libertarian party sells out to Lisa Murkowski and allows her to run under that ticket, kiss that third rate party into extinction. It just shows us all it's not about righteous beliefs. It's about money and power. Murkowski is a McCain RINO—doesn't resemble a Libertarian on her best day. What a loser party if they move forward with this.
Indeed. She realized that she may have to get a real job.
Agreed.
Watch yourself Stan, Libertarians have thin skin.
That is the reason the hildabeast went to NY. She was more or less promised the win. Thanks for reminding me.
Problem: Hell has no fury like a woman scorned.
Solution: Music has charms to soothe the savage beast.
This is all well and good, but they still don't get it.
Cut Spending, Lower Taxes, ya damn fools. That has to be done FIRST.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/04/gop-vo...
Hey Alaskans …You are more deserving of Miller vs. Progressive Markowski and I know you are smarter than buying the PR, Lies & BS of her even remotely being a Libertarian …Alaska …do what is right: vote for Miller.
As an aside …do you Alaskans think she'll return to Alaska if she loses? NOPE …she'll stay in DC as a lobbyist and maybe vacation in Alaska on occasion.
I trust the people of Alaska to see through this crap and elect a good senator. In the meantime, it will be instructive to observe the mischief Lisa brings.
I also agree with Stan. And it just goes to show me that I am correct in my thinking that they are not taken seriously in the political spectrum because of things like this.
If they do endorse her (and Miller loses) I do not want to hear one single Libertarian on here talk to me about principles, honor, or small government. Their words will fall upon deaf ears at that point.
How much are the Democrats willing to put up to support her?
"I didn't win so I'm just going to change my party and try again."
Like our own turncoat here in Florida, charlie crist.
God, I hate these Washington jerks, just go away Murkowski, you’re done!
Stupid is as stupid does = David Haase and his party. Hey Murkowski, talk to Arlen Specter and get a few pointers.
IMO this is dirty underhanded Republican RINO politics. Oh, Murkowski may very well run as a Libertarian,
but with which party will she caucus?
Is Senator Cornyn playing dirty underhanded RINO political games in direct opposition to the WILL of the
citizens of Alaska? As head of the Republican Senatorial Reelection Comm, did Cornyn dispatch a legal
team to aid Ms Murkowski? I also heard a rumor that he quickly pulled this team back, fearing a backlash.
Perhaps we of the BIG's could send Senator Cornyn R (rino) TX a message from
CONSERVATIVES & TEA PARTY PATRIOTS. Rather than Don't Mess With Texas…..Sen Cornyn
DON'T MESS WITH THE TEA PARTY CANDIDATES IN AK or any other state primary for that matter.
Please e-mail Cornyns office at your convenience and notify him that we will not abide this Repb
Party meddling in primary elections….MAY THE BEST CANDIDATE WIN…
.
If she had any honor or decency in her at all, she would come out and publicly dismiss any and all chances of her running as a Libertarian. She lost the primary. She should now help to elect Miller against McAdams. Otherwise, she is no better than Arlen Specter. If, by some chance, she does accept the Libertarian offer, Alaska, you have got to do clearly demonstrate you stand behind Miller and send him to D.C.
Don't get fooled again, Alaska! Murkycowski is a LINO the same as she is a RINO. Tell her to go home! sit down! shut up! and reflect on the error of her ways!
Murkowski is the kind of Republican that would result in lots of socialist Democrats being elected. After all, if you are going to vote for a corrupt, big government statist then go with the real thing–vote Democrat.
Agreed! Put the Republicans and Democrats out of business! Put the two party "monopoly" out of business.
Honor? Lisa Murkowski?
WOW, RINOs will do anything to retain their seat in the politburo.
It's a shame that the LP of Alaska might even consider such a thing. Murkowski is not even remotely a Libertarian. She is a socialist in Republican's clothing. Of course, based on the laws and budgets passed by Republicans, that would probably describe the party at large. They just give us "hope and change" a little more slowly than the Democrats.
Of course, if the voting public at large were not so lazy and uninformed, the LP probably would not even be tempted. I'm sure some of them are just desperately thinking that the name will bring them some exposure and recognition that they don't seem to be able to get on their own. And, with voters being the lemmings that they are, it might work to a degree. Informed voters might be distrustful of the move and react negatively, but informed voters do not affect elections. There are not enough of them to matter. That's why money wins elections. Organizations win elections. There are exceptions to every rule, but money and organization is the rule.
Until the LP finally accepts that and finds the money, and builds the local organizations like the republicans and democrats, these potential publicity stunts will be all the LP has. Hoping that most voters will suddenly care and pay attention is a fool's hope. About 40% of all voters simply check whoever has a (D) or (R) next to their name. About another 40% simply vote for whatever name they last heard or saw on a sign. The other 20% waffle back and forth between parties based on whatever they "think" an informed opinion may be. And in the most egregious example of voting by lemmings, blacks regularly vote democrat 85 to 95% of the time.
Principles have absolutely nothing to do with politics and elections, and it's the public's fault. That's election reality. That's the reality that the LP refuses to accept and deal with. The reality that drives the machines of the Republicans and Democrats. They know it and use it. The Democrats usually being better at it. Face it, based on the self reported leanings of Americans at large , in poll after poll, the Democrat party would not have parity with Republicans unless they were better at it. By and large, we get the politicians we deserve.
They're supposed to be an option to the other parties. This just makes them the same as the current GOP establishment which stands for absolutely nothing.
No thanks.
Here we go again…it's CHarlie Crist all over………………….
This will harm the Libertarians much more than it will every help them. I hope they understand it. Many Americans still believe in integrity and it sways their vote. If they allow Murkowski to run as their candidate it shows the worse of politics–that people and power are bought by money and special interest groups.
Alaska Libertarians–don't do this!
As an independent with libertarian leanings, I find the thought of Murkowski running under the Libertarian Party label a very relevant thing. That's why, when I left the GOP, I swore never to join another political party ever again.
I am a citizen that has participated in Tea Party activities, but I have completely sworn off aligning myself with any political party.
We need small government citizen legislators who will stay a short time and willingly and happily hand the gavel off to the next citizen legislator. It's time for the era of the career politician to end and the era of the citizen legislator to begin.
Lisa Murkowski is a Rino, the Libertarian party will lose all credibilty if she runs under there ticket, Libertarian party wanting to run a Liberial, whats the world coming to?
If she's serious, we do have an opening here in New Mexico for a librarian. Hours are flexible, but the pay may not be what a US senator is used to. Only qualifications are a will to excel and an innate ability to walk and chew tobacco at the same time. If I was Ms. Murkowski, with a face that could stop a train, I would consider seriously any offer up to and including speech consultant to Jan Brewer.
Libertarian? More like Reptilian.
Normally, I don't have a problem with Libertarians. I do like both Raul and Ron Paul. However, if the Libertarians sell out to Murkowski and let her run under their name, they will more than likely lose my support.
If the Libertarians run RINO Murkowski as their candidate, they will be confirming that they are indeed the party of Losertarians.
I, like you, do not align with any political party. I have participated in tea party events, and was there last week in Washington DC.
I am a conservative, with libertarian leanings as well. I do not agree with all that they stand for but they are close. That is why I will be disappointed if they do endorse her.
Again it would just confirm why I do not identify myself as a Libertarian.
I agree with you 100%.
I already do not identify myself as a libertarian because of some of their positions. But if they do support Murkowski, I will never take them serious again.
I don't get these people. We speak and kick them to the curb and then they use back doors and end arounds to get back in.
I'm surprised she did not already.
I've often described myself as a Libertarian, but never really had much enthusiasm for the Party. The fact that they are even considering the possibility of this dreadful woman running on their ticket is about the last straw for me….even if they end up by turning her down. I've begun to just call myself a Constitutionalist (which – according to the US DoJ – makes me an extremist) and I think that will be it from here on.
hey hag…..go away…..you vote like a dem be one….
Not all libertarians, just the ones sucking up to her.
She doesn't need a job, both daddy and her have had their pockets filled with public dollars.
If they accept her, then they arent libertarians anymore, and should be laughed out of the national party. I think they are just playing politics, as they all do, and will reject her after they have gotten a few headlines. Markowski is just doing what a politician is going to do.
More like being the con artist.
Even as a libertarian, to make herself more appealing, the libertarians will need to take a belt sander to her face and smooth it out quite a bit. Seriously, I think when the time comes Sarah Palin will come to the rescue and tell the truth about what an unprincipled bitch she really is.
The principled Alaskan Libertarian Party are whores.
I can't think of a bigger whore to represent you in Alaska.
Sadly seems true, especially in the light of Joe Miller being easily more libertarian than she is, no other reason for the party to want her over the Republican candidate.
Restore Honor, glad I only have myself to work on because DC is way beyond help.
Is there no end to the hypocrisy of our politicians? Give the seat to the democrats you fools.
"then they will be set back generations."
Set back? It's kind of hard to be set back from nothing, nada, zip. Libertarians haven't made a dent in national politics. The last election in which Murkowski won had them polling below the Greens and Alaskan Independence Party.
na, she'll always be a DINO.
Usually, we just call those folks politicians.
Like Charlie Crist here in Florida, they think the Republican electorate is just in a bad mood and that we will get over it. Not going to happen. That is the kind of thinking that put Obama in the people's house. Never again.
I know….I cant wait to hear what Neal Boortz says about this.
They have made headway in the intellectual debate. Despite being despised by some conservatives in the same way Sarah Palin is by liberals, Ron Paul did a lot to get out the message of freedom and individual liberty during his presidential campaign. I would not be interested in politics at all were it not for his message.
However, if they go with this Murkoswki lady then they will lose the respect gained by purporting to be the "ideologically pure" party, above getting into "dirty politics".
I really think that the Republican party needs to have its members sign a contract that, in exchange for party support, they will give up all campaign cash and reimburse those amounts spent for the prior year should they decide to leave the party after a defeat. Since this type of offal has no sense of honor or integrity, hit them in the wallet.
Lisa, you are an honorable woman.
Your dad was an honorable man.
Don't attach vindictive to the Murkowski name.
Show them that you are a lady.
My dad told me that, "Knowing when to quit was the difference between a fighter and a fool."
A party without principles?
Bury this piece of garbage in the Alaskan Tundra, she's just the type of politician that has to go. If she is lucky someone will find her in 5,000 years.
I bet if you ask her, she will tell you she is one of the socialist elite and Obama promised her a place with him. Scum bag!
For how many pieces of silver will Haase sell out for? 30 comes to mind.
Like the classic horror movie, the supernatural villain rears it's head and screeches one last time. GAG ME.
I have just sent the following email to Scott Kohlhaas, the party’s chairman:
Hello: I have been a Libertarian and party member for many years. With respect to Lisa Murkowsi, have you completely lost your mind? This woman is no Libertarian and you, me and anyone with a smidgen of political sense knows this simple fact. Your inane banter about being open to Murkowski cheapens the Party and makes us no better than the Democratic or Republican Party. I strongly urge you to discover some principles and rethink your unscrupulous comment about being open to her running on the Libertarian ticket. This person is a "big government" Republican – leopards don't change their spots!
Sincerely, Marc
Once bitten twice shy. Libertarian party, please stand down on this one.
Unassailably concise and accurate… Well stated…
And they will name her RINO Alaskanous.
I want to add my congratulations to the great people of Alaska. They recognized this woman for the weather vane that she is and voted in sufficient numbers for Miller to prevail. Now that she has lost, the thin veneer of principles has been stripped off and the real person is showing through. Not so attractive now, is she?
Be very skeptical of that "poll". Very skeptical. Murkowski has a handful of well heeled backers who have a huge stake.in protecting the status qou. I suspect that Andy Halcrow is the driver behind the rebranding of the Murkowski dynasty. PJ O'Rourke was right when he desciibed congress as a "Parliment of Whores".
The Elected Elites will never go quietly as they are "Entitled" to their positions of power. They vote for Big Government to rob certain citizens to give to other "entitled" citizens to build their support based on Entitlement. These people live off of the work of others, they are vile creatures and should be defeated and shunned from public life.
"The democracy will cease to exist
when you take away from those
who are willing to work and give to those who would not. "
Thomas Jefferson
Goodbye! Kiss your candidacy goodbye!
As much as I like Big Government, this is one time they really need to step back a it.
For one thing they are building this whole story off of quoting a blog that is not all that significant. Also the poll cited in the blog entry is from a polling outfit which has had numerous problems in the past with hilariously inaccurate polls (they are like PPP in that they have the in state demographics badly wrong and overstate Anchorage in the results – both errors common to the polls that did not see the primary race getting tight).
What? When did daddy buy the libertarian party for her?
savage breast.
If you're going to throw out stupid quotes, at least get them right.
Obviously she's not. So why even say it?
"Publius" has a problem with Libertarians. So "he" looks for any reason to bash them. I don't know why he's got such an issue, as Libertarians are in many ways the new Conservatives, but what can you expect from a "guy" who doesn't dare use his own name?
And who has every post mentioning this deleted.
How about the part "Publius" didn't print–or comment on?
The poll that shows Murkowski winning a three-way race between herself, Miller, and Democrat Scott McAdams was paid for by Andrew Halcro and four other Republicans. It cost $5,400 and was conducted by Dittman Research and Communication.
In a hypothetical three-way race, Dittman's poll gives Murkowski 37 percent, Miller 31 percent and McAdams 19 percent, with 13 percent undecided. The poll questioned only 383 people and Halcro is an outspoken Murkowski supporter, so critics looking to dismiss the poll have plenty of ammunition. But it does add fuel to that burning question: Is Murkowski really done?
"I'd love to see her run, and I'd love to see the Libertarian Party give her that chance," said Halcro, who also said he didn't speak with Murkowski or her staff about the poll. "I'm sure the Libertarian Party is going to reconsider once they see these poll numbers."
So it's Halcro, who's in love with her, running out and commissioning a poll to show that she might get more numbers (although the analysis is a little fishy) so someone should put her on a ballot. In other words, using polls to make news.
And the Libertarian candidate says, while laughing, that he'll meet with her and step down as long as she agrees, for real, to Libertarian principals. He's laughing because he knows she doesn't.
I don't know what "Publius'" issue with Libertarians is, but it's tiresome and it's causing a lack of accuracy in his reporting.
How do you figure?
Read the actual blog post and then tell me–how do you figure it?
Actually his analysis is more than a little fishy. It makes all the same demographic errors that the pre primary polls that had Murkowski up by 30 or more were making. Juneau and Anchorage are overrepresented and Kenai, Fairbanks and Mat-Su are grossly underrepresented.
Alaska is a weird state for polling because it is so geographically large but not densely populated. The people are not clumped in traditional urban style nor evenly spread over the state. What this means is that polls that do not carefully break the state down by its "sub regions" wind up being useless. Even Rasmussen has missed this factor, although at least they have more honesty than other outfits and maybe will adjust their polling to account for this.
Well if this does happen, it will just expose the Alaskan's testicular fortitude. I am not for murky-murk but am not an Alaskan. I trust she will become just another skid-mark in the political arena.
Libertarians are that bad in Alaska that they would select a NON Libertarian just to WIN? How typical political of them to IMITATE those who they oppose.
Specter set the path, Christ followed and now this _itch. These people cannot just go off to another career; they want the power without regard to the party they supposedly represented..Miller is an American success story, starting with graduation from West Point. And he is a true Conservative. More of the Libertarian views will be favored by Miller in the Senate than the democrat who will win if she changes party affiliation. IE: Ross Perot
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