Young tours Mat-Su College

PALMER — U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, took a whirlwind tour of Mat-Su College in Palmer on Monday during a long stay in state ahead of the Nov. 4 general election.

Popping into classrooms and giving impromptu talks to students, Young reached out to potential voters in the younger demographic.

The visit, however, was not meant as a campaign stop, Young’s communication’s director Meredith M. Kenny said.

Even so, a few of the students Young shook hands with pledged their support for the longtime congressman.

After looking in on a human relations class, Young was asked about dealing with stress. Responding to a student’s question about how he deals with stress while working in Congress, Young said it’s all about how he handles his decision making.

“As long as what you do you believe you’re correct,” Young said.

Young faces challenger Ethan Berkowitz this election cycle. The Anchorage Democrat has been airing advertisements touting his desire to convince other Democrats in Congress to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, among other issues.

Berkowitz is running against a congressman known for steering money to Alaska and faces voters loyal to Young because of that. But Berkowitz said he’s not concerned about Young’s earmark ability and says he thinks voters have moved on from that.

“I think people are past the point of belief that he can do anything like that anymore,” Berkowitz said, adding that governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has said she doesn’t want earmarks for Alaska any more.

He also said Alaskans are ready for a representative who does more than securing money and can earn the respect of constituents.

“It’s more than just bringing home special projects,” Berkowitz said.

He said he feels good about his chances for election, citing an abundance of support from around the state.

Young also said he feels good about his chances for election, but wouldn’t talk about what he thinks his chances of beating Berkowitz are.

“I feel great,” Young said in reference to the race.

As Young continued his tour of the college Monday, he talked about Palin’s ascension to national politics. He said Palin has done a very good job on the campaign trail and the press has been less than fair to her.

Young conceded he doesn’t think the press has been completely unfair, but Palin “hasn’t been able to get a fair shake.”

Young said he thinks Palin is completely qualified to be the vice president.

It’s up to voters to determine the political fates of Young, Berkowitz and Palin. They’ll get their chance Nov. 4.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.