Lisa Murkowski's 'impossible' challenge

Alaska's Sen. Lisa Murkowski faces long odds as a write-in candidate this November — the first and only person ever to win a Senate race without appearing on the ballot was Strom Thurmond in 1954. And since Murkowski lost the Republican primary, Tea Party star Joe Miller, who defeated her, has received the backing of the GOP establishment and raised a pile of money. Meanwhile, Democrat Scott McAdams is gunning for the same moderate voters Murkowski needs to have a chance. But many Alaskans think Murkowski might just "pull off the impossible," reports The New York Times, "because in a matter of weeks, she has morphed from establishment incumbent to renegade underdog" — and voters have a weak spot for those. Does Murkowski really stand a chance? (Watch Murkowski's latest ad)

Murkowski could pull it off: Lisa Murkowski's write-in campaign is still a "huge long shot," says Jay Newton-Small at Time, "but I wouldn't totally write her off." Joe Miller is still out there delivering speeches that appeal to Tea Partiers, but he needs to be "reaching out" to moderates and independents. "If he cedes that ground, Murkowski could become a real threat."

"Murkowski's (last?) stand"

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Voters don't enjoy the flavor of sour grapes: Joe Miller beat Murkowski "fair and square," says Penny Nance at The Daily Caller. She is a pro-choice, big spending "establishment candidate," but "the voters wanted a true conservative." She has no chance — voters hate "sore losers," which is why Murkowski is down in the polls. She should put her state first and bow out "gracefully."

"Murkowski: Unsportsmanlike woman of the year"

This should be about issues — not emotion: "Alaska's three-way race for the U.S. Senate makes great political theater," say the editors of the Anchorage Daily News. But the only thing that really matters is where the candidates — Murkowski, Miller, and McAdams — stand on important issues, such as offshore drilling, tax cuts, health care, and gridlock in Congress. "Give us substance," and let Alaskans determine whether Murkowski deserves a second chance.

"Specifics, please"