Anchorage Edition: May 1, 2009

Fri, May 1, 2009
Posted in Anchorage Edition

Each week, host Michael Carey gathers commentators for a review of the week’s news, politics and public affairs in Anchorage and Alaska. Topics this week include:

Last days before the run-off election for Anchorage mayor. Can the candidates do anything to change the race at this point? How much will endorsements from candidates in the earlier election benefit Croft and Sullivan? Is it inevitable that taxes will be the dominant issue every time because a large segment of the public thinks their taxes are too high?
Fairbanks fare in the legislative session. Are the locals happy? Has Fairbanks seen any stimulus money?
Springtime in the Interior can and often does mean flooding. What has the government done about? What can the government do about it? How is the construction session shaping up?
Alaska and swine flu. Is it realistic for Alaskans to think “We are so isolated don’t worry about it”? Anchorage does have a formal plan for dealing with this kind of threat. What has been the response in Fairbanks?
President Obama’s popularity continues to grow. Yet Obama is not particularly popular here. Does this mean Alaska will continue to remain alienated from the dominant national political trend?
Senator Lisa Murkowski’s influence continues to grow within the Republican caucus. But the Republicans’ influence in the Senate is in decline, most recently because of Senator Arlen Specter’s defection to the Democrats. Is Murkowski up against a paradox, more influence in the caucus, less in Congress? Is her voting record going to become more conservative?
The tourism season is upon us. How long will it take before we know if the number of visitors is declining?

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HOST: Michael Carey, freelance editorial writer for the Anchorage Daily News

GUESTS:

Paul Jenkins, conservative commentator
Dermot Cole, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Steve MacDonald, KTUU Channel 2 News

KSKA (FM) BROADCAST: Friday, May 1, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.

KAKM (TV) BROADCAST: Friday, May 1 at 9:30 p.m.; repeats Saturday, May 2 at 5:00 p.m.

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