Tony Knowles Continues To Raise Money From Anti-ANWR Dems
Knowles Backs Down on Campaign Pledge and Fundraises with Democratic Leaders Who Work Against Alaska's Interests
Anchorage, AK - Following a political stunt designed to distance himself from his party and prove that he is an "Independent Democrat," Knowles didn't waste anytime in D.C. using anti-ANWR, anti-development Senate Democratic leaders Senators Tom Daschle, Harry Reid and Jack Reed to help fundraise.
Senator Tom Daschle, Democratic Leader of the Senate, has made it no secret that he never plans to support oil development in ANWR. "I don't think there's any machination, any alteration that will help ANWR pass. It doesn't matter whether it's a smaller or a larger segment of land. It's a precious natural resource that needs to be protected." (Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, February 26, 2002)
Harry Reid, Democratic Whip of the Senate, has also worked against Alaska's Interests. Senator Reid opposes letting Alaskans manage their own land and has voted at least 10 times to oppose drilling in ANWR. Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed shares Daschle and Reid's long-held opposition to drilling in ANWR. Jack Reed Has Voted At Least Eight Times Against ANWR.
Nevada Senator Harry Reid's Leadership PAC, The Searchlight Leadership Fund, has contributed the maximum $10,000 to Tony Knowles' senate campaign. (Searchlight Leadership Fund Political Action Committee Filing, Federal Election Commission Website, http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/com_supopp/2003_C00327395)
Just mere weeks ago, Tony Knowles sent a message to his supporters saying:
"While Senator Murkowski turns to Republican celebs like Veep Dick Cheney and First Lady Laura Bush to boost her fundraising totals, Knowles is turning again to ALASKANS for support. "My campaign is not about cozying up to Washington insiders, it's all about putting Alaska First," Knowles said. "That's why we're making this 'Send a Message to Washington' week. Let's send them a message that this is Alaska's Senate seat, not theirs." (Tony Knowles Weekly Talking Points, April 5, 2004 http://www.tonyknowles.com/weekly_news.html?id=30)
The questions must be asked, with two D.C. fundraisers in one day why is Tony Knowles now cozying up to anti-ANWR, anti-Alaska Washington insiders and Democratic leaders like Senators Tom Daschle, Harry Reid and Jack Reed? What happened to Knowles campaign plan of turning to Alaskans?
The fundraisers come hours after a Knowles press conference held at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee with two pro-ANWR House members (Representatives Brad Carson and Chris John, both participated in trips to ANWR hosted by Congressman Young) where Knowles proclaimed once again that he was an "Independent Democrat" pushing to open ANWR.