Out of the Wild: The last days of Alaska's kleptocracy

Homans discusses why a new crop of politicians is emerging in Alaska. Following a flurry of scandals and indictments, the political culture in Alaska that nurtured politicians for so long seems to be on the wane. Disgusted by the Veco scandals, Alaskans have begun to cast about for alternatives to the old guard. One sign of change came in the 2006 gubernatorial primaries, when Republican voters ditched the incumbent Frank Murkowski, a durable but little-loved icon of the establishment, for Sarah Palin, a newcomer running on a novel (for Alaska) platform of reforming and restoring the dignity of the state's political system.