Palin: ‘Corrupt bastards’ in Alaska media are conspiring against Miller
Palin blasts ‘corrupt bastards’ in Alaska media
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) said that she expects Tuesday’s election to be a “political earthquake” and that the message voters will deliver is that the left and President Obama “blew it.” Asked whether Republicans should compromise on principle after they get elected, Palin responded, “absolutely not,” adding that “that’s been part of the problem.” Palin also defended her endorsements of marketing consultant Christine O’Donnell (R) in the Delaware Senate race and attorney Joe Miller (R) in the Alaska Senate race. She called Rep. Mike Castle (R) a “RINO” who is “pro-cap-and-tax” and “wishy-washy on Obamacare,” and accused some in the Alaska media of being “corrupt bastards” who are conspiring to portray Miller negatively. “CBS reporters are on tape saying, ‘Let’s find a child molester in the crowd that supports Miller,'” she said, adding that she “can’t wait” to air the tape. Palin also reiterated that she will decide on a potential 2012 presidential run “after discussing it with my family and just checking out the lay of the land.”
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen said he remains confident that Democrats will hold the House. Van Hollen pushed back against pundits’ predictions that Democrats will lose control of the chamber, pointing to early voting as a sign of the party’s strength
White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan appeared on the show to discuss the terror plot involving two packages of explosives on cargo planes. Brennan said that the plot “has all the hallmarks of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.” He added that the threat “is certainly ongoing, and we’re not going to rest until we find the people who are responsible for this and to find whatever other devices might be out there.”
White House: There may be more explosive packages
In the wake of the arrest by Yemeni officials of two people in connection with packages destined for Chicago containing explosives, White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan began his Sunday media blitz on CNN. He said the failed plot “certainly bears all the hallmarks of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, though he is not aware of any claim of responsibility. He added that the FBI is working “very closely with the Department of Homeland Security” and intelligence agencies to run down all leads and vowed that “we will destroy that organization as we are going to destroy the rest of al-Qaeda.”
He said the explosives were capable of being detonated at the time of the terrorists’ choosing. They were being shipped to addresses linked to synagogues in Chicago, but could have been detonated aboard the aircraft, bringing down the plane, Brennan said. He added that “it would be very imprudent of me to presume that there are no others out there,” but said federal officials are working to find any other packages before they detonate.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said he will consider a GOP gain of 39 seats in the House — enough to take control of the chamber — will be success. “My number’s 39,” he said. “Let’s get to 39 because then you can begin to put into place the governing structure you’re going to need for 2011.” He vowed that Republicans would not compromise on their principles, such as not raising the debt ceiling. Steele said he had not had any conversations about pursuing another term as RNC chairman. “I’m focused on Tuesday,” Steele said. “After Tuesday, we’ll let whatever come, come.”
Menendez: Dems can win in Alaska
National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Bob Menendez discussed the outlook for Tuesday’s midterm elections. Cornyn stopped short of predicting that Republicans will retake the Senate, saying that it’s “probably going to take two cycles” to do that. Cornyn also said that national Republicans have not given up on Alaska Senate nominee Joe Miller (R), although they’re “concerned” that polls show Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) apparently closing in. Menendez said that national Democrats believe Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams (D) “has a real chance of winning.”
On the topic of the Bush-era tax cuts, Menendez said that there may be “some opportunity for a temporary approval of some of these cuts,” although Democrats would not accept a permanent extension. White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan addressed Friday’s terror plot, saying that the “sophistication” of the devices indicates that “there are a number of people that are involved in this.”
