People were heartened Friday morning to see Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska vote No to proceed to a vote on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. Murkowski later explained that she did not feel he was "the right man" for the court at this time.
On Friday evening, Murkowski further clarified her position before the full Senate stating:
"I have a very high standard. I have a very high bar for any nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States."
"I have a very high standard. I have a very high bar for any nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States." -… https://t.co/EqdCRXFSvN— CNN (@CNN) 1538785905.0
Many speculated that Murkowski based her decision on the wishes of her constituents, many of whom, including Native Alaskans, sexual assault survivors as well as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of her home state, lobbied her to oppose the nominee. Yet it was another Alaska resident who took exception to Murkowski's decision that made the most waves.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin took to Twitter to express her displeasure, stating:
"Hey [Lisa Murkowski] - I can see 2022 from my house..."
Hey @LisaMurkowski - I can see 2022 from my house...— Sarah Palin (@Sarah Palin) 1538766370.0
Palin made reference to a claim she made as the late Senator John McCain's running mate. When asked about her lack of foreign policy experience, Palin stated she could see Russia from her house.
Palin's dig at Murkowski failed to garner much support.
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Hard to believe this yahoo still thinks she should be commenting on ANYTHING.— KRock (@KRock) 1538785237.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Lol remember when you were governor of Alaska and you quit to try make the big bucks… https://t.co/cRK5UIlPDT— Molly Knight (@Molly Knight) 1538785454.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski You're a hack wrapped inside another hack stuffed in a hack turkey. Hacksaw Jim Dugga… https://t.co/E01mjQGJWF— Travon Free (@Travon Free) 1538788058.0
@Travon @SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski https://t.co/aPp2biQdRY— Glenny Seagull (@Glenny Seagull) 1538788590.0
Some point to a possibility of a rivalry going back years.
In 2002, Palin was assumed to be on the short list of possible appointees to fill Frank Murkowski's Senate seat after working on the Republican's campaign. However, then Governor Murkowski appointed his daughter, State Representative Lisa Murkowski, as his successor.
Others asked if Palin even lived in Alaska any longer.
@pacelattin @SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski I asked the same thing. Like two minutes ago. 😂— 🇺🇸 Joey Poirier 🇺🇸 (@🇺🇸 Joey Poirier 🇺🇸) 1538786306.0
Others just, well... got personal with the former candidate.
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Is that your son’s inmate number?— The Hoarse Whisperer (@The Hoarse Whisperer) 1538776310.0
@HoarseWisperer @SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski https://t.co/REyD1GHYnQ— Carla Washington (@Carla Washington) 1538789972.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Can you see this too? https://t.co/cuAdFAAfEY— Pattipalooza (@Pattipalooza) 1538767502.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Is track out of jail yet?— Molly Jong-Fast (@Molly Jong-Fast) 1538767201.0
@MollyJongFast @SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Maybe that’s why Sarah Palin is looking forward to 2022? Track gets out of jail?— LuckyLucy (@LuckyLucy) 1538782155.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Maybe you should have spent a little less time searching the horizon and a bit more looking after your kids— Rising Blue Tides 🌀 (@Rising Blue Tides 🌀) 1538785904.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski You are my favorite parody account— Koodles (@Koodles) 1538785760.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Hun your 15 mins were up a long time ago— Grace Newmier (@Grace Newmier) 1538785591.0
@SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski Hey you white trash idiot, why don’t you worry more about your woman beating son and… https://t.co/zs5ieQYtWO— Terd Fergeson (@Terd Fergeson) 1538775705.0
@therealterd @SarahPalinUSA @lisamurkowski The only good thing that came out of her 15 minutes of fame was Tina Fey being back on SNL.— Linda (@Linda) 1538782823.0
It is unclear if Palin formally intends to return to live in Alaska and run against Murkowski in 2022.