Comments on: Blue America Welcomes Back Mark Begich (Sen-AK)

By: mbrownerhamlin

mbrownerhamlin — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:44:57 +0000

Fair enough – thanks for giving me info on where you’re coming from. Next time I’ll be sure that Mark explains why he’s staying neutral in the AK-AL primary.

By: Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:38:22 +0000

Just walked back in the door from a swim in the beautiful Kings River!

Matt, If a candidate does not want to endorse, they should say so, and why, which I asked. After all, I appreciate folks who stay out of primaries for neutrality purposes, if that is indeed what they are doing.

But the answer above left me guessing.

I know more about D. Benson and have supported her since ‘06.. would be much easier to make supportive decisions of Mark for me if I had a clue as to where he stood on her campaign.

I do appreciate you both being here today. Dine on some extra alder smoked salmon for me, will ya?

By: Cujo359

Cujo359 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:35:40 +0000

He answered the wrong question (clicked on the wrong “reply”, actually), so I missed it. Anyway, that doesn’t change my impression of being handled all that much.

By: mbrownerhamlin

mbrownerhamlin — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:26:47 +0000

Mark has not made an endorsement in the Alaska House race. He was clear when he said:

Either Ethan or Diane will beat Don Young.

That’s true. And I’m unclear the difference between what Mark said and you’re proposed “I’ll be happy to run alongside either”. Honestly, what’s the difference? If you “don’t expect an endorsement”, what difference do you see between these two statements?

By: Cujo359

Cujo359 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:20:32 +0000

I got here late, but Eureka Springs asked a variation of the question I wanted to ask at #26 . He completely sidestepped it. I don’t expect an endorsement. A simple “I’ll be happy to run alongside either” would be good enough, if he doesn’t want to choose sides.

I feel like we’re being handled, rather than talked with.

Mark Begich looks like a good candidate. He has both experience and at least some progressive values. He must be good at campaigning or he wouldn’t have won so many elections. Doubtless he’d be a better Senator than Ted Stevens. My money’s going elsewhere, though.

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:07:02 +0000

And also true. Sorry, did not mean to end this great chat on such a cynical note about political pivots. Tester and Webb are great Senators and terrific freshman.

By: dakine01

dakine01 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:02:26 +0000

Ian upstairs

By: Teddy Partridge

Teddy Partridge — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:57:23 +0000

Very nice pivot against the incumbent’s experience argument.

By: mbrownerhamlin

mbrownerhamlin — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:57:22 +0000

I’ll definitely keep you posted Howie. Thanks for having Mark on, thanks to everyone for all the great questions, and for those of who you took the opportunity to contribute to our campaign, thanks for giving us the support we need to keep working towards victory.

For those going, I’ll be at Netroots Nation for its entirety and hope to see you there!

By: egregious

egregious — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:56:47 +0000

Thanks Mark for a terrific discussion. We are very keen to help get you into the U.S. Senate. Keep up the good work and please do come by again soon!