The Alaska Governors Race: Murkowski's Last Campaign?

I guess since Alaska has a primary this week I would give you the posters and viewers a view at the states most competitive race. Governor Frank Murkowski is under a tough reelection campaign. He is looking at being dumped by his own party.

The Candidates
(R)Frank Murkowski, Governor of Alaska 2003-Present, U.S. Senator 1981-2003, Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee, President of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, President of the Alaskan National Bank

(R)John Binkley, Alaskan State Senator 1987-1991, Alaskan State House of Representitives 1985-1987, Bethal Alaska City Council 1983-1985

(R)Sarah Palin, ex. Wasila City Mayor Two Terms, Wasila City Council, President of the Alaskan Mayor's Conference, Alaskan Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

(D)Tony Knowles, Ex. State Governor of Alaska two terms, Alaskan Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate 2004, Anchorage City Mayor two terms, Anchorage City Assembly

(D)Eric Croft, Alaskan State House of Representitives 1997-Present, Co-Chair Anchorage Caucus,

There are other candidates but they will most likely not recieve enough votes to even come close to the ones above.

This is definately a bad year for incumbants. The Governor of the Largest State in the Union, Murkowski has become very unpopular with the citizens of Alaska. Even his own party wants to get rid of him. Fmr. State Sen. John Binkley and Fmr. Wasila City Mayor Sarah Palin are both successfully vying for the G.O.P. nomination against Murkowski. According to recent polls Murkowski finishes dead last in polls against Pail and Binkley. If republicans want to win they can't renominate Murkowski. Palin has become the frontrunner, but who knows who wil win. On the Democratic side Fmr. Governor Tony Knowles is looking for a rebound since is narrow defeat in '04 for the U.S. Senate. State Rep. Eric Croft has decided to challenge him. Knowles is clearly the favorite but Croft might make a comeback.

My Prediction
G.O.P. Primary
(R)Palin 43%
(R)Binkley 31%
(R)Murkowski 20%
Other 6%

Democratic Primary
(D)Knowles 68%
(D)Croft 28%
other 4%

The General Election
(R)Palin 56%
(D)Knowles 44%

Actual Polls

Rasmussen Reports
(D)Knowles 58%
(R)Murkowski 29%

(R)Palin 51%
(D)Knowles 38%

(R)Binkley 46%
(D)Knowles 44%

(R)Palin 43%
(R)Binkley 30%
(R)Murkowski 17%

It is looking pretty grim for Murkowski. You can't expect to win when your down by over 20 points! Can anyone say ex. Governor Murkowski. I would be really suprised if he won.