Murkowski ads featuring Stevens to air

[October 16, 2010]  JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- The late-Sen. Ted Stevens, who died in a plane crash two weeks before Alaska's primary, endorses Sen. Lisa Murkowski in a campaign ad set to begin airing statewide as early as Friday night.

Stevens cut ads for Murkowski prior to his death, but Murkowski had refused to air them out of respect, a move that later was questioned by political analysts in light of Murkowski's stunning loss in the race to Joe Miller. Murkowski is now running as a write-in candidate.

In the ad, Stevens' daughter, Sue Covich, introduces the footage of her father. Covich acknowledges Murkowski's decision and tells viewers: "Now, my family and I want you to hear for yourself how strongly he (Stevens) felt about the need to re-elect Lisa."

Murkowski considered Stevens, who served in the Senate for 40 years, a mentor and friend.

And he was one of her greatest champions. In her tough 2004 election, in which she sought to win outright her father's old Senate seat, to which she was appointed when Frank Murkowski became governor in 2002, Stevens appeared in campaign ads calling Murkowski a key member of the delegation and "a hell of a lot better senator than her dad ever was."

This year, Stevens appeared with her during the primary season and had been scheduled to join her on the campaign trail in the final days of the race.

In the ad, which includes images of Stevens and Murkowski together, Stevens -- dressed in a vest and bolo tie and speaking directly to the camera -- says he trusts Murkowski and her commitment to keep fighting for the state, and says Alaska needs her seniority now more than ever. The footage is dated July 30, 10 days before his death in a plane crash.

Stevens remains beloved in Alaska for bringing home billions of dollars in federal aid and projects to help develop the still-young state. Murkowski often invokes his name and legacy as she campaigns to keep her job. Her opponents, Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams, have, at varying times, invoked Stevens' legacy as well.

Miller, who believes Alaska must be weaned of its dependence on the federal government and given greater control over its resources so it can control its own destiny, did not specifically address Murkowski's decision to air the Stevens' ad. Instead in a statement Friday, he said he had the "greatest respect" for Stevens and sees a need to fight for the state as hard as Stevens did though "in a new direction."

Murkowski is trying to become the first U.S. Senate candidate to win as a write-in since 1954.

Carl Shepro, a political science professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, said he doesn't think Murkowski will suffer any negative blowback from voters over airing the ads, particularly since it was done with the family's blessing.

"He certainly had a lot of respect from people in the state, ... and I think it's fairly clear that he did look favorably upon her," he said.

But he did expect criticism from among her opponents.

Shannyn Moore, a liberal blogger and talk show host, tweeted Friday: "Anyone else remember when Li$a thought it was tacky to use Ted Stevens ads? Yes, again, Li$a has changed."

[Associated Press; By BECKY BOHRER]

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