Some of you may have met Scott McAdams, the Alaska Democrat running for U.S. Senate this year, at Netroots Nation. For those who didn't, here's a good introduction from his speech Wednesday at the state Democrats' Unity Dinner (the Dems actually have unity) recorded by blogger Steve at the local blog What do I know?:
For those who don't want to spend 10 minutes watching, Real Clear Politics (via James L at Swing State) has some highlights:
"I see Joe Miller align behind a Hummer with armed guards march through a family parade in Eagle River," McAdams said, alluding to video that was posted online of Miller supporters carrying assault weapons during a parade. "I see Joe Miller talk about the abolishment of the Department of Education and the diminishment of public schools in general, but the good news is that we as Democrats are for the fair and adequate public election [sic, should be education] of every kid in this state."
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"Attorney Joe Miller is an extreme politician who wants to end Social Security, Medicare and unemployment benefits for Alaskans," DSCC National Press Secretary Deirdre Murphy said in a preview of what is to come over the next couple of months. "His strict social doctrine will only please his tea party backers, not the hardworking people of Alaska."
As McAdams also demonstrated on Wednesday, he will also seize upon the very platform that appealed so much to Miller's fiscally conservative to libertarian primary voters. After all, it won't be easy for a candidate who vows to fight government largess to win a general election in Alaska-the state that has long benefited more than any other from federal pork projects.
"I hear him talk about the end of federal investment in Alaska," McAdams said on Wednesday, eliciting uproarious laughter from the crowd of Democrats in attendance.
"There's a vote getter!" an anonymous voice in the crowd shouted, causing another eruption from the crowd.
McAdams continued to hammer home the point. "But the good news is that we as Democrats stand up for working people," he said. "We believe in job creation. We believe that Alaska as a young state deserves to be developed like every other western state in the history of the United States."
McAdams is particularly strong talking about Alaska, its economy, and its values. That's likely to be an advantage in this race, running against a pretty extreme character who wasn't born and raised in Alaska, assuming Miller wins the Republican primary. To find out more about McAdams, check out the three-part interview he did with Mudflats.