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Foreboding Commercial Against Presidential Cabinet Nomination Aimed at Senator BegichRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - "We live in a dangerous world" -- so starts a controversial new television ad launched against President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel. The ad’s sponsor is a group called “Americans for a Strong Defense” that was formed just a week ago, specifically to oppose Hagel’s nomination. The ads are running in five states, including Alaska. Group spokesman Ryan Williams said they are targeting states that have Democratic senators up for reelection in 2014, including Alaska Senator Mark Begich, and especially those who have not taken a stand on Hagel’s nomination. But it’s the tone of the ad that some people find troubling. The ad, which some say resembles the opening credits of a Hollywood spy movie, suggests that three different countries are capable of attacking the U.S. with long range missiles. It says Hagel wants America to “back down.” It urges Alaskans to contact Senator Mark Begich “before it’s too late.” Ken Karabelnikoff is an Anchorage resident who found the ad disturbing. He said the message seems to be based more on fear than on facts. “I want facts. I just want to make a decision on facts, not sensationalism,” said Karabelnikoff. But the ad’s sponsor said that’s exactly what they presented. “We are simply laying out a record," said spokesman Ryan Williams. “We are simply citing facts and asking people to make their own decisions.” But Senator Mark Begich said Alaskans are quite capable of making up their own minds. “Alaskans have never taken kindly to outside groups telling them how to think or act and this is no exception,“ he said. He went on to say that he’d met with Hagel and could “appreciate his assurances” regarding his views on various issues. Begich didn’t say what his own view will be when it comes time to vote for the president’s nominee, but did say he’d be listening carefully to what Hagel had to say during the confirmation hearings. Those hearings are scheduled to begin on January 31. |
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Robin Mitchell said on Wednesday, Jan 23 at 7:08 PM
Alaska deserves better then Begich or Hagel. We went to Sen Begich asking for help getting medical care out of the VA. His staff sent back a letter not to bother them. Rick Rydell has read it on his show. We are temporarily in the midwest in a polytrauma rehab program at the VA here. Sen Begich got himself on the Veterans Affairs Committee but cannot help vets from Alaska? When we got here we took our paperwork to Sen Lugar. Not even being state residents he had the VA pay for over $8,000 in outstanding medical bills Begich's office said don't bother him about. By the way, my husband is 100% service connected disabled. People we can do much better then Mark Begich.
112041321Drop Mark said on Wednesday, Jan 23 at 7:59 PM
Mark needs to go, he probably thinks we forgot he crosses a union picket line. We have not forgotten. Same he couldn't help the Vets too.
112043791John O'Hara said on Wednesday, Jan 23 at 10:54 PM
Hiding behind a spokesman and no mention who's paying for the adds. Sleazy but what can anyone expect from such fear mongers?
112050301HUh said on Wednesday, Jan 23 at 11:43 PM
Has Mark worked a day in his life yet? He sure hasn't done anything right for the state, and we won't even open the can of ****, that he left Anchorage in. I suggest we vote him in again so that he stays out of the state.
112051701Raven33 said on Thursday, Jan 24 at 10:28 AM
Robin M. Please keep sharing your story! People need to know exactly what they have in Begich.
112084711Fred said on Thursday, Jan 24 at 4:05 PM
Begich has been trying to get reelected ever since he took office...his net worth is about 3 million dollars...and he hasn't worked in the private sector. His vote took Obamacare out of committee and the rest is history. He will vote with Obama.... so, do you trust him? I sure do not....
112109486your missing the point of the ad! said on Thursday, Jan 24 at 4:45 PM
they are all out to mix up the peoples in paranoia political or however they can do it...baggie pants is useless I agree...but don't miss the main point that seems to be spiraling out of control...what we should do is DRAFT the soldiers to be politicians! With the no nonsense attitudes they have I bet we get a lot done in a record time...how embarrassing would that be?
112111591Robo said on Sunday, Jan 27 at 2:26 PM
If the man was any greasy in how he dices his language, you could lube your car/truck. He would never had been elected had the system not had it out for Uncle Ted -- all politicians get favors, but they targeted Uncle Ted, as he was too powerful. He says he is for is a balanced budget, yet fails to fight for it. Also, he has failed to protect Alaska from the "tree huggers" in shuting down the oit industry.
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