Our Emperor Has No Clothes
We had a primary election in Alaska the other day. Our Republican governor, Frank Murkowski lost big time. I am happily encouraged by the pragmatism and wisdom of Alaska’s voters in throwing him out of office. From his start as governor, Murkowski went out of his way to prove he did not have the interests of the people of Alaska in mind - and that truth took hold with the public with a vengeance. One local wag suggested that Murkowski wasn’t just rejected, he got the “get-out-of-town-right-now card” which isn’t far from the mark.Murkowski has been Alaska’s governor since 2002 when he returned from a 22 year career as Alaska’s senator to run for governor of the state. He was accurately called the 800# gorilla back then and easily blew into office with almost 60% of the popular vote - though a large number of those votes are now suspect because of Diebold voting machine problems and irregularities. But, last Tuesday this man polled less than 20% of the vote in the Republican primary and was easily and badly beaten by both of his Republican opponents.
From the start Murkowski treated the governorship as his imperial birthright and exercised dictatorial powers on matters state in Alaska. He threw his 800# gorilla weight around belligerently and alienated people everywhere in the state, including obviously most of his own Republican Party. He appointed his own daughter over far better qualified candidates to fill his vacant senate seat. That was his right as the new governor and he took the fullest personal advantage of it. During his tenure Murkowski was considered the “second worst governor” in the country behind Republican Bob Taft of Ohio who somehow ranked even worse.
He was implacably bound and determined to have his own state purchased jet airplane to flit around in and did so over the objections of almost everyone including the US Homeland Security Department, the Alaska State Legislature and Alaskan public opinion. That one contrary in-you-face-act out of the many while in office became the most iconic and defining feature of his tenure. Of course it also turns out that he has used the jet for personal and campaign reasons too, and that has now become a separate new matter of issue.
Lisa w/father Frank Murkowski on her appointment as Alaska's senator
Almost anything Murkowski did while in office was for some special interest or other - including his own regarding the jet. Now, instead of retiring in grace and warmed by public respect & adulation, Murkowski will go out sulking and quarrelsome and resoundingly rejected by Alaskans. His political career will inevitably slide into the ignominy it so richly deserves. His memory will be just a disagreeably dirty spot on the book of the State of Alaska’s history in the future.
I wish I could be more sympathetic, but it is just not in me. He probably won’t go to jail for his sins but he sure ought to, for truly, this ‘Emperor Now Has No Clothes”. Now at last Alaska’s people may look forward to a choice between two worthy moderates, either of whom might actually work for the interests of all Alaskans. Frank Murkowski - Dead Freaking Last! How sweet it is!
posted by Gnarly Erik @ 3:29 PM
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