[dirtboy]

Actually, voters have been generally very sympathetic to political families -- a lot of it is like a brand name. Look at GWB, Jeb, Chafee, Carnahan (her hubby would have lost too), Harold Ford, Jesse Jackson Jr., Chandler and Nunn in KY, and lots and lots of others.

With the exception of Carnahan, those individuals had to go win their own elections, not have daddy win and then hand them the seat. And I can see some justification for a governor appointing a widow, although the voters apparently weren't very sympathetic later.

[hchutch]

A big part was Jean Carnahan's classless treatment of Ashcroft - voting AGAINST him as AG after the way he handle his (questionable) loss in 2000.

[JohnnyZ]

Voters will have their chances in the 2004 primary and general election. When compared to the other candidates Murkowski was considering, Lisa had a good chance of selection even without being his daughter. Like Frank said, she shares his philosophy (let's hope so!!), and I would say that Binckley and many of the others probably do not.

Hopefully Alaskans will elect Sarah Palin when Ted Stevens decides to retire. One reason she wasn't selected was b/c of her young children, according to her.

[laconic]

Yes, it reminds me of when JFK appointed his BROTHER, who was then 34 years old, as ATTORNEY GENERAL, the LEADING law enforcement official in the US. This is really foul in my view.

[Bush2000]

With the exception of Carnahan, those individuals had to go win their own elections, not have daddy win and then hand them the seat. And I can see some justification for a governor appointing a widow, although the voters apparently weren't very sympathetic later.

True, but let's face it: No matter who was chosen, it would have been an appointment. She will get a chance to face voters in 2 years.