In a story printed in the ADN recently, Matt Shuckerow, Dan Sullivan’s campaign manager lamented that challenger Al Gross was getting help from “friends Outside” and whining about Mr. Gross being “handpicked by national party bosses” and the Alaska Democratic Party.
Mr. Shuckerow conveniently left out the fact that Dan Sullivan won his seat with help from friends Outside. Not hard to figure out which is the pot and which is the tea kettle here.
It seems to me that Mr. Shuckerow and I may agree on the issue of Outside influence mudding up Alaska elections; I don’t like it either. Outside influence became more prevalent since the Citizens United case was decided — to the glee of the Republican Party, I might add. My preference would be to reverse that decision. If Mr. Shuckerow is serious about not wanting Outside influence, perhaps he should suggest to our senator that he initiate a repeal of the decision by law.
As far as the notion that Al Gross was “handpicked” by party bosses and the Alaska Democratic Party, I am a little confused. As the article points out, the “Outside friends” are Republicans. I remember the type of Republicans that these must be. They had values and didn’t abandon their morals.
Charles Koch and others are strong Outside influencers for our current senator. The Koch brothers have had a long history of influencing elections and other political outcomes.
And back when our president ordered the U. S. military to clear peaceful protestors from the streets of our capital for a photo opportunity, I recall several military men, active and veteran alike, voice their opinions loudly. I didn’t hear what our senator’s response was. I am sorry I missed it, if he voiced one.
Al Gross was born and raised in Alaska and is running as an independent; I like that. I’ll be voting for the guy that has Alaska and Alaskans at heart.
Anthony Lopez
Kasilof
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