short change and the long road
Mary Ann Akers predicts that “she would certainly be a front-runner in any race.”
By John Charles Reedburg
But why?
She may not have won the election, but SARAH PALIN isn’t taking a ride on the Bridge to Nowhere. She might just have a shot at Washington after all — in the senate.
If Stevens makes it to the senate, it becomes highly likely that his colleagues will be tossing his wrinkled ass out like so much garbage.
Here’s how it works. TED STEVENS is currently clinging to a narrow lead as ballots continue to be counted in his senate reelection campaign. As you may know, Stevens was recently found guilty of corruption charges and no one thought that as a convicted felon he could retain his senate seat. Beyond all reason, he is winning.
If Stevens makes it to the senate, it becomes highly likely that his colleagues will be tossing his wrinkled ass out like so much garbage.
And then Alaska has a vacant senate seat. What happens then? Glad you asked.
When a senate seat becomes vacant, it’s generally up to the state’s governor to appoint someone to that seat. But Alaska has had some problems with that. A few years back, former Alaska governor Frank Murkowski pissed off the state legislature by appointing his daughter to the senate seat he vacated.
After that, the state legislature passed a law requiring a special election to be held to fill vacant senate seats.
Fast forward to McCain/Palin losing and Ted Stevens winning.
It’s no secret that Sarah Palin has her eye on a 2012 presidential run. And staying in Washington might help her grease the wheels. (It’s hard to reach those D.C. wheels from Alaska.)
So Stevens’ win creates an interesting opportunity for Sarah Palin. She could go from Governor Sarah Palin to Senator Sarah Palin. And I’m guessing she likes the sound of that. The pitbull-in-lipstick has made no attempts to hide her national ambitions. Washington Post “Sleuth” Mary Ann Akers predicts that “she would certainly be a front-runner in any race.”
You can debate whether it’s better to be governor or senator. But at the end of the day, only one delivers the kind of national experience and beltway access that makes people start seeing you as a viable presidential contender.
The situation keeps Alaska interesting for all of us political junkies going into post-election withdrawal. So it’ll be fun to keep an eye on this.
What do you think? Should Palin compete for the senate seat, or stay on as governor?
