Don Young Winning Primary Despite Investigation: Bad News For Alaska GOP

The GOP can't catch a break in Alaska. First Senator Ted Stevens was indicted for by a federal grand jury and insisted on a trial before the election in November. And now, a new poll shows that Congressman Don Young -- also under criminal investigation -- is nevertheless still leading in his own GOP primary, one the the party would likely prefer that he lose.

On Thursday, the National Journal wrote that bad internal poll numbers and a "lackluster" debate performance by Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell have sewn doubts as to "whether he can actually save the seat for GOPers." That Young would lose if he wins the August 26 primary is treated as a fait accompli by the Journal's article.

Now, a new independent poll conducted on behalf of several local press outlets has added another data point to a dispiriting cycle for the Republicans. The independent poll shows Young leading Alaska Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell in the Republican primary, 45.9 to 40.4 percent. This comes even after the pro-business Club for Growth rushed to Parnell's aide with over $100,000 in ads targeting Young.

Further complicating Parnell's attempt to become Alaska's corruption-free alternative to Young is a new controversy surrounding Gov. Sarah Palin, who endorsed Parnell over Young in the primary. On the same day Parnell rolled out a new ad featuring the popular governor, a story broke about her administration's role in firing a state trooper who had a nasty divorce with Palin's sister -- precisely the kind of bad-government story that has become all too familiar to Alaska's voters.

So, despite the fact that Rep. Young has spent his own re-election funds on lawyers to defend him against the ongoing criminal investigation, so far, he's still the odds-on favorite in the primary.

The morning after their recent debate, local conservative radio talk host Dan Fagan derided Parnell's performance against Young. "If you can ... still come away concluding that Sean Parnell is a leader, or Congress material, then I got a bridge I can sell you. I got some swampland down in Florida for you," Fagan said. "I don't know that a candidate can look any worse than Sean Parnell did last night."

If that opinion takes hold among Alaska's Republican primary voters, it could be the worst thing to happen to the state party in a year that has offered plenty of competition.

Comments

[springsm]

Follow the money. Don Young is as corrupt as Ted Stevens. However, the more free money they bring into Alaska, the less they have to do to make that a viable state. Pork, stipends from oil...my goodness...the GOP would NOT like to see that go away. And as far as honesty and integrity goes...forget it. At this level they don't give a carrot. The minions all say "I want mine, and I want you to have yours but not with my help and with no taxes." Sigh....it would be nice wouldn't it. Follow the money.

[marymansour]

Good for Alaska. The state is on the right track. Kick those GOP candidates into the icy waters off your shores. .

[CindyM2008]

Go Young, GO!

[foolchild0]

Alaskan conservatives- the most close-minded, self-centered, hypocritical wankers on the face of this planet. And I speak as a born and raised though now thankfully moved-away Alaskan.

[SSF]

Yet another example of Republicans elevating ideology over common sense!

[LiberalBuzz]

Ummm isn't there a democrat in that race?

How is he/she doing? Not a word about the person?

[pbcrunch]

The Dem nominee has already been chosen, i believe, or is running pretty much unopposed in the their primary.

Article is only talking about the Republican primary, which Young (R-investigated) and Stevens (R-indicted) seem to be winning in their respective battles.

[Faith101]

Aren't they both in the GOP, why is this news for us?

[CindyM2008]

It's news because considering Young's legal issues, he is still leading. This is not good fr the GOP. They'd rather have the other republican running in the lead. Why? Because when Young goes against his Democratic challenger, the Dem has a greater chance of winning the seat.

[moxieme]

Why should it matter to us? After all, shouldn't we consider Alaska a some foreign, exotic place like daughter of the South, Cokie Roberts proclaimed Hawaii to be? Just kidding! alaska is really turning out to be woefully corrupt. I recently watched the expose about Ted Stevens and his son about the dealings with the Veco on PBS. No surprise to learn of all the usual Washingto GOP suspects were all feeding at the trough. Vote 'em out, write somebody in. The voting public is the most powerful special interest group, to use their term, in the nation. We need to start acting like it!

[MajorKong]

What is it with the Alaska GOP? They seem even nastier than the usual bunch.

[springsm]

It is what they can get from Congress through pork, what they get from the oil stipends and there really is no intent to help the PEOPLE of that state beyond the party and the wealthier. Mostly it is an ignorant "leave me alone' state where the people are concerned. I would wonder just how much of the stipends actually get to the Native Alaskans. Some I know have benefitted, others have seen their lives changed far too much. Who is going to stop someone like Stevens or Young? NOBODY.

[Actionmac]

People like their politicians no matter how corrupt and I don't think that spells good news for Democrats. mcsad is still a favorite with the redumblicans including the so called christian right.

The GOP keeps their base in line by making them think they are better than others.

[workinstiff]

Hallowed will the day for Alaskans when we can put behind us the days of Don Young. Don Young is the most arrogant congressman around. If you have a tough question for him, he turns from Jekyl to Hide in 2 seconds flat! It's that air of untouchability and entitlement he exudes which really sets him apart. Can't wait for Nov.!

[WritusMaximus]

Same thing happened in Philly. Former Mayor John Street got re-elected. Some folks associated with him went to jail, but the man was never charged with anything.

[workinguy]

I love it. I am a 4th generation Alaskan who left the state partly because of the corruption and sleaze both of the politicians and oil companies. My only puzzlement is why it has taken so long. Uncle Ted, Young, and Murkowsky must have finally just gotten sloppy in covering up their graft. Great to finally see that Bill Allen is in prison and spilling his guts about all the payola he has been doling out to Pols for years. I worked briefly for his company Veco and was stunned at the level of corruption and sleaze that surrounded the company. Its too bad the feds and state don't have enough to go after the large oil companies that have been using Bill Allen to do their dirty work for many years.

Its somewhat of a shame to see Stevens go down like this. He did much for the state and especially the rural areas. But per usual he has just become another corrupt Repube loading up on pork and favors.

[rose london]

yYYYYYYYYY­YYYEEEEEEE­EEEEEPPPPP­PPPPPPPYYY­YYYYYYYYYY NO MORE GOP IN THE WHITE....IF WE ARE LUCKY NO MORE SEAN BIG MOUTH AND BILLOCRAZY WORKING FOR FAUX NEWS.YYYYE­EEPPPPYYYY­YYYYY.

[brendanm]

Well said...