The near nomination of Republican Joe Miller to the Alaska Senate race should have Democrats, not just establishment Republicans, seriously asking "What's going on here?" to paraphrase the late soul singer Marvin Gaye.
Sure, liberals understand that:
- Utah Republicans might nominate to the U.S. Senate race the likes of Mike Lee who "favors repealing the progressive income tax and supports a low cap on liability for oil companies that cause extensive environmental damage."
- Colorado Republicans, anchored by the national hotbed of evangelical Christians in Colorado Springs, might nominate to the U.S. Senate race the likes of Ken Buck who "said that the separation of church and state is too strictly enforced and wants to eliminate the Energy and Education Departments."
- Kentucky Republicans might nominate to the U.S. Senate race the likes of optometrist Rand Paul who "has denigrated Medicare as 'socialized medicine'" and believes that "government that should not force private businesses to abide by civil rights law."
Yes, liberals can comprehend ultra-conservatives in regional pockets of our country nominating and electing wingnut oddities who reflect their demographics, their values, their political extremism.
Yes, as the New York Times recently puzzled, "... the Republican brand is barely recognizable." But given the angry tone of the times, such election results are not entirely unexpected from deeply red states Utah and Kentucky, or from the western seat of religious right activism.
But the likely Republican nomination of Alaskan Joe Miller over respected Republican incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski should shock liberals, who apparently don't yet realize that this guy could be a powerhouse political force to be reckoned with. No one doubts that the Republican nominee will win the 2010 Alaska senatorial election since the Democratic National Committee didn't bother to field a credible candidate (or learn the actual Democratic candidate's name.)
Hear me out. After hearing Miller's name for the first time yesterday, I researched his background, condescendingly expecting little beyond Mayor of Wasilla and a community college education. Perhaps an Alaska native, a solid family man active in his kids' soccer and basketball leagues.
In his few TV campaign ads, Joe Miller emerges from an Alaskan pine grove, unshaven, sporting lumberjack duds and a warm, nice-guy smile. The quintessence of Sarah Palin-like appeal. Someone to be dismissed as a regional anomaly. Another Republican oddball.
In great contrast to my preconceived expectations, though, 43-year-old Miller's resume reveals a man of intellect, depth, leadership and proven bravery:
- Born in heartland Kansas to a working-class family
- Appointed to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point where he earned a B.S. in Political Science, graduating with honors in 1989.
- As a U.S. Army Captain, was awarded the Bronze Star for combat leadership in the Gulf War.
- J.D. from Yale University Law School, 1995.
- By age 34, was U.S. Magistrate Judge in Fairbanks
- Masters degree in Economics from University of Alaska, 2009.
Count me as shaken by the prospect of an educated, informed, rational, well-spoken Sarah Palin... someone who can't simply be dismissed as bigoted or frivolous.
In fact, the conflict between Miller's formidable resume and his wildly extremist conservative "small government," anti-choice beliefs confuses me to the point of asking "What's going on here?" Why would a leader of Miller's background hold stances so anathema as to be considered nonsensically anti-progress, anti-democracy views?
I'm starting to wonder if the Obama White House, if the Democratic-led Congress, if the Democratic party machinery, indeed, if progressives... aren't all missing something crucially important happening among the American people. Something related to the incompetence, the cost, the egregious insider-favoritism of gigantic government in 2010.
Obviously, President Obama's important humanitarian and democratic reasons for expansion of health care, for massive reform of public education, for stimulus spending, for temporary bailout of the U.S. auto industry, for extension of unemployment benefits, for foreclosure assistance, college affordability, and child nutrition programs and more have been poorly explained and sold to the frustrated American electorate.
One thing is crystal clear, though: Should Alaska's Joe Miller, Utah's Mike Lee, Kentucky's Rand Paul, and Colorado's Ken Buck all get elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2010, any vestige of Senate Republican compromise to assist President Obama's agenda is dead, dead, dead in the 112th Congress.
And like it or not, liberals may be painfully forced in 2011 to understand and confront "What's going on here?"
The improbable success of the surprisingly formidable Joe Miller against Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski should warn both Democrats and inside-the-beltway Republicans that indeed, something's going on here. Something credible to millions of U.S. voters. Something growing in power and momentum.
(Photo of Joe Miller courtesy of the Joe Miller for U.S. Senate campaign)
Comments
Joe Miller is a main stream candidate. He and others like him have a visceral connection with the American people. As your article points out the left should be very concerned. Joe Miller is living the American dream. He may be reflective of things to come in American politics. By the way, once again the left has underestimated Sarah Palin’s influence and fails to realize that she remains vitally in tune with a real grass roots American movement.
This comment confuses me Deb and I wonder if you might care to respond.
“Count me as shaken by the prospect of an educated, informed, rational, well-spoken Sarah Palin… someone who can’t simply be dismissed as bigoted or frivolous.”
Are you saying that if someone is not (in your opinion) educated, informed, rational, and well-spoken that this in and of itself makes someone bigoted and frivolous? That someone with out these qualities is somehow beneath you? Do you feel that mastery of the English language somehow elevates the value of your thoughts? Don’t we all have a say in this, even those of us that had to quit school to support a family?
Hi Deborah –
Interesting post.
By contrast, I give you Scott Brown. At the time of his election, one of my conservative friends referred to him as a ‘rock ribbed’ conservative. I expressed the opinion that he was probably somewhere to the left of Olympia Snowe.
I’m sure that you noticed that the rock ribbed conservative just voted for the financial reform package. The Tea Party is talking about running a candidate against him. If I lived in Mass, I might have to vote for him.
Don’t fear brains, independence and education. Joe Miller might surprise people, just as Scott Brown surprised some people.
These Tea Partiers should not be elected, period. Our country will resemble even more of a third-world dictatorship than it is now if they get in.
Finally, a reasoned and insightful commentary by a (gasp!) liberal writer.
I wish all “liberals” approached politics with this kind of thoughtful, analytical attitude, instead of a lot of the name-calling and knee-jerk labeling that I see.
If I were to be labelled, it would be as a “moderate” Republican, with definite Libertarian leanings. I don’t care for Sarah Palin, I don’t pay much attention to the Tea Party, I don’t necessarily adhere to party lines. and I don’t consider myself a rabid extremist.
As Deb points out in this article, Joe Miller’s appeal is in great measure to many like me, just mainstream ordinary working folks who see this country in financial and social disarray and realize we need some straight-talking, common sense, yet educated and savvy leadership that won’t pander to special interests or the biggest political contributers.
Some of Joe Miller’s ideas on fiscal responsibility and constitutional government may sound “extreme” but what is happening by maintaining the status quo? We slip deeper and deeper into debt, and neither the promises of the Democrat nor the Republicans are improving our lot.
There is no particular faction that is behind Joe Miller for Senator. We come from all walks of life, all income levels, and, dare I say it, a variety of political affiliations (or none at all). We have one thing in common though: We need change, we need it now, and we believe Joe Miller is the candidate that is best for the job.
Maynard Cremaster, I can’t speak for the author but this is not how I interpreted her comment. I didn’t take her to be saying that you need be a rhetorical and intellectual genius to be a Senator. What I understand her to be saying is that it seems paradoxical that someone who is a decorated war vet, who has attended Harvard law, and who is sitting in court would be capable of holding such outdated views on social justice. His economic policies notwithstanding, his position in society requires him to show a little compassion and understanding for people who might differ from his own views, and if he is incapable of positioning himself anywhere but as an extremist on social issues, it renders his plan to restore the economy empty. If you had to quit school to support a family, you more than anyone ought to recognize how incredibly unfair that is and be looking to elect a candidate who would work hard to ensure that no one has to give up the right to a college education because of economic stress. Joe Miller will not do that I guarantee it… he will be interested in helping to make sure that people of his own class and standpoint keep on maintaining their power.
I am an Alaskan. I was grown here not flown here and I can attest that we are a different breed of people. Sarah Palin is an embarrassment. She needs to go away.
Joe Miller is a whack, and is not going to win, because while Alaskans are fiscally conservative, we are fairly socially liberal. Proven by our pro-choice, legalized marijuana stance.