Sarah Palin has another scalp:
Incumbent Lisa Murkowski has conceded to challenger Joe Miller in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.When the Senate reconvenes in September, John McCain's GOP colleagues should thank him for picking Sarah Palin as his V.P. He created a monster.
Speaking to reporters at her campaign headquarters in Anchorage, Murkowski said "based on where we are right now, I don't see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favor."
Miller is a hard-core right-wing teabagger. He's way, way, way out there. Miller thinks Social Security and Medicare are unconstitutional.
The Democratic nominee is Scott MacAdams, an "Alaska Populist." His campaign website is here. There's reason to hope according to PPP:
Joe Miller's surprise victory in the Alaska Republican Senate primary has given Democrats at least a marginal opportunity for a pick up this fall, although that will fade if Lisa Murkowski stays in the race for the general as the Libertarian candidate.
Miller leads Scott McAdams 47-39. McAdams is counteracting several of the trends causing Democrats trouble across the country this year. He's running even with independents at 42% and he's benefiting from a more unified party, getting 81% of the Democratic vote while just 73% of Republicans are committed to Miller. In most states that equation would be enough for the lead but in Alaska, where there's an 18 point Republican party identification advantage, it leaves McAdams running behind.
The reason for the closeness of the race is Miller's unpopularity. 52% of voters in the state have an unfavorable opinion of while only 36% see him positively.
