'The Gloves Are Off': Murkowski Pursues Write-in Bid

Declaring that Alaska "cannot accept the extremist views of Joe Miller," Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Friday that she intends to run as an independent write-in candidate this November.

Murkowski called her decision "a difficult one," but cited "an outpouring of support from Alaskans all over the state" as a primary driver of her decision.

Earlier this month, Murkowski conceded a stunning defeat to Tea Party-backed Joe Miller in the state's Republican Senate primary, but after declining to endorse Miller, speculation raged that she would remain in the race this fall either under the banner of the Libertarian Party or as a write-in. Sitka Mayor Scott McAdams is the Democratic Party's nominee.

Despite meeting with the Libertarian Party's Senate nominee, David Haase, Murkowski said earlier this week that she would not run on the party's ballot line in November. That left an independent write-in bid as Murkowski's final option, and Murkowski admitted that as of Thursday night she was still undecided.

But on Friday, Murkowski was unequivocal -- the incumbent sent a shot across the bow of both Miller and the Tea Party Express, declaring "the gloves are off."

Murkowski referenced her pre-primary pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, calling it a statement she regrets and saying, "it was made before I became aware of the last-minute name calling and mudslinging" from outside conservative groups.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made clear Friday night that the party is backing Miller and Murkowski would be out of the leadership if successful.

"I informed her that by choosing to run a campaign against the Republican nominee, she no longer has my support for serving in any leadership roles, and I have accepted her letter of resignation from Senate leadership," McConnell said in a statement.

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