New Alaskan governor selling Murkowski's old jet on eBay

Murkowski struggles in battle for re-election
Many say Republican incumbent a long shot for second term

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But for detractors, the very symbol of Murkowski's stubbornness became his fight to acquire a state jet. The governor first tried to use federal Homeland Security money. When that failed, he tried a legislative appropriation. That didn't work either.

He bought the jet anyway, using a little-known line of state credit with Key Bank.

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According to Department of Public Safety records, the governor racked up 11,277 miles in travel across Alaska in the state jet in the first 51 days of his campaign, beginning with a trip to Fairbanks, where he announced his candidacy. By comparison, the previous 51 days, from April 4 through May 24, Murkowski used the jet to travel just 5,404 miles in the state.

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Governor's jet to be sold on eBay
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Palin spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said that because the Legislature wouldn't approve money for the jet, the Murkowski administration bought it the way you might buy a car -- making regular payments over 15 years while paying no money down.

The state makes quarterly payments of $62,492.79 on the jet, she said. After the payment due Friday, Alaska will still owe $2,516,386.06.

The state's chief procurement officer, Vern Jones, said it's not usual for Alaska to sell big-ticket items on eBay because the site is cheap and has a big audience.

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