Unbelievable: Murkowski keeps GOP leadership post

After Senate GOP leaders like Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) said that Lisa Murkowski (R?-AK) would likely be stripped of her ranking membership on the Energy and Natural Resources committee, since she is now running as a write-in candidate against Alaska Republican senatorial nominee Joe Miller (who defeated Murkowski in the primary)...

... they decided to let her keep the post.

As Michelle Malkin said, another head-banging-against-the-wall moment for the still-don't-get-it GOP leadership.

Murkowski Launches Write-In Candidacy

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, who was defeated by Tea Party-backed Joe Miller in the GOP primary on August 24th, announced this evening that she will continue her campaign as a write-in candidate.

After losing to Miller, Murkowski had three options. One - accept the primary results; two - persuade the Libertarian Party to remove their candidate, and replace him with her; or three - run as a write-in.

At her announcement rally, she gave this gem of a quote:

"Today my friends, my campaign for Alaska's future begins. I announce today I will be a write-in candidate for the United States Senate seat I now hold. The easier route for me personally would be to accept the results of this primary and put me and my family first, and I gave that very serious consideration. ... But I looked into my heart, and I said, 'where is my heart,' and my heart is Alaska. I cannot leave you. ... I listened to Alaskans who said, 'Lisa, please give us that choice. We cannot accept the extremist views of Joe Miller.'"

With Murkowski back in the picture, the Democrats chances at taking the seat go from non-existent to a small potential. Miller and Murkowski could split enough of the GOP vote for Democrat Scott McAdams, although it is still unlikely, as polls show Miller and Murkowski far ahead of McAdams (one poll showed Miller in the lead, another showed Murkowski).

Murkowski is in a predicament, though. No one has won a write-in candidacy for Senate since Strom Thurmond did in 1954. Winning anything as a write-in - especially with a difficult name - is a huge hurdle.

Polling a race like this, also, is a problem. You can't simply name Miller, McAdams and Murkowski when polling - because Murkowski will not be on the ballot. You would have to say Miller, McAdams, and "someone else", and if the individual said "someone else", then ask Murkowski (and others) in order to more accurately simulate the actual ballot.

Murkowski has resigned her Senate GOP leadership position, following pressure from fellow Republican Senators.

I'm with Erick Erickson of RedState.com - "Is there anyone in Alaska named Murlowski? Can we get that guy to run as a write-in candidate?"

Primary Night: Big Victories for Tea Party Candidates

Tonight was primary night in several states, and Tea Party-supported candidates came out big. This continues the surge Tea Party candidates have had, capped off so far this year by Joe Miller's stunning victory in Alaska over U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

Christine O'Donnell upset Congressman Mike Castle in the Delaware Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Castle, one of the most liberal Republicans in Congress, had long been considered a shoo-in, not only for the primary but also for the general election. O'Donnell received 53% of the vote this evening, while Castle got 47%.

The nomination of O'Donnell will make this particular race much more competitive. Last week, Rasmussen found Castle leading the Democrat nominee 48%-37%, and O'Donnell trailing 36%-47%.

In New Hampshire U.S. Senate primary, Ovide Lamontagne has been leading Kelly Ayotte all night, currently (10:30pm CST) by 41.2%-37.4%. Ayotte had the support of Sarah Palin, along with other, more establishment Republicans, but Lamontagne has received a lot of Tea Party support.

All Republican candidates for Senate have been in a slight lead in the New Hampshire race, according to polls.

In Wisconsin, Ron Johnson is cruising to an 80%+ victory. Johnson is also a Tea Party candidate, and has a viable chance at defeating incumbent U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI). Recent polls have had the two essentially tied, or with Johnson in a slight lead.