Rift Widens Between Palin, New Senator

His frustration at project delays is 'uninformed,' officials say

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jun 4, 2009 12:18 PM CDT

(Newser) – Sarah Palin's relationships with junior Sen. Mark Begich and her predecessor in the governor's office just keep getting testier and testier, reports the Anchorage Daily News. Both Begich and former Gov. Frank Murkowski have complained of late that a proposed gas pipeline from Alaska to the rest of the country is going nowhere under Palin's watch. Her camp rejected those criticisms as "uninformed" yesterday and said Begich in particular needs to keep up with current events.

Palin crushed Murkowski in the 2006 GOP primary, and their relationship hasn't improved since. Now her ties with Begich appear to be heading in the same direction. In April, Palin suggested he resign because he won the seat thanks to the feds' unfair treatment of Ted Stevens. They've also clashed over Palin's rejection of stimulus money, and no detente seems imminent.

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Begich claims that the Obama administration is frustrated with a lack of progress on the Alaska gas line, but Alaska commissioners dispute that claim. (AP Photo/Seanna O' Sullivan)

Palin's commissioners say the project is moving forward and that competing groups are working on building the gas pipeline. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

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(Palin's commissioners) are disappointed that Alaska's junior senator has failed to recognize the progress that has been made on one of the largest construction projects in North America. - Palin's office

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Rift Widens Between Palin, New Senator