Meet The Latest Liberal Republican

[Obama 2012 1,714]

RINO!

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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46695.html

Lisa Murkowski isn’t gunning down caribou on national TV like that other famous Alaskan, but the Republican lawmaker is going rogue in the Senate just weeks after staging the most stunning back-from-the-dead political win of the 2010 cycle.

Murkowski is already showing a fierce independent streak, becoming the only Republican to cast votes on all four items on President Barack Obama’s wish list: a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a tax-cut compromise, the START deal and cloture for the DREAM Act.

The lame-duck votes capped a strange political odyssey for the Alaska Republican — one that started Aug. 31 when she conceded the GOP primary to tea-party-backed Joe Miller, continued when she resigned her leadership job in September and ended when she waged Alaska’s first successful statewide write-in bid to retain her seat. (See: The ABC's of Murkowski's write-in bid)

Now, she heads back to the Senate with a fresh six-year term without owing much to either her home state party establishment or her Washington leadership.

Murkowski’s willingness to defy Republican top brass after a bitter fight to keep her seat may mark a pivotal point in her career as she emerges as a real maverick foil to Sarah Palin, the conservative idol who put Alaska politics on the national map. And while conservatives who helped oust Murkowski from the GOP ticket in Alaska may howl about her being a “Republican In Name Only,” Murkowski could enjoy a powerful perch as a much-sought-after moderate in an almost evenly divided Senate. (See: Murkowski: Palin's no leader)

“She's a person who makes up her own mind, does what she thinks is right and always keeps the concerns of her state at the forefront,” moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told POLITICO of Murkowski, adding that the Alaskan was an important ally in helping overturn DADT.

“I can’t speak for Lisa’s plans; all I can tell you is that she is an extraordinarily effective senator and I’m sure she’s going to continue to play an absolutely critical role in the caucus and in the Senate.”

Collins, who calls Murkowski one of her “favorite people,” is not alone in her praise. Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) emphasized Murkowski’s pragmatism as a venerable partner in attacking energy issues that typically draw partisan ire.

“She’s very interested in getting good results and not playing politics with issues,” Bingaman told POLITICO. “She and I have worked together well on the energy committee, and I think we have been able to operate that committee well on a bipartisan basis with her help.”

Murkowski is also developing a significant working relationship with Senate Majority Whip ####### Durbin (D-Ill.), who was one of the top negotiators on the DREAM Act, a bill that would have established a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who enroll in college or the military. (See: Murkowski expects to retain seniority)

A Durbin aide said Murkowski was open to conversations on the DREAM Act “for a number of weeks,” and that the two senators “spoke regularly” on the issue before this weekend’s failed cloture vote, in which only three GOP members broke with their party.

The dramatic closing weeks to one of the most productive legislative sessions in history — and Murkowski’s role — might be one of the most interesting political prologues to a new Congress punctuated by the arrival of young conservatives. (See: Obama touts 'season of progress')

Murkowski declined to be interviewed for this story — and Alaskan officials have not yet certified her election because of pending suits from Miller. Randy DeSoto, a Miller spokesman, criticized Murkowski’s lame-duck votes in a statement to POLITICO.

two more pages on site: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46695.html

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Murkowski pwned Palin in Alaska - big time. Who gives a rats ####### how Sarah might feel about the re-election of the AK Senator that she tried so hard - and failed miserably - to oust? Alaskans surely don't. Why would anyone else?

[^_^ 5,021]

She was elected by an Alaskan voter coalition that consisted of Republicans leery of Sarah Palin and the Tea Party and Democrats who didn't think McAdams could win.

She is representing those who elected her. If you want a hardcore Republicant in the Senate from Alaska, elect one.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

She was elected by an Alaskan voter coalition that consisted of Republicans leery of Sarah Palin and the Tea Party and Democrats who didn't think McAdams could win.

She is representing those who elected her. If you want a hardcore Republicant in the Senate from Alaska, elect one.

Basically she is a moderate independent then.

[^_^ 5,021]

Basically she is a moderate independent then.

She is a shape shifter. Had she won her election under different circumstances (say Sarah Palin was a raging lib and the Tea Party were a bunch of hippies and she was elected by a coalition of backwater cannibals and gun freaks) she'd be hard-right.

[The_Dude 1,142]

She was elected by an Alaskan voter coalition that consisted of Republicans leery of Sarah Palin and the Tea Party and Democrats who didn't think McAdams could win.

She is representing those who elected her. If you want a hardcore Republicant in the Senate from Alaska, elect one.

No, she is a republican, her party listing says so. She must be a goose stepping conservative and do what Jim DemMint and the real (douchey) republicans say!!!