Juneau Empire endorses Forrest Dunbar over Don Young for US House from Alaska

[Blue_In_AK]

http://juneauempire.com/opinion/2014-10-24/empire-editorial-dunbar-offers-alaska-fresh-face-and-fresh-start#.VEwztYg76rX

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Young was one of the most powerful political figures in Congress spanning five decades, but his best days, and his effectiveness in representing Alaska, are over. It’s time for the congressman of 41 years to bid adieu and leave public office once and for all. Otherwise, we fear his name and reputation will be further tarnished by offensive language and antics unbecoming of an elected official. Since Young is unwilling to leave, it’s up to Alaskans to show him the door. Alaska needs a fresh start and fresh face, and that means voting for Forrest Dunbar on Nov. 4.

We could write a novella detailing all the reasons why Alaskans shouldn’t vote for Young. But rather than drudging up his racist remarks about Latinos, insensitive attitude toward suicide, and physically and verbally abusive behavior toward others, we’ll instead commit this space to why we support Dunbar, and why Alaskans should too.

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During the Empire’s two meetings with Dunbar, we were impressed with his knowledge of Southeast’s issues, from the Big Thorne Timber Sale to the threat of Canada’s transboundary mines. We had hoped to meet, or at least speak, with Young as well. An email to his spokesman this week went unanswered, though we weren’t surprised. In recent months when Young has reached out to Alaska media, it’s often been to apologize for something he said or did.

Dunbar received an Ivy League education, but is also very much a blue collar Alaskan. He spent his earlier years fishing before earning his law degree from Yale and joining the military. He’s also spent time working in the nation’s capital. Dunbar’s experience fishing, serving in the military and work with the federal government more than qualifies him for federal office.

It’s unlikely Young will ever again chair a committee, and that alone will limit his effectiveness as Alaska’s representative in the U.S. House. It’s time Alaska gets a clean slate and a representative with a clean record. That means voting for Forrest Dunbar on Nov. 4.

It will be interesting to see who the Alaska Dispatch endorses, but this is a good start.

[uppityperson]

1. Holy crap, I knew him when he was a little kid. He looks like his parents.

hahahahahahahahhahahaha. Sorry but I have thought of that family many times over the years. His parents were smart, intelligent very nice people.

And he was such a cute little boy.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. That's awesome. :)

His signs with "Run, Forrest, run" are everywhere. I really like him and especially appreciate that he came to our door personally, even though we're in the back unit of our duplex and usually get overlooked. (We don't even get trick-or-treaters. )

His speech today at the AFN convention was great, and he got a standing O.

[shenmue]

2. :)