Walker and Mallott: Alaska's unity ticket - from The Mudflats

[Blue_In_AK]

This is a good read for anyone curious how it could greatly benefit Alaska's liberals/progressives not to have a Democrat at the top of the gubernatorial ticket. I was kind of lukewarm to this idea at first, but it's growing on me. Sean Parnell must go.

http://www.themudflats.net/archives/44253

The mood in the Quarter Deck room at Anchorage’s Hotel Captain Cook was electric. Cameras on tripods ringed the perimeter, and the rows of green chairs reserved for reporters were full. The event was being heralded as the biggest news in Alaska politics since a former governor got the VP nod from John McCain. A large red and blue sign “Walker for Governor” with the yellow stars of the Big Dipper stood in front of a lectern. Another on the wall behind, had a smaller blue sign attached to it, also with the Big Dipper, which said “Mallott for Governor.”

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In recent weeks, several polls showed that Walker was the only candidate within striking distance of the incumbent governor. Respected Alaska Native leader Byron Mallott was the Democratic nominee and seemed close to Walker in a 3-way race, but when facing Sean Parnell in a theoretical head-to-head, his numbers tanked. Then, a new poll was conducted showing Walker several percentage points ahead of Parnell in 2-way race. But short of that, every scenario had Sean Parnell, former oil lobbyist for Conoco Phillips ready to serve a third term – half of Palin’s, and one other of his own already served. It was more than his two opponents could stand. Not even Sarah Palin wants Parnell.

Back in 2006 when candidate Palin learned Parnell had won his primary and was the Lt. Governor she’d be saddled with, she made him resolve his own campaign debt before she would even put his name on her yard signs. Parnell, when he took over the governorship, dismantled Palin’s hard-won signature bipartisan oil tax legislation, robbing her of the crown jewel of her half term. He then put in place a new system which gives billions of dollars a year to the oil companies, with no strings attached. Alaska is now heading into the red, while the green is winging its way to Petroleum HQ in London, and Houston.

After the most recent August primary concluded, and word of the polls began to circulate, the Mallott and the Walker campaign were flooded with emails and calls urging the two to join forces. An online petition also called for a joint campaign. Facebook was aflame – some wanting a “unity ticket” and others concerned with Walker’s self-proclaimed conservatism, who urged the Democrats to hold fast, even in the face of certain defeat – on principle.

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