Candidates square off

July 28, 2006

By JOEL DAVIDSON

Frontiersman

PALMER - Andre Agassi popularized the phrase a decade ago, but it's still the name of the game come political season: &#8220Image is everything.”

On Wednesday, four candidates for Alaska governor vied to define their political image during a debate at the Alaska Job Corps Center in Palmer.

With the Aug. 22 Republican primary closing in, Gov. Frank Murkowski squared off against Republican opponents John Binkley and Sarah Palin, each casting themselves as best for Alaska's future. Independent candidate Andrew Halcro tried to separate himself from the pack as a &#822021st century leader.”

Murkowski began by pounding the podium, telling the standing-room-only crowd that Alaskans are on the right path, they just need to push through and build his version of the gas pipeline.

&#8220Make no mistake about it, this is the issue,” he repeatedly stated throughout the afternoon luncheon.

Murkowski painted himself as the man who &#8220got this economy moving” and who will &#8220finish the job.” Even as he spoke, state legislators slugged through a second special session in Juneau, trying to work out the details of a gas pipeline development deal the governor struck with oil companies.

Not so fast, said John Binkley, the man who says he represents &#8220new leadership” Alaskans can trust.

&#8220We must have a governor who is in touch with the people,” he said.

Binkley attacked Murkowski's pipeline deal for failing to absolutely guarantee oil companies will build a gas pipeline. It needs to be reworked, he said.

Homegrown Mat-Su candidate Palin agreed. She received a rousing welcome before taking the podium to characterize the governor's pipeline plan as &#8220wrought with deficiencies.”

Palin consistently has favored an alternate plan to send gas from the North Slope to Valdez, as opposed to Murkowski's preferred route through Canada and possibly on to Chicago.

Halcro said he supported much of the governor's pipeline plan, but wanted to distance himself from Murkowski's

politics.

&#8220I think Alaskans are tired of electing 20th century politicians,” he said, in a thinly veiled shot at Murkowski. &#8220We need a 21st century leader.”

Halcro criticized part of the governor's pipeline deal that freezes tax rates on oil companies for 30 to 40 years, but favored Murkowski's proposed route through Canada.

&#8220We have let politics skew the issue,” he said. &#8220We need to move forward on this.”

When they weren't dueling over pipeline proposals, the political quartet breezed through a host of other hot political issues. All support the Knik Arm Crossing, but only if funding is available.

On education, Palin said she strongly supports public schools, but added that Alaskans need plenty of choices from private, public, home school, and charter school options.

Binkley said the education funding system is &#8220out of balance.”

Halcro argued the need to invest more in public education, financially and otherwise, to reduce teacher turnover in the Bush. Urban school districts also need more funding to keep up with changing student demographics, he said.

Murkowski highlighted his record of increasing per-pupil spending since taking office.

Leading up to the debate, which was sponsored jointly by the Palmer and Greater Wasilla chambers of commerce, candidates circled the packed cafeteria, shaking hands, winking and waving.

Their flyers, pins, pamphlets and bumper stickers splashed across the tablecloths: &#8220Experienced leader;” &#8220Inspire economic development;” &#8220Leadership committed to solving problems.”

The candidates pledged to carry these missions if elected.

In closing, Binkley said he is the guy to &#8220move Alaska forward.” Halcro urged the lunch crowd to check out his Web page, and Palin said it was time for Alaska to &#8220Think big, think ahead. We don't have to look behind for leadership.”

None of these elevated ideas will be possible without a gas pipeline, Murkowski concluded.

&#8220The name of the game, ladies and gentlemen, is to solidify the economy,” he said.

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266 or joel.davidson@

frontiersman.com.