Tea Partier Poised to Topple Murkowski

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski probably won't know for a week whether she still has political life. The Republican is locked in a race with Tea Party favorite Joe Miller that remains too close to call, reports the Anchorage Daily News. Miller, expected to lose, actually leads by about 3,000 votes. Election officials say it will take days for all 16,000 absentee ballots to be returned and counted.

Sarah Palin pulled for Miller in the race, and both candidates noted her impact: "I'm absolutely certain that was pivotal," said Miller, crediting her for his lead. Murkowski, noted that Palin quit as governor while saying she planned to look out for her state: "I think she's out for her own self-interest. I don't think she's out for Alaska's interest."


(More Lisa Murkowski stories.)