ALASKA IS
FLAGGING
AP PHOTO/MARK THIESSEN
what Begich has to live up to.
‘DON’T YOU WANT TO MOVE?’
Despite Begich’s pragmatic outlook, there are signs that Alaska’s
status quo isn’t changing without
a fight. Much of the state’s power
structure remains intact — the
so-called “good old boys” whom
Palin relentlessly attacked during
her populist campaign for governor. Old habits, like the legislature’s cozy relationship with big
oil, are dying hard.
At one point during their tour of
HUFFINGTON
01.26.14
the medical center, Begich and his
aides were accosted by representatives of one of Alaska’s village corporations, which are tasked with
managing tribal resources.
“You guys are stalkers!” Begich
joked as he and his staff beat a
hasty retreat.
The group was hoping to discuss fishing rights, an issue they
claimed Begich had promised to
address months before. Another,
smaller village corporation, they
explained, had been granted
more fishing rights. Dejected,
they made for the exits.
Asked why a smaller village
would be given preferential treat-
Alaska Lt.
Gov. Mead
Treadwell
launches
his Senate
campaign
on Sept.
12, 2013.
Republicans
could have
a bruising
primary in
August 2014
ahead of
the general
election
battle with
Begich.