Murkowski meets with Libertarians, weighs options

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Lisa Murkowski says she's not a quitter.

Murkowski met with members of the Alaska Libertarian Party this morning as she carefully decides what's next for her career.

Alaska Libertarian Senate candidate David Haase and other party leaders met with Lisa Murkowski for about an hour. They talked issues and at the end of it all both Murkowski and the Libertarian party agreed not to make a decision on her candidacy right away.

“I think her supporters, more or less, put her into this meeting with me. I couldn't say that Lisa sought out to talk to me, but we had a very nice conversation,” said Haase.

Haase says Murkowski made it very clear she won't compromise her political values just to get a spot on the ticket, but Haase says he feels him and Murkowski have a lot in common.

"We talked a lot about the federal reserve. We talked a lot about the balance of payments, what to do about it, and we're pretty much in agreement on most subjects,” said Hasse.

Murkowski conceded the Republican nomination to Joe Miller last week, meaning that to be re-elected in November she'd have to run as a write-in candidate or on a third-party ticket.

Haase could withdraw his candidacy, leaving an opening on the Libertarian ballot that could be filled by Murkowski.

“I quit gambling some time ago and you're asking me something that I don't have the answer to, but she's definitely considering it,” said Haase.

As for that write-in campaign, political observers say it would be a long shot.

“Oh, extremely difficult, that's what I'm saying. In other places it’s unheard of that a candidate would ever win, but you know we've had AIP candidates win,” said Jean Craciun, Craciun Research.

Libertarian party leaders earlier voted against putting Murkowski on their ballot because of her voting record on issues like war, raises for minimum wage and Wall Street bailouts.

Libertarian party Chairman Scott Kohlhaas says the party has tried to keep dialogue open.

Lisa Murkowski herself told the Associated Press Tuesday that she's not a quitter and is still in the game.

At the Joe Miller Campaign headquarters they’re keeping a close eye on what Murkowski will do.

"I think our campaign would be pretty disappointed if Sen. Murkowski decided to stay in the race, whether with the Libertarian party or in as a write-in candidate, especially because she pledged at the Kenai forum to not do that, to abide by the rules of the primary and it would be disappointing to see her go back on her word,” said Robert Campbell, campaign manager for Joe Miller.

According to Democratic candidate Scott McAdams spokesperson, Heather Handyside, McAdams is focusing on his message.

“For Scott McAdams it was never about who he was running against, it’s about Alaska. He is frustrated with D.C. He thinks there’s a lot of gridlock, the Senate is frozen. There is so much bipartisanship and I think Scott’s vision is to go to Washington D.C. to open up the communication so we can get things done for Alaska,” said Handyside.

She said she's been inundated with calls and emails from supporters and is carefully weighing her options.

If Haase decides to withdraw his candidacy to open up the opportunity for Murkowski to run on the Libertarian ticket, he has until September 15.