UPDATE: Murkowski is no longer welcome in Senate Republican leadership

[Tx4obama]

Excerpt from: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/09/the_iditarod_of_senate_campaigns.php?ref=fpblg

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announces that Murkowski is no longer welcome in the Senate Republican leadership, and he accepted her resignation as Republican Conference Secretary. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, recommits to supporting Miller and describes himself as "deeply disappointed" with Murkowski's decision.
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As I said earlier today on this thread: http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9154474
So, this is what I think...
If I were a republican then I'd be hollering at the republican senators that have been threatening/talking/thinking about taking away Murkowski's ranking membership on the Energy committee (before the election) - BECAUSE if the republicans piss Murkowski off, and then she wins an Independent, then she might just tell them to kiss her ass and then start voting more with the democrats - which I think would be a 'good' thing ;)
I am still hoping that Murkowski and Miller will split the republican vote equally and the democrats come out full force for McAdams!
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So, now we have the republicans officially tossing Murkowski OUT - due to her announcement of staying in the senate race as a write-in candidate. I 'betcha' that ain't makin' her happy ;)
And be sure to read this interesting article regarding Senators Snowe and Collins : http://www.alan.com/2010/09/18/olympia-snowe-is-sad-soon-she-may-be-a-democrat/

I'm now wondering if the Democratic Caucus will PICK UP Murkowski (if she wins Alaska), Snowe, & Collins !!! :)
Edited to add: And even maybe Crist (I-FL) if he wins, since the republicans have turned their back on him too!
That would be FOUR more votes for the democrats ;)

Lisa Murkowski is 'going rogue' on Palin up there in Alaska - betcha Palin is pretty pissed right now!
Remember when Palin said: "I think competition is great" --- Well that's gonna come back and bite her in the ass!

[Historic NY]

1. WoW they're falling apart even before Nov.

[Broke In Jersey]

2. I kinda support the leadership on this one...

ASSUMING that this was done AFTER she told them that she would run as a write-in candidate for the senate seat. When you lose an election don't be a sore loser. I've seen it done by politicians regardless of party that think their seats in congress are ordained by God.

[Tx4obama]

4. But she is still a REPUBLICAN.

She is only running on the ticket as an independent because of Palin's teaparty influence that screwed up the primary!

[pintobean]

7. Just like Joe Lieberman is still a Democrat

[Blue_In_AK]

19. Her statement after the primary

was that the Alaska Republican Party had been "hijacked," which is basically the truth. No matter what happens in the election, the party here will NEVER be the same, which I see as a good thing since they had a monolithic stranglehold on Alaska's politics.

As for her caucusing with the Democrats, I don't see it happening. She's more moderate than Joe the Teabagger, but I think her supporters here would be really, really disgusted with her if she started voting with the Dems.

[tblue37]

15. I wish the Dems had done just this to Lieberdweeb. nt

[roguevalley]

20. you don't understand the sense of entitlement that the murkowskis

feel about the best jobs in this state. she was appointed by her old man to his senate seat because apparently she was the only one in the ENTIRE state that was qualified. Ben Stevens, Ted's brat turned it down. He wasn't as crass as she is but she is not going to have anyone tell her she can't be senator. This is about her own hardwired ego. Look at her face. Look at her googly eyes. She is about as hatefully arrogant and self consciously ego driven as anyone on planet earth. no one tells a murkowski they can't do what they want.

That is why this place is so much fun.

[Gaedel]

3. At least they do it right

We never punished Lieberman for doing the same thing.

[Tx4obama]

5. Murkowski has not yet left the republican party - she is still a REPUBLICAN. n/t

[rucky]

6. Yep.

[Loudmxr]

8. You forget how Republicans forget. Lisa M. will be welcomed back if she wins.

They will forget Joe even ran. Miller? Isn't that a beer or something? :beer:

[LiberalAndProud]

9. You know, I have to respect this.

I'm thinking of Lieberman's independent run. Nothing changed for him when he left our party. Why FFS?

[seabeyond]

10. yet snowe and collins werent the ones voting dem the last legislation on small business....

i keep hearing about snowe adn collin and they keep voting repug, regardless

[Canuckistanian]

11. She's staying on the ballot - amazing

Murkowski's got a LOT of name recognition in Alaska - people are going to remember how she was treated by the party and she'll get the sympathy vote.

That might make it harder for McAdams, although voters may reject Republicans/Teabaggers altogether until they get their act together.

[COLGATE4]

12. Wishful thinking. If Murkowski gets re-elected she will return

to the Republican fold (and be welcomed back with open arms). I don't think any of them trust each other anyway, so what's to lose from welcoming her 'home'. She may be pissed but with a nice Committee assignment she'll get over it. The same with Charlie Crist. They're just not Republicans "now".

[Arkana]

13. BY FIRE BE PURGED!

I think she should endorse Scott McAdams in retaliation.

[ladjf]

14. IMO this is a dumb move by the Republican leadership. She might

win in the next election running as an independent. At that point, the Pubs are going to want her cooperation.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

16. Republicans are cutthroat

Which is why they win even when they have zip to offer, while we keep slime like LIEberman around to undercut our efforts.

[derby378]

17. I'm not so sure we can afford Murkowski on our side...

...and besides, remember what happened when Lieberman ran as an independent candidate in CT against Democrat Ned Lamont? I still remember Schumer saying he was willing to throw Lamont under the bus after the primary vote.

[theothersnippywshrub]

18. If she wins they will be delighted to take her back. n/t