Pelosi and Boehner Elected to House Leadership, Murkowski Wins in Alaska
- Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:43pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Editor’s note: The following is a collection of breaking AP stories on Pelosi, Boehner, and Murkowski. Updates will be published.
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats re-elected Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday as their leader in the next Congress.
The closed-door vote — 150 for Pelosi and 43 for Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina — lets the California congresswoman shift from House speaker to minority leader in January, despite concerns by some Democrats that the party needs new leadership after suffering huge midterm election losses.
Pelosi has refused to take the blame and pinned party’s losses on stubbornly high unemployment.
Democrats also quelled a power struggle between lieutenants Steny Hoyer of Maryland and James Clyburn of South Carolina, who vied to be Pelosi’s second-in-command. Hoyer was poised to be the Democrats’ vote-counting whip, and Clyburn will serve in a newly created position as the House’s No. 3 Democrat.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
–WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans re-elect Ohio Rep. John Boehner as their leader.
–
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Wednesday became the first Senate candidate in more than 50 years to win a write-in campaign, emerging victorious over her tea party rival following a painstaking, week-long count of hand-written votes.
The victory completes a remarkable comeback for the Republican after her humiliating loss in the GOP primary to Joe Miller.
Her victory became clear when Alaska election officials confirmed they had only about 700 votes left to count, putting Murkowski in safe territory to win re-election. Murkowski is flying back from Washington to Alaska on Wednesday to make an “exciting announcement,” proclaiming in an e-mail to supporters that the campaign “made history.”
Murkowski has a lead of about 10,000 votes, a total that includes 8,153 ballots in which Miller observers challenged over things like misspellings, extra words or legibility issues.
It was not immediately clear how Miller will proceed. He and his advisers have vowed to take legal action over what they contend is an unfair tally in Murkowski’s favor, but Miller has maintained he‘ll stop fighting if the math doesn’t work in his favor. Miller‘s campaign didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.
Miller’s loss is a major rebuke for Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate who backed Miller and has long had a tense relationship with the Murkowski family. Miller‘s defeat means Palin couldn’t deliver in her home state for a candidate she roundly endorsed.
The write-in bid was an effort Murkowski almost didn’t undertake after her stunning loss in the August primary to Miller. She went back and forth on whether to run but ultimately decided to wage a write-in campaign, saying she’d been encouraged by Alaskans who wanted a reasonable alternative between the conservative Miller and the little-known Democratic nominee.
Murkowski will return to Washington in an odd position in the Republican Party. The National Republican Senatorial Committee threw its support and cash behind Miller, opting to back the candidate who received the GOP nomination. And she has never had many friends within the tea party movement, putting her at odds with that faction of the party as well.
Though she plans to caucus with Republicans, she said she won’t be beholden to any special interests or party – an initial sign that she may not try to reclaim her leadership post within the GOP conference. She voluntarily resigned it in deciding to make her outsider run.
Murkowski says she will approach issues as they come to her, and vowed to do what’s best for Alaskans. She opposed a Republican-supported moratorium on earmark requests, a hot issue on Capitol Hill following the tea party surge in the mid-term elections.
The victory followed the tedious process of ballot counters and observers scrutinizing the handwriting of thousands of ballots.
It was a process unlike any Alaska had seen, with the rules for conducting the election written as the race went on. That provided the crux of Miller’s complaint – that the determination of votes was subjective and not strictly in line with election law.
Miller observers objected to thousands of ballots, including ones with a cursive letter or two, some reading “Lisa Murkowski Republican” and others with “Murkowski, Lisa.”
The longshot nature of Murkowski’s campaign seemed to invigorate the senator and her team. Her spokesman, Steve Wackowski, said he liked nothing more than hearing it couldn’t be done – that that only made the campaign work harder in what amounted to a massive do-over after she flubbed the primary contest.
History wasn’t on their side: Nothing of this scale had been pulled off in Alaska, and had rarely been accomplished elsewhere. The last Senate candidate to win as a write-in was Strom Thurmond in 1954.
But Murkowski wasn’t the typical write-in candidate: She enjoyed widespread name recognition as Alaska’s senior senator and daughter of a local political dynasty, and had a $1 million-plus bank account.
She also showed a fire she’d lacked during the primary, when she referred to Miller as “my opponent” and fell victim to aggressive last-minute attack ads by the Tea Party Express.
This time, she pounced on Miller’s every misstep. While she still stressed her seniority and her willingness to be a voice for all Alaskans, her speeches sounded more like rallies than lectures, generally ending in her leading a raucous chorus of supporters in spelling her name: “M-U-R, K-O-W, S-K-I.”
“She just had a fire in her belly to do this not for herself but for the large number of people, literally hundreds, who begged her to do this,” said John Tracy, who worked on her ad team.
Miller didn’t do himself any favors after his upset of Murkowski in the August primary. Court documents were released showing Miller was suspended as a government employee for using work computers for partisan political work and lying about it. In other miscues, his security detail handcuffed a journalist asking questions at a town hall meeting, and it was revealed his family received many government handouts that he railed against as a tea party candidate.
Murkowski, 53, was appointed to the Senate seat long held by her father when he became governor in 2002; she won the seat in her own right two years later, in a narrow win over Democrat Tony Knowles, and her father was ousted in the 2006 gubernatorial primary by Palin, contributing to the icy relationship between the two families.
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Comments (86)
SND97
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:23pmTHANK YOU Pelosi, This is the best gift the GOP ever had
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:16pmWay to go Alaska, the lower 48 has lost all respect for you.
Report Post »wilshar97
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:06pmAnd they can live with their choice———–ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! PIONEER SPIRIT MY AZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:13pmThanks for the early Christmas present Nancy, your ego is the gift that keeps on giving!
Report Post »mamagriz
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:12pm“We have to pass the bill to know what is in the bill” …. cost her to lose Speakership
Report Post »2 more years of “We have to pass the bill to know what is in the bill”-esque sound bites …. priceless
spendthrift
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:10pmMurkowski is just another self-entitled politician who only cares about what is in it for her.
Report Post »WTH is up with our government
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 6:11pmYep, and I’ll bet you she turns on Republicans out of spite. She will be a Polosidite before it’s all over.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:09pmNote to Boehner and Cantor: if you think it’s going to be politics as usual, you will be replaced in 2012. There are lots of good conservatives out there who are stepping up to the plate.
To quote Eric Erikson “If either of you support as Chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee any of the damn fools who supported killing the incandescent light bulb we’re going to have problems.”
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:08pmTerrific, Pelosi the Airhead and Dimwit extraordinaire gets another job as the “lesser” speaker representing the Liberal Progressives (formerly the Democratic Party). Good news for the GOP, because now only did the Liberals lose on 2 November, now they can dig an even deeper hole with the public with airhead Pelosi over them. I mean I almost have to pity them, they will look like a complete joke to the world now. Ha! Ha! Ha! Pelosi, if only she had a brain. Ha! Ha!
For John Bohner, God bless him! Go John!
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:08pmIt’s ironic, sorry to use a big word, that you guys make fun of her looks yet most of your wives look like Minnie Pearl.
Report Post »calijohn
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 8:11pmRoflmao
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:05pmI’m unfamiliar with Murkowski, however, It’s magnificent how our democracy works.
When motivated, exciting things CAN happen. However, same holds true with opposing forces.
Report Post »rbqueen
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:04pmRegarding Murkowski, who needs to worry about whether they win the primary or not when more than likely the election committee shills probably told her before she even lost the primary not to worry because they would ensure that she wins a write-in election no matter how many laws they have to break to give it to her. They need to arrest everyone involved in the corrupt and crooked write-in vote and put them in prison. After they get out of prison then they should be prevented from every being involved in elections of any type on the pain of going back to prison if they do become involved in politics again.
Report Post »dlmarsh
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:03pmThe House should refuse to seat Murkowski or the Alaska Sec. of State should refuse to to certify her election. I am sure there will be alot of vote fraud to be found out, probably even involving ACORN
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:02pmI agree with you Warrior. I love Sarah, but I just don’t think we can win with her on the ticket. Sorry!
Report Post »Mary M. Tebbe
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:24pmrestored one: I agree about Sarah. She is a very good person, but not presidential. We need a strong conservative presence and a hawkish candidate. A President who will uphold the Constitution, is fiscally responsible, Godly, a person of character, and fearless against our enemies.
Report Post »Randyrocker
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:00pmThe ‘Gavel Gabber’ is back. She must be a real hammer head.
Report Post »OutOfTheAether
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:58pmthe last comment applies to both Pelosi AND Murkowski
Report Post »1BECK HAPPY WARRIOR
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:56pmYikes, Pelosi, Murkowski – two of a kind. 2012 here we come. And while I LOVE Sarah Palin, I really don’t want her to run for president, I think she is much more powerful on the outside. I pray we find someone with true CHARACTER, MORALS, BELIEF IN GOD, STRONG, UNAFRAID, and 100% for restoring AMERICA and a true capitalist. God Bless America.
Report Post »freedom10
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:02pmWe have them, Gingrich-Beck ticket 2012.
Report Post »youguysready_letsroll
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:13pmI would like to see a Ron Paul/ Judge Napolitano 2012 ticket, myself. Tear it down back to the way it ought to be :-)
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:56pmJoe Miller lives to fight another day. 2012 is just around the corner.
Report Post »calijohn
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 8:16pmWhat happens in 2012? A run for the House of Representatives?
Report Post »WTH is up with our government
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:55pmIf they haven’t gotten it by now, they aren’t going to. That’s ok Nancy, in 2012, you will get your confirmation of what people think of you, and your president…….
Report Post »seanpatriot
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:54pmShe looks like a sleestak
Report Post »beckwill
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:54pmNancy Stubbornly High Unemployment Pelosi….whew who knew that was her real name.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:52pmThis is GREAT!! Pelosis face remains the face of the demoncrats. This is truely good news for the 2012 elections!
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:02pmHow many people you figure she had to blackmail or bribe to keep her limited hold on power for the next two years? Somehow she has done it, or had it done for her.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:29pmShe was voted house minority leader by the same poltitions who believe in thier heart of hearts that they lost the house because of the economy and NOT because of thier policies and arrogance.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 5:36pmLet’s see what types of winning legislation the house Dems try to ram down our throats now, with Pelosi still in charge and a good number of moderate Dems out of work. I seriously think she beleives that America got rid of the moderates because thier agenda wasn’t far enough left.
Keep on keepin’ on, Democrats. Keep believing that the election was not a rebuke of your policies. The RINO’s have already been scared awake…… you just keep sleeping over there on the left.
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 6:50pm“snowleopard3200” – I figure Pelosi did it the “Neil-&-Bob” way…
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:50pmMurkowski, the RINO Twit who thinks she is entitled to run again, after she LOST the Primary! Unbelievable.
Report Post »OutOfTheAether
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:56pmwhat really rankles, is now she’ll feel vindicated and justified. Needs to be watched VERY closely, this one does. umm hmmm yes?
Report Post »starman70
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:07pmI can’t belive that the voters of Alaska could have voted for her. What were they smoking? I always thought Alaskans were highly intelligent people but now I have doubts.
Report Post »charliego
Posted on November 18, 2010 at 10:08am@sunnyr
Report Post »My thinking exactly; J. Wilson wins the primary-she wins the seat. What happened to all the primary voters? Did a bunch of people who originally voted for Wilson want to practice spelling and/or penmanship? This confused me—- :-/ I won’t even go anywhere with Pelosi except to say Murkowski (R)
has the same arrogant and condescending attitude of entitlement. It is interesting to hear of Murkowski‘s view on ’earmarks’ today, as well.
seanpatriot
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:50pmThe DemocRATS are finished
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:50pmCrap!
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:08pmYes crap on Pelosi and crap on Murky Lisa, but I kinda have the hots for Boehner so it will be nice to see alot of him on tv :)
Report Post »freedom10
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:49pmFor the dems to put up Pelosi is like a gift that keeps on giving. Keep going Patriots, 2012 right around the corner.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:57pmYou beat me to it FREEDOM10 but I feel the same way. Let them keep that hateful, petrified bag of bones as the face of the demon crat party. Siutes me just fine.
Report Post »bulldawg
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:09pmYour both are right on the money, this is the best thing that could happen for the American people. This Socialist liberal Hag will continue her communist ways and she will put more and more of her puppets in a pickle in 2012.
Report Post »http://www.weeklyrepublic.com
youguysready_letsroll
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:09pmAfter all of the negative television ads aimed at Dems that voted X% with Pelosi, you think they would have elected someone else to be their leader. I guess they are Democrats only by name since they seem to be more left of the left socialists.
Report Post »Shawn-GA
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:26pmSorry didn’t mean to say what you did almost verbatim… I wrote before I read… but hey great minds think alike. :-)
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:47pmMurkowski yukkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 3:56pmPelosi is like a toothache that will not go away even after the tooth is yanked.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:02pmThe people of Alaska apparently like her. She must have spiked the drinking water with acid or something. Why would anyone in thier right mind vote the same RINO in year aftr year? We wound up with McCain again because of these same types of people.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:05pmI could see this happening…
(Soros “spooky dude” on phone: “Hello senator, this is your boss calling, support Pelosi for the minority position or some strange things can be arranged for you…”
(Voice of Glenn Beck: “Mr Soros! I am so glad to have you finally call my radio show, how about you conducting an interview with us here and now since you have called?”
(Soros: (Hand on forehead) “Going to be one of those days…”
(Soros henchman: “Boss, all your money is lost, the computer Hal-2000 just transfered it to the Mother Theresa charities…”
Report Post »american1st
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:05pmhttp://murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EMailLisa you can always let her know that RINO politics are no longer wanted in the republican or the tea party, and that you will be keeping an eye on her….
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:06pmFitting that pelowsi and murkowski are teamed for the artical…
Report Post »sofaking obvious
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:11pmUgh! I almost shot my computer screen. :) Pelosi? Really?
Report Post »sportlock
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:18pm@RobertCA
Murkowski Yuck????? Really???? So if asked your opinion on the election thats the best we can expect huh? Not, the voters have lost their minds in Alaska. Not this troll is so power hungary she would rather split the consevative vote and give the big government Dems a real shot at stealing this election because this troll couldn’t accept the will of the people and step aside? And for her rejection of the peoples will Alaskans rewarded her with ANOTHER TERM???
All you have is Murkowski Yuck? Do us all a favor, just say FIRST!!! next time
Not trying to be hard on ya buddy, I just expect more outta conservatives then that…
Report Post »sportlock
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:20pm*hungry
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 4:21pmThank you for keeping Nazi Botox Pelosi in there , this will be great for 2012 :)
Report Post »Ken
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 5:15pmAt least Murkowski’s Republican…?
Report Post »Parkeralan
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 5:26pmDemocrats writing in her name to foil the TEA Party. Gotta give ‘em credit.
Report Post »ascoolone
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 5:47pmyes she makes my skin crawl. but, we will have to keep an eye on our new speaker. there is something about him that screams elitist.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 6:21pmMurkowski was elected by Democrats that knew their candidate would lose. So they voted for the RINO who would do what they want and shame the Republican Party at the same time.
Report Post »Chalk up another one for the Dems.
Establishment Republicans are just as bad for America, or worse, as the Dems.
CatB
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 7:18pmI think it was a lot of Democrats writing in Murkowski … makes one wonder if Sosros was funding this also.
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on November 17, 2010 at 9:04pm@ SPORTLOCK
That was my first reaction to her winning .
Report Post »