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Establishment Narrative Dies In Republican Primary For Alaska US Senate Seat

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joe-miller-roe-vs-wade-is-threat-1140x641Throughout the primary, pollsters and pundits laughed off Joe Miller’s candidacy as a Quixote run. By summer 2014, the polls showed him 25 points behind his Establishment opponents. And almost all of the high profile national Tea Party and conservative groups pushing insurgent challengers around the country left him for dead, offering no help. Several of the local conservative activist groups maintained a posture of neutrality, acting as virtual subsidiaries of the Republican Party.

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There are still more than 27,000 votes to be counted in the Alaska Republican Primary for United States Senate. More than likely, the Establishment candidate, former Attorney General Dan Sullivan, will be the Republican nominee going forward.

The Establishment has claimed victory, and the media has all but declared the reform movement dead. But is that really the take-away? Let’s look at some facts.

Throughout the primary, pollsters and pundits laughed off Joe Miller’s candidacy as a Quixote run. By summer 2014, the polls showed him 25 points behind his Establishment opponents. And almost all of the high profile national Tea Party and conservative groups pushing insurgent challengers around the country left him for dead, offering no help. Several of the local conservative activist groups maintained a posture of neutrality, acting as virtual subsidiaries of the Republican Party.

The Club for Growth, usually a reliable ally of movement conservatives, linked arms with Karl Rove’s American Crossroads, the US Chamber of Commerce, Paul Singer’s Friends for an American Majority, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and other Establishment Republicans in support of their golden boy, Dan Sullivan.

Further, other Washington conservatives like Erick Erickson at RedState.com and Phyllis Schlafly at Eagle Forum jumped on the bandwagon of the supposedly “more electable” Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell, who finished a distant third.

What makes this spectacle even more outrageous is that Mead Treadwell has never been a movement conservative, though he did adopt a platform redolent with conservative rhetoric.

Dan Sullivan spent about four million dollars during the primary, and his SuperPACs spent millions more.

Joe Miller, essentially going it alone, spent less than $400K, while Mead Treadwell’s million-dollar plus conservative act cut a significant swath out of his base. Why? Because conservatives didn’t unite behind Miller. Yet, the Alaska Republican primary was still winnable.

The entry of Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, and James Dobson gave Miller a significant boost. But it was just too late in the game to be decisive. Miller had run out of money and couldn’t close the gap.

The takeaway is something very different than the media and the beltway consultant class would have you believe. The truth is, 60% of Republicans weren’t swayed by the multimillion-dollar Establishment media blitz put on by Sullivan, Rove, and the US Chamber of Commerce.

Nor were they particularly enamored with Sullivan’s faux conservative schtick, a rhetorical tactic adopted by all the high-profile Establishment candidates around the country this cycle. If rhetoric counts, the Tea Party has already won.

The Alaska Republican primary was always going to come down to how the electorate was divided. If there was a clearly defined conservative up against two moderates, the conservative would win. On the other hand, if it was two conservatives dividing the base, over against one moderate, the moderate would win.

The reticence of the conservative movement to coalesce behind Miller cost us a seat to the Establishment. And given Sullivan’s rather weak position both with conservatives and libertarian independents, it could end in the re-election of Democrat Mark Begich. Surely Harry Reid and Barack Obama are applauding in the shadows.

But the demise of the reform movement is greatly exaggerated. It is time for conservatives to stop being cowed by pragmatic arguments and partisan politics. We must unite behind conservative candidates and ideas. And for the love of all that’s good, stop allowing phony polls to drive the agenda. Let’s put conservative unity above Republican unity. If we do, the future is ours.

The outcome in Alaska should lay the official establishment media narrative to rest. Conservatives didn’t lose; they surrendered.

If the right lessons are taken from this temporary setback, 2016 can be a banner year for conservatives.

Read more from Western Journalism HERE.

Joe Miller Congratulates Dan Sullivan

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Photo Credit: AP / Mark Thiessen

Photo Credit: AP / Mark Thiessen

Joe Miller called to congratulate fellow U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan on a race well run.

Miller said, “While there are still over 20,000 absentee ballots to be counted and several major precincts yet to report, it seems unlikely we will be able to close the 7000 vote gap, given the current trends. I have called and congratulated Dan Sullivan for running a strong campaign.”

Miller added, “I want to thank our volunteers for their incredible effort and those who supported our campaign throughout the great state of Alaska. The pundits said our grassroots campaign (being outspent 10 to 1) did not stand a chance, but I think ‘We the People’ surprised more than a few tonight. I am grateful to God to live in such a wonderful state and country. As Ronald Reagan reminded us, ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,’ so I will continue to do my part to ensure it is alive and well and passed on to the next generation of Americans.”

Begich to Face Sullivan

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Photo Credit: AP

Photo Credit: AP

A strong showing in Homer by Republican Party U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller surprised almost everybody — everybody except a spirited group of supporters on the lower Kenai Peninsula.

“In the past week and a half, just monitoring what’s going on across the state, we really saw a surge of support in Anchorage,” said Barnabas Firth, a Miller campaign volunteer. “Down here locally we have a strong support base. I really expected him to have a stronger showing than the polls were indicating.”

In all nine House District 31 precincts from Funny River to the head of Kachemak Bay, Miller took first, with 1,332 votes. Former attorney general Dan Sullivan finished second with 948 votes and Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell finished third with 586 votes. In Anchor Point, his strongest precinct, Miller won with 53 percent of the vote, 253 votes to Sullivan’s 135.

Statewide, though, Sullivan has won the nomination and will face Democratic Party nominee and incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Begich in the general election. Sullivan got 40 percent of the vote to Miller’s 32 percent and Treadwell’s 25 percent.

For Treadwell supporter Jon Faulkner, Miller’s strong showing came as a surprise.

Read more from this story HERE.

Miller Wins Final Debate: Record 9-0

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Photo Credit: People's Pundit Daily

Photo Credit: People’s Pundit Daily

Joe Miller demonstrated again tonight why he is the best candidate to defeat Mark Begich, outshining his GOP rivals on the debate stage. He also stated in the final head-to-head matchup before Tuesday’s election, although he expects to win the Republican nomination, he will support whomever the nominee is in the cause of beating Mark Begich.

Miller, responding to a question put to all three candidates about supporting the winner, turned to Dan Sullivan and Mead Treadwell and said, “We must do everything we can to make sure Mark Begich is defeated. I believe I’m going to be the primary winner with the voters’ and God’s help. But if one of you two guys, I have never said this before, I will support you guys. I will. We’ve got to get rid of Begich, there is no question about it.”

Miller’s gesture of unanimity in the cause of defeating Begich to both his rivals came despite Mead Treadwell accusing Miller earlier in the debate of putting out a racist campaign piece regarding his opposition to amnesty. Miller found the charge preposterous pointing out he has no racial ill-will against illegal aliens, but believes our laws must be enforced. He pointed out his son-in-law, father of his first grandchild, is a Mexican national, while his siblings are married to immigrants from India and Indonesia. His daughter is a missionary in Mexico. Miller said, “Lawful immigration, great. We are a nation of diversity. ”

An important area of difference between the candidates centered on Rand Paul’s Life at Conception Act. While both Mead Treadwell and Dan Sullivan stated they support the right to life, neither was willing to offer support for Paul’s bill defining life (with legal protection) beginning at conception. Treadwell spoke of supporting legislation “that helps reduce the number of abortions,” while Sullivan said we should support legislation that “makes the number of abortions less.” Sullivan added that Paul’s statute seems to “try to change the Constitution.” Miller responded, “Unequivocally yes…The Life at Conception Act establishes something I believe is foundational. If we as a country decide we are not going to defend the most defenseless. If we decide the most defenseless lives can be taken. What other rights can government take?” Miller pointed out he is the only candidate endorsed by Alaska Right to Life.

“Joe had another great debate,” said spokesman Randy DeSoto. “He is rising in the recent polls and picking up a string of endorsements in the days leading up to Tuesday’s election including from the Alaska Veterans Party, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and the Anchorage Tea Party (“ATP”) just announced its endorsement. The group stated though ‘all three Republican candidates are saying things we want to hear, ATP believes that Joe Miller is the only one who can be trusted to take action consistent with his promises.’ With the support grassroots Alaskans, we believe Joe will be the candidate chosen to take on and defeat Mark Begich.”

Treadwell, Sullivan Silent on Pledge to End Foreign Aid for Countries that Encourage Illegal Immigration to the United States

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Memorial Day 13Today, Joe Miller sounded off about both his opponents’ rejection to make a pledge relating to the illegal immigration crisis.

Miller volunteers delivered the pledge on Wednesday night, but neither Mead Treadwell, nor Dan Sullivan has yet responded. The pledge called for an end to foreign aid for countries that encourage their citizens to immigrate to the United States in violation of our laws.

“I think this is a common sense step that we should be able to agree on,” said Miller. “I’m baffled that this is a hard decision for my opponents. Any country that is receiving foreign aid from the United States should, at the very least, return that good faith with basic respect for our laws and institutions.”

Mead Treadwell and Dan Sullivan previously rejected pledges to oppose amnesty and end federal benefits for illegal aliens.

Rove Influence Set to Lose Alaska Senate Seat

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Photo Credit: Facebook / Dan Sullivan

Photo Credit: Facebook / Dan Sullivan

By Dan Riehl.

The Tea party-aligned candidate in Alaska’s Republican Senate primary Joe Miller invoked the “R” word, as in Karl Rove, in attacking his two opponents over their stance on illegal immigration. Given the way the immigration issue is now playing nationally, any perceived weakness among the two could cost them an edge in the general election, were one of them to gain the nomination, instead of Miller.

Both former Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan and Lt. Gov Mead Treadwell refused to sign a pledge offered by to oppose all efforts at “amnesty” for people here illegally if elected to the U.S. Senate, with Treadwell chastising Miller for sending out a mailer on immigration featuring menacing Hispanic gang members. Miller, in turn, noted that several of Sullivan’s backers, like GOP strategist Karl Rove, favor allowing many of the 11 million immigrants in the country to eventually become citizens.

Republican Senate candidates from Maine to Arkansas are now attacking Democrats for their positions on immigration reform. If either Treadwell, or Sullivan emerge victorious in the primary but are seen as more aligned with the establishment GOP, often linked to Rove, on immigration, it could prove difficult for them to then pivot and attack Begich on immigration in the general.

The candidates also clashed over the economic stimulus, gun rights and campaign spending. Sullivan has raised almost four times as much money as Treadwell and has a super PAC backing him, enabling him to bombard the airwaves with advertising.

Read more from this story HERE.

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Photo Credit: GOP the Daily Dose

Photo Credit: GOP the Daily Dose

Two Pro Amnesty Candidates Refuse To Sign No-Amnesty Pledge – They Can’t Hide Now

By Rick Wells.

Alaska is a long way from the Mexican border but the open borders problem visits and inhabits every state. Wasted Federal tax dollars as well as increased employment competition, both from foreigners as well as economically displaced Americans impacts us all.

Two Republican Senate candidates seeking to unseat Democrat Mark Begich failed a litmus test during a debate this past Sunday. One of the three participants, conservative Joe Miller, asked his opponents to join him in signing a pledge against illegal alien amnesty.

The document read, “I will oppose any attempt by Congress or the President to grant amnesty (any pathway to citizenship) for illegal aliens.”

It’s a straightforward declaration and a refusal to sign it is a fairly clear indication of a support for some sort of amnesty as well as potential ownership by the deep-pocketed donors and puppet masters who finance their campaigns.

Read more from this story HERE.

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Photo Credit: Fox News

Photo Credit: Fox News

Why the hottest senate race in the country might just be in Alaska

By Edward Rollins.

One of the closet and most significant Senate races in the country this year is Alaska’s election for the junior Senate slot presently held by Democrat Mark Begich.

Alaska, the forty ninth state admitted to the Union, is our largest state in land mass but the third smallest in population. It’s also the least dense state and only state that was once part of Russia.

In this election cycle, the coldest state may turn out to have the hottest Senate race in the country — the race that ultimately decides the critical fifty-first seat for who controls the majority.

Now that he is running for reelection in one of the reddest of red states, Begich is trying to put as much distant as possible between himself and the unpopular president who leads his party.

Read more from this story HERE.

Two Alaska GOP Senate Candidates Refuse to Sign Anti-Amnesty Pledge

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Photo Credit: Reuters

Photo Credit: Reuters

Two Republican Senate candidates in Alaska refused to sign an anti-amnesty pledge during a Sunday debate.

Conservative candidate Joe Miller asked his two opponents to sign a pledge that reads, “I will oppose any attempt by Congress or the President to grant amnesty (any pathway to citizenship) for illegal aliens.”

Former Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan, who is supported by Karl Rove and other pro-amnesty Republicans, and Lt. Gov Mead Treadwell, who has said he supported a pathway to citizenship, refused to sign it…

Read more from this story HERE.

Alaska GOP Candidates Clash on Immigration

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Memorial Day 13Thousands of miles from the U.S-Mexico border, three Republicans vying for their party’s nomination for U.S. Senate in Alaska clashed on immigration Sunday night in a televised debate ahead of the Aug. 19 primary.

Both former Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan and Lt. Gov Mead Treadwell refused to sign a pledge offered by tea party favorite Joe Miller to oppose all efforts at “amnesty” for people here illegally if elected to the U.S. Senate, with Treadwell chastising Miller for sending out a mailer on immigration featuring menacing Hispanic gang members. Miller, in turn, noted that several of Sullivan’s backers, like GOP strategist Karl Rove, favor allowing many of the 11 million immigrants in the country to eventually become citizens.

“It’s because it’s the truth,” Miller said when challenged about the pictures on the flier. “This is real-world stuff.”

Read more from this story HERE.

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

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10513419_859097640768782_7393880810506220822_n (1)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.

WATCH: Miller Challenges Opponents to Sign No-Amnesty Pledge

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Today Joe Miller issued a challenge to his primary opponents to sign a no-amnesty pledge, blocking a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens.

“My opponents have been unwilling to make a commitment on this crucial issue,” said Miller. “Ultimately, it goes beyond whether or not the folks crossing the border are rewarded for their illegal behavior. It is a matter of national integrity, security, the rule of law, and whether we have the will to survive as a sovereign nation.”

A signed copy of the pledge was delivered to the Anchorage headquarters of Dan Sullivan and Mead Treadwell this afternoon. Miller is calling on Sullivan and Treadwell to put America first and protect American workers.

Miller concluded, “It’s time to move beyond political posturing and special favors for special interests. This is an opportunity for Dan Sullivan and Mead Treadwell to show Alaskans that they’re listening. I hope they’ll stand up to the Democrat political machine and big corporate interests who are acting against the interests of the people.”

Joe Miller is a husband, father, grandfather, combat veteran, and advocate of Constitutional liberty who believes in individual rights, private property, free markets and the sanctity of human life.

Read more from this story HERE.