A Palin Imitation?

It hasn't been a good couple of weeks for LG Sean Parnell (R) in AK-AL. A lackluster 8/4 debate performance along with an inability to pull away from embattled Don Young (R), even in his own polling, sew doubts into whether he can actually save the seat for GOPers.

-- Today's release of an ad touting star Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) endorsement was supposed to be Parnell's big finish heading into the 8/26 primary. But AKans will also be greeted this a.m. with headlines about Palin's gov't intervening to have a state trooper fired. That trooper had a messy divorce with Palin's sister. Palin denies any involvement, but the evidence still looks bad.

-- Palin, and Parnell, are the symbols of a new generation of AK politics, one without the taint of a Stevens or Young. It's the rationale behind Parnell's run. But if the Palin Admin's reputation gets soiled because of these revelations, will GOP voters be able to find a distinction between old and new in AK? If not, will they decide to cast their lot with Young, who at least can bring the pork home?

-- A Young primary victory would be disastrous for GOPers, as it would mean they'd surely lose the seat this fall. But the way things are lining up, it's certainly not out of the question.