By SUZANNE DOWNING / MUST READ ALASKA
Will we ever learn?
Time and again, I see conservative readers at Must Read Alaska expressing their disappointment with Sen. Dan Sullivan, saying he doesn’t stand strong enough for their positions.
Those positions would be, in general, to support Republicanism, a strong national defense, solid borders, our Constitutional rights, and to reject the extreme agenda of President Joe Biden and his surrogates in the House and Senate.
They rightfully rail about Sullivan’s vote to confirm the nomination of Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, a hardcore radical now in charge of most of the public lands in Alaska.
Haaland has proven a disaster. She is squarely on the side of those who want the Department of Interior to be a parallel national parks agency. Her legacy in Alaska will be along the lines of former Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell. All three members of Alaska’s delegation made the mistake of supporting Haaland, and all three should have known better. Hindsight is a cruel judge.
But a look at Sullivan’s entire voting record tells a better story. It’s the story of showing up, debating, and voting like a conservative.
Sullivan votes correctly on matters important to conservatives, and he does so all the time. He isn’t a knee-jerk voter or ideologue, and seems to wring his hands quite a bit as he worries about whether something is good for the country and, importantly, Alaska. That’s his nature — he is a worrier as much as he is a warrior.
He voted against the confirmation of Biden radicals to important positions in government.
He said no to Nomination of Kiran Ahuja to be director of the Office of Personnel Management. She, an advocate and practitioner of Critical Race Theory, was confirmed 51-50, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski also voting no.
Sullivan voted against the nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Brooks-LaSure is considered a political ideologue who is hellbent on destroying the fabric of the American family, while being an advocate for illegal aliens. Murkowski voted in favor of this nominee.
Sullivan voted against the nomination of Vanita Gupta to be Associate Attorney General, while Murkowski voted in favor of her.
While Sullivan voted against the nomination of Michael Regan as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Murkowski voted in favor.
He voted against the nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services, while Murkowski also voted against this nominee.
Sullivan voted against the nomination of Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, while Murkowski voted in favor.
Sullivan voted no on the nomination of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education; Murkowski was a yes. Cardona is a pioneer for using Critical Race Theory in classrooms.
He voted against the nomination of Merrick Garland as Attorney General, while Murkowski voted in favor.
Sullivan voted against the radical “For the People Act,” which would have the federal government take over elections, against what is set forth in the Constitution.
He voted against the creation of a national commission to investigate the Jan. 6 “attack” on the United States Capitol Complex, while Murkowski voted yes.
Sullivan voted against increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour; Murkowski also voted no.
When it came to the vote to impeach Donald Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors, Sullivan was a no; Murkowski was a yes.
Do you see a trend here? While conservatives may disagree with Sullivan on some of his votes, and may take issue with him on his strategy for getting things done for Alaska, the bulk of Sullivan’s votes are clearly conservative and well within reason.
We elect people to represent our views. One hundred percent of them will not represent 100 percent of our views, and so it’s critical that we step back and look at the big picture. Does this senator (or representative) work hard, show up for votes, speak effectively, move legislation, work well with others, and reflect our values?
If we are to be honest, Sen. Dan Sullivan does those things and more; his constituent relations office, no small part of his job, is responsive to Alaskans, for the most part.
As with all elected officials, he has a “miss” now and then. But his record is solidly conservative, and Alaska conservatives should remember to offer him a bit of grace next time they think about getting into the circular firing squad.
Suzanne Downing is publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can support this conservative news site with your donation.
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