Miller Turns in Another Strong Debate Performance
Joe Miller turned in another strong debate performance in his hometown of Fairbanks today. The debate, sponsored by the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, was the first and only debate among the Republican primary opponents in the community. Many of the topics focused on business issues; however, the candidates were also afforded the opportunity to ask one question of each other.
Miller’s first question went to Dan Sullivan and concerned the subject of impeachment. Given President Obama’s lawless acts regarding ObamaCare, Fast and Furious, and amnesty among others, Miller asked, “Would you support the impeachment of the President?” Sullivan declined to answer, responding if the House voted on the matter, as a senator he would be required to “adjudicate that impeachment.” Miller followed, “Do you not agree those are the types of things for which the House should pursue articles of impeachment?” Sullivan responded that his focus would be on reducing regulations and improving the economy.
Miller’s question to Mead Treadwell focused on international taxes Treadwell supported as a consequence of his backing of the United Nations Law of the Sea Treaty (“LOST.”) He also worked with the World Wildlife Fund to enact what is essentially a federal environmental tax on oil production: the World Wildlife Fund was one of the plaintiffs that sued to shut down offshore drilling in Alaska earlier this year. LOST gives the United Nations the authority to directly tax and regulate the American people for the first time ever. Miller asked, “How does your backing of these taxes square with your ATR [“Americans for Tax Reform”] Pledge to vote for no new taxes?” Treadwell responded that he had been educated by Miller and others about LOST, and that he does not now support those provisions of the treaty. But Miller made it clear, with LOST already ratified by dozens of nations around the world, that the Treaty could only be supported in its entirety or not. Treadwell did not respond to this point.
A question came from the audience concerning whether all the candidates could work with Lisa Murkowski as part of the Alaska delegation. Treadwell said that he and Lisa Murkowski have been “lifelong friends,” and though they may have differences sometimes, they will be able to “work together for the benefit of Alaska.” Sullivan said, “I will be able to work very well with Senator Murkowski.” Miller responded, “Senator Murkowski voted with Obama 72 percent of the time, it is one of the weaknesses of Mr. Treadwell and Mr. Sullivan’s campaigns that they were supporters of hers in 2010.” It makes it harder to argue Mark Begich should be replaced, given he votes 80 percent of the time with Murkowski. Miller added, “On the 28 percent of the areas we agree, you bet, I will be hand-in-hand with her to make sure the interests of this state are advanced.”
