Dems Depict Joe Miller as Too Extreme for Alaska

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Campaign 2010

Democrats are attempting to depict Tea Party-backed GOP candidates, like Joe Miller in Alaska, as too extreme.

(Credit: AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Back when Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the presumed Republican Senate candidate in Alaska, nobody expected a Democrat to defeat her in the general election -- in fact, a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee couldn't even remember the Democratic candidate's name in an interview Wednesday.

Now that Tea Party-backed insurgent Joe Miller appears to be on the verge of bringing down Murkowski, however, Democrats think they might have an opening.

The race is still considered a longshot for Democrats, to be sure. But the party was quick on Wednesday to begin depicting Miller as an extreme candidate unfit for the Senate. And Democratic candidate Scott McAdams, mayor of the small town of Sitka, has seized the surprise turn of events to cast himself as the candidate who can bring both fresh blood and experience to the job.

Miller, who has no experience in elected office, was able to put up a strong challenge against Murkowski -- an incumbent from a family well-known in Alaska politics -- with the support of the Tea Party and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. While the Tea Party movement gave Miller a boost in the GOP primary, the Democratic Party is betting it could cost him in the general election.

In a release sent out Wednesday, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee blasted Miller as a "dangerous enemy to middle-class Alaskans," criticizing him for his positions on Social Security and other government programs.

"Joe Miller seems more intent on imposing a strict social doctrine to please his out-of-state tea party backers but would leave the people of his state high and dry," the release said. "Alaskans deserve a senator who will stick up for them in the United States Senate."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Campaign 2010

If Murkowski loses to Miller, she will be the seventh "establishment" Senate candidate to fail to win the Republican nomination and the sixth to lose to a Tea Party candidate. Democrats are doing all they can to capitalize on that.

The Democratic National Committee on Wednesday released a memo characterizing the Alaska GOP primary as an example of the "ongoing fued" between the Tea Party movement and the Republican establishment.

Meanwhile, questions arose about whether the Democratic party was ready to get behind their candidate -- McAdams. As mentioned above, in an interview on Wednesday, DNC spokesperson Brad Woodhouse could not remember his name.

At a press conference that same day, McAdams dismissed speculation that the party may want to replace him with a more well-known candidate, the Alaska Dispatch reports.

During the press conference, McAdams also reportedly picked up on two themes popular with Tea Party voters -- an anti-incumbent attitude and fiscal responsibility.

"I'm the only candidate in this race who's ever balanced a budget," McAdams said, citing his eight years in public office, according to the Dispatch. "I'm the only candidate in this race who ever voted on a budget. I am by far the most experienced candidate in this race."

Effectively dismissing any chance Murkowski may have of pulling off a victory, McAdams said Alaskans are "ready for change," according to the Dispatch -- but that doesn't mean they're ready for Joe Miller.

In their memo, the DNC argued that the bottom line is, "Democrats can win in Alaska." For proof, the party committee said, you need look no further than Democratic Sen. Mark Begich.

Begich's success doesn't necessarily prove McAdams can win, however. Begich in 2008 became the first Democrat to represent Alaska in the Senate in nearly 30 years when he defeated longtime Sen. Ted Stevens. His win, however, came a month after Stevens was convicted on seven felony charges.

And in addition to the fact that Alaska is a fairly unfavorable environment for Democrats, McAdams had less than $5,000 cash on hand to work with as of his most recent fundraising report.

This story was updated to reflect that six "establishment" Republican candidates have lost in the primaries -- not necessarily candidates backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

18 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment See all 18 Comments


by nuttyworld August 30, 2010 12:56 AM EDT: Ya, the last thing we need is another extremist - that definition being someone who doesn't think government handouts are the solution to every problem. Wish he was running in my state against the incumbent government-needs-to-give-you-everything reps.; Reply to this comment


by RobAla August 26, 2010 9:43 PM EDT: "Joe Miller seems more intent on imposing a strict social doctrine to please his out-of-state tea party backers but would leave the people of his state high and dry," the release said. "Alaskans deserve a senator who will stick up for them in the United States Senate."

This article did not explain what this "strict social doctrine" is. It's a little unfair to sling out that statement with no explanation. I would like to know that this guy's doctrine is.; Reply to this comment

by thebob-bob August 26, 2010 7:29 PM EDT

If he wants to run on a "reducing Federal dollars brought into Alaska", good luck! Murkowski will run as a Libertarian and win.

Reply to this comment


by nuttyworld August 30, 2010 1:00 AM EDT: How much pork has she added to legislation (as Nancy calls it: "legislative directive investments") that are robbing Social Security fund that we have paid in to.


by bot_feeder August 26, 2010 2:14 PM EDT: Would the Democrats acknowledge that Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, and Dick Durbin are too extreme for America?; Reply to this comment

by akcoyote August 26, 2010 12:56 PM EDT

Let's see.

Served as an officer in the United States Army and was awarded the Bronze Star for his leadership in combat during the First Gulf War.

Received his commission from West Point, where he graduated with honors. He is also a graduate of Yale Law School and holds a master?s degree in economics from the University of Alaska.

State Magistrate (the youngest then serving in Alaska) as well as a Superior Court Master for the Fourth Judicial District.

Appointed an Acting State District Court Judge and U.S. Magistrate Judge, the youngest then serving in that federal position, not only in the state, but also in the entire nation. The only judge in the United States, at that time, serving at both the federal and state levels simultaneously.

You elect a community organizer as president and yet gripe about Joe Miller's qualifications?

Reply to this comment


by abby_del_abbey August 26, 2010 7:16 PM EDT: it's not the qualifications -- it's his extremist views -- the last thing America needs is another extremist -- however, Palin et al have set their agenda -- fame, fortune, and power -- will Alaskans be so foolish as to elect this demagogue's favorite? I should hope not.

But, then again, they elected Palin -- sigh.


by budtillson August 26, 2010 12:49 PM EDT: typical CBS and news bias. look at the photo they chose... nice way to pick a picture and slant the news. When the dust settles, the people should begin to shout down the established media ****** pandering to the democrats and their agenda.; Reply to this comment


by inverse137 August 26, 2010 12:46 PM EDT: "Dems depict Miller as too extreme for Alaska."

"Conservatives 'prove' Obama is a foreign born, Muslim, socialist."

News outlets capture a picture of the candidate that is unflattering and post it to sway the article.

Now, I know it would be easy to blame Dems or Republicans for this idiotic way of running a campaign, but the point is....the American people are just so stupid right now that this stuff works.

Ask one person on the street about Miller's stance on a position and they probably have no clue. Hell, 20% of the population thinks Obama is a Muslim. 20% more think Bush orchestrated 9/11.

That's a whole lotta stupid for a country that is supposed to be a world leader.; Reply to this comment

by Sensible4us August 26, 2010 12:31 PM EDT

I would think if the Dem candidate cannot remember the names of potential opponents then he/she is asleep at the wheel and does not deserve to run.

Reply to this comment


by lodemidiquail August 26, 2010 12:43 PM EDT: Where did you even get that from? Nowhere did it say the Dem candidate couldn't remember the name of potential opponents. Why don't you actually read the article before making dumb statements.


by budtillson August 26, 2010 12:56 PM EDT: Meanwhile, questions arose about whether the Democratic party was ready to get behind their candidate -- McAdams. As mentioned above, in an interview on Wednesday, DNC spokesperson Brad Woodhouse could not remember his name.


by Scola2 August 26, 2010 12:04 PM EDT: Too extreme for Alaska? Wow, that's something.; Reply to this comment

by stormerF3 August 26, 2010 11:42 AM EDT

To even mention the fact that Joe has no experience is such a laughable sham. Obama had no experience yet got elected,Chris Dodd has experience and is a crook in the senate,So you make up your own mind. Will we have new people who have less experience or will we stay with the corruption of long time politicans? Dodd,Waters,Rangel,Frank,Schumer,Foley, Specter,Jefferson,Sheila Jackson Lee,etc,etc.

Reply to this comment


by Sensible4us August 26, 2010 12:30 PM EDT: You forgot Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Palin, McCain, Bachman, Steele, etc. etc. etc.


by dparks2010 August 26, 2010 12:47 PM EDT: And you forgot that Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Palin - *aren't* in Office. Nice try, but not really.