He opens his missive, "Dear fellow bloggers", on a web site with a highly polished animation graphic, and a very Alaska focused agenda. In one sense, there is no denying that Knowles is what they used to call a "Western Senator" - very pro-resource extraction. In Alaska, they aren't there to assemble cars.
But what would a conservative Democrat have to do for the much more liberal online community? Is he just a vote against Frist?
No, there is more here than meets the eye.
First, Knowles belongs to that tradition of Democratis drawn to public service who served his country in time of war, and remembered the others who did as well. Our veterans need a more powerful voice, and Tony Knowles will add to the chorous that supporting our troops means continuing to do so when they come home from service.
In the area of education, he sunk huge political capital into reviatalizing the University of Alaska, and rebuidling schools - not just for the anglo population, but for the Native Alaskans as well. He made sure that all residents received the benefits of respect, education and attention from their government.
More over - Knowles is a trained economist and has two terms as governor: he knows how to govern, and he has won state wide election. He also has an issue: the slashing of benefits to older Alaska residents, proof that the Republicans intend to balance the budget on the backs of people who work, or who worked their whole lives.
But the environmentalist issue is the point of conflict. Knowles must run as a pro-reserouce seantor, there is no way to be elected in Alasak as anything else. Many would be tempted to funnel money to a close environemtalist race in the lower 48. But ask yourself something - don't peopel who mine an dlog have a right to make a living - are we going to go without oil, wood, and zinc? If we mine - shouldn't the Democratic colition have people who can make sure that this important area of our economy is pursued in the best way possible. After all - it is not mining and logging themselves we would cease, but wanton destruction of the environment to do it.
Don't the Democrats need someone who has credibility with this bloc of voters, who can tell them that hteir jobs are still going to be there? Isn't it foolish to tell steelworkers that their jobs in factories should be saved, while we tell the people who mine the iron that they are not welcome in the Democratic Party?
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Finally, because he is from Alaska, there is an issue that Knowles, candidate and Senator, can provide leadership on that is near to the heart of almost every Democrat: civil liberties. No sate is more firmly rooted in "the right to be left alone" than Alaska. Having a por-civil liberties Senator, who can take on Ashcroft and Bush with the kind of powerful rehtoric which must be employed, and yet, because of his status as a veteran and a "Western Senator" with strong pro-business leanings - be able to counter any attacks levelled against him.
There are, across the country, millions of voters for whom civil liberties are core to their choice of candidate. Many of these people think of themselves as "conservative", but, in fact, they merely want greater accountability from a government that they feel they have lost touch with. Don't we need to reach these people? Their defections in 2002 helped the Democratic Party take governorships across the country. Don't we need a spokesman for these people, to bring them into the Demcoratic Party?
I know it is a tough sell. But to some extent, that is the Senate - we are going to have to win by bringing in people whose positions differ from the more liberal view to win. But, and this is the powerful nature of the internet - by beginning a converstation, rather than an argument - we can learn from those who rely on timber and ore to earn their livings by the work they put into their jobs - and they can learn from us. The solution to the environmental challenges we face is not to build a fence around the wilderness and keep people out. Instead, it is to find the best way to do what needs to be done.
Let's welcome Gov. Knowles into the Democratic Sphere - I look forward to hs blog starting, and to engaging his people in a discussion of how we can come together for a better America. Washington is a long way from Juneau, and if the Democratic party wants to be the party of government again, we need to change that.
The first step, is to close the gap by openning the conversation.