This is the year to rise up, Alaska Democrats say

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/416479.html

By SEAN COCKERHAM
scockerham@adn.com

PALMER -- Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, running against Ted Stevens for the U.S. Senate, told his fellow Democrats on Saturday night that this is their shot.

"This year, more then any other year in recent history, the stars are truly shining on us; this is a historic year for us," Begich told the state Democratic Party convention in Palmer.

<snip>

Change was the convention theme; Republican politics have long dominated Alaska. But, at least on this day at Raven Hall at the state fairgrounds, the bumper stickers for sale said "Outsource Bush" and "Jesus is a Liberal." It was the largest state convention ever for Alaska Democrats.

<snip>

The 355 state convention delegates, who were chosen at the February caucuses, backed Obama over Hillary Clinton by more than 77 percent Saturday. By the time all the party wrangling was done, Obama ended up with 14 of Alaska's 18 delegates to the national convention.

"This is the year -- we've got coattails, we've got spirits up," said Juneau Democratic Rep. Beth Kerttula.

She didn't say it, but Democrats hope the ongoing corruption investigation into Alaska politics, which has mostly hit Republicans so far, will help them at the polls this year. A woman at the party convention was selling "Thank You, FBI" bumper stickers.

Ethan Berkowitz, running for Republican Don Young's seat in the U.S. House, brought up the scandal in his speech to the convention.

<snip>

Berkowitz' opponent in the Democratic primary, Diane Benson, said in her speech that she's covered her tattoo and taken out her eyebrow piercing to look like a candidate.

"But underneath it all, who am I? I am a woman who wants to change the face of politics," she told the hall. "I want to see women fed and safe, people safe in their homes, children educated and jobs pay well. And in my life I can tell you I did live through the darkness of despair and walked into light of hope."

She called for universal health care and said she's running for the young man who was denied treatment and went on disability with expensive complications, the Eagle River family that lost its house because of high medical bills, as well as the Mat-Su Valley veteran who lost his benefits.

"I'm running too because a war for the wrong reasons took my son's legs. A war that we cannot sustain in human and economic costs. I'm running to bring some sanity and humanity back to Congress," Benson said. "That's why I as your congresswoman will spend every day fighting for health care, fighting to get out of this war and fighting to ensure our wounded warriors and their families get the support they deserve."

<snip>

A third Democratic U.S. Senate primary candidate Frank Vondersaar, told the convention crowd that incumbent Republican Stevens is a "hardcore fascist criminal."

:woohoo:

I felt kind of bad that the only response I had was from someone who was tombstoned. :rofl:

:rofl:

This is excellent news. I can't even imagine a Blue Alaska.

:bounce:

The only problem is that I left Alaska a year ago. To finally have a Democrat in congress from Alaska would be a dream come true.

Diane Benson made a huge impression on her.
My wife was voted to the "grevience chair", not sure what that is. She was happy about it though. I was only able to talk with her real quick on the phone, because I'm at work, so I'm not real sure what all it entails.
Sheila also asked my wife to help her with her campaign for mayor (she was one of Sheila's students). My wife is going to have a busy time this year, which is good, since our little one just graduated high school and is moving on to the next level.

:) I'm really loving having all my kids grown and out of the house.

I wanted to go up to Palmer yesterday, but between having to type 160 pages before Wednesday, cleaning the house for my brother and sister-in-law's arrival also on Wednesday and trying to get my garden in -- plus the $4 gas -- I just couldn't justify the drive. I am glad to hear though that your wife is impressed with Diane. We have volunteered for her both campaigns, and I think she's fabulous. I would love nothing more than to see her in Don Young's seat. It's about time we have a Native American woman in the House, especially one as progressive and passionate as she is. I just love her.

ed. Oh, and I really like Sheila, too. I haven't decided yet who to support for the mayor's race...kind of a tough choice between her, Eric Croft and Matt Claman, who deftly handled a little marijuana issue for my daughter when she was a senior in high school. It's wonderful to have so many great candidates to choose from.