Player of the Week: Sen. Lisa Murkowski

Sen.
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is seeking votes this week for her amendment
that would block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from
addressing climate change/global warming through rulemaking.
Supporters of Murkowski’s measure, which is scheduled to hit the floor
on Thursday, contend that Congress, not the EPA, needs to address carbon
emissions.

The Obama administration and some Senate Democrats
disagree. EPA, through regulatory maneuvers, has sent a clear message
to Capitol Hill: Pass climate change, or we will.

{mosads}That has
not sat well with Murkowski, who has 41 backers of her amendment,
including three Democrats (Sens. Blanche Lincoln, Ark., Ben Nelson,
Neb., and Mary Landrieu, La.).

In some ways, this debate is
Republicans versus the Obama administration. In other ways, however,
it’s a separation-of-powers clash between the legislative and executive
branches.

Murkowski’s measure is not going to become law
anytime soon. It has a chance to pass the Senate, but faces murky
prospects in the House and would surely be vetoed by Obama. However,
passage through the Senate would be a huge win for Murkowski and would
send a strong message to the White House.

But there is more
than one reason that Murkowski is our Player of the Week.

Former
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) last week endorsed Tea Party candidate Joe
Miller over Murkowski for the GOP primary this August.

There
is no love lost between Murkowski and Palin. The former vice
presidential nominee upended Murkowski’s father in a 2006 GOP primary.
And after Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Palin lost the presidential
race, there was speculation that Palin would take on Murkowski this
year.

Murkowski is a clear favorite to retain her seat, but
Palin’s endorsement will make her reelection campaign more challenging.

And
Murkowski’s vote to support the 2008 bailout bill will hamper her
effort to get reelected — even though McCain and Palin also supported
the controversial measure.