Republican Main Dominance in 2004: donkeys powerless to gain ground on Capital Hill or in Juneau.

• Author: Martin, Gary L.

The day after elections it was snowing both in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and Juneau was getting a bath as dark rain clouds slowly rolled across the region. There wasn't much sun over the state or Alaska's Democratic Party.

But for the Republicans, it felt like spring, both in Alaska and throughout the country; voters have made their feeling known-loud and clear. "The elephant rules!"

Nationally Republicans not only own the White House for the next four years, they also will control both houses of Congress.

In Alaska, the Democrats again failed to muster enough muscle to overcome the 40-year Republican dominance in the Legislature, so both the house and senate will again be ruled by the Republican Party.

And although it was a close race, the GOP incumbent, Lisa Murkowski, will keep her seat in the U.S. Senate; the strong Republican team of Murkowski, Ted Stevens and Don Young will remain intact. Challenger Democrat Tony Knowles, who put up a gallant battle, will now have to retreat, lick his wounds and plan for tomorrow.

Ballot Measure 2, the initiative to legalize marijuana, was crushed under the boot-heal of the voters in Alaska. Unlike Oregon and Montana, who were split on medical use of pot, there was no doubt in the minds of Alaskans. This proposal would have given the state a green...