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The Spectacle Blog
Glad to be on the same side as Jeff again. What is WITH these people, these spoilsports, these pathetic so-called moderates? For Lisa Murkowski to run a write-in campaign with virtually no chance of winning, but with every chance of throwing the election to the Democrat, continues a trend that shows that too many Beltway Republicans of the “moderate” persuasion have no class, no sense of public service, but merely a sense of selfish entitlement. These people are to sore losers was Michelangelo was to sculptors; they are the standard by which sore losership is to be judged. If mere words could wound them, I would sling words their way so harsh as to make them beg for mercy.
Let’s review the tape: Scozzafava clearly was poised to lose in New York — so she endorsed the Democrat out of sheer spite and caused the conservative, Hoffman, to lose. Charlie Crist saw that he was losing, so he took his ball and ran away. Ditto for Arlen Specter. U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest in Maryland lost the primary and actually endorsed Democrat Frank Kratovil. And the examples go on and on.
(None of these are cases like that of Joe Lieberman, where there was A) a major principle on a major national issue at stake, as in the Iraq War, and B) where lack of a viable oppo party candidate made Lieberman a favorite for election as an independent rather than a mere spoiler.)
What holds all these instance together is they are examples of sheer spitefulness, of egomania and a mentality of being entitled to the job, of “if I’m going down than I’m taking everybody in my party with me,” and of actually handing office, clearly so, to somebody FARTHER away from your own SUPPOSED or stated principles than is the person whose campaigns these poor sports are trying to ruin.
I cannot find enough words to express my contempt for Lisa Murkowski right now. I cannot find words to express how despicable she is. Nobody has to like losing. But losing with so little class and so much bitterness and spite — and without having fought for any discernible principle other than the idea that public office is yours by right — is to show that one is not just a loser in politics, but in character too. And it seems to be a trait somehow inbred in the political genetics of GOP Beltway moderates.
For shame, Ms. Murkowski. For shame.
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More Blog Posts by Quin Hillyer
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CalMark| 9.17.10 @ 5:35PM
Too bad that smoking out turncoats and faithless "friends" is always so painful.
Tim Williams| 9.17.10 @ 5:37PM
Why wouldn't she feel entitled? She first took office when her father appointed her to fill his own unexpired term in 2002 (an act which caused the Alaska legislature to strip the governor of this power.) She squeaked past her Democrat opponent 48.6% to 45.1% in the Republican year of 2004. Clearly, she is beloved of the people of Alaska, and seeks only to continue to rule with great mercy and compassion.
Vicky| 9.20.10 @ 1:07PM
Shows that it is not about the country's welfare, but it is all about her. Selfish.
JmsA| 9.17.10 @ 5:46PM
Hoping against hope?
JmsA| 9.17.10 @ 6:10PM
Had she only been so steadfast in representing and upholding the values and rights of her constituents.
Booger| 9.17.10 @ 5:46PM
I can find the words for you, but they are not what you would want to see printed on this website. Since she has decided to go the Specter & Crist route, the base must insist that her last day in any type of committee seat held by the Rs was yesterday. If she still has any committee seats from the Rs on Monday, or even one of their senate offices, then we the people will know whose side they're on.
Texas Mom 2010| 9.18.10 @ 3:02PM
I read that the Senate Minority leadership stripped her of any leadership roles that she had effective immediately when she announced her spoiler (spoiled child) write-in candidacy.
Dennis D| 9.17.10 @ 6:18PM
They also do an about face on issues in order to win more votes as Crist and Specter did. They are selfish creeps who just want to win or spoil.
Curly Smith| 9.17.10 @ 6:23PM
I have to disagree with you Quin, this is exactly like Joe Lieberman. First, Lieberman ran as a spoiler to his own party, he kept his party's candidate from winning. The fact that the GOP didn't field a suitable RINO is irrelevant. Second, there is indeed a major national issue at stake - whether or not the lying, thieving Republican Establishment will remain in power. The Establishment says "from our cold empty campaign chests..." while the Tea Party says "there's no bag limit on RINOs".
Jocon307| 9.19.10 @ 4:42AM
"there's no bag limit on RINOs".
I like it!
Sean| 9.17.10 @ 6:47PM
These are the same people that have been enabled and fully backed by the Republican establishment.
Teflon93| 9.17.10 @ 7:00PM
When are you going to condemn Mike Castle, Quin? Didn't he refuse to endorse O'Donnell?
The 11th Commandment and The Buckley Rule are completely ignored when it comes time for moderate Republicans to hold their nose and vote for a conservative candidate.
David Wright| 9.17.10 @ 7:07PM
Hear, hear!!! Thanks, you pathetic, spoiled, little egomaniac! It just helps me figure out where to send my hard earned money. Joe Miller...please expect my check....
Siegfried X| 9.17.10 @ 7:27PM
Murkowski sounds troubled more than anything. Her aides says she keeps changing her mind back and forth. As late as this morning she was NOT going to run.
So she still might decide not to.
PaulRevere| 9.17.10 @ 7:54PM
I smell a rat. Democratic rats making deals with Republican rats for a spoiler.After all it is Sarah's Joe Miller;Sarah's Alaska;Alaska's energy reserves.
Interested Conservative| 9.17.10 @ 8:19PM
You may be on to something. My first thought is that the democrat drops out to clear the field, with the deal being Murk gets favors from Schumer et. al. if she returns.
That, and she joins the nominal "independent" caucas in the Senate anyway - Lieberman, Sanders, and so on. Same calculation for Gov. Crist, and I foresee Lindsay G. thinking ahead to his primary challenge.
None of this will work, though, and Sanders is simply a socialist party of one.
JmsA| 9.18.10 @ 11:00AM
I also smell a rat. I believe she's doing this at the behest of Mitch McConnell; the last thing he wants is a real conservative trouble maker like Miller in the Senate.
SC Mike| 9.17.10 @ 9:49PM
A write-in campaign, eh?
How many folks up AK way can spell "Murkowski "?
Poor woman's gone daft.
Bridge Burner| 9.17.10 @ 10:13PM
Murkowski could have earned TONS of goodwill by exiting gracefully and campaigning hard for Miller.
She'd be thus be redeemed in the eyes of the grassroots, while still beloved by the establishment - a rarity.
Positioned for a bite at the apple when the other AK senate seat is up, or a future run for Governor, or as Female Moderate balance to a Male Conservative Presidential ticket, etc.
Instead she's going down in ignominy.
Stupid.
GeoinPA| 9.17.10 @ 10:32PM
I just watched Murkowski's announcement. She represents everything that's wrong with the Republican establishment. What a disgrace!
allblues| 9.17.10 @ 11:44PM
The contempt I have for Arlen Spector is positively warm and fuzzy compared to the loathing I have for the contemptible Murkowski.
James F. Wind| 9.18.10 @ 1:10AM
Also, in most cases mentioned the "R" establishment went out of their way to either curry favor with these egos or hunted for a RINO to run against a conservative long after it made any sense. However, they D... any conservative that does not support the RINO nominee the day after the primary. When does Mike Castle start his Write in Campaign with Karl Rove as Campaign Manager?
Yosemeti Sam| 9.18.10 @ 2:05AM
" ... I cannot find words to express how despicable she is ...."
Well, um, how about - political hitchhiker?
joseph kish| 9.20.10 @ 1:52AM
i agree - this woman is truly detestable - and did you see her news conference? she appeared delusionable and so self absorbed
Clark | 9.18.10 @ 6:28AM
"(None of these are cases like that of Joe Lieberman, where there was A) a major principle on a major national issue at stake, as in the Iraq War, and B) where lack of a viable oppo party candidate made Lieberman a favorite for election as an independent rather than a mere spoiler.)"
I think what you mean is that Joe Lieberman was doing it to the other guys so it's OK.
Aileen| 9.18.10 @ 8:02AM
Can we please retire the term "moderate" ? In ordinary English it's a complimentary adjective; moderation in all things marks a mature, admirable person. But in politics the label "moderate" is always applied to centrists or liberals, who often are quite immoderate in their attitudes toward conservatives. Its use implies that anyone to the right of a Republican "moderate" is immoderate by definition. The liberal media love the word; why on earth should we use it too? Please, let's call a liberal a liberal, and a centrist a centrist.
Superheater| 9.19.10 @ 1:05AM
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vicki| 9.19.10 @ 9:39AM
Aileen, you hit the nail right on the head! I agree with you 100%. I have long felt that the term "moderate" is entirely inappropriate when used to describe politicians who act in ways that make them very antithesis of "mature and admirable" people.
John DuBose| 9.18.10 @ 8:36AM
If Alaska would go to a voting system other than plurality winner takes all, her stunt would not matter. I like approval voting, but there are other procedures that could get the job done.
Looking at the numbers from afar, it appears that Miller will win comfortably anyway.
Oldefarte| 9.18.10 @ 10:57AM
No doubt she/they are WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, politically speaking [or if you prefer, the very definition of a.....RINO]. As stated, they will sell their soul to the devil to get elected and to maintain power. They simply have no PRINCIPLES. Democrats Mary Landrieu and Nebraska's Ben Nelson are two examples on the other side of the political fence. What's problematic is that they do not give an EXCREMENT about the health of this country and its people, and in that regard they are in the same boat [or should be] with UBL and the Muslim terrorists that want to destroy anyone who does not believe as they do. As I've said previously, this country is in dire, dreadful shape/condition from this current administration and their enablers in congress, and everyone must recognize this, go to the election polls in November and begin the process of changing our nation's course/direction. It won't be easy, it won't be quick, but our very survival [and that of future generations to come certainly depend upon our doning so]!!!!!!!!!
Martine| 9.18.10 @ 11:24AM
Not a big surprise, is it? Entitled spoilsport who got the job from daddy now wants a write-in campaign.
Bleh.
Jeff C.| 9.18.10 @ 12:40PM
Conservatives need to enlist some unknown Lisa M-something in Alaska and have her declare a write-in candidacy and register with the AK Department of Elections. Cheap insurance against the DOE playing “intent of the voter” games with write-ins for “Lisa M” and misspellings of Murkowski’s last name. It’s sneaky and underhanded, but what come around goes around.
Texas MOm 2010| 9.18.10 @ 3:06PM
Alaska, try to Find a Lisa Murphy or Lisa Miller or both!!!
Reaganite Republican | 9.18.10 @ 1:45PM
He is at least a talented campaigner/politician/snake who’s actually got his name on the ballot- and started his independent candidacy with a big lead, NONE of which are the case with Murkowski
Now Joe Miller can whip two libs instead of one, as Palin said about Murkowski’s decision yesterday "It’s all good".
Even Orange Charlie is getting creamed by double digits in the latest poll, so far Rubio had no problem facing two boneheads that support the Obama agenda AT ALL
Miller won’t either, imo
Holdmynose | 9.18.10 @ 4:32PM
Ever notice how MODERATE Democrats and Republicans leave the same stink in the room?
Robert Bidinotto | 9.18.10 @ 9:50PM
I share the sentiment of disgust, but not of shock. What is so surprising about the behavior of "moderates." Virtually by definition, a "moderate" is somehow without clear philosophic principles. If they had such principles, they would adhere to them firmly; hence, they would not be "moderate" but "principled."
It speaks volumes to the mentality of such creatures that they refer to anyone who firmly adheres to principle as "extremists." That is a term without any ideological content; what is being denounced is the mere FACT of being committed, unbendingly, to some principle.
So again, why be shocked when professional "moderates" switch positions and parties at whim? After all, it isn't exactly a moral sell-out or capitulation: They never had any moral principles to sell out in the first place.
Aunt Clara| 9.18.10 @ 11:56PM
It is now all too clear why Gov Palin endorsed Murkowski's rival. Of course he was clearly the better candidate, but Lisa is a complete loser as evidenced by her sad write in campaign. The chick was given the seat for Godsakes, it's not HERS. What is it with these pathetic rinos. Let's get rid of every last one of them!
Superheater| 9.19.10 @ 1:04AM
This is the problem with hereditary dynasties. She thinks she owns the seat. I'm guessing that there's some fear operating here too. She'd actually have to get a real job, so I'm sure she'll use this to write a book.
Vicki| 9.19.10 @ 9:46AM
Quin, I differ with you on only one minor point: I can find plenty of words to describe my contempt for Lisa Murkowski and her despicable behavior. It's just that none of those words are strong enough -- not even the ones that I wouldn't dream of putting in writing or saying out loud.
-Ed.| 9.19.10 @ 2:19PM
Simply put: You lost - - - go away!
Alaska Al| 9.20.10 @ 1:57AM
Murkowski will split the Democrat vote not the other way around. McAdams is a certifiable nut-ball that Dems don't even want. The Independent vote will go for Miller like gang busters. Conservatives win. Take heart.