Interesting Prospect re: Palin

[SamTheEagle]

Stevens steps down and Palin takes his Senate Seat in a special election. I frankly would much prefer her in that position than Vice President right now, and if she does actually have national ambitions, it would certainly help her out in the experience department.

[hardinda]

I just heard on POTUS this morning that if Stevens resigns, then the Governor gets to appoint the replacement. If he gets thrown out by a 2/3 vote in the Senate, then it would be a special election.

I don't see Palin appointing herself, but I also don't see Stevens resigning - so I think your scenario is a good probability.

[Guerilla poster]

Stevens steps down and Palin takes his Senate Seat in a special election. I frankly would much prefer her in that position than Vice President right now, and if she does actually have national ambitions, it would certainly help her out in the experience department.


I was mentioning this almost two weeks ago (or whenever Stevens was found guilty)

She could resign as governor and then being appointed by her predecessor, the First Dude.

[SamTheEagle]

I was mentioning this almost two weeks ago (or whenever Stevens was found guilty)

Yeah, but now it looks like Stevens is actually going to win that election up there.

[kolya23]

Yeah, but now it looks like Stevens is actually going to win that election up there.

and Stevens won't leave his Senate seat unless he's dead. interesting, but it probably won't happen.

[The President]

Stevens steps down and Palin takes his Senate Seat in a special election. I frankly would much prefer her in that position than Vice President right now, and if she does actually have national ambitions, it would certainly help her out in the experience department.
I thought Alaska Governor > US Senator with respect to national office.

[Guerilla poster]

Yeah, but now it looks like Stevens is actually going to win that election up there.


I suppose the question is, is it better to be a governor of a small remote state or to be a Senator in the minority party? Tough call.

[_BullDog_]

I thought Alaska Governor > US Senator with respect to national office.
Most people did too until the last couple months.

[_BullDog_]

The main problem with Alaska is that it is so isolated apparently you can be the gov with out much global knowledge. palin could get the knowledge in the senate.

[the BS method]

I can't believe being a senator is considered a full time job.

On top of that, they make roughly 167-188k a year. And to top that off, they they retire at roughly 80% pay which means you don't have to save a damn thing for retirement. I think I would rather make 180k a year and not save for retirement then 360k and have to worry about 401k, investments ,etc...

[Person Man]

There aren't many people who get elected to the Senate who aren't already set for life.

[no driver]

Alaska changed their laws for Senate appointments after Murkowski appointed his daughter to the Senate in 2002. It looks like Palin probably can't appoint anyone* and they would just have a special election.

I too think that this would be an opportunity for her to gain some national exposure and possible educate herself to be a better candidate in the future. If she wants to run for President I would hope that she would take the time to learn about her areas of inexperience in the interim. Somehow I won't be surprised if she runs again without bothering to do so...

*There are two conflicting laws on the matter and they haven't been tested by the courts. However, both ultimately require a special election. See http://alaskadispatch.com/tundra-talk/1-talk-of-the-tundra/286-what-happens-if-ted-stevens-wins-and-then-resigns.html

[_BullDog_]

I can't believe being a senator is considered a full time job.

On top of that, they make roughly 167-188k a year. And to top that off, they they retire at roughly 80% pay which means you don't have to save a damn thing for retirement. I think I would rather make 180k a year and not save for retirement then 360k and have to worry about 401k, investments ,etc...
And they ge to keep their job even when spending 95% of their time campaigning during reelection years.

[the BS method]

There aren't many people who get elected to the Senate who aren't already set for life.

I look forward to these cushy, corrupt, *******s telling me that they need more of my money.

:swear:

[Guerilla poster]

I love when people who spend work time posting here complain that Senators don't do enough work.

[The Drunken Actuary]

I thought Alaska Governor > US Senator with respect to national office.

I've heard that too.

[Hugh Jass]

I love when people who spend work time posting here complain that Senators don't do enough work.

:tup:

[Pseudolus]

My guess is that she can do more for herself, her state, and her country by actually sticking around long enough in the governor's job to make a real difference there.

[Actuary321]

I was mentioning this almost two weeks ago (or whenever Stevens was found guilty)

She could resign as governor and then being appointed by her predecessor, the First Dude.predecessor or successor?

I thought Alaska Governor > US Senator with respect to national office.Lots of people are saying that but her big problem was not enough national and international experience. I thing she gains more of that as US Senator than as Alaska Governor. And she can still claim the Governor experience even though it wasn't very long.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Stevens steps down and Palin takes his Senate Seat in a special election. I frankly would much prefer her in that position than Vice President right now, and if she does actually have national ambitions, it would certainly help her out in the experience department.
I don't know about that. Being a senator is not considered "experience." I'm sure she'll forget she said that. Maybe she should remember that everything she says can be brought up on The Daily Show to contradict her more recent statements.

[Person Man]

I don't know about that. Being a senator is not considered "experience." I'm sure she'll forget she said that. Maybe she should remember that everything she says can be brought up on The Daily Show to contradict her more recent statements.
Every politician who has ever lived has been forced to contradict their previous statements about something. People generally don't seem to care.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Every politician who has ever lived has been forced to contradict their previous statements about something. People generally don't seem to care.
They amuse me. And I care about my amusement.

[Harry]

My guess is that she can do more for herself, her state, and her country by actually sticking around long enough in the governor's job to make a real difference there.
I agree - the country will be much better off if she stays in Alaska.

[Sonny]

My guess is that she can do more for herself, her state, and her country by actually sticking around long enough in the governor's job to make a real difference there.

i agree, but the RNC would put a TON of pressure on palin to run in the special election, if one was needed. because the guy that stevens just beat (can't recall his name) is already up and running w/ a full campaign organization. so whoever runs against him would be at a huge disadvantage. and palin might be one of the few who could step in at short notice and beat him.

the repubs cant afford to lose stevens seat to a Dem if they want a decent shot at maintaining a fillibuster

[Bobby Digital]

I don't think Sen Stevens actually "won".....Can someone explain why Alaska would have a 14% decrease from 2004 in voter turnout, with it's governor on the ballot. I think something fishy is going on in Alaska.

[The Drunken Actuary]

I can't believe being a senator is considered a full time job.

On top of that, they make roughly 167-188k a year. And to top that off, they they retire at roughly 80% pay which means you don't have to save a damn thing for retirement. I think I would rather make 180k a year and not save for retirement then 360k and have to worry about 401k, investments ,etc...
Either one sounds better than what I'm currently doing.

[The Drunken Actuary]

I don't think Sen Stevens actually "won".....Can someone explain why Alaska would have a 14% decrease from 2004 in voter turnout, with it's governor on the ballot. I think something fishy is going on in Alaska.

Yeah, I read about this a day or two ago. haven't seen any follow up though.

[Phil]

I don't think Sen Stevens actually "won".....Can someone explain why Alaska would have a 14% decrease from 2004 in voter turnout, with it's governor on the ballot. I think something fishy is going on in Alaska.

People didn't want to vote for her because they felt she was unqualified, but they didn't really want to vote against her either. So they stayed home.

[SamTheEagle]

I don't think Sen Stevens actually "won".....Can someone explain why Alaska would have a 14% decrease from 2004 in voter turnout, with it's governor on the ballot. I think something fishy is going on in Alaska.

Yeah, I read about this a day or two ago. haven't seen any follow up though.

People didn't want to vote for her because they felt she was unqualified, but they didn't really want to vote against her either. So they stayed home.

It's overwhelmingly a Republican state, so the best theory I can come up with is that some Republicans didn't want to vote for a convict, and they also didn't want to vote for a Democrat, so they stayed home.

[The Professional]

The main problem with Alaska is that it is so isolated apparently you can be the gov with out much global knowledge. palin could get the knowledge in the senate.

apparently you can be the gov of Alaska without knowing your ass from a hole in the ground

[the BS method]

that's what she said