The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

ALASKA SENATE COUNTDOWN TODAY UPDATE: MURKOWSKI CONCEDES!

Posted on | August 31, 2010 | 159 Comments

ANCHORAGE, Alaska
UPDATE Midnight ET (4 p.m. local) The AOSHQ flaming skull dipped in pudding? Where’s Norah O’Donnell now that we need her?

UPDATE 11 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local) — It’s over. I just returned to Joe Miller campaign HQ after attending Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s concession speech on the other side of town. I fed live audio to Melissa Clouthier via cell phone, so she Tweeted the speech as it happened:

Based where we are right now, I don’t see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favor. . . . For the good of the state of [Alaska], I’m conceding the race for Senator. . . . We stayed on the high road.”

I’m now racing deadline for The American Spectator, so that should be it for now.

Celebrate, America: IT’S MILLER TIME!

UPDATE 11:25 p.m. ET (7:25 p.m. local): MALKIN-LANCHE!

And let me ask readers: After I spent last night in a fleabag motel near the airport, don’t you think I deserve a night in the Sheraton downtown? Hit the freaking tip jar!

UPDATE 8:50 p.m. ET (4:50 p.m. local) — Absenttes in Fairbanks are reported to be good news for Joe Miller. Anchorage talk-radio host Dan Fagan on 750 KFQD just said that the votes remaining to be counted would have to break 55% for Lisa Murkowski in order for her to win: “That’s not going to happen . . . . It’s over.”

Joe Miller campaign headquarters, where a delivery of pudding is expected to arrive momentarily.

Momma O’s is famed for its fried halibut sandwiches.

Miller volunteer SemperVigilo drives the “JoeMobile.”

UPDATE 8 p.m. ET (4 p.m. local)Dan Riehl and Big Government were first to break this, and other sources here in Anchorage are also reporting that Lisa Murkowski is expected to concede the GOP nomination to Joe Miller in a few hours.

UPDATE 8:25 p.m. ET (4:25 p.m. local) — More numbers reporting, now the margin is 1,210 votes.

7:40 p.m. ET (3:40 p.m. local) — Joe Miller is now being interviewed live on the Mark Levin show.

UPDATE 7:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local) — OK, it turns out that that folks at Joe Miller campaign HQ had been misinformed about the count in districts 13-16. I just interviewed Gail Fenumiai of the Alaska Division of Elections, who explained that absentee ballots (and early votes) were counted in those Mat-Su districts today. It was the questioned ballots that weren’t counted, and those will be counted Friday.

As of now, Miller leads by 1,292 votes. We don’t know if numbers from Juneau are included in this total. They’ve just started counting in Fairbanks. Fenumiai said she expects the online totals for today’s votes to be more or less complete by “six-ish” — i.e., 10 p.m. ET.

The summary at this point: Chill out. At this point, we’re still about three hours away from knowing what the complete picture is today. However, if there are any Ace of Spades readers in Anchorage, please drop off a six-pack of Jello vanilla pudding cups at the Miller campaign HQ on Northern Lights Boulevard.

UPDATE 5:55 p.m. ET (1:55 p.m. local) — While we were at lunch, the margin shifted again. Now, Joe Miller leads by 1,294 votes. I’m told that this reflects early votes and questioned ballots from the Wasilla-Palmer area.

I’m told that districts 13 through 16  will only count questioned and early ballots today, while absentees there won’t be counted until tomorrow.

UPDATE 6:10 p.m. ET (2:10 p.m. local) — Just confirmed with Miller campaign manager Robert Campbell: Absentee ballots in districts 13-16 — Miller-Palmer area, aka the Mat-Su Valley — will not be counted until Wednesday. So today’s totals, with Lisa Murkowski gaining slightly, do not reflect the final outcome in those districts, generally considered a Miller stronghold.

4:35 p.m. ET (12:35 p.m. local) — Joe Miller has just increased his lead over Lisa Murkowski to 1,460 after further counting of absentee ballots in the GOP Senate primary.

Now linked at Conservatives for Palin — thanks! — and also at Riehl World View, where Dan also reports further accusations of shenanigans.

UPDATE 4:25 p.m. ET (12:25 p.m. local time) — “We’re thinking it will be a good day at the end of the day,” Joe Miller campaign spokesman Randy DeSoto says in reaction to preliminary absentee ballot count from Anchorage:

UPDATE 4:05 p.m. (12:05 p.m. local) — Things are very busy at Miller campaign HQ, about three blocks away from the Elections Division office. Spoke briefly to campaign manager Robert Campbell and interviewed campaign spokesman Randy DeSoto and hope to have video in a few minutes.

Thanks for the Ace-o-Lanche — don’t panic, Ace. “So far, it looks pretty good for us,” as one source close to the campaign just said. The Anchorage Daily News is also blogging the results live.

Two friendly ladies named Mary staff the front desk at Joe Miller campaign HQ.

Linked by Brian O’Connor at Red Dog Report. Thanks!

UPDATE 3:25 p.m. ET (11:25 a.m. local) — After preliminary count of absentee ballots from Anchorage division, Joe Miller leads by a 1,325-vote margin, with 48,051 votes to 46726 for Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Although this narrows Miller’s lead from 1,668 in Election Day results, it is being interpreted as good news by the Miller campaign, because Anchorage had generally leaned toward Murkowski. Miller’s stronghold is in the Mat-Su Valley, where preliminary results of the absentee ballot count will be reported later today.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m. ET (11:10 a.m. local time) — Preliminary totals for absentee ballots from Anchorage should be available within the hour, according to Gail Fenumiai, director of the Alaska Division of Elections.

The absentee count began at 9 a.m. in Anchorage, where five clerks were operating Accu-Vote optical scanners at the Election Divisions headquarters. On the other side of the same room, separated by a partition wall, five more clerks were reviewing “questioned” ballots. Officials and volunteers representing both candidates in the GOP primary — Sen. Lisa Murkowski and challenger Joe Miller — were observing the count.

Meanwhile, the absentee count began at 10 a.m. local time in the Mat-Su Valley district office, while Juneau is scheduled to begin counting at 1 p.m. and the count begins in Fairbanks at 3 p.m.

Soon to be the World’s Most Famous Ballot-Counters operate the Accu-Vote optical scanners at the Elections Division office in Anchorage.

Gail Fenumiai of the Alaska Division of Elections briefs reporters covering the absentee ballot count in Anchorage.

PREVIOUSLY: OK, I just checked. It’s 2.7 miles from my cheap motel near the airport to the Division of Elections office downtown. where they start counting absentee ballots at 9 a.m. (1 p.m. ET). The Division of Elections is less than half a mile from the Joe Miller campaign headquarters. Expect updates throughout the day.

According to the Associated Press, they’ll only be counting about half the remaining ballots today:

Nearly 11,000 absentee ballots are scheduled to be counted Tuesday in Alaska with the outcome of the Republican primary in the U.S. Senate race in the balance.
The Alaska Division of Elections lists 10,850 absentee ballots for the count starting Tuesday morning in Anchorage and Wasilla and Tuesday afternoon in Fairbanks and Juneau.
Another 14,000 ballots still outstanding presumably will be counted Friday and Sept. 8.

Got to take a quick shower and pack. Here’s the front page of today’s Anchorage Daily News:

PREVIOUSLY:

Comments

159 Responses to “ALASKA SENATE COUNTDOWN TODAY UPDATE: MURKOWSKI CONCEDES!

  1. JeffS
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:34 pm

    IT’S MILLER TIME!!!!

  2. JeffS
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:34 pm
  3. Michelle Malkin » Alaska surprise: Another GOP incumbent goes down
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:35 pm

    […] Stacy McCain is liveblogging in Anchorage. […]

  4. steveegg
    September 1st, 2010 @ 2:42 am

    Guess Murkowski heard you were in town 🙂

  5. steveegg
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:42 pm

    Guess Murkowski heard you were in town 🙂

  6. Jason B
    September 1st, 2010 @ 2:48 am

    Thank you Jesus. And thank you good people of Alaska. When I heard the news I let out a big whoop and threw my hands in the air. Again, I can’t tell you how happy and proud I am of Alaska.

  7. Jason B
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:48 pm

    Thank you Jesus. And thank you good people of Alaska. When I heard the news I let out a big whoop and threw my hands in the air. Again, I can’t tell you how happy and proud I am of Alaska.

  8. JSF
    September 1st, 2010 @ 2:52 am

    Note: Murkowski conceded AFTER the great Gonzo Journalist RS Mc Cain arrived.

    Face it folks, the Power of The Othet McCain compels the Establishment GOP to stand up and listen.

  9. JSF
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:52 pm

    Note: Murkowski conceded AFTER the great Gonzo Journalist RS Mc Cain arrived.

    Face it folks, the Power of The Othet McCain compels the Establishment GOP to stand up and listen.

  10. JeffS
    September 1st, 2010 @ 2:55 am

    Heck, JSF, The Other McCain compels politicians everywhere to stand up and listen!

  11. JeffS
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:55 pm

    Heck, JSF, The Other McCain compels politicians everywhere to stand up and listen!

  12. Alaska surprise: Another GOP incumbent goes down - South Capitol Street
    August 31st, 2010 @ 10:57 pm

    […] Stacy McCain is liveblogging in Anchorage. […]

  13. Wondering Jew
    September 1st, 2010 @ 3:07 am

    You even got Michelle Malkin linkage (and I see you are getting an American Spectator article from this as well.)

    Looks like lots of comments on the blog so hopefully it will be a big traffic day for you.

    Three Cheers for Citizen-Sponsored Gonzo Reporting!

  14. Wondering Jew
    August 31st, 2010 @ 11:07 pm

    You even got Michelle Malkin linkage (and I see you are getting an American Spectator article from this as well.)

    Looks like lots of comments on the blog so hopefully it will be a big traffic day for you.

    Three Cheers for Citizen-Sponsored Gonzo Reporting!

  15. Murkowski Concession Speech: Joe Miller Wins Alaska Republican Primary For Senator | Liberty Pundits Blog
    August 31st, 2010 @ 11:12 pm

    […] Murkowski Concession Speech: Joe Miller Wins Alaska Republican Primary For Senator Posted by Melissa Clouthier on Aug 31 2010 Filed under Featured, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry jQuery(document).ready(function($) { window.setTimeout('loadFBShareMe_21599()',5000); }); function loadFBShareMe_21599(){ jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $('.dd-fbshareme-21599').remove();$('.DD_FBSHAREME_AJAX_21599').attr('width','53');$('.DD_FBSHAREME_AJAX_21599').attr('height','69');$('.DD_FBSHAREME_AJAX_21599').attr('src','http://widgets.fbshare.me/files/fbshare.php?url=http://libertypundits.net/article/murkowski-concession-speech-joe-miller-wins-alaska-republican-primary-for-senator/&size=large'); }); }In a strange New Media confluence, Robert Stacy McCain called me from Lisa Murkowski headquarters and I live-tweeted the conversation and then the actual News conference. The CNN live feed was a few minutes delayed, so our followers got the news fresh and first via Twitter. Please go to Robert’s excellent blogging on all this here. […]

  16. Bob Belvedere
    September 1st, 2010 @ 3:26 am

    The McCain Mojo Strikes Again!

    Great reporting!

  17. Bob Belvedere
    August 31st, 2010 @ 11:26 pm

    The McCain Mojo Strikes Again!

    Great reporting!

  18. Jennifer H
    September 1st, 2010 @ 3:36 am

    Please send me a PO box or another address where I can send a donation for your efforts.
    My Pay Pal account was hacked into a few months ago and I will not/cannot use it.

  19. Jennifer H
    August 31st, 2010 @ 11:36 pm

    Please send me a PO box or another address where I can send a donation for your efforts.
    My Pay Pal account was hacked into a few months ago and I will not/cannot use it.

  20. Eric Dondero
    September 1st, 2010 @ 3:39 am

    Notice there’s no Tom Knapp in sight, now that Murkowski has conceded to libertarian-leaning Republican Joe Miller. Strike up another victory for the Libertarian Republican movement. Strike up another huge loss for Left Losertarians like Knapp.

  21. Eric Dondero
    August 31st, 2010 @ 11:39 pm

    Notice there’s no Tom Knapp in sight, now that Murkowski has conceded to libertarian-leaning Republican Joe Miller. Strike up another victory for the Libertarian Republican movement. Strike up another huge loss for Left Losertarians like Knapp.

  22. Scott
    September 1st, 2010 @ 4:10 am

    I haven’t seen any reporting that she threw her support to Miller.

    Could she be considering a write in campaign and split the GOP vote?

  23. Scott
    September 1st, 2010 @ 12:10 am

    I haven’t seen any reporting that she threw her support to Miller.

    Could she be considering a write in campaign and split the GOP vote?

  24. Estragon
    September 1st, 2010 @ 4:20 am

    If she’s conceding in the name of party unity, that implies no write in campaign.

    BTW ~ only ONE write-in campaign has ever succeeded in electing a US Senator – South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond.

    ~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~

    Conceding before the absentees are even counted really messes with the meme so many seem to have adopted as Gospel – that Murky would do anything to win, that the NRSC lawyer was there to help her steal votes, that she would get the LP nomination, that her volunteer used a government computer, all of which proved not to be true at all.

    Bottom line, though: good for the party and good for the country. Miller will make an excellent Senator. Jim DeMint, meet your new best friend!

  25. Estragon
    September 1st, 2010 @ 12:20 am

    If she’s conceding in the name of party unity, that implies no write in campaign.

    BTW ~ only ONE write-in campaign has ever succeeded in electing a US Senator – South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond.

    ~~~~~~
    ~~~~~~

    Conceding before the absentees are even counted really messes with the meme so many seem to have adopted as Gospel – that Murky would do anything to win, that the NRSC lawyer was there to help her steal votes, that she would get the LP nomination, that her volunteer used a government computer, all of which proved not to be true at all.

    Bottom line, though: good for the party and good for the country. Miller will make an excellent Senator. Jim DeMint, meet your new best friend!

  26. Dustin
    September 1st, 2010 @ 4:43 am

    “Conceding before the absentees are even counted really messes with the meme so many seem to have adopted as Gospel – that Murky would do anything to win, that the NRSC lawyer was there to help her steal votes, that she would get the LP nomination, that her volunteer used a government computer, all of which proved not to be true at all.”

    Not really. She’s just playing the game. now that people recognized what she was doing, she realized she had no viability or credibility and needed to duck out. I’m glad she did, and I hope she lives up to her commitment to support Miller. Her website is simply insanely nasty towards him right now… wow she really really really hates Miller for some reason.

    She quit because that was a good strategy at that point if she ever wanted any hope of accomplishing anything in the future. Good move on her part.

    End of the line: she entertained a third party run, while a candidate for the GOP. She is every bit as awful as many have claimed, and indeed seems to be willing to do anything to win. She says herself that staying in won’t win the race, so your argument doesn’t hold water. she’d do anything to win.

  27. Dustin
    September 1st, 2010 @ 12:43 am

    “Conceding before the absentees are even counted really messes with the meme so many seem to have adopted as Gospel – that Murky would do anything to win, that the NRSC lawyer was there to help her steal votes, that she would get the LP nomination, that her volunteer used a government computer, all of which proved not to be true at all.”

    Not really. She’s just playing the game. now that people recognized what she was doing, she realized she had no viability or credibility and needed to duck out. I’m glad she did, and I hope she lives up to her commitment to support Miller. Her website is simply insanely nasty towards him right now… wow she really really really hates Miller for some reason.

    She quit because that was a good strategy at that point if she ever wanted any hope of accomplishing anything in the future. Good move on her part.

    End of the line: she entertained a third party run, while a candidate for the GOP. She is every bit as awful as many have claimed, and indeed seems to be willing to do anything to win. She says herself that staying in won’t win the race, so your argument doesn’t hold water. she’d do anything to win.

  28. BREAKING NEWS: MILLER WINS ALASKA SENATE RACE! | Political Byline
    September 1st, 2010 @ 12:49 am

    […] ….and you can read about it over at Robert Stacy McCain’s Blog— Right now! Click here! SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "BREAKING NEWS: MILLER WINS ALASKA SENATE RACE!", url: "http://www.politicalbyline.com/2010/09/01/breaking-news-miller-wins-alaska-senate-race/" }); If you liked this post, then, please: […]

  29. Pat
    September 1st, 2010 @ 4:56 am

    “Ace-o-Lanche”

    Shouldn’t that be called a Moron-o-thon?

    Indeed. HA! Too funny. 😀

  30. Pat
    September 1st, 2010 @ 12:56 am

    “Ace-o-Lanche”

    Shouldn’t that be called a Moron-o-thon?

    Indeed. HA! Too funny. 😀

  31. Joe
    September 1st, 2010 @ 6:50 am

    Well now you can fish for a few salmon. Good news!

  32. Joe
    September 1st, 2010 @ 2:50 am

    Well now you can fish for a few salmon. Good news!

  33. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 1st, 2010 @ 7:08 am

    Quoth Eric Dondero:

    “Notice there’s no Tom Knapp in sight”

    Of course not. My computer isn’t hooked to this web site with a web cam or anything. All you “see” of me is text.

    “now that Murkowski has conceded to libertarian-leaning Republican Joe Miller.”

    Miller is about as “libertarian-leaning” as Murkowski, which is to say not very. They’re both fairly conventional authoritarian Republicans, albeit more or less so issue by issue.

    “Strike up another huge loss for Left Losertarians like Knapp.”

    Sorry to burst your bubble, but I didn’t have a political dog in this hunt. I was just handicapping for the fun of it.

  34. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 1st, 2010 @ 3:08 am

    Quoth Eric Dondero:

    “Notice there’s no Tom Knapp in sight”

    Of course not. My computer isn’t hooked to this web site with a web cam or anything. All you “see” of me is text.

    “now that Murkowski has conceded to libertarian-leaning Republican Joe Miller.”

    Miller is about as “libertarian-leaning” as Murkowski, which is to say not very. They’re both fairly conventional authoritarian Republicans, albeit more or less so issue by issue.

    “Strike up another huge loss for Left Losertarians like Knapp.”

    Sorry to burst your bubble, but I didn’t have a political dog in this hunt. I was just handicapping for the fun of it.

  35. MILLER TIME: Joe for U.S. Senate (AK)
    September 1st, 2010 @ 3:36 am

    […] Mark Thiessen’s coverage for AP,  Malkin, Robert Stacy McCain (The OtherMcCain) boots on the ground,  Dan Riehl had the pdf of the nasty Murky vote-tampering allegations, Ace is […]

  36. Dustin
    September 1st, 2010 @ 8:42 am

    Knapp, I think there’s a huge difference between these two candidates. Neither of them was going to legalize pot or get us back on the gold standard, but they really stand in super stark contrast. If you can’t find your dog in this hunt, you must be extremely limited to the issues you care about in the slightest way.

    Shoot, man, entitlements and earmarks? Deficits? Am I ringing a bell?

  37. Dustin
    September 1st, 2010 @ 4:42 am

    Knapp, I think there’s a huge difference between these two candidates. Neither of them was going to legalize pot or get us back on the gold standard, but they really stand in super stark contrast. If you can’t find your dog in this hunt, you must be extremely limited to the issues you care about in the slightest way.

    Shoot, man, entitlements and earmarks? Deficits? Am I ringing a bell?

  38. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 1st, 2010 @ 8:52 am

    Dustin,

    I didn’t say that there’s no difference between the candidates. I said that neither is particularly libertarian and that they both fit well within the authoritarian Republican profile.

    Miller explicitly ran against Murkowski as being too libertarian on immigration, even though she’s relatively authoritarian even on that issue.

    They’re both authoritarian on federalizing marriage and enshrining apartheid in that federalization.

    Miller talks a good game on spending — just like all Republicans do until they actually get to Washington. And even before getting to Washington, his issues survey responses indicate that he’s a big spender on the single biggest federal budget item and the world’s greatest corporate welfare sinkhole, “defense.”

    It was pretty much Giant Douche vs. Turd Sandwich redux.

    I didn’t have a dog in the hunt because I’m not from Alaska, because I’m not a Republican, and because I’m pretty much over electoral politics in general.

  39. Thomas L. Knapp
    September 1st, 2010 @ 4:52 am

    Dustin,

    I didn’t say that there’s no difference between the candidates. I said that neither is particularly libertarian and that they both fit well within the authoritarian Republican profile.

    Miller explicitly ran against Murkowski as being too libertarian on immigration, even though she’s relatively authoritarian even on that issue.

    They’re both authoritarian on federalizing marriage and enshrining apartheid in that federalization.

    Miller talks a good game on spending — just like all Republicans do until they actually get to Washington. And even before getting to Washington, his issues survey responses indicate that he’s a big spender on the single biggest federal budget item and the world’s greatest corporate welfare sinkhole, “defense.”

    It was pretty much Giant Douche vs. Turd Sandwich redux.

    I didn’t have a dog in the hunt because I’m not from Alaska, because I’m not a Republican, and because I’m pretty much over electoral politics in general.

  40. As you might guess I don’t agree with Jane Hamsher much… « Da Techguy's Blog
    September 1st, 2010 @ 7:39 am

    […] Brown had for the tea parties and the GOP can’t be overestimated. Without the Brown victory you don’t have Miller in Alaska you don’t have the GOP establishment defeats in Utah & […]

  41. FenelonSpoke
    September 1st, 2010 @ 12:00 pm

    Thanks, Stacy, for your excellent coverage. Best on the web. By the end of this week I’ll be able to hit the tip jar.

    Since you went such a long way, I hope you will get someone to show you (or have had someone show you) the local sites before returning home. It would be a shame to go to the beautiful state of Alaska and say, “I saw the inside of a campaign office, a restaurant and a motel.”

  42. FenelonSpoke
    September 1st, 2010 @ 8:00 am

    Thanks, Stacy, for your excellent coverage. Best on the web. By the end of this week I’ll be able to hit the tip jar.

    Since you went such a long way, I hope you will get someone to show you (or have had someone show you) the local sites before returning home. It would be a shame to go to the beautiful state of Alaska and say, “I saw the inside of a campaign office, a restaurant and a motel.”

  43. FLASH! Flaming Skull a la Pudding!! (Oh, and Murkowski Conceded to Miller.) « Si Vis Pacem
    September 1st, 2010 @ 8:05 am

    […] Congratulations to Joe Miller for the RINO kill. The significance of this win is not to be underestimated. […]

  44. Below That Old White Mountain: It’s Miller Time! « The Camp Of The Saints
    September 1st, 2010 @ 8:40 am

    […] McCain live-blogged the events yesterday afternoon and last […]

  45. Another Primary Night: Hot State, Hot State, Cold State « Around The Sphere
    September 1st, 2010 @ 8:55 am

    […] Five:  in Alaska, Sarah Palin’s endorsement does seem to matter. It’s not like no one predicted that Joe Miller could be the next senator; former Gov. Tony Knowles told me a month ago that Murkowski was not taking Miller seriously and that he could easily organize a campaign to beat her in the primary.  Absentees won’t be fully counted for a while, but Miller’s victory can be reasonably inferred from the outstanding ballots. UPDATE: Murkowski concedes. Robert Stacy McCain […]

  46. molonlabe28
    September 1st, 2010 @ 1:38 pm

    And for our next dragon-slayer, Sharon Angle.

  47. molonlabe28
    September 1st, 2010 @ 9:38 am

    And for our next dragon-slayer, Sharon Angle.

  48. Joe
    September 1st, 2010 @ 2:35 pm

    molonlabe28–keep that on the downlow. Given that recent roulette incident, Stacy is probably not even allowed to think about Nevada.

  49. Joe
    September 1st, 2010 @ 10:35 am

    molonlabe28–keep that on the downlow. Given that recent roulette incident, Stacy is probably not even allowed to think about Nevada.

  50. The Night They Drove Old Murky Down : The Other McCain
    September 1st, 2010 @ 12:34 pm

    […] headquarters, a government office, a restaurant and another campaign headquarters.”And it was exhausting. I don’t know exactly how many hours of sleep I’ve had since Sunday — when I […]