Republican Dan Sullivan has won the Alaska Senate race, ousting Democratic incumbent Mark Begich, according to The Associated Press, which called the race for Sullivan late Tuesday night following the first day of counting early and absentee ballots.
Sullivan leads Begich by 7,911 votes, according to the latest tally. Even though Begich gained some ground on Tuesday, and thousands of ballots are left to be counted, the AP said “the results indicated that Begich could not overcome Sullivan’s lead.”
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be chosen by my fellow Alaskans to serve them in the United States Senate,” Sullivan said in a statement. “From day one we told our supporters that we would run a campaign that Alaskans could be proud of, and that’s what we did.”
Begich’s campaign is not conceding, the AP reported.
As I think some of you are aware I essentially determined that Mark Begich did not have a chance of pulling out a victory here the day after the election.
In response I received a rather ugly e-mail accusing me of essentially being a traitor and of hurting his chances by writing him off before the ballots had been counted. I am not sure how my post could make ballots magically disappear but apparently I have incredible powers of which I remain blissfully unaware.
Look I doubt there are too many people up here that wanted Mark to win more than I did. Hell I even had the only Mark Begich sign for several blocks around.
But facts are facts, and as progressives we respect the facts.
This election was obviously for sale, and in the end the Democrats simply did not have the money to compete.
It is clear to everybody that Dan Sullivan is a Koch whore, and he is certainly not the only one representing us in Washington.
And look who finally came out to connect her name to Sullivan now that it is no longer a political liability.
What is it with Sarah Palin and her need to involve herself in other's success. Sullivan was not supported by SarahPac, yet that is the inference in her posting there. What a bitch.
ReplyDeleteWhat I was going to comment on is the absentee and early voting. All States are different, but why are the early voting ballots not counted until this week? If the absentee ballot only need be postmarked by election day, I can understand why they are not counted on election day. But early voting means late counting?
When Sarah isn't biting an ankle like the tiny yapyap she is, she is clinging to it and rubbing up against it.
DeleteMore like humping it, 4:07 PM, like the yapyap she is.
DeleteAs she said, Caroll, she sees a door open and she plows right through it. She doesn't care if she didn't open it, she'd prefer not to, isn't going to, because she's too darn lazy. She couldn't mayor nor govern. The cameras and fancy pageant walkin' she wanted from day one. OH, and the $$, always the $$ for the "queen."
DeleteSullivan is an total ass, but still hoping for the total oust of Parnell.
ReplyDeleteI cannot stand Canadian/Cuban Cruz. I think if he touched me I would throw up.
ReplyDeleteI wish y'all would stop blaming Canada for producing this loony creep. Yes, Cruz was born here but left as a young child when his parents returned to Houston in 1974. Everything that went into the making of the detestable politician you see today took place in the U.S. Calling him a Canadian is ridiculous. He is all yours.
DeleteI, for one, don't blame Canada for anything, 2:10 PM. I totally agree with you.
Delete@ Anonymous 5:39 PM...
DeleteThank you.
How is an election for sale? In all honesty, people don't vote because of ads these days. In fact, ads make them turn against people because they're annoying. Most people vote for party, or against a party. I talked to a woman yesterday who voted for an atty general despite not knowing who she is.
ReplyDeleteFOR REAL?
If you don't know, LEAVE IT BLANK. If you CHOOSE to not research who is on the ballot that you see ahead of time, LEAVE IT BLANK
Television ads do influence elections. When the screen is saturated, as it was here in Michigan, with ads full of misinformation and outright lies, outcomes are effected. Where I live we'll have another two years with a member of the House who has voted consistently AGAINST the best interests of his constituents ever since he was first elected four years ago.
DeleteAnd there's nothing wrong with voting a straight party ticket if you believe that the philosophy of the political party will take your county, your state or your country in the right direction.
Beaglemom
This entire thing makes me sick to my stomach. I think the money spoke - Koch Brothers - his parents - etc. Few Alaskans provided him money! However, many Alaskans financially supported Senator Begich.
ReplyDeleteSarah jumping on to Sullivan's coat strings already! Bet he's tickled to death about that! Haha!
Senator Begich has been a wonderful Alaskan, has worked hard for all of us and has my admiration and respect. And, I thank him from the bottom of my heart! For ALL of his service - Anchorage assembly and Mayor of Anchorage!
I think the thing that stings me most (well, the loss of Begich stings bad) is Sullivan calling us his fellow Alaskans. Not really.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Sullivan didn't show up for all the debates and when he did, showed himself horribly and not up on Alaskan subjects. He's not going to work for Alaskans like we've been use to with Senator Begich.
DeleteYou knew Sullivan didn't know Alaskans when he brought in the likes of the slick looking guy and Mittens! Yikes! Some folks actually fell for that which probably brought out the Republican voter!
What does she mean "supported by SarahPac"? I thought that he was not included in the 5% of funds she donates to candidates.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly. She's hopping around the house doing the happy dance. She was so much for the guy, she couldn't even find a photo of the two standing together and had to substitute one with some dang furriner.from another continent. Did she have a "blemish" that day?
DeleteUsing copyrighted photos for your own personal gain again Sarah ? That's a no-no !
Delete"In response I received a rather ugly e-mail accusing me of essentially being a traitor and of hurting his chances by writing him off before the ballots had been counted."
ReplyDelete____________________________________________
Is that so? Are free speech and thought not allowed anymore? Have you ever tried to dissuade any of us from our thoughts? If you were anywhere near that, you wouldn't allow the trolls here. Sounds a lot like sour grapes to me!
So welcome, "new" Koch whore Thing 1, and just look who came out to meet you, if it isn't Thing 2! Gryph has every right to write what he wants, when he wants, and he will! Just ask her!
I don't believe that Begich's loss was entirely about money. I am a reasonable centrist and I just could not bring myself to vote for Mark. Maybe it's because he would never call on me at Town Hall meetings during I raised my hand hoping to ask a pertinent question. Maybe it's because he consumed all the time available at a Veteran's Forum because he talked all about himself rather than permit the veterans on the panel speak as much as they expected. Or maybe I could just not get beyond his arrogance?
ReplyDeleteWow, 1:21 PM I've known Senator Begich for years (Anchorage Assembly, Mayor of Anchorage and as Senator) and always found him very accessible, kind and knowledgeable.
DeleteI can't help but wonder if he knew you - knew who you were - etc, Were you possibly a plant and troublemaker and he knew it?
Or, are you a plant now and have been pro Sullivan all along?
Thank you for putting your feefees before your country.
DeleteSo Begich's arrogance is worth losing his representation in the US Senate and replacing him with a Koch minion? That seems crazy to me.
DeleteWell Good Luck with getting Dan Sullivan to call on you.
DeleteObviously, Anon at 1:21 pm, you don't understand the party politics of the Senate. It's the number of senators belonging to one party or another that determines the power. You failed Alaska and you failed the country by not voting for Senator Begich out of some kind of pique. Heaven help us all. Enjoy your carpetbagger Tea Party senator. Unfortunately the rest of us have to endure him too. And you know, don't you, that once a Republican gets elected in Alaska, you will never get him out of office.
DeleteBeaglemom
Anon at 1:21 pm,
DeleteOh and good luck if you need the help of the Senator...I'm sure Dan Sullivan will not be willing to help.
Just b/c Begich didn't call on you? You voted AGAINST him?
That sounds like a Sarah move to me!
The AP does not certify Alaska election results only Alaska gets to do this. Until then, I will wait and not make assumptions.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Joe Miller measure for curtains based on his ass-umption?
Call me an eternal optimist, but the fat lady hasn't sung yet 1:32.
DeleteI hope the old 'you know what happens when you assume - you make an ASS out of U and ME is true.
But it is not looking good for Senator Begich. And that is a damn shame because I always saw him as a Harry Truman kind of Senator. He is a good one. Maybe, like Truman, he can be the winner and hold up the newspaper that said that Sullivan wins like Truman with Dewey back in 1948.
Supported?! Did SARAH PAC actually give money to Sullivan's campaign, or is she using her PAC like the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval?
ReplyDeleteHow come Sarah never endorsed Sullivan before the election? She could have gone to rally for him with Ted and Mitt. Where was she?
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't she invite Sullivan to her house for moose chili?
As Caroll said above, she needs ride on other people's successes because she is not one herself. Believe you me, that calculating bitch does absolutely out of the goodness of her heart. "There are no coincidences."
Delete*absolutely nothing.
DeleteI'm sure Sullivan wants nothing to do with her - so, her latching on to his short tails won't do her a bit of good.
DeletePretend democrats are ALWAYS going to lose to GOPers - one day they might learn this fact and support the ONE democrat who has their back all the time.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many ballots ended up in the Yukon River or were dropped over the gunwale of a friend-of-Sullivan fishing boat?
ReplyDeleteWell it looks more and more like they will have more than enough votes in the Senate with the aid of Blue Dog Dems, these guys will have the ability to override any filibuster the Dems might mount when it comes to legislation. Enjoy
ReplyDeleteI agree with Senator Begich. In a democracy, all votes should be counted and then, sometimes, recounted. It's more important for all voters to know that their votes matter than for a news organization to be the first to flash "winner" across a television screen or a newspaper front page, especially in a state where it may take days to complete the initial tally.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
My condolences.
ReplyDeleteOur local Scott Peters finally won as the absentee and provisional ballots were counted.
On Election Day Carl "the masturbator" de Maio was ahead by 750. But as the mail in ballots were counted that reversed itself and much toy relief Mr. Hands down his pants finally conceded.
Sorry Begich couldn't have enjoyed the same.
What a shame. Money buys elections in the U.S. Makes me wonder if our elections are bought as well in Canada. I've lost respect.
ReplyDelete