Politics

Ousted Republican Plans Write-In Campaign, Resigns GOP Leadership Position (Updated)


UPDATE The AP reports: [U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski] told supporters — who greeted her at an Anchorage convention center with chants of “Run, Lisa, Run!” — that she couldn’t walk away and ignore the pleas of Alaskans who urged her to offer them a choice between the “extremist” views of Miller, a self-described constitutional conservative and tea party favorite, and the “inexperience” of Democrat Scott McAdams, a small-town mayor.

“So I am here to tell you, you are disenfranchised no more,” she said.

Read more …


Ousted Republican Plans Write In Campaign, Resigns GOP Leadership Position (Updated)

Incumbent Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski may have conceded the Republican primary election to tea party favorite and Sarah Palin-backed Joe Miller, but she’s not out of the race yet. Sources close to the Senator are now saying she plans to mount a write-in campaign in a last-ditch effort to hold onto her seat in the U.S. Senate.

A Republican source tells CNN that Sen. Murkowski has informed “a few” close colleagues on the hill that she will run as a write-in candidate. A separate source with knowledge of her decision also tells CNN she plans to announce her write-in candidacy Friday.

With Murkowski re-entering the race, what was considered a near-certain win for Republicans may be in jeopardy.  The announcement will reportedly happen at 6:00 p.m. local time in Anchorage (10:00 p.m. ET).

In an email to Murkowski supporters, Bonnie Jack, a campaign volunteer, asked supporters to “Join us at the Kick-off of Senator Lisa’s campaign — with a theme of ‘write in her name and fill in the oval.’”

Regardless of Murkowski’s decision and current position within the GOP leadership ranks on Capitol Hill, the National Republican Senatorial Committee remains committed to supporting Miller in the general election.

Murkowski was appointed to the Senate in 2002 by then-Gov. Frank Murkowski (her father) and was re-elected to a full term in 2004 with 48.6 percent of the vote.

Murkowski and Miller will face off against Democrat Scott McAdams in November 2 general election.

Update:
After announcing her plans to run as a write-in candidate, Sen. Lisa Murkowski resigned from the Senate GOP leadership after her fellow Republican senators withdrew their support from her campaign.

“Senate Republicans informed Lisa Murkowski that we will respect the will of the voters in Alaska and support the Republican nominee, Joe Miller,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement.

“Lisa has served her state and our party with distinction, but Republicans acknowledge the decision Alaskans made and join them in support of the Republican nominee, Joe Miller—the next senator for Alaska.”

Politico reports that Sen. Murkowski, who still has an estimated $1 million in her campaign war chest, is already hitting up Washington lobbyists for funds to aid her write-in efforts.

Comments (347)

  • Bartf
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:52pm

    When I see arrogant, self-serving, narcissistic politicians like Murkowski, Cassel, and Crist I am glad that they lost, even if (Heaven Forbid!) it means the Democrat ultimately wins the seat. At least we have rid ourselves of these idiots who have clearly placed their personal goals way ahead of ours. And maybe the others just like them will eventually get the message that we have had enough!

    Report Post »  
    • El Flandrino
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 1:23am

      Right on Bartf. I’d rather lose to the dems than elect weak, unprincipled republicans. The Republicans will be forced to decide WHAT principles core to their party.

      You cannot out entitle the entitlement party.

      Report Post » El Flandrino  
    • diesel71dan
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 8:41pm

      Agreed but i really dont see us losing the seat. I think it will turn out very well. Thing is even if the seat was lost to a democrat, whats the difference between a Dem and a RINO. It isnt the “D” or “R” behind their name that makes a difference.

      Report Post »  
  • Cesspool Czar
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:51pm

    Suck it up lady – you lost. You, Crist, Castle and the rest of your ilk need to learn to take your lumps. You’re not really that important.

    Report Post »  
  • AlaskanWolf
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:49pm

    She is going to split the votes and the Dem will win the seat. Is this how much she really thinks of Alaska? Is this her way of getting back at people for telling her she hasnt done a good enough job in DC? Letting the Dem win will be payback for Alaska. What a total loser she turned out to be.

    Report Post »  
    • stitchak
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:13pm

      DITTO. She could run against Begich in 2012.

      Report Post »  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:49pm

    If anyone in Alaska actually votes for her, she will have a fool for a constituent !

    Report Post »  
  • Weetsie
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:46pm

    I think I will email her and let her know that she should accept her defeat! You may want to do the same.
    http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/

    Report Post »  
  • Laus Deo Too
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:44pm

    If this woman was an american first and formost she would line up behind the party’s candidate. This is so much narcicism that it makes me sick. It is all about her. What a good thing for the voters to see. There is a conservative candidate whos stands for America and a defeated, bitter candidate who stands for herself.

    Report Post » Laus Deo Too  
  • canuck44
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:44pm

    She and Charlie Crist are merely spurned, burned out hookers. With no more ethics, no morals, their only concern is their own self-preservation.

    Report Post »  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:29pm

      YES!!! When RINOS run as Independents…they steal Demo/Lib votes. Conservatives and Independents have already spoken in the primaries.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
  • wingedwolf
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:43pm

    Had to expect this. This woman was livid she lost and ready to kill Sarah Palin, who she blames for it

    Report Post » wingedwolf  
  • RUSIJEFF
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:42pm

    This just proves that Sarah Palin is a good judge of character.

    Report Post »  
  • brinksmom
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:41pm

    I hope the smart people of Alaska just ignore her and she loses in a landslide! Maybe then she will sit down and shut up!

    Report Post »  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:11pm

      Murkowski wants revenge. She is mad, and has been getting the sad faces from her paid soothe-sayers. Democrats want their own candidate and she is going to split their votes because she’s been a heavy duty RINO. I think she’s going to cook her own political goose and destroy her own future in politics.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
    • kobuk
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 9:39am

      They are all smart to leave the lower 48.

      Report Post »  
  • pepperanne
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:39pm

    What is it with these rhino they cant even concede. Call your oppent congat them then support them thats called being a good sport even my 10 boy knows that

    Report Post »  
  • timetospeakupx
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:39pm

    Tell me again because I must have missed it along the way, HOW will that help clean up the raging corruption and egomania in Congress? And speaking of egomania, her decision reveals her sentiment…..it’s all about me, me, me and certainly not about restoring the principles on which this country was meant to function. Her write-in is only splitting the vote and she knows it. But some obviously feed on delusion. Look at Crist and Spector….it’s all about them as well. It doesn’t take a lot of thought to realize who comes first in their minds. What a nasty addiction power is.

    Report Post »  
    • pajamash
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:46pm

      You know what they say TIMETOSPEAKUPX, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, and this woman is coming of as absolutely corrupted by power.

      Report Post »  
    • Rev. WC
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:28pm

      I asume there is a money person (soros) that funds all of these peope including the Deleware race with their agenda..money talks..bull sh## walks..

      Report Post » Rev. WC  
  • pajamash
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:37pm

    Incumbents, they are all for party unity until they are the one that is looking from the outside in on an election. They do anything they can to hold onto the power…even change sides (Charlie Crist , Arlen Specter, etc.).

    Report Post »  
  • nostromo
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:36pm

    What do we expect? Personal power is more important to these people than the country. If it is not, then she is showing her true sympathies and is no Republican conservative.

    Report Post »  
  • PA-Patriot
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:36pm

    Idiot sore looser.

    This will split the R vote and allow the D to win.

    Now we can see why she lost.

    Report Post »  
    • Ellie
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:48pm

      Exactly! The whole point of even having a primary is to prevent a party split in the general election.

      Report Post » Ellie  
    • Beckofile
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:53pm

      We have the same thing going on here in Colorado Gov’s race. But it is the person that stepped in to run against the GOP jackass that is the real conservative. We will foolishly split the vote and the socialist will win. I hope this puts people on notice that the old way was a choice between the blue pill or the red pill but you are still stuck in the matrix. Poor old lisa won‘t go back to congress no matter what she does but if I can’t go then none of the conservatives can. I bet the Democrat party is going to fund the candidicy????

      Report Post » Beckofile  
    • Weetsie
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:00pm

      Bombard her with emails, you never know, it might just work!
      http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/

      Report Post »  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:58pm

      She is trying to pull off a “Leibermann”. That only works on the Dem side. Under no circumstances should she win anything and a vote of 2 for her would be herself and her husband.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
    • Workforit
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 7:17am

      She is still a big government progressive, republican or independent. If she splits the vote and her democratic progressive buddy wins… We all loose. Joe Miller needs to run one he// of a campaign to pull this off now…

      Report Post »  
    • Errant Yat
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 10:05am

      Thanks, Weetsie, I emailed her and I think everyone on the comments post should do the same.

      Report Post » Errant Yat  
  • Huff-a-Ton Post
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:35pm

    2010 is important for 2 big reasons. 1) Yes, the Rand Pauls and Marco Rubios will be important additions to the Senate; but mainly 2) Business-as-usual, big government types with all their pettiness are atarting to be exposed as the truly damaging things that they are. I hope Lisa stays in just like Crist. Win or Lose, the message will be clear.

    Report Post » Huff-a-Ton Post  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:37pm

      Another one crawled out, posted the Liberal word for the day, and scurries back quite proud. Next time she can run as the Liberal she is, and then you can vote for her. She can get the point on your dime.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
    • Romans828
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 3:28pm

      Let’s read a bit more carefully, folks, before responding. I didn’t take Huff-A-Ton’s as a liberal post. I do disagree though that Murkowski and Crist should stay in for the sake of some sort of “message”.
      The importance of getting a majority of the most conservative candidates possible is too great, and the likelihood too close to call.

      Report Post » Romans828  
  • hqhinc
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:35pm

    I really don’t understand what drives people like this. Talk about a sore looser!

    Report Post » hqhinc  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:25pm

      It’s what happens when Republicans drink KoolAid a lot. They get on a sugar high and don’t want to come down. She’s been running around not making any sense for awhile now. Obama thinks it‘s funny because she’ll never be a good liberal and there she is hanging on his every word. Dems will just kick her butt. They aren‘t paying anything except her liberal opponent’s bills. She is going to spend herself into a Poverty.sucks rock situation.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
  • Prospero
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:35pm

    Oh, so she’s one of *those* kind of women……

    Report Post » Prospero  
  • OneIfByLand
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:33pm

    Kinda reminds me of a sore loser in the American Idol auditions. Wont someone tell her she can’t sing?

    Report Post »  
  • Weetsie
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:32pm

    Just accept your defeat and go to the unemployment line.

    Report Post »  
  • WingedVictory
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:31pm

    Be a good looooser……..

    Report Post »  
    • vic138
      Posted on September 19, 2010 at 1:23pm

      I bet this is all about keeping as much of her campaign cash and giving it out to friends one last time. She knows she won’t win (and doesn’t care who does, if its not her). This is just the type of politician that we need to get rid of.

      Report Post » vic138  
  • BBTX
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:31pm

    How can our government change when those who are in positions of power act more selfishly than your average second grader? Ms. Murkowski, it’s over, now you’re just embarrassing your name–call Charlie Crist to discuss…

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:05pm

      I can’t wait to vote FOR RUBIO (and against that cry baby CRIST!)

      Report Post »  
    • msnbciscomedy
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:18pm

      Christ is a little weasel……….a very tan……little weasel.

      Report Post »  
    • fritobandito24
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 9:13pm

      Me 3. I am counting the days til we in Florida get rid of the biggest clown in town, ( Crist the cry baby). Go Rubio & Scott.

      Report Post »  
    • ThymeBlazer
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 7:08am

      It’s pathetic when someone loses the primary (or as in Crists case, when the “writing was on the wall”), they won’t bow out gracefully! If I were running against another Republican and lost, I would graciously concede and throw my support behind the winner. Running as an independent or a write-in shows their true colors. And it shows more than anything else, they truly ARE losers. Charlie Crist, Bill McCollum, Lisa Murkowski…the list is growing…stop the nonsense and throw your support behind the people’s picks!

      Report Post » ThymeBlazer  
  • pepperanne
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:30pm

    Come on Its the ego maniacs like this that need to go away!!!!!!!!!!!!! plus what will this accomplish oh yeah youll put the damn libiral in office go away you lost!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Rev. WC
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:35pm

      I was refering to Murkowski to go away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post » Rev. WC  
  • turf_dude
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:29pm

    there is no honor in this woman, restore your honor by endorsing Joe,

    Report Post »  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 2:27am

      She needed to have some sort of honor in the first place to restore it. Term limits really seem like a great idea right now. The good-ole boy GOP entitlement crew is running a little scared and should be. I wouldn’t send a dime to anyone of these parties ever again. I will however send money directly to candidates from now on. These corrupt and integrity challenged elitist GOP and DEM loyalist make me sick. Go Tea Party.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • pavnvet
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 9:25am

      Most don’t remember how Murkowski got to the Senate in the first place. Her father, then Governor of Alaska appointed her in 2002 to his seat after he won the Governorship. It caused an uproar in Alaska and because of this action, Governors can no longer appoint Senators to vacant seats.

      She won one election and that was in 2004 which wasn’t difficult in Alaska. She is part of the ‘old boy’ network that freedom loving Alaskans have a huge distaste.

      Her write in campaign will be a joke and as the others have said, she just needs to go away.

      Report Post » pavnvet  
    • gbandy
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 3:52pm

      This is what creates so many problems in the Republican Party and the whole platform for real change for the US. This woman LOST and she should “man up” and support the winner. She is a disgrace and should be ashamed. She is done and probably will soon switch to the Dems as they would allow her tears and division of the Repubs.

      Report Post »  
  • Rev. WC
    Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:23pm

    When will these people go away?

    Rev. WC  
    • msnbciscomedy
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:37pm

      They are delusional. YOU LOST……swallow it and walk away. These people feel entitled to these seats and the seats belong to WE THE PEOPLE.

      Report Post »  
    • Debrabate
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 6:50pm

      They will go away on November 3rd at midnight :)

      Report Post » Debrabate  
    • dressseller
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:00pm

      Seems that she is such a sore loser that she is willing to dillute the republicans chances of winning by taking part of the vote. That just proves that she is unworthy of the seat to begin with. Like all the rest of these establishment/machine candidates…. it’s not being a public servant and actually doing the job of serving the people that they want the job for.. ..it’s their own egos, personal enrichment and attitudes of being entitled to the job that fuel them on.

      Sickening.

      Report Post »  
    • timeisnow
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:19pm

      Best way to deal with this is DONATE TO MILLER ANYTHING YOU CAN AFFORD!

      Report Post »  
    • thbjr
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 7:28pm

      Most likely it’s a case of GREED! Sounds like she’s made a deal with the Democrats. Keep an eye on her bank accounts, I suspect there will be a big deposit made to her coming from the Democratic Party! Some politicians will sell there soul and their party to make a buck!

      Report Post »  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:05pm

      Freedom of Liberty. It’s anyones game right, or is she to remain suppressed?

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • tobywil2
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:08pm

      Obama can always use another Czar!

      Report Post » tobywil2  
    • Sicboy
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:09pm

      They just don’t get it.To them it’s, ME Me Me.

      Report Post » Sicboy  
    • plunderpower
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:16pm

      poverty.sucks came out from his rock again! No, she’s free to run on the Democrat ticket and lose again any time she wants to. Now scurry back under again, little cockroach.

      Report Post » plunderpower  
    • fritobandito24
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 8:57pm

      As a former registered Dem, I had enough when the annoited one told “Joe the Plumber” that he should share his earnings with the lazy asses on welfare.( It‘s also when I woke up and for the first time realized my feelings of helping those who need a hand up shoudn’t be a way of making a living). Now as a registered Republican I am really getting pissed off at these arogant jack asses that feel like “We the people” just need to be happy with the fact that they are in power. The Republican party big shots JUST DON’T GET IT. WE ARE TIRED OF THIER CRAP. If you lose in the primaries it’s because WE DO NOT WANT YOU IN OFFICE. GO AWAY.

      Report Post »  
    • ME
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 9:05pm

      Rev. WC
      Soon I hope, they just don’t get it. They are done and not wanted I will never vote for a carer politician ever. Thank MaCain I held my nose for that weak excuse for a conservative because of Palin but next time they bring out a progressive I will vote Micky Mouse first.

      Report Post » ME  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on September 17, 2010 at 10:01pm

      What a bunch of sore losers.. they belong on the left side.. time to get a life move on..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 2:20am

      She is real trash and the poster child for term limits. Elitist pig.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • 79USMC83
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 7:21am

      This is what WE THE PEOPLE are sick and tired of CAREER POLITICIANS like Crist,Specter and now this lady who are defeated in the ballot box’s but jump ship. They put THEIR career’s in politics ahead of WE THE PEOPLE !!!! How can you TRUST them when it is time to vote for THE PEOPLE’S business. They should pass a law that you cannot change parties until the next election. This is why WE THE PEOPLE have primaries. This is what is broken with the “Government Stupid” EVERYTHING has a loophole or they go around the BACKDOOR!!!

      TERM LIMITS NOW !!

      FAIR TAX NOW !!!

      Report Post »  
    • 79USMC83
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 7:25am

      Definition of TRAITOR
      1: one who betrays another’s trust or is false to an obligation or duty
      2: one who commits treason

      Now put the word CONGRESS in for TRAITOR!!! This is the ONLY reason there IS a TEA PARTY.

      Crist is a TRAITOR for running as an Independant. Specter was a TRAITOR for jumping ship also!!

      Beck has a rally about CHARACTER, the LEFT is all over him and the people that attended it!!!

      Many of WE THE PEOPLE are sick of your PARTY POLITICS. The reason the center has moved RIGHT though is not for the Republican PARTY so much. It is that the other choice is to vote for PROGRESSIVES,SOCIALISTS and COMMUNIST like the one O’Donnel will be running against in Delaware!!

      Look at all the Dems that are running away from the “Speech Giver” and the Health-Care Bill they voted for just to get votes and stay in office. THIS is what WE THE PEOPLE are sick of!!

      Mandatory Health-Care was not a tax and Steph read him the freaking definition. Now that it is going to lose in court it is a TAX!!

      WE THE PEOPLE do not mind paying tax’s it is the CRAP we pay for. $800,000 dollars of STIMULUS money to teach AFRICAN men how to wash their Genitalia !!!

      BETTER DEAD THAN RED !!

      TERM LIMITS NOW !!!

      FAIR TAX NOW !!

      NO MORE PENSIONS FOR CONGRESS!!

      NO MORE CAREER POLITICIANS!!

      Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 10:42am

      Go away, Lisa. You’re washed up and unwanted. You’re making yourself look worse by staying in it.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • ClockKing
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 10:48am

      Never. They think it is their divine right to rule over us. The people be damned.

      Report Post » ClockKing  
    • Texas Mom 2010
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 4:33pm

      I just emailed her office the following:
      Senator,
      Just to let you know that I will be sending Mr. Miller a check today. Apparently, your father did not show you how to lose gracefully. Maybe you should have played Tball, that’s one of the places my kids learned to shake the hand of the opponents who defeated them and to treat opponents whom they defeated with the same grace. At this point your career is likely over, whereas you had the potential for a comeback if you had shown any grace. You have embarrassed my Republican party and your family. This is why I no longer give directly to the party but direct my donations to individuals.

      Report Post »  
    • Yat907
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 6:07pm

      Good Luck with writing or phoning her office. I am a constituent and she is generally non-responsive. Period. Hence the moniker Lisa MurWhoSki?

      Report Post »  
    • dorothea
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 7:50pm

      People like her have NO PRIDE!!! They consider themself so high up that de word “defeat” don’t exist for them.

      Report Post »  
    • n3xxw
      Posted on September 18, 2010 at 9:04pm

      Another politician who just does not hear what ‘We the People’ are saying!

      Report Post »  
    • hangishore
      Posted on September 19, 2010 at 12:02am

      What a sore loser!Hang it up you old hag and enjoy your forced retirement the voters have spoken

      Report Post » hangishore  
    • PostProgressiveAmerican
      Posted on September 19, 2010 at 6:41am

      Just another Progessive spoiler…the write-in would only hurt the Republican candiate…guess it is better to have a Progressive Democrat than a Tea Party-backed one.

      Move over Murkowski, the changing of the guard has begun.

      Report Post » Post-Progressive American  
    • Marcobob69
      Posted on September 19, 2010 at 8:25am

      I wonder how much George Soros is ponying up to Ms. Murkowski to run and take votes away from Mr. Miller??? Someone might want to check that out. Either that, or Ms. Murkowski is one of the most conceited people in America!

      Report Post »  
    • Stuck_in_CA
      Posted on September 19, 2010 at 9:15am

      Hey! How ’bout that! The Senate GOP leadership grows a pair! Definitely a good sign. Now Lisa, BOW OUT!

      Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
    • RCScrolls
      Posted on September 19, 2010 at 1:08pm

      I voted for Her and she lost, I will do anything to make sure She dosent win, since she already lost.
      My vote plus all I know, She is in it only for the power, not to do anything for the people.
      She couldnt even have Her own reason why she will keep going, a tottal fake glad she didnt get in.

      Report Post » RCScrolls  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on September 19, 2010 at 2:04pm

      Write to her and ask her to rethink her position. http://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EMailLisa I did.

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  

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