Thanks for welcoming us Jane. Sen. Tester and Mark Begich will be joining momentarily.

Welcome Mark and Senator Tester. It’s great to have you here today.

It was certainly heartening to have Stevens’ own folks confirm that he’s down significantly in the polls.

Hi Jane,
Thanks for having Senator Tester and I on today.

Welcome Mark — thanks for doing the heavy lifting for all of us up there in Alaska — taking on an entrenched Senate fixture like Ted Stevens is not easy, so kudos to you for doing the hard work so well. It’s well past time that Sen. Stevens went to work on getting his own house in order (without the aid of cushy crony contracting deals at reduced government-payback prices, I might add.)

And, as always, it’s wonderful to welcome Sen. Tester to FDL. Great to see you here, especially as a sitting Senator — here’s to many more years to come of saying that!

It’s great to be in Anchorage today - first time I’ve been up here. And it’s great to be up here working for such a fine fellow like Mark Begich.

So how’s life in Alaska Matt?

Matt, as always, it’s great to see you, too — hope you are enjoying the beginnings of the Alaska summer. Has anyone warned you about the mosquitoes yet? (Mr. ReddHedd lived outside of Fairbanks in his youth, and he could tell you a few stories…)

No comment necessary, but having Inouye show up to a Stevens fundraiser was a big drag.

I had the opportunity to meet Mark last fall and I was very impressed by his experience in public service.

Montana has a lot of parallels to Alaska and this race has a lot of parallels to the one I had last cycle. I thought it would be good for me to come up here and help Mark in any way possible.

Welcome Senator Tester, from one of your early supporters, and future Senator Begich!

Sen. Tester has done great things as a freshman and I think his advocacy for rural issues is going to be a model I can follow as a freshman in 2009.

I appreciate all the help that we received early and often from the blogosphere - especially the Blue America community. It’s one of the things that kept the campaign moving.

I think it is fantastic that you are doing this — and wish we had been seeing more of this from other Dems. Collegiality is one thing, but standing in the way of a clear Democratic majority is quite another entirely when we are looking at the significant policy issues that are going to need tackling in the next Congress. Sen. Stevens has used his power in the Appropriations Committee for years to ruthlessly dictate policy and insure payback for anyone who dared to cross him — that is no way to legislate, especially when you add in all those doled out favors which did nothing for the folks of Alaska but everything for his cronies. (The bridge to nowhere being the latest in a string of prime examples.)

Does anyone have policy questions for Mark or Senator Tester? :-)

Thank Sen. Testor! I sent some donations your way through Blue America and it seems to be money well used. Thank you for your support for the Tribes both in Montana and nationally. No doubt the Alaskan Natives will appreciate your work and support for Mark. So, did you plant wheat this spring?

Internet neutrality.

Transparency is critical to a democracy. Honesty and openness are needed in government. And when I get to Washington, people will know exactly what I’m working on and how it is benefiting the people of Alaska.

Two Blue America Dems! Better and better, thank you.

Sorry for the mis-spelling on the name. Tribal sovereignty has been taking a beating with the Bush boys and girls. How would you both advise the new Democratic administration when it starts next year?

As a WV resident, I second that sentiment. Sen. Tester’s work on rural issues has been fantastic — we’ve needed a fresh voice on that for ages, and it is much appreciated, especially having a voice for family farmers who so desperately need a knowledgeable advocate.

Will we see an end to the so-called War on Terror?

Thanks for your support. I planted peas, kamut, and spring wheat this year. Things are looking good in our part of Montana because we just picked up three inches of rain last week.

Best Wishes Mark, from your neighbor Canada … Senator Tester, how much play will gay marriage have in the elections and what are your feelings about this issue ?

I find it hard to believe that this is still an issue …

I second that — I’d love to hear what both are thinking on the net neutrality end of things — especially given Sen. Stevens stance on the “series of toobz.”

I support net neutrality — my position statement is here.

Alaskans depend on the internet to engage in the modern economy and we need to keep it accessible for them.

Welcome Mr. Begich, and Senator Tester!

The current anti-corruption wave in Alaska has to be a plus in your race. Do you have any sense of it’s value in terms of constituencies and regions? Describe your appeal to the Tribes if you can.

Best of luck!

I’ll do everything I can do to put common sense back in our foreign policy. We need to send someone to the White House in a direction who will restore our country’s standing in the world.

Thanks!

Alaskans are very aware of the troubles the delegation have had. I’m offering a clear contrast on this. I’ll bring openness, honesty, and transparency to government. This is a good government issue - not a partisan one. Alaska’s politicians need to earn back their citizens trust.

Great to hear that, thank you.

Rural America faces challenges like never before, especially because of the President’s proposed budget, which really brutalizes rural America. The more people we can get talking about rural issues, the more effective the US Senate will be.

Sen. Tester, as a native Idahoan and onetime Montanan too (my wife is from Helena and still has family there and in Missoula and Bozeman) I first wanted to express how delighted I and my extended family are that you, and not Conrad Burns, are now the other senator from Montana.

I wanted to ask you a bit about the 50-state strategy and its role here. I had long argued for such a strategy. And what I think makes it work is not having Democrats compromise on core principles in the hopes of winning some Republican votes, but to make clear that they stand behind their principles, and can find ways of explaining them to rural voters in a way that makes common sense. And I believe this is a simpler thing than a lot of urban Democratic strategists think.

We’re certainly hoping that the same approach works in Alaska.

I think the 50 state strategy is smart. Democrats have the ability to win everywhere because we’re for working families and small businesses and a vibrant middle class.

OK, next policy question:

Global warming. e.g.,

Over the past 50 years, Alaska has warmed by 4 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit, much more than anywhere in the lower 48 states. This dramatic temperature change is causing the landscape of Alaska to change faster than anywhere else in the United States, threatening infrastructure, wildlife, and Native Alaskan culture…

http://globalwarming.house.gov/impactzones/alaska

We simply must act intelligently here, and, to me, the challenges are way more socio/political/economic than technical (as I proffered here).

Any thoughts?

Senator Tester, you have a fund to help Democrats take Republican seats in the Senate I believe. Are you going to be traveling around and helping others campaign?

I like this 50 state strategy - in rural areas especially. We have the same issues that rural areas around the country have - education, jobs, sustainability, and long term thinking - that’s what rural communities are all about. Democrats can win - in the old days, these were our people. They represent a huge opportunity for us today.

Late to the party. Welcome Senator Tester and Mayor Begich.

We’re bringing back the social struggles of 68, which didn’t turn out very well in the West. We have a chance to bring to fruition some of the ideals that have smoldered all these years. The powers that be will not give away a shred of their power. Now is the time to take it from them.

Good luck, Mark. Know that you are not alone in this struggle.

Now to backtrack and read the comments.

Absolutely - I think climate change is a huge issue for the next congress and many congresses to come. Because of the lack of energy policy, Alaska is now ground zero for global warming.

If you have a chance, read my essay on global warming and climate change that was in the Huffington Post. Also, I’ve been able to lead on energy policy and global warming through the US Conference of Mayors at a national level - we’ve done some really important work.

We’ve added Mark to Blue America, btw. You can contribute to his campaign here:

http://actblue.com/page/blueamerica08

Rural health issues should be more addressed across the US. Lack of personnel and long disances to facilities added to the problem of an affordable system impacts the lives of many. I live on a reseration in northern Arizona, Hopi, and while we have an IHS facility here it could be alot better. I appreciate the fact the Sen. Dorgan and other have gotten on IHS’s butt however there is much more to do.

In some Alaskan villages there have been programs to train dental assistants to do basic care for remote villages. The Alaskan Dental Association, or whatever it is called, opposed that. They weren’t willing themselves to go to villages but didn’t want the the dental assistants pulling teeth or doing other work. Children and adults are suffering because of this turf protection. This has to change and probably there are variations of this story around the country.

Thank you so much for your support Jane! I look forward to coming back to talk to the Blue America community soon.

Wow. Nice to “meet” you, Sen. Tester. I was tickled to see an actual working man get into the Senate.

Mr. Begich, does the ridicule factor help or hurt you? On the one hand, Sen. Stevens has certainly made a huge public ass of himself on any number of occasions. On the other, I’m remembering living in NC during the Hands Ad race and having neighbors who didn’t much like Helms say they’d vote for him because they didn’t like it when outsiders laughed at someone who was Theirs.

What kind of tone would be most useful to you from people writing about this race?

Again, thanks!

It’s a great program - I actually went to their open house as Mayor when they first established it. I’m going to continue to ensure that we get good quality health care in rural Alaska. This program and telemedicine are good ways to bring care to rural communities.

As much as we can do and are requested, and still do the work I need to do for Montana and the US in the Senate, I’ll travel to help elect Democrats.

I think people should be respectful of his service, but recognize that there are real differences about how we see the future of our state and our country. There should be a serious discussion, but I have to be honest, the Republicans are gearing up for a Rovian-style negative campaign here in Alaska - which is a disservice for voters and I think people are fed up with it.

Thanks so much for having us on Jane. Senator Tester and I have to go to a VFW Hall to talk to veterans.

We’ll be seeing you again soon.

Predictions? How many seats will we pick up?

I think climate change is a huge issue for the next congress and many congresses to come

One concept that appears to have been widespread throughout the different Native American nations is that decisions should be made based on their effect on those living seven generations into the future.

Is it possible in Congress today to make make policy for the long term, as opposed to the short term, show-results-immediately-for-political-gain policies of today?

Thanks everyone for joining me here today and I look forward to hearing from you all in the future.

Thanks so much for being here today. I think we’ll be seeing you again on Saturday, June 14 with Howie.

Looking forward to it.

Sure wish Edward Teller was around! Have you heard of Hugh’s list?

Mr. Begich and Senator Jon Tester, thanks for stopping in!

I’m off to the vets listening session too - but thanks for all the questions Firepups!

Your statement on net neutrality is straightforward and clear. About all I need to hear from a credible candidate. You will have a small morsel from me directly. (It will reference FDL and Blue America)

Senator Tester, thanks for understanding the importance of this race and helping us all.

Welcome back Jon– and good to see you Mark!

We just added Mark to our Blue America page, so anyone who wants can donate to him and not wait til he’s on for our regular Saturday session in a few weeks. Please consider adding one penny to any donations for Mark because we have a contest with Air America all week and the Blue America candidate who gets the most pennies wins an Air America check. The simple explanation is right here but the good news is that Blue America has brought in a few thousand dollars since Monday, much of it in $1.01 donations. Let’s give Mark a presense in this contest. Here’s our Blue America page.

Senator Tester, as your other donor & supporter in Arizona, appreciated your campaigning in Oregon (my former state) for Merkley…. it was a deciding factor for several voters.

Working to help rural programs in general will benefit many states. Arizona has a great need to rural health care, power, water and other services especially on reservation land.

My husband lived in Alaska for a good part of junior high and high school years — his dad worked at Eilson Air Force Base (and I know I probably just butchered the spelling there). Ted Stevens has been a Senator from Alaska for a long time — so much so that my husband remembers him and Sen. Murkowski from those years (although I think Frank was in the House back then, if my memory is correct). There was a time when I think everyone could say that Ted Stevens was working hard for Alaska as a whole and was well-respected for it. But I don’t think anyone could truly say that with a straight face these days, with any real honesty — based on how loudly his actions have been speaking on self-dealing cronyism and self-enrichment for him, his family and his political beneficiaries the last few years.

And it really is a shame, because it did not have to be this way. But that was Ted Stevens’ choice, and he’s going to have to face the consequences of those actions — and inactions and appearances of any number of improprieties — with the voters this fall. You have a tough road, Mark, in having to point this out while dealing with any number of putrid tricks (and I have no doubt that Ted’s campaign will be pulling out all the Mitch McConnell ad war tricks and the Rovian back-stage maneuvers).

Just missed ‘em both! Oh, well, perhaps another time.

How great to see Jon Tester reaching out to Democrats in campaigns similar to his own. Conrad Burns and Ted Stevens are both members of the Clueless Crew.

Thanks also to MBH for all his hard work for Mark Begich!