Debate delivers discord

ISSUES: Knowles, Murkowski engage in toughest discussion yet on gas line, nepotism and the war.


By NICOLE TSONG and RICHARD MAUER
Anchorage Daily News

(Published: October 27, 2004)

The leading U.S. Senate candidates met for the third time this month in a televised debate Tuesday evening that resulted in the sharpest clash of the campaign season as they argued over incentives for the natural gas pipeline and seniority in the Senate.

With just seven days before the November election, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski attacked former Gov. Tony Knowles for saying he wouldn't support a bill that included fiscal incentives for the natural gas pipeline, while Democrat Knowles berated Murkowski, a Republican, for not including provisions that would have forced Exxon Mobil to pay punitive damages to Alaskans for the 1989 oil spill.

The debate between Murkowski and Knowles took place at Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage before a raucous audience that chanted "Li-sa!" and "To-ny!" before the debate began.

Moderator John Tracy, news director and anchor for KTUU-TV, posed questions that were far more pointed than those in earlier debates.

more: http://www.adn.com/front/story/5716813p-5650096c.html

:shrug:

Hi Bandit..

I don't know of any polls floating around asking about that debate.. But I suspect the ADN will talk about who they think did better in this Sunday's paper. They're supposed to make their endorsement that day.

I thought Murky blew it when she asked Tony if he supported Daschle or Frist. What a STUPID question!!!! Tony's response that he "supported ALASKA" was just perfect though! I thought he did awesome.. but then, I think HE is awesome ;) !! Murky was snippy and bitchy.

It's anyone guess how effective the scare-ads Ted Stevens has been blasting.. but I'm concerned too many people will buy them. But I do hope if the ADN endorses Tony, they'll clarify for some of the idiots who don't realize it, that Ted's term limits on the seats he'll lose are expiring anyway.

Guess we'll see what they say on Sunday ~ :)

Just out of curiosity what is it looking like in the Anchorage area as far as Bush* signs and/or bumper stickers. There are virtually none around the Juneau area but Juneau is know as a Liberal haven in Alaska. Lots of Knowles and Kerry signs though. If Anchorage is even close to Juneau in this regard Alaska just may go Blue this election.

As far as Bush or Kerry signs here, I haven't really seen all that many on either side.. :shrug: I've seen about equal signs & bumper stickers for both of them.

It's the Knowles/Murkowski signs here that are EVERYWHERE!! People this year have mostly opted to only put out senate signs and stay away from presidential signs (for the most part) it seems.

Downtown Anchorage is blue with Knowles signs.. but the rest of the city is dotted with signs for both of them.

At the Alaska Aces game last night, Senator Stevens dropped the ceremonial "first puck" of the home season. Then they put an Aces jersey on him and of course, the standing room only crowd gave him a lot of cheers.

A little later, they announced that Lisa Murkowski was in attendance, and yow.. at least the side I was on (the wet side :beer: ) mostly BOOOOOOO'd her.

She received some claps, but just like this divided nation, the Sullivan arena was divided between claps and boo's. The boo's were much, much louder ;)

I agree with others though that those ads with Stevens pleading for Alaskans not to make mean ol' Tony lose his important seats, may just persuade enough gullible people. We'll know soon enough I guess..