Lisa Murkowski the new Republican maverick?

[redcommander]

She actually voted for every piece of high profile Democratic legislation; START, Repeal of DADT, the tax compromise, and the DREAM act. So I would say she has now replaced the Maine twins and McCain as the true Republican maverick in senate.

[Mr. Taft Republican]

Naaaaah, the Maine sisters can combine to create Super Mecha Moderate.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Don't use that word ever again. If you do, then I will be forced - yes, forced - to kill you.

[Ban my account ffs!]

Another mavericky maverick from the great state of Alaska.  All this maverickocity is going to lead us to a new golden age!

[Torie]

She might get it out of her system in time. She just wanted to kick some butt, and send a message. She can't vote like the Maine sisters and survive long term in Alaska.

[Capitan Zapp Brannigan]

Nah, she just wanted to kick McConell in the balls for endorsing Miller. She'll return to form.

[courts]

Don't use that word ever again. If you do, then I will be forced - yes, forced - to kill you.

Somehow 'maine sisters' annoys me more.

[fezzyfestoon]

Blegh, no.  She's still a standard POS just like her father.

[redcommander]

Don't use that word ever again. If you do, then I will be forced - yes, forced - to kill you.

Ok I won't.

[redcommander]

Blegh, no.  She's still a standard POS just like her father.

Didn't he not exactly follow the party line?

[courts]

Blegh, no.  She's still a standard POS just like her father.

Fezzy you're making too much sense lately. Have you forgotten where you're posting?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Blegh, no.  She's still a standard POS just like her father.

Didn't he not exactly follow the party line?

24 years of earmarking on steroids as Senator, followed by four years of complete incompetence and corruption while Governor.

[Ban my account ffs!]

She might get it out of her system in time. She just wanted to kick some butt, and send a message. She can't vote like the Maine sisters and survive long term in Alaska.

Maybe not... but Alaska does like rogue politicians.. whether left or right.  Murkowski can benefit from sticking it to the GOP establishment as long as she appears to be independent minded and the bacon keeps on coming home.

[Lunar]

She's found herself a new brand image and wants to communicate that loud and clear to a broad audience that stretches from D.C. to Alaska.

I'm not sure how well subtlety works in Washington D.C. anyway.

[Lunar]

Also: remember she just got reelected on a powerful mandate and has six years before facing reelection.  I don't think the memory of the electorate generally stretches back that long except on extremely controversial issues, and none of these votes really qualify.  So, without electoral pressures....

[Mr. Taft Republican]

Also: remember she just got reelected on a powerful mandate and has six years before facing reelection.  I don't think the memory of the electorate generally stretches back that long except on extremely controversial issues, and none of these votes really qualify.  So, without electoral pressures....

So right now she's doing it for spite, but she'll be returning to the party line just before election? Classic.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

What Torie and Fezzy said.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

As long as she'd bring earmarks home, I doubt Alaskan really care about her record.

[minionofmidas]

She might get it out of her system in time. She just wanted to kick some butt, and send a message. She can't vote like the Maine sisters and survive long term in Alaska.

Maybe not... but Alaska does like rogue politicians.. whether left or right.  Murkowski can benefit from sticking it to the GOP establishment as long as she

...doesn't appear as simply a Democrat-enabler.

[memphis]

The tax cut extension wasn't Democratic legislation. It was brokered as a compromise between the President and the GOP leadership. The Dem base was pissed.

[opebo]

She might get it out of her system in time. She just wanted to kick some butt, and send a message. She can't vote like the Maine sisters and survive long term in Alaska.

I doubt many people in Alaska understand any of those votes.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

She might get it out of her system in time. She just wanted to kick some butt, and send a message. She can't vote like the Maine sisters and survive long term in Alaska.

I doubt many people in Alaska understand any of those votes.

lol, wut?  Did you forget Palin telling us she can see Russia from her window?  They know about the evil Ruskies.....and I'm sure they have (a few) gays.  Get with it

[Lunar]

Also: remember she just got reelected on a powerful mandate and has six years before facing reelection.  I don't think the memory of the electorate generally stretches back that long except on extremely controversial issues, and none of these votes really qualify.  So, without electoral pressures....

So right now she's doing it for spite, but she'll be returning to the party line just before election? Classic.

That's not what I said.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

No... I think the Maine Senators still are.

[Keystone Phil]

Not sure. I don't know the woman's motives. Does she hope to be re-nominated? If so, the answer is "no, she can't be the new maverick." Now we don't know what 2016 holds but I'm thinking a good deal of Alaska Republicans won't forget this year and will seek the end the Murkowski Dynasty once and for all. Being a maverick certainly won't help her smooth things over with that crowd. Plus, let's not assume that Alaska likes her "maverick streak." She has a 37% approval rating/53% disapproval rating right after that historic win. The write in victory can't be dismissed but let's not forget that 60% voted for someone else and those other candidates were far from stellar.

If she doesn't want to return to the Senate, she will have six years of doing whatever she wants. Did anyone really talk about her before that primary upset? No. She wasn't a stand out probably because she didn't care to be. That type of person doesn't seek re-election and might be more willing to buck the party (like Voinivich this year).

She seems to be a very low key person so I really doubt she'd be one of the famous mavericks anyway.