Anchorage Daily News

Palin should shine a light inward

Sarah Palin's comments on the conviction of Ted Stevens are the last straw for me. Leave it to Sarah to try and find a way to promote herself during others' misfortune. "The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company that was allowed to control too much of our state. It was part of the culture of corruption I was elected to fight." Well that's a pretty interesting statement from someone who was just investigated and found to be guilty of abuse of power.

-- Danny Moss

Anchorage

Parnell is the best Senate choice

The senatorial election is more important than Sen. Stevens. Frankly, I think he got sandbagged, but the bottom line is we must try to make sure a Republican wins. We must stop a Democratic super majority on the chance that Obama wins the presidential election. With a Democratic House and no chance to filibuster the Senate, we will be handing our country over to an unknown, unproven individual, thanks to our nonpartisanly inept media.

Mr. Begich seems like a fine fellow, but he would have to fall in line with the Dems if he won, everybody knows it. Stevens seems to be a bit distracted to demonstrate an understanding of the "Country First" concept, so we'll have to do the right thing for him and choose a suitable write-in replacement. I say we get behind Sean Parnell. Spread the word. Write in Sean Parnell to replace Stevens.

-- Phil Horton

Fairbanks

State funds are lost to campaign

Why is the state financing Sarah Palin's run for VP? Shouldn't those travel expenses for herself and family be paid by the campaign? And a state employee along as well; both Palin and her assistant are still collecting considerable salaries while doing what official business? Shouldn't the Lt. governor have been officially empowered to run local government during Sarah's long absence?

Is the McCain campaign going to pay that back?

Betcha not.

-- Elizabeth Dean

Wasilla

Stevens is still our best option

The various crises occurring in our country have made for one of the most emotional political seasons we've ever seen. I believe it's absolutely impossible for any member of Congress to get fair consideration from a jury in this current environment.

After following the details of the Stevens case I found no wrongdoing by our good senator and I firmly believe he was treated unfairly. Sen. Stevens can still be effective in Washington and it's obvious he still has the spirit and the drive to fight for Alaska. I'm proudly standing by him, just as he's stood by Alaskans for so many years. Sen. Stevens has my trust and he has my vote.

-- Celine Kaplan

Anchorage

Jury's verdict convicted Stevens

Sen. Stevens maintains he has not been "convicted." Technically that may be correct since he has yet to be sentenced. There can be no question, however, that he has been found guilty on all counts by a jury. Jim Clark and Bill Weimar have not been sentenced. Does anyone doubt that they have been "convicted"? Don't buy into this blatant attempt to mislead.

-- Susan Olsen

Anchorage

Bill Allen set the whole thing up

Here's a twist for a theory:

Bill Allen of Veco spent a great deal of time at the Girdwood residence of Sen. Stevens over the years and decided to make the residence more comfortable for himself to remodel the home knowing that Sen. Stevens spent little time at the Girdwood residence and really wouldn't realize the extent of the work that was being done.

Once Bill Allen got nailed for bribery of government officials, he decided to hang Stevens out to dry by saying that he was aware of all the work being done on his home and didn't pay for it.

Isn't it a travesty that Bill Allen gets to flit around free as a bird in his new jet.

-- D. J. Hough

Anchorage

Both choices for Senate are bad

On the one hand we can vote for a now convicted (though still unrepentant) corrupt elder statesman. On the other hand we can vote for an equally corrupt but still wet-behind-the-wallet mayor turned senator wannabe. Eenie, meenie, miney, mo.

-- Howard J. Meyer, Jr.

Eagle River

Daily News must hate Alaskans

For a while you had me fooled. I almost thought this newspaper was different from all the mainstream liberal newspapers in the Lower 48. I almost thought that, since this was an Alaska newspaper and owes its very existence to its Alaska readers, you would back an Alaska candidate, not some left wing lib from Chicago.

The wholesale sellout of people who know nothing about Obama is sickening. It's corrupt media outlets like you that keep our youth brainwashed. You won't critique a liberal Democrat. You pretend to like Sarah Palin then turn around and throw in with the pop-culture crowd and run a big editorial on how you support Obama for president.

Well, I like many others, will no longer support an Alaska newspaper that does not love its residents.

-- Herb Harster

Anchorage

Don't support a convicted felon

Ted Stevens is a felon. The fact that some Republican politicians still support Stevens is a slap in America's face.

Ted Stevens breached the trust Alaskans gave him. The good Stevens has done will be considered in sentencing. Regardless, Stevens is a convicted felon. It amazes me that a person who -- when sentenced -- will no longer be trusted with the right to vote can still run for office and be trusted with state and national interests.

I believe in the American judicial system. If Ted Stevens does appeal, and is proven innocent, all is forgiven. Until that time, he is guilty. He should serve whatever sentence he is given and lose his job, just like I would lose mine if I were a convicted felon. That is the way the system works.

It is embarrassing for the state of Alaska that Stevens was convicted. To have Republicans state their support for his re-election is beyond embarrassing. Republicans do not put country first. Rather, they put Republicans first, felons second and country third. Let's all be Americans and vote for honest, trustworthy people who will serve us with integrity.

-- Greg Brown

Juneau

Stevens' mistake was no big deal

I find it interesting that people seem to forget just what Ted Stevens has done for this state. All the years of service and dedication go by the wayside when a trial ensues. The main crux of the allegations was that he didn't write every gift received on the disclosure forms.

Did that do anything to take monies from the state? No.

Did that do anything to harm anybody or anything in our fair state? No.

I didn't sit on the jury so I don't know every detail but in my uneducated opinion it doesn't warrant him stepping down. It sounds like the prosecution made its fair share of mistakes. If we kicked out every politician who made a mistake or had a momentary lapse in judgment, we would have some serious problems.

I don't, by any means, condone what was done but I believe that the punishment should fit the crime. He made a mistake, pure and simple. He should take whatever punishment is doled out and drive on.

-- Everett Johnson

Anchorage

Begich supports Alaska Natives

It has been quite interesting to see two well-known politicians seek a senate seat in Washington, D.C.

I consider myself a Republican at the national level, but the circumstance surrounding our current U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens cause me to rethink how I am going to cast my vote.

Sen. Ted Stevens has been a major supporter of Native peoples here in the state of Alaska, but I have to think about what the future will hold for Alaska Natives. People think without Stevens' presence in Washington, D.C. Alaska Natives will have no voice at all. But that is not the truth. We Alaska Natives can still have a voice and know that somebody will listen to our concerns and protect our interests at the national level.

Like his late father Nick Begich, Mark Begich has proven his track record. For example, he hired the first rural coordinator as the Anchorage mayor. And this will continue in Washington, D.C.

I did meet Mr. Mark Begich 20 years ago. I felt that he was a reflection of his late father, and he will reflect his father in Washington, D.C. as a champion for Alaska Natives.

-- Paul Lincoln

Newtok

Alaska's Democrats compromised

When Democratic national senate and congressional committees can pour $2 million into attack ads in Alaska, we should ask questions.

What do they know about Alaska and Alaska's best interest? Where did all that free-flowing cash come from? How independent can either of the Democratic candidates be when neither one of them had the nerve to speak out against the ads? All that money has a price. Don't expect much if either is elected. Forget lack of seniority; when you are bought and paid for, you do as you are told.

I expected better from Ethan Berkowitz but am not surprised with Mayor Begich's politics as usual.

-- Maggie Spencer

Anchorage

Face reality: Stevens' time is over

CorrupTED. IndicTED. ConvicTED.

It would be crazy to vote for someone who may not be allowed to take the seat if elected. Even his Republican colleagues are ready to kick him out. Voting for him is not loyalty; it is a refusal to face the reality that Ted's days of power are over. It is time to face reality and move forward with a new face in Washington. That face belongs to Mark Begich.

-- Ellen Toll

Anchorage

It seems Palin is a socialist too

Sarah's latest tirade about Obama being a socialist is disturbing coming from her. What was the $3,200 that was dispersed to every man, woman and child of Alaska in 2008? Perhaps it was "spreading the wealth"?!

-- Katie Kennedy

Ninilchik

Vote on facts, not party loyalty

I consider myself an independent voter, voting on issues rather than party (I have voted both ways). I have been following the elections and the Veco corruption investigations. Originally, I was a huge Ted Stevens fan, not much of a Young fan (he is corrupt), and while I did not vote for Palin, I thought as governor she was doing fine and gaining my approval. However, after watching Palin's hypocritical, shallow performance at the national level and her charging the state for family travel and living expenses, I am moved to dismiss her as a trustworthy leader.

However, my true sadness comes in my dismissal of Stevens. After a review of the evidence presented during his trial, it is clear that Stevens could not have been that complacent in his personal life. If others could easily take such advantage of the "Hulk," then he is the kind of leader I can no longer get behind. I hope other Alaskan are feeling the same and will vote on the facts and issues this election rather than blind faith. It is time to get real about our future as a State; we obviously have major issues and need trustworthy leaders.

-- Kent Scheler

Anchorage

Endorsement was bad form

I am an independent voter and have voted for both Democrats and Republicans in the past. Regardless of whether or not you support Sarah Palin, she has brought Alaska to the national political scene. I'm well aware that the Daily News is a left-leaning paper but with only days to go in the election, it is like a slap in the face for Alaska when our largest newspaper endorses Palin's political opponent. The endorsement could have been left unsaid. I have cancelled my subscription. I'd rather get my news somewhere else.

-- Shelby Weaver

Anchorage

Palin her own biggest fan

George W. Bush met Putin once, looked into his eyes, and saw his soul. John McCain met Putin once, and saw the letters KGB in his eyes.

I have met Sarah Palin twice, and saw in her eyes just two letters: ME!

-- Harold L. Guernsey

Anchorage

Use of state funds questioned

While the governor has been away on the campaign, why have the expenses for her Anchorage office director to travel with her been paid for by the state? At a cost of nearly $1,000 a day as reported on the news, I don't think this is a justified and legal use of state funds. State funds used to pay for a political race. Shouldn't this be a cost picked up by the campaign and not by the public?

-- Jonathon Pendergrast

Anchorage

Young has earned my vote

Why I am voting for Don Young: In 2001 I was disabled by a terrible illness and I lost my job and my health insurance. I applied to Medicare for health insurance and was denied, despite multiple appeals. I wrote for help to Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski, and got no reply. I wrote to Don Young and in two days I got an acknowledgment of my letter. In four days I got a letter from him telling me I was now insured by Medicare.

Yes, I am voting for Don Young.

-- Joan Bundtzen

Anchorage

Avoid pro-abortion candidates

Re Geoff Kennedy's Oct. 11 letter "Abortion is just part of the total picture of a candidate's morality": Extermination of the Jews was just part of the total picture of Hitler's plans for the Third Reich.

U.S. bishops are asking Catholics who share Mr. Kennedy's confusion a basic question: "How can a so-called good Catholic vote for a candidate that supports laws that take the life of innocent children, when there is an alternative?"

Democrat Mark Begich and Republican Ted Stevens both support excluding unborn persons from the protection of law, just as Hitler excluded Jews, homosexuals and their defenders. Independant candidate Bob Bird supports the Constitution's protection of all citizens. Whoever wins will vote on the radical "Freedom of Choice Act," which would federally fund abortions and destroy all significant legal measures still standing between American families and the abortion gulag.

I urge Mr. Kennedy et al to consider the words of Native American Archbishop Charles Chaput: "... people who claim that the abortion struggle is "lost" as a matter of law, or that supporting an outspoken defender of legal abortion is somehow "prolife," are not just wrong; they're betraying the witness of every person who continues the work of defending the unborn child."

-- Therese Syren

Anchorage

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