Sen. Lisa Murkowski behaved curiously this past week. Her actions confirmed something I've suspected for a long time. She is not fit for office.

Murkowski took full advantage of a sweetheart deal from known influence peddler Bob Penney when she purchased a prime piece of Kenai riverfront property for far less than fair market value. It was an offer that reeks of privilege.

Kenai real estate brokers and recent transactions of similar properties reveal Murkowski saved anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 on the purchase. Nice gift if you can get it. Trouble is, most of us can't.

It's no surprise Murkowski refused to disclose the sale price on her Senate financial disclosure reports, bringing criticism from ethics watchdog groups.

Also curious, even after the story broke and the deal was exposed, Murkowski still refused to say how much she paid for the controversial land. She eventually caved and released a statement.

Why wouldn't Murkowski immediately come clean and say how much she paid for the land? Especially since she bought it from Bob Penney -- a man who along with his family has given Murkowski more than $10,000 in campaign contributions since 2003. A man who testified before a grand jury recently about his cozy relationship with Sen. Ted Stevens. The same Bob Penney who helped Sen. Ted Stevens turn a $15,000 investment in 1998 into $150,000.

It's good to have friends in high places. But it stinks if you are a public servant. We bestow tremendous power on our politicians, especially U.S. senators.

Rich and powerful people like Penney are always trying to gain access. Politicians may or may not realize they are popular with the influence peddlers because of the tremendous power "we the people" give them. But they should know when they are getting special favors not awarded to the regular working guy.

This is a concept former state Rep. Tom Anderson never fully understood. You can't use the intoxicating power entrusted to you to line your own pockets, whether it's getting cash payments under the table or buying sweet riverfront property on Alaska's most popular fishing spot for half price.

This is why we call it public service. You are elected to serve the public, not your own financial interest. I know a lot of Alaska politicians are scratching their heads about now saying, huh? Especially those who have been around for years.

Lisa Murkowski is the poster child for this type of dynasty mentality in Alaska politics. She conspired with her father to get instant incumbency status in the U.S. Senate. If Lisa Murkowski, a left-of-center, pro-income tax, pro-choice Republican, had had to run in a closed conservative primary without being an incumbent, she would have finished dead last.

You say that's a moot point. Murkowski beat Tony Knowles fair and square. If an umpire intentionally throws a game giving a team the opportunity to advance in the playoffs, it's wrong. If the team wins the rest of the games fair and square, the fact remains the team would have been eliminated had not the umpire thrown the first game.

The leg up she accepted from her father is in my mind the most corrupt political act in state history. Her resignation and sitting out a complete term is the only thing that will redeem her.

Did Lisa Murkowski violate any laws by allowing her daddy to use the power we entrusted him with to put his daughter's political ambitions ahead of the needs of his country? No, probably not.

Did Lisa Murkowski break the law when she allowed Bob Penney to sell her a prime piece of riverfront property at far below the market value? The verdict is still out.

With all the corruption in our state recently, voters are sick of things as they have been. It's time to oust politicians who have no problem playing the elitist card with arrogance.

Let's send the message loud and clear. If you want to lead in this state, you have to serve with character, integrity and openness. Holding office is not a path to riches, privilege and special favors from the wealthy.

http://www.adn.com/opinion/comment/story/9153796p-9070239c.html