Update:
The right decision – Libertarians: No Ballot Switch. (This was a unanimous decision.)
In Alaska, there’s a United States Senate primary, with a close vote yet to be decided between incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski and challenger Jeff Miller. If Murkowski should lose the primary, there’s speculation that she might run on the Libertarian ticket in the fall. The Independent Political Report cites polling that shows Murkowski would do fairly well. (I’ve quoted the IPR story below.)
Murkowski’s not a Libertarian (or libertarian), has not espoused libertarian views, and would only be running on the LP line to have a chance at staying in office. On principle — and the LP refers to itself as the ‘party of principle’ — it’s a cynical idea.
If big-government, status quo incumbent Murkowski gets on the LP ticket, she’s likely to lose. Even now, Republican Jeff Miller polls ahead of her in a three-way race with Murkowski, Miller, and Democrat Scott McAdams. I’d guess (like Charlie Crist in Florida) that Murkowski would only fall father behind the Republican, after people considered her switch, and concluded she was just another incumbent eager to stay in office forever. (Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is another variation on this doomed, party-switching scheme.)
Murkowski may win her primary, and run as a Republican. If not, the LP should avoid her, and reject any overtures she might make.
The Libertarian Party is better off without an needy incumbent who considers herself deserving of a Senate seat, perpetually, policy and philosophy notwithstanding.
Here’s an excerpt from that Independent Political Report story —
This poll does not mean that Murkowski will run as a Libertarian. Wes Benedict, the national party?s Executive Director, has come out against such a move. However, Alaska LP State Chair Scott Kohlhaas is at least open to the idea for the press it could give the party. (This may not be surprising; Kohlhaas is running a serious campaign for the state legislature and is likely hoping for a down-ballot effect).
See, Murkowski As Libertarian Polls 34% | Independent Political Report.