Murkowski not stripped of committee leadership position
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/06/08/art.murkowski.0608.gi.jpg caption ="Senate Republicans have decided not to strip Sen. Lisa Murkowski of her leadership position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee."]Washington (CNN) - In a surprise move, Senate Republicans decided not to remove Sen. Lisa Murkowski from her top position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Wednesday, according to several Republican senators who refused to explain their decision.
Republicans had indicated as recently as Tuesday she was likely to lose her seniority on the committee as penalty for her write-in candidacy in Alaska.
A GOP source in the room tells CNN, despite anger towards Murkowski, the conference decided not to even take up the question of the Senate Energy Committee post because "there was a sense that she's resigned her leadership post, she lost her primary, she will probably lose her race, and she'll be gone. She will not be ranking [Republican] because she will not be here."
This, despite strong words from colleagues like Sen. John Cornyn a day earlier, who was among many Republicans who predicted they would remove her from the committee post.
“I look forward to continuing to serve as the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee," Murkowski said in a statement released by her office Wednesday.
Sen. Murkowski resigned her position as vice chair of the GOP Conference Friday.
Updated 3:11 p.m.
This is not a case of "it'll take take care of itself." They just lacked the cojones to do what was right, and protected their backsides. Sweep the republicants (sic) out in November.
Smart move. If she loses, she's gone. If she wins, she won't have as much resentment. Had they stripped her of her seniority, that would only increase the odds of her defecting to the Democratic Party after winning.
Could it be that once people see what a nut case Miller is there is a chance she could win? I pray she will!
“She will probably lose her race, and she'll be gone. She will not be ranking [Republican] because she will not be here."
Republican good thinking shame, republicans ready to through anyone under the bus to win the election
She broke a promise not to run if she lost the GOP nomination. The GOP did not do anything to her so whats the story. She is lucky she is not a Democrat as they would have set up hearings.
Listen Murky-Murkowski you want to override the voters of Alaska. We hope they will tell you where to go...blank...blank..blank...!
BIG OIL COMPANIES got the Republicans to change their mind just follow the money trail.
No surprise there despite the posturing and games from the Republican leadership. Keep on calling her RINO you DeMint party activists. Yet despite your name-calling and Joe Miller...Lisa truly is the epitome of the Republican party. She is Big Oil's ace in the hole and ALWAYS votes the same as the Republican establishment on EVERY issue. You GOP activists keep trying to demonize her or call her Democrat, etc. Yet you fail to acknowledge the truth that she is just the average Republican on all the issues and is no different than Tea guy Miller.
Turtle man and Corn boy are such flip floppers. They talk like they are real men, but cave in like three legged card tables.
what they are afraid of is that their treatment of her will make voters feel sorry for her...
This represents EVERYTHING that's wrong with the GOP "establishment". Collectively, they can't scrounge up the BALLS to do what is right – strip this POS of every single position/committee membership she possesses.
I am NOT impressed with the "argument" she's likely to lose those positions anyway. You lousy GOP leadership turds in Washington! Next round is 2012. Next round we're coming after you
"there was a sense that she's resigned her leadership post, she lost her primary, she will probably lose her race, and she'll be gone. She will not be ranking [Republican] because she will not be here."
ROTFLMAO
What if she WINS!!!!! Then WHAT???? The far-right TEA PARTY and their sidekick RepubliCAN'Ts are so pathetic. They are all ONE of the SAME and are lost in the shuffle. They don't know their "ASH" from their elbow and it's really FUNNY!
Democrats – the Gallup’s Generic Poll does not have the RepubliCAN'Ts leading anymore by 10 points... We're down to a 1% difference with PUBS ahead........ This is GREAT news because the polls lean towards RepubliCAN'Ts and I don't know any Democrats who have taken one!!!
We need to get up off our BUTTS and get ENERGIZED and VOTE in November 2010!!!
T'SAH from Virginia – the Original Liberal – and I approve this message!!
She is to be congratulated on standing up for the truth!!! They slimed her and thought they'd be through with her but she is showing them what a strong, righteous person she is.
That's a mistake.
Hell, that's big of these political cannibals. Wonder who slipped them Paxil in their long Smithfield.
Republicans, generally, don't strip. It doesn't play well in the heartland to see Republicans stripping naked. Of course, seeing some of 'em stripping, a lot of people would go, "ewwwww!"