AP PHOTO/AL GRILLO
ALASKA IS
FLAGGING
stituent needs — and for them to
do so much more brazenly. Now,
finesse and creativity are musts.
Begich cited his efforts to court
Republicans and committee chairs
like Cantwell in order to secure
long-term funding for as many crucial programs as possible, like the
permanent reauthorization of the
Indian Health Care Act. He also
placed a hold on a three-star general’s promotion to keep a squadron of F-16s stationed in Fairbanks.
“I love earmarks, I’d love them
back, but I’m focused on language
and legislation that ensures sustainability and permanency,” Begich said.
He’s bullish about the state’s
future and anticipates growth in
HUFFINGTON
01.26.14
mining, tourism and shipping,
thanks — in one of the global
economy’s more bittersweet developments — to expanded Arctic sea
lanes created by global warming.
He also speaks of possible growth
in oil and gas production stemming from increased energy exploration, and another military buildup, as the Obama administration
shifts the country’s military and
diplomatic focus to East Asia.
Begich comes to such optimism
naturally. But pointing to a future full of growth and prosperity
doesn’t hurt in an election year, if
only because predictions of economic malaise and crushed dreams
make for lousy bumper stickers.
Democrats want Begich to remain upbeat. Their Senate majority depends in no small part on his
reelection, and Republicans are
Sen. Ted
Stevens
(R-Alaska),
left, listens
to Senate
candidate
Begich,
on screen,
answer a
question
during a
congressional
debate in
Anchorage
on Oct. 30,
2008.