Friday, December 7, 2007

How Much Have Legislators Like Kott Cost Us?

"There are 22 Legislators in our legislature who wouldn't be there right now if it weren't for Veco. They've gotten help with illegal polls, who knows what under the table, articles written on their behalf, campaign funding - all sorts of help."

That was Democratic Party U.S. Senate candidate Ray Metcalfe, explaining today to KUDO's Shannyn Moore Show one of the many problems Alaska voters have to deal with in the future. But this was just one of several subjects that came up in his impromptu radio appearance.

Earlier, Metcalfe had stated that if the state legislature had implemented a charge on oil companies back in 1981 like that put in place by our current legislature, the people in the state would be tens of billions - if not more - ahead. Metcalfe's argument has a lot of validity, through his long-time efforts to clean up Alaska politics.

I think Metcalfe is right. I also believe that his pitch will resonate as his Senate campaign moves along. One thing that interests me is how the Anchorage press will portray Metcalfe as the season unfolds. The Homer Tribune carried a Ray Metcalfe cover story and interview Wednesday, and he was honored last Friday by Cook Inlet Keeper for his long-time efforts to clean up corruption in the Alaska political process.

I just spoke with Ray, and he feels the local press is treating him fairly at this point. He has a lot of respect for some of the ADN reporters who have covered issues he's brought to the fore over the years, and he was given a major TV venue on KTUU for his announcement of a run against Ted Stevens.

Ray Metcalfe receiving Cook Inlet Keeper's Muckraking Award November 30

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