Reply #31: I think Fran's mistake was saying that she might have to

[Blue_In_AK]

raise taxes. People do go bonkers here whenever anyone says the word "taxes," as you must know since I assume you have lived here, or may still, for all I know. A lot has changed here in the past five years since Murkowski was elected governor. He didn't become the least popular governor in the country for nothing. The love affair with the oil companies has soured somewhat since BP's troubles on the Slope, plus the fight over the profits tax, and these corruption trials have everyone pretty disgusted, as far as I can tell. I personally think Don Young is toast ... he might even get taken out in the primary like Frank did last year. Ted's a tougher nut to crack, but a lot can happen between now and next year. I'm personally hoping that Ethan Berkowitz takes him on.

I'll grant you that Alaska has been solidly Republican for quite a few years, but I remember a time when we were a Democratic state (before Big Oil), and I have not lost hope that it can happen again.