An Alaskan Abroad

Changes

For those of you who don't know, I have resigned as correspondent at the News-Miner and am leaving the Energy Intelligence Group to work on energy policy in the U.S. Senate. I'll post more details in a couple of weeks when I actually start my new job.

It wasn't easy deciding to leave journalism after a 19-year career, but I'm excited by the opportunity to work more directly on issues important to Alaskans.

My career switch will necessitate some changes on AA as well. My days as a political gossip are over. I cede that playground to Sheila. I fear it might get rather boring around here, actually. I will either continue AA as a place for photos of family and the dogs or take it down completely. AA started as a blog about Kuba on the loose in Europe, so a return to focus on His Majesty is probably the most likely course.

Those looking for Alaska political gossip -- well there seem to be quite a number of sites catering to those tastes these days. I think you'll get along just fine without us. I highly recommend the Alaska Dispatch site run by Tony and Amanda.

Best wishes,
Dillon

Farewell speech

Sen. Ted Stevens delivered a short farewell speech on the Senate floor this morning. Stevens told his colleagues that he expects to be exonerated of his legal problems and that he still hopes to serve the state in some capacity.

"My motto has been to hell with politics and just do what is right for Alaska," he said.

The Senate gave him a standing ovation.

Vanocni ozdoby

I was sent to the Czech embassy this evening to buy glass Christmas ornaments from Czech and Slovakia. This was a mistake for two reasons. First, I've been called a "bulldozer" for good reason. And second, I'm something of a shopaholic. I was supposed to buy on or maybe two ornaments; I came home with four boxes full. We've never even had a Christmas tree.

Old election night photos

Alright, it's taken me a little while to post these photos from election night. Better late than never. Eva and Ted on election night watching the results at the DCCC/DSCC reception.

APRN's Libby Casey, myself and Ted. Photos courtesy of Libby.

Murkowski rising

From Darren Goode at Congress Daily:

Amid the scandal and political unrest that cost Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, his job, fellow Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski is emerging as a more formidable presence in the next Congress.

Stevens' loss to Democratic Sen.-elect Mark Begich means Murkowski will become her state's senior senator at the same time she becomes the top Republican on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee -- an important gig as a representative of a state that derives nearly 90 percent of its revenue from the oil and gas industry.

Murkowski spent some time with Stevens Wednesday, the day his concession to Begich sealed the end of a run that made him the longest-serving Republican senator. As difficult as the moment might have been -- Murkowski has known Stevens since she was a girl and came to Washington for the first time as a teen-age intern in his office -- she is now primed to represent a new generation of Alaska Republicans that has moved on from the old guard, including her father, former Sen. Frank Murkowski, who also served as governor.

Read more in Congress Daily.