Miller Wins the KTVA/Alaska Dispatch Debate (+video)

Joe Miller showed once again why he is the best candidate to make the case against Mark Begich this fall.

Miller made clear he is ready to join Senators Cruz and Lee in challenging the status quo. On a question of whether he would support freezing new federal government regulations he said, “Of course I would. The question is whether we are going to have people of mettle willing to do that…We must seize the opportunity we have to join with senators like Mike Lee and Ted Cruz to actually reign in the federal government.”

Miller highlighted his stance against amnesty by bringing a copy of a pledge he asked both of his Republican opponents to sign last Friday. The pledge simply reads, “I will oppose any attempt by Congress or the President to grant amnesty (any pathway to citizenship) for illegal aliens.”

Miller handed a copy to Dan Sullivan, who has said he does not support amnesty, but refused to sign the pledge. Miller pointed out that Sullivan is backed by major proponents of amnesty, including Karl Rove’s Crossroads, John McCain and Lindsey Graham. Mead Treadwell refused to sign it last week; he supports a pathway to citizenship.

During the debate, Miller told the audience to be wary of campaign rhetoric when evaluating how each candidate would likely vote as their next senator. He referenced a candidate comparison put together by his campaign with footnoted references. Regarding Treadwell he said, “Mead you have pretty much adopted every theme from my 2010 campaign. Your rhetoric certainly has not matched your past action. In fact, I am surprised today you haven’t shown up with a beard.”

U.S. News and World Report columnist David Cantanese tweeted, “@JoeWMiller is still pretty damn smooth in a debate.” We agree.