Sunday, July 30, 2017

Donald Trump's attacks on Lisa Murkowski have failed, making her a political hero instead.

Courtesy of Alaska Dispatch:

If there's anything Alaskans don't like, it's having Alaska threatened by Washington, D.C. That's why Sen. Lisa Murkowski came out of this historic political week with unique new stature and why Sen. Dan Sullivan hurt himself badly. 

On Wednesday, Sullivan told an Alaska Dispatch News reporter that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had delivered a threat against Alaska energy development if Murkowski wouldn't reverse her opposition to the Republicans' repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Sullivan was the third link in a chain of incredible political ineptitude leading from President Donald Trump through Zinke.

Sullivan not only revealed the threat — really dumb — but seemed to take it seriously and, if media reports are accurate, pushed Murkowski to capitulate. 

I have no doubt Murkowski was as furious as has been reported. But she didn't blab. She simply froze Interior nominations at the Energy and Natural Resources Committee she chairs — the committee that oversees Zinke's department.

Murkowski came out looking like a steel-spined hero, bucking Washington threats against Alaska to do what was right. I suspect even her conservative Alaska critics got a tingle from the spectacle, if they aren't Republican Central Committee members. 

Sullivan came out looking like a pipsqueak.

This is how one Republican consultant described the idea of attacking Lisa Murkowski and the people of Alaska:  

“Let me tell you what little bit I know about Alaska and Lisa. When you go to attack those people, you better take two sandwiches because she’ll eat the first one for lunch and maybe give you the second one back.”

That is essentially what I said right after Trump's Interior Secretary delivered his ham handed threat:  

If Donald Trump thinks that he can make Alaskans turn on one of their own by threatening our economy he has another think coming. 

We may not all agree with each other politically, but if an out of stater attacks one of our own, they are going to witness a circling of the wagons like they have never seen before. 

We live in one of the harshest climates on the planet, and are constantly surrounded by predators that will kill us just as soon as look at us, so if that corpulent orange POS thinks that Alaskans cave to threats than he knows nothing about us as a people.

I stand by that.

All that Trump has done is ensure that Lisa Murkowski remains a Senator for Alaska until she, on her own, decides that she no longer wants the job.

Back in 2010 when Murkowski won a write in vote and defeated both the Republican and Democratic candidates I said that she would be almost impossible to defeat in the next election cycle.

The only thing I would change about that statement is to remove the word "almost."

The one characteristic that Alaskans prize above all others is toughness.

Lisa Murkowski stood up against virtually the entire Republican party and a president who is well know for bullying and abusing women.

That is the kind of powerful image that you cannot buy, and the kind of image that intimidates political challengers and energizes voters.

On the other hand, when it comes to Dan Sullivan I do believe I smell blood in the water.

33 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:19 PM

    I have never supported Lisa Murkowski up to this point, but I admire her actions of late. Loved how she and John McCain connected so fiercely in D.C. Strong lady!! Just wish she wasn't a Republican!!!

    Dan Sullivan, the Ohio boy, has proved himself to be a weasel and hopefully is not reelected when it comes time for him to run again. He is not an Alaskan boy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you in your opinion about Lisa in the past, and I even told her so to her face.

      And I am not suggesting that I am a supporter now.

      All I am doing is pointing out the political realities that we are dealing with in the wake of her recent actions.

      She in no way hurt herself up here in Alaska, and has, in my opinion, rendered herself essentially bulletproof.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:37 PM

      It is amazing the way this administration hands free victories to its opponents out of ignorance and incompetence. Turns out aptitude and experience actually matter! Who knew?

      ...you'd think a "successful businessman" would know.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous2:27 PM

    I felt for Lisa at one point in this whole fiasco. How lonely it must be to be the only one standing after the Trump train hit.
    Then she showed her wonder woman ethics. Glory be, that was sweet to watch. She and Collins are tough women. Love that.
    John McCain had to be persuaded to do the right thing. Now if all the Republicans and Democrats would stop listening to the Russian noise, they could get some work done. Oh, and please remove Cheeto Hitler from the White House. He's getting on everyone's last nerve here in America. We are all going to need healthcare when Donald is done with us. My nerves are frazzled.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:19 PM

      It's kinda hard to stop listening to the "Russian noise" when said noise is a direct assault on our democracy. Further, it's the government's responsibility to respond to acts of war.

      Sure, we might rather be doing other things, but to suggest that we and our representatives ought not to protect the country from enemies is unpatriotic.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous2:46 PM

    Supposedly trump let Priebus go because he didn't stand up to the mooch. But he hates it when a woman stands up to him, but it baffles me why he just went after Senator Murkowski and not Senator Collins. Is it because Alaska relies more on the Federal Government than Maine? Or is it because Angus King, an Independent, and Maine's junior Senator would have Clins back? As opposed to Ohio Dan who pussed out and did Twitlers bidding. Lawrence O'Donnell did a story where he had the interior secretary telling Lisa "nice state you got there, be a shame if anything happened to it". Before he tried to blackmail her which the House may investigate, he should have check to see who was in charge of hearings for vacancies in his Department, and who oversaw his budget. Those hearings on moab in hold

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous2:48 PM

    It's the "Frontier Spirit." Much like sibling rivalry. We can pick on our sister, but you (the outsider) best not even think about it. Here in NV, outside money and Shelly Adelson went after Catherine Cortez Masto. She is now our Senator. Same might come true for Dean Heller, if he sports a pair and resists the outside money. Charles and David Koch may out leverage us in dollars, but these are our Senators and we have the vote. 2018 - vote like you've never voted before and take at least ten friends to the polls with you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous2:50 PM

    Big mistake by those boys in DC. Even if we don't always agree on everything. We'll be standing with Lisa Again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Poor poor stupid Sully.

    And all for a orange flatulent ape.

    ReplyDelete
  7. a. j. billings3:09 PM

    OT- this is irreverent, vulgar, and in VERY BAD TASTE, but it is a well done video of just what Scaramoochie and Trump are up to lately.


    Proabably just PG rated, but be careful because you could burst out laughing!!!!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqmkylU8k7s

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:02 PM

      THAT is funny $hitgibbon Bud $eXx

      Delete
  8. Anonymous3:22 PM

    You'll know Sullivan is in trouble when Snowdrift Snookie goes after him!

    Whatever secret dill might have been made about July 3 2009 might be one thing but Serror never forgets or forgives a vendetta.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous3:24 PM

    Alaska is such a good place(exclucing sarah palin). beautiful, full of wonderful wild life,and a republican senator with ethics. she did the right thing and nothing can change that.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous3:25 PM

    I envy Alaskans right now. I commecial fished it many decades ago . I respect Lisa for her backbone. Fuck Sullivan!
    I made friends with locals , that still call me friend.
    I come from the wonderful state of Montana. Right now we are plagued by Zinke, giaforte, and daines!trump thugs!
    Thanks to a strong Democratic Governor Bullock, and a strong Democratic Senator Tester, we are surviving outside money and lots of ignorant trump supporters with money and hate and racism.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3:43 PM

    After she sat at his left hand in meetings and he offered her bribe money to your state, no doubt it chapped his hide that she voted no.

    Donnie fears strong women.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous3:47 PM

    Sarah Palin must be gushing with pride for a female from Alaska making this kind of history.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:59 PM

      3:47 are you joking? This is a snark ? Are you being facetious? Wtf! Are you serious?
      Sarah only cares about sara palin! Where have you been! Are you a Van Winkle?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4:02 PM

      Yeah what is the WGE's take on Lisa now?

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:12 PM

      hahahaha!
      SURE she is, guppy.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous5:22 PM

      Sarah is gushing something, but it sure isn't pride. More like envy and rage.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous4:21 PM

    It's unfortunate that the healthcare debacle has put focus on Ohio Dan, because he is evidence that Alaska is wingnutty but the worst part is that Alaska must now own him.

    OTOH someone today asked why Republicans tried to sell Sarah Palin as the badass Alaska woman when all along they had the real thing in Lisa Murkowski ...

    Lisa has been in her job for 15 years. Sarah had a couple of good years and but then Alaska found out who she is and now she's just an embarrassment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:25 AM

      Sarah had a couple good years? Really? do you mean the road to nowhere?

      Delete
  14. Anonymous5:05 PM

    So, and what is TundraTwat saying about all this? $he has been quite quiet lately...

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous5:15 PM

    FYI, Death Valley is the harshest climate on the planet. Try working and living where it can get to 130F and where the ground gets even hotter, melting the soles of your shoes. At least in AK you can put on warmer coverings. You can take off just so much clothes in the heat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:08 AM

      Actually you want to leave those clothes on in death valley. You need a layer of sweat to stay cool. Cold or Hot have some knowledge of survival skills.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous6:44 PM

    So how disconnected was Zinke to not realize Murkowski's control over his department? He may be brand new at the job, but for heaven's sake he was a Montana congressperson. Surely he'd keep an eye on another state with a wild west reputation, if only to get tips from Sarah on shooting wolves from helicopters.

    Wild Tortoise

    ReplyDelete
  17. So, who is lining up to take Dan's job when his re-election comes around.

    We've already got plenty of viable candidates already declared to run against Issa and Rohrbacher.

    Shouldn't be hard to remind the public about coward carpetbagger Dan Sullivan and how he caved to Trump the bully and his henchman Zinke. Just as long as Joe Miller isn't the one planning on taking Dan Sullivan's place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:05 PM

      Alaska will reelect Ohio Dan, they'll reelect anyone that's not a Democrat, they'll reelect anyone that's not a Democrat for decades. Even a random carpetbagger is acceptable because there's that much Hate in Alaska.

      Delete
  18. Anonymous4:03 AM

    I have a theory that the women stood up to the shitgibbon because we are used to men trying to bully us so when Agent Orange started in on the Senators they were up to telling him to fuck off. The male Senators, besides being all-around pussies, were cowed and stunned when he bullied them and bent over for him.
    This is a horrible time for our country but some of us are shining through: women, the press, lawyers, and the whole Resistance!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous7:14 AM

    Susan got a round of applause at the Maine airport . Have those men No Balls? Orange agent bent them over and used them like the bought and paid for whores they are. Poor turtle
    ..even Trump couldnt save them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:07 PM

      Don't discount this being Turtle's plan to avoid all responsibility for health insurance...

      Delete

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