I’m here at the Alaska AFL-CIO convention in Anchorage. This morning, Anchorage Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich spoke to us. He highlighted some of his accomplishments as Mayor of Anchorage, and discussed what he looks forward to doing as a United States Senator. He mentioned that we would be hearing from a variety of people racing to represent us and urged us to be courteous and respect them, but at the same time to hold them accountable. He asked us to push them to the limit and get answers from them. Don’t always allow them to stand up there and highlight their positive stump speeches, but to really dig into them and put them to the test. After all, by running for elected office, that is what they’re agreeing to do.

There was a brief video from Senator Lisa Murkowski and then following was a video from Congressman Don Young. Neither were too inspiring and seemed to just be echoes of what I’ve heard from them over the years.

Senator and U.S. Presidential candidate Barack Obama also sent a video, specifically addressing the Alaskan AFL-CIO members. His speech mentioned specific members within our organization. He outlined how he plans to incorporate Alaska into his energy plan as President, and painted a bright future for what he can accomplish as President.

After that, Tony Palmer — Vice President of TransCanada’s Alaska operations — spoke to us. He gave an outline of where the process stands today, and where he expects it to be in the future. He stated that it will be 10 years from now before the pipeline is actually in service. After the pipeline is built, he estimates there will be only 100 employees operating the pipeline in Alaska, but claimed that it will open up opportunity for expansion that could provide more jobs for Alaska. TransCanada is simply a gas-moving company. They do not own the gas, the merely transport it. I’m wondering what kind of guarantees are out there that companies will make agreements to ship their TC’s pipelines. I don’t think this one is over yet. The Denali Project comes to mind.

After he spoke, Governor Sarah Palin addressed us. As she spoke, the press started filling the room. After her speech, she brought her gasline team and the TransCanada team up to the stage. Before us, she signed into law, the AGIA license to TransCanada.

Before leaving the stage, she said something I found a little amusing.

“I’m a Republican. I sometimes feel like I need to apologize for that in front of your group.”

After Sarah Palin, U.S. Congress candidate Ethan Berkowitz addressed us. He gave a very moving speech about his dedication to labor that he wants to carry to Washington D.C. He received multiple cheers and standing ovations as he gave what I considered a very inspiring and uplifting address. He then took questions and answers.

One question he received was in regards to term limits. His response was golden:

“In regards to term limits… look at me right now. I AM Don Young’s term limit.”

After Committee Breakout, I’m on recess until dinner. I’m a bit tired from staying up most of the night, repeatedly and hypnotically refreshing election returns, but my mind is processing too fast for me to try and sleep now.

I think I’ll go wander around a bit and see what kind of trouble I can get myself into.

I’m heading up to Anchorage for the AFL-CIO Convention.

I’ll be back tomorrow.

Have a nice day.

On August 27, 1859 - The first oil well was successfully drilled in the U.S. by Colonel Edwin L. Drake near Titusville, PA.

On August 27, 1962 - Mariner 2 was launched by the United States. In December of the same year the spacecraft flew past Venus. It was the first space probe to reach the vicinity of another planet.

On August 27, 1984 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan announced that the first citizen to go into space would be a teacher. The teacher that was eventually chosen was Christa McAuliffe. She died in the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986.

On August 27, 1996 - California Governor Pete Wilson signed an order that would halt state benefits to illegal immigrants.

On August 27, 1999 - The final crew of the Russian space station Mir departed the station to return to Earth. Russia was forced to abandon Mir for financial reasons.

Born on August 27:
Lyndon B. Johnson (U.S.) 1908
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (Mother Theresa) 1910
Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens 1952

253 of 438 reporting / Last update: 8/26/2008 11:10 pm

U.S. Senate

Democrat

Begich, Mark 84%    40,701

Metcalfe, Ray 7%     3,526

Republican

Stevens, Ted 62%     44,969

Cuddy, David W. 27%     19,876

U.S. House

Democrat

Berkowitz, Ethan A. 55%     26,346

Benson, Diane E. 36%     17,473

Republican

Parnell, Sean R. 45%     33,068

Young, Don E. 44%     32,344

Ballot initiatives

——————–Yes——-No————–

1: Gambling               38%           61%

2: Aerial hunting        44%           55%

3: Campaign funding 35%           64%

4: Clean water            43%           56%

Thank You

This article speaks my sentiments precisely.

Last night at the Democratic National Convention, Jesse Jackson Jr. used part of a 1965 Lyndon B. Johnson speech as part of his address. I’ve heard the speech before, but not until last night did I really understand just how much those words can fit our current state as a country.

At times, history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man’s unending search for freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was a century ago at Appomattox. So it was last week in Selma, Alabama.

And now, history and fate meet again to give America a chance to refresh itself, change the course it is headed, and reemerge as the Beacon of Hope that it once was.

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

This woman is simply brilliant.

I am very looking forward to her being the First Lady of the United States of America.