Libertarians Keep Scott Kohlhass: Murkowski Not the Libertarian Candidate: NRSC Goes Home - Almost

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) is in an almost dead-heat tie (but not quite) with Republican Joe Miller for Murkowski's Senate seat. A counting of absentee ballots, ballots with validity problems and early ballots starts tomorrow with Miller holding the lead with about 2 points. Speculations have been rampant that the Libertarian Party might drop their current nominee in favor of Murkowski but after an emergency meeting, announced today they will stay with their candidate, Scott Kohlhass, the Party Chairman.

Joe Miller and Lisa Murkowski

Approximately 20,000-25,000 ballots remain uncounted. Miller leads by 1,668 votes.  In the meantime, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) rushed to aid Murkowski, now says it will pull out of the state, leaving behind only an attorney who is still working on Murkowski's behalf. Joe Miller isn't much comforted by the news, and asks who "employed" the attorney.

Despite Senator Jon Cornyn's assurance that the vote count will not be tampered with, Miller is not convinced:

Despite Cornyn's assurance, though, Miller is still not convinced attempts to "skew" the election have ended. He said there "certainly is an effort to skew the results" in favor of Murkowski. Miller, an attorney and Iraq war veteran, said national operatives are still in the state, but he is not sure who employs them. 

Murkowski did not approach the Libertarian Party about the possibility of becoming their candidate. A newly released Public Policy Polling survey indicated that Murkowski would far well in November as the Libertarian candidate. Libertarians, however, say there are fundamental differences between Murkowski and the Libertarian platform.

The poll said that in the three-way race, Miller received 38 percent, Murkowski received 34 percent and Democratic nominee Scott McAdams received 22 percent...

The news is also a major boost for Democrats and McAdams, who the poll showed had a much better change in the race against Miller if Murkowski is not a cnadidate. The survey also showed Miller leading McAdams, 47 percent to 39 percent.

Palin-endorsed Joe Miller was considered a long-shot even with the Cuda's golden touch. No one expected Miller to oust sitting-Senator Murkowski. The good news for Murkowski is that the majority of uncounted votes, or at least the number she needs to retain her seat may, indeed, be found among the those ballots.