The Murkowski Upheaval

The hyper-connected world is doing wonders for the American people. What happens in Alaskan politics—as recently as 15 years ago—just wouldn’t be on the radar screen for most Americans. They wouldn’t care, because they wouldn’t know. Even if what was happening was a massively important ‘teachable moment’ for Americans as to what is wrong with their government, the message might never be received.

Not anymore.

Lisa Murkowski—an incumbent Alaskan Republican Senator (by reason of appointment by her father) who was defeated in the Republican primary by Joe Miller—has decided to mount a write-in campaign in the general election in November.

Her decision is so instructive on so many levels. Was there some pivotal, decisive, controversial issue around which there is core disagreement with Miller, which simply demands that the people have a chance to rethink their vote? No. Was there reason to believe in massive voter fraud that led to the election of Miller, which simply must be rectified in the general election? No. Is Murkowski the first politician to lose a close election? No.

Murkowski will launch a write-in campaign because (1) establishment incumbents are entitled to win, (2) people who don’t vote for establishment incumbents are too stupid to have their votes respected, and (3) establishment incumbents are graceless, classless losers when they are finally called on the carpet as out-of-touch ‘rulers’ instead of elected representatives.

The people speak through their votes in the primary election, and the establishment incumbents who are defeated rise up to give the middle finger to the people.

Murkowski’s write-in campaign will go down in flames, and her reputation as a person of substance and character will go down with it. We don’t live in Alaska and don’t know anything about the Democrat candidate, but our guess is that Murkowski’s effort will not help the Democrat. Once again, the ruling class insists on believing the people are stupid, and cannot see through the sore loser, if-I-can’t-win, nobody-can-win spoiled child syndrome on display with Murkowski. Even Democrats inclined to vote for a Democrat on philosophical grounds will vote for Miller to make sure Murkowski’s spite is not rewarded.

In many, many ways the conduct of incumbents of both parties has become truly offensive to the decency, goodness and intelligence of the American people. Murkowski’s behavior simply throws more gasoline on the brushfires of freedom already burning all over the country, and it will ignite more Miller voters in Alaska, more O’Donnell voters in Delaware, and more tea party candidate voters everywhere.

Murkowski may revel in a few headlines and kudos from the Pravda media; she may have a circle of sycophants egging her on; and she may get financial support from Soros and others on the left to give her a chance to deny Miller. But in the end she will have made herself into a pariah in the eyes of Alaskans and the American people, and all because of an out-of-control ego and a sense of self-importance that just can’t let go of the trappings of the ruling class.

That’s why the American people have had to step up and rip off those trappings, piece by piece, election by election, across the country. They are not going to be stopped.

Paul Gable

September 18, 2010