Palin's Support May Topple Murkowski in Alaska

Lisa Murkowski insisted Wednesday that her race in Alaska isn't over. If she loses - and it may be a week all the absentee ballots are counted - she will be the third sitting senator voted out of office so far this year. And it's still just the primaries.

Sarah Palin's presence in the Alaska race and her support for Joe Miller was key, reports CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. Even though her resignation as governor hurt her standing in Alaska, she is popular among Republicans.

There's also a "family feud" aspect at play. Palin defeated Murkowski's father for governor four years ago.

Alaska Election Results Provide a Boost to Palin

Also significant was a proposal on the ballot to require parents to be notified if a teenage daughter of theirs sought an abortion. That brought out a lot of social conservatives who have long had problems with Murkowski's abortion views.

But the most intriguing race in the country is in Florida. Republican governor Charlie Crist, facing certain defeat in the Republican primary, decided to run as an independent. He faces Marco Rubio, former speaker of the statehouse, and congressman Kendric Meek, a Democrat.

Is Meek's Fla. Primary Win Bad for Democrats?

It's very possible that control of the U.S. Senate could depend on this race, reports Greenfield, because if independent Charlie Crist wins, it's not certain which party he would line up with in Washington next year.

[JayAdler1]

Sarah Palin has surprised her many naysayers by showing that she is, with her endorsement wins, a king maker and major force in Conservative politics. Since business wise she is so strong and successful she can afford to dispel the insults that suggest that she is not competent to assume the office. I have always said if Obama could be President, likewise for Sarah Palin.

[JayAdler1]

It seems like Sarah Palin is a lot more popular in American politics than we thought. Actually she is taking the role as king maker by virtue of all of her endorsement wins.I have noticed a running theme on Internet comments insulting Sarah Palin and rendering absurd dispositions pointing out Lucy Ricardo features. I notice by the typos, misspellings and faulty grammar that the commenters, and there are thousands of them are having concerted fun and have yet to finish their education. This is a woman who was a mayor, a governor of a state and and nominated by her party for Vice President. So these kids are wrong and having a good time throwing darts at Sarah Palin, George Bush, Glenn Beck, the Republican Party and Fox News. In Casablanca, Claude Rains said "Round Up The Usual Suspects". So the Kids rail without any evidence or depth. I am a life long Republican and since I know that Sarah Palin could do the job as President, if she gets the nomination in 2012, her campaign can count on me to do the regular stuff to get her elected. The problem is we should stop all this conjecture, it is her decision. It is also a question of electability in the event she wants it.At this point if she wants the White House, Sarah Palin has to win the nomination and then win the election. In 2010, that is a long ways away.

[texasborndemo]

Palin running for president in 2012?That's about happening as a snowball coming to Texas in July,but all those bimbo repigs think she's best thing since television.If she is all heart to help her state and the welfare of the U.S.why didn't she run for Senate?Why do that when she's got all these ******* people throwing to her.People must have more money than they know what to do with but go ahead and dream your dream,but it's not going to happen.Ask the people in Alaska what kind of leadership she gave them,I'm sure they would love to tell you repigs.

[JV1970]

DON'T BELIEVE A WORD "meboard" SAYS ON THIS BOARD! HE OR SHE IS A LIAR! THE ONLY TRUE THING THAT THEY HAVE SAID IS THAT OBAMA IS NOT A MUSLIM BUT NEITHER ARE SARAH AND TODD PALIN! SARAH IS A PENTECOSTAL EVANGELICAL AND TODD HAS NO PARTICULAR RELIGION!

[jc429j3]

I can not for the life of me understand why they are trying so hard to make this woman relevant...Mike Huckabee did more for this man (MILLER) than Palin, but she is getting all the praise. She only endorsed him to stick it to Murkowski. I am sure with this Miller being ivy league and all....he is an elitist. You know how Simple Sarah hates those smart, educated people.