Miller sees prospect of bad blood with fellow Republicans
Anchorage, Alaska (CNN) – As Republican Joe Miller eyes what could be a major victory in the Alaska Senate GOP primary, the upstart candidate believes it's possible that he and national Republicans could enter the political equivalent of enemy territory.
Vote counting continues on Tuesday after the August 24 primary did not produce a clear winner between Miller and Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Before counting resumed, the incumbent Republican trailed the Tea Party Express endorsed Miller by 1,668 votes, according to unofficial results. Election officials say more than 25,000 ballots remain uncounted, the bulk of them absentee ballots and some 9,117 "questioned" ballots which may be counted or may be ruled invalid.
In a CNN interview outside his campaign office in Anchorage, Miller said he feels good about the possible outcome.
"Of the absentees, we have real confidence they'll cut our way," Miller said. "A lot of those are active duty military. We know that in the Elmendorf precinct, an air force base here in Anchorage, almost 90-percent of the votes went for us."
Miller added: "At Richardson, an army post here in Anchorage, we had almost 75-percent of the votes go towards Joe Miller. So we expect in the absentee votes a similar percentage to reflect our way which would actually widen the gap."
Miller previously accused the National Republican Senatorial Committee of meddling in the race to possibly benefit Murkowski. The candidate is now toning down claims of Republican intervention, telling CNN that NRSC Chairman Sen. John Cornyn, "Assured me that the legal team that he had sent up to Alaska was getting pulled out. I believe that happened."
But Miller acknowledged that the actions could still cause bad blood between him and the Republicans he would be working with should he win the senate seat.
"Well I think the die was kind of cast, in the sense that the [NRSC] brought a team of lawyers to Alaska against our campaign," Miller told CNN. "But frankly, I don't make enemies with anybody."
Instead of engaging in political war, Miller urged fellow Republicans to take hold of his message of limited government.
"The message that we have is a very broad-based message. I mean, it's a message that I think not only can the Republican Party embrace but, I believe, that even those outside of the Republican Party can see, I think, if you will - real salvation to the nation," Miller told CNN.
CNN contacted Murkowski's campaign but did not receive a response.
- CNN's Paul Steinhauser, Steve Brusk and Charles Riley contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
- Top takeaways from CNN's South Carolina town halls with Sanders, Buttigieg and Steyer February 25, 2020 05:58 am
- Sanders defends comments praising Castro's Cuba: 'The truth is the truth' February 25, 2020 05:35 am
- Analysis: The Sanders effect will touch every race on the 2020 ballot February 25, 2020 05:00 am
- After spectacle, Trump and Modi turn to business February 25, 2020 04:40 am
- US wants new nuclear weapons to counter Russia but says there is no arms race February 25, 2020 05:01 am
- Poll: Biden and Sanders lead Democratic field in South Carolina February 25, 2020 01:41 am
I can only hope and pray that the republican Party of No eats itself so that Americans can be spared a Party of No to the good of America and Yes to Big Oil, The Rich, Big Business and Big Wall Street. People wake up to what your party has become. A dumping grounds for the right wing extremist nut cases of the conservatives.
Joe Miller was backed by a quitter. Quitters like Sarah Palin, someone who quit the governors office so she could chase money are a disgrace.
Joe Miller will lose in the general. If he cant play good with his own people, what does that say about him and the tea party? Look back at Sarah Palin and see how she "played". She quit and went home. Thats not the definition of a winner to me or many other Alaskans.
The established party bosses need to tune into the anti-incumbent mood and the reality that the taxpaying public is OVERTAXED, and Washington spends too much on valueless programs. Social Security MUST be made whole AND be taken private with fiduciary protection. Programs like welfare need to be replaced with workfare, where those that can work are forced into labor pools to provide public service.
Another Alaskan that is full of Moose doo doo. What is it about those idiots?
Miller has indicated that, even though social security is solvent until 2037, he wants that money in the hands of wall street and the too big too fail people who rode shotgun while George W Bush and the republicans in congress, drove us to the brink of a great depression. Alaska receives more money from tax payers than it sends to Washington, making it the biggest social draw down in the United States.
In November, I think we will see the third election cycle rejection of the fascist right wing nut party. I hope Americans will continue to say "No" to the party that almost destroyed our country with their increased debt and unfunded mandates.
I think the 'lib hunter' is a birther. He must be proud to be a part of the most uninformed 25% of Americans. Last election cycle, I too voted for the presidential candidate who was born in America, not the one with the birth certificate from Panama.
Miller is a under dog. Everybody cheers for those.
Why do republicans think that it is their duty to destroy America? Unfunded wars, unfunded tax cuts for the wealthy, unfunded drug programs, unfunded bank bailouts, unfunded homeland security, deregulation of the oil industry and wall street, government takeover of women's rights, and of course; a war on the middle class, hispanics, blacks, muslims, policemen, firemen, teachers, nurses, the 35 million without health insurance, and our precious environment.
I like this guys ever present scruff... If he rocks a constant five o'clock shadow as a Senator then I will not feel the need to shave for work anymore. Miller time!
Bad blood, between conservatives & ultra-conservatives? Really? So sad, it just goes to show the GOP, that no matter how far to the right you are, there will always be someone "more to the right", more ultra conservative than you.
That is the definition of Wahhabism. That is how Islam developed the Al Qaida & the Taliban...
Look out folks. We are creating our own, home grown, Wahhabbists here at home! Remember Timothy McVey?
I hope Joe Miller wins! it will really showcase the extreme positions that will be inflicted on the American people if republicans gain control of congress. it's not that it's not safe to vote for this or other teabagger puppets, it's not safe to vote for any republican. this guy and a couple of others actually have the guts to show in public what the party stands for. and it's not pretty! if you want to continue to live in a civilized society, don't put in the guys who want to bring us back to the days of the robber barons and the poor and nothing in between.
SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR REPUBLICAN!
The handwriting on the wall for Democrats is in neon lights when Sen. Murkowski's support for President Obama's agenda can split Republicans.
To help his party, the President should announce ASAP that he will not run again.
Yeah, like he cares...
Tea Party candidates are Republican in name only.
Alaskans: if you fail to vote, this is what you get.
I'll bet Mr Miller will go far in Washington if he gets elected. He already appears to have his sights set on any incumbent no matter what party they belong to. That's the way to get things done for your state, constituents, and country. Go with the atitude of non-cooperation and "I'm right and your wrong" and you'll go far. Just remember, no lobbyists' money or special interests, no earmarks for your state and heaven forbid, the "evil" federal government should expect you to act like Alaska is a part of the United States of America.
Miller's message is brought to you by:
The Tea Party Express, and the Dick Army Doctrine
I love this republican infighting. They are destroying themselves. You can't pay for this kind of entertainment. None of these extreme right wingers are going to win the general election.
Miller's statement totally overlooked his 'enviable' endorsement from the totally lacking intellect of Sarah Pallin.
No credit to this stalwart of political numskullism?
Republicans routinely accuse each other of being Liberals in their primaries. It shows you what "Liberal" actually means to Republicans. A Liberal is someone who may prevent you from attaining political power.
Of course, there is no Conservative in Congress who can actually define Liberalism, Socialism, Communism, or even Conservatism.
This bad blood will find its way through up to the last destination (Washington). The result of it will be: nothing will get done there!
Sarah Palin went through the same and came out on top still. We need more brave people like Joe and Sarah to buck the GOP establishment and Obama's failed policies.
Oh, I think this guy will be enemies with more than just the Repugnant Party. I think he will alienate everybody except his small group of tea-sipping whackos.
Yep, Miller, you are possibly going to the Senate and you already not playing nice with your party. Smart move. That will get Alaska the federal dollars they are used to (and they get plenty). Here is a realty check. Alaska already has one democratic senator. If you defeat Murkowski they will have another one.
Miller, you forget that the people of Alaska just don't want an incumbent. They also probably don't want you.
The sad part is that our elction process is subject to manipulation by corupt politicians.