So what's the word on your new Governor?

[Toots]

I have a very good friend living in Juneau that is very Liberal and yet he says she is doing a very good job so far. She is reversing everything Murkowski did or attempted to do and is not really acting much like a Republican but more like an Independent. Apparently she is really working for the people instead of the Oil Industry, mining industry, timber industry, etc. etc. Is it possible there really is a Republican that can actually Govern?

[Blue_In_AK]

1. In my opinion, she seems to be doing okay so far...

I've been very impressed with the way she's stood up to the oil companies, and I agree with your friend that she seems to be trying to be as nonpartisan as possible. She's a welcome change after Frank the Bank.

I suspect some here will disagree with me, but so far I'm not unhappy.

[Steerpike]

2. sHE'S oK

The Governor is a Populist not a corporatist, which means the oil companies and their supporters hate her. She is still very conservative socially. She is Anti-Choice and Does not support Gay rights. So is the cup half full?

[Blue_In_AK]

3. That's kind of my take, as well...

Her social political views concern me, but so far she hasn't seemed to flex much muscle in that area. Maybe she'll choose to keep her personal moral beliefs to herself, which would be great.

[northofdenali]

4. She's definitely (IMO) a RINO -

more like a Jeffords than a regular repuke. I've really gotten a kick out of her stance against Big Oil. Whether she'll prevail is another question. She's anti-choice, though, and seems to have dismissed the villages and bush in general from get-go. I'll reserve my opinion till I see what happens in the next several months.

Personality-wise, she's very down home, and I like her for that. Hubby is "First Dude", races boats and snow machines, very outdoorsy. She wowed Fairbanks, which is very tough for ANY politician to do - we're an ornery bunch.

She did keep a few Murkowski hangers-on with her, but not many, and did bring back the Tim Irwin, who was fired by Murkowski for being honest, to being head of Natural Resources.

All in all, for me it's wait-and-see. There are a LOT of very, very red state repukes here, and she's only one person after all. She doesn't seem to be owned by the corporations. I'd like to hear more from her about the as-yet-unpassed ethics legislation and what she'll do with any VECO campaign contributions.

[Ahgoo]

5. OK so Far

I have my concerns but so far she is un-doing bad Murky stuff. How can you go wrong with that?

The tests are coming - especially on the PPT - and we will see.