(originally published at Huffington Post)
It's mind-boggling how the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee hasn't shown up for Scott McAdams, Alaska's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.
They've had weeks to help secure a now open seat they didn't think they had a prayer to take. Why aren't they fighting for Alaska? Lisa Murkowski asked McAdams where his DSCC support was. When it didn't show, she threw back in as a write-in candidate.
The front page of their website features a picture of Sarah Palin. Fear of her brand of crazy has been an ATM for the DSCC. They've raised millions off of Palin word salads with guano dressing. The DSCC website also has a link to Palin's anointed Alaskan proxy for US Senate, Joe Miller, but they haven't supported his opponent.
Alaska is the cheapest place in the country to run a campaign. One hundred dollars of campaign money in such a small market is equivalent to $2,000 for a race in Texas. With Palin's negative numbers over 50 percent, her candidate, Joe Miller, is vulnerable. The Tea Party is recruiting people with "Lisa M" type names to ruin a write-in, and every Murkowski vote will be challenged by their attorneys. It will make the Franken/Coleman recount look like play-dough hour in kindergarten.
52 percent of Alaska's voters are registered independent or undeclared. Nate Silver thinks Murkowski could win a write-in campaign? He's wrong about Alaska -- again. Ask NOT-Congressman Ethan Berkowitz. Silver projected Ethan would best incumbent Don Young in 2008. He didn't.
Nationally, both Democrats and Republicans are underestimating Sarah Palin. The DSCC and others do this at their own peril. There is a chance to drive a political stake through the heart of the Palin king-maker meme. I realize Palin is a money maker, but neutering her politically by electing a Democratic Senator in Alaska is priceless.
