ALASKA FINALLY DECIDED – AT 11:11 A.M. ET:  The Senate race in Alaska, which has been in litigation, apparently is over.  From WaPo:

JUNEAU, Alaska -- Republican Joe Miller said he won't stand in the way of incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski being certified the winner of Alaska's U.S. Senate race, but he vowed to continue his legal fight over the state's handling of the vote count.

Miller's announcement late Sunday paves the way for Murkowski - a write-in candidate after losing the Republican nomination to Miller - to eventually be declared winner of the race.

Election officials determined Murkowski had the most votes in the November election but were barred from certifying a victory by a federal judge, who issued a stay to give the courts time to rule on Miller's claims the vote count was mishandled.

Sunday's decision means Miller won't file any motions to stop the court from lifting the stay.

COMMENT:  Joe Miller was one of those perfect candidates on paper, but whose campaign was highly flawed.  He started turning people off, not a way to win elections.

Murkowski's victory is a blow to Sarah Palin.  The two are arch rivals, and Murkowski can hurt Palin in her home state. 

Elections have consequences.

December 27, 2010