Alaska U.S. Senator Mark Begich slammed former Alaska governor Sarah Palin Wednesday, saying a recent move by the former governor means he will no longer represent her.
“Let me put it this way. It’s always interesting to read what she has to say,” Mr. Begich said. But, he added, “Someone who quit Alaska is not someone I look for to get Alaska policy decisions on.”
The Alaska Democrat noted that Ms. Palin is “not really on my radar screen to take advice from.”
The comment comes as Ms. Palin confirmed earlier this month that her family has purchased a house in Scottsdale, Arizona, prompting speculation that she may seek the Republican presidential campaign. Ms. Palin’s recent move also comes as she grabbed national headlines during a nationwide bus tour in which she traveled to key political states, including New Hampshire and Iowa.
Mr. Begich suggested Ms. Palin seek out the support for Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain, whom vaulted Ms. Palin to the national scene after choosing her as his running mate for the 2008 general election.
“I would encourage her to talk to her senator because our senators, me and [Lisa] Murkowski, already aligned on this,” Mr. Begiuch said. “I know she’s talked to McCain, who is her new senator where she lives. He hasn’t supported [drilling in] ANWR in the past, hope he will.”
