Alaska Libertarians Not That Interested In Murkowski

Like the creature in a horror film that just won't die, Lisa Murkowski popped back up yesterday saying she was "still in this game" despite losing the Republican Primary to Joe Miller.

After her discussion with David Haase, the Libertarian Senate candidate (who we first met here), it doesn't sound like anything will come of it.

For Murkowski to run as a Libertarian, Haase would have to step aside and the party would need to reverse its vote barring her from the ticket.

"It would be a serious flip-flop," party chairman Kohlhaas said. "And I don't think it's happening."

...Libertarian Senate candidate Haase said no decision was made at his Tuesday meeting with Murkowski. "Anything this important is worth sleeping on," Haase said. "And she's got a lot to think about."

Haase said Murkowski does have Libertarian tendencies but that her support for the war on drugs is a problem. Party chairman Kolhaas has also identified other Murkowski positions as a problem for the Libertarians. Those include her vote to authorize the war in Iraq and her 2008 vote in favor of the Bush administration's Wall Street bailout plan, which Murkowski has said she regrets.

Haase said he might be willing to talk to his party's leadership on Murkowski's behalf.

"If she convinced me I would do everything I can to convince them. But she hasn't convinced me. And she hasn't decided that she wants to run. ... She doesn't want to be seen as somebody that will switch parties just to get elected," Haase said.

Seriously, how much fun would it have been to be a fly on the wall during the Haase/Murkowski meeting? I would have loved to have seen the look on her face as Haase tried to get her to sign on to his "The Peoples Bail Out". Priceless!

Amazing what some hacks will do to hang on to the thinnest of reeds if it means the chance to stay in office. At least we can take some comfort in the idea she's not enjoying it.

posted by DrewM. at 12:49 PM

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