Begich Ahead by Three Votes
By The latest tally reflects the counting of absentee ballots — about 40,000 of them — and will soon be incorporating about 35,000 more from around the state. Most of the remaining votes appear to be from outlying areas of the state where Begich should do very well. Final results, though, won’t be available for a few days, and probably not before the middle of next week. Don’t ask me why. People count slowly up here.
But depending on the final tally, America just might owe the Alaskan Independence Party — whose candidate, Bob Bird, earned more than 10,000 votes — a modest debt of gratitude. Last time, the AIP received about 3% of the vote; this time, Bird is clearing more than 4%, which would be one of many factors — the greatest of which would be Stevens himself — enabling a Democratic win.
A Begich win would bring the Senate numbers up to 58.
…and most importantly, it would save the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body from the horror-show of Sen. Sarah Palin:
She also said she feels as though she has a “contract with Alaskans” to continue to serve as governor, but wouldn’t completely rule out a run for the U.S. Senate if the opportunity presented itself.
It depends on Alaska voters, Palin said, and “if they call an audible on me, and if they say they want me in another position, I’m going to do it. … My life is in God’s hands. If he’s got doors open for me, that I believe are in our state’s best interest, the nation’s best interest, I’m going to go through those doors.”