Lisa Murkowski the new Republican maverick?

[Keystone Phil]

Not sure. I don't know the woman's motives. Does she hope to be re-nominated? If so, the answer is "no, she can't be the new maverick." Now we don't know what 2016 holds but I'm thinking a good deal of Alaska Republicans won't forget this year and will seek the end the Murkowski Dynasty once and for all. Being a maverick certainly won't help her smooth things over with that crowd. Plus, let's not assume that Alaska likes her "maverick streak." She has a 37% approval rating/53% disapproval rating right after that historic win. The write in victory can't be dismissed but let's not forget that 60% voted for someone else and those other candidates were far from stellar.

If she doesn't want to return to the Senate, she will have six years of doing whatever she wants. Did anyone really talk about her before that primary upset? No. She wasn't a stand out probably because she didn't care to be. That type of person doesn't seek re-election and might be more willing to buck the party (like Voinivich this year).

She seems to be a very low key person so I really doubt she'd be one of the famous mavericks anyway.