Blanche Defends Alaska Suit, Slams 'Crazy' Question

Attorney General Todd Blanche insists his department's surprise move in Alaska isn't part of a White House strategy to undermine next week's midterm results. During a testy interview on CNN over the weekend, Blanche ridiculed the question from Dana Bash. "Come on, man, that is crazy," Blanche said, reports USA Today. "You're saying 'Mr. Attorney General, because the president of the United States wants to stop fraud and confusion in Alaska, is he going to do something crazy?' That is not a real question." Last week, the Justice Department moved to block Alaska from automatically certifying the results of its Senate race, citing the potential confusion of two Dan Sullivans being on the ballot.

Blanche bristled when Bash asked whether the unusual lawsuit positioned President Trump to attempt to have a losing GOP result overturned. "We're not laying any groundwork for the president to do that," Blanche said. Trump has told reporters that he personally authorized the lawsuit, notes NPR. A lower court already has allowed the double-Sullivan ballot, noting that it distinguishes "Dan S. Sullivan (R)" from independent "Daniel J. Sullivan Jr." Republicans say it's a ruse to siphon votes from their incumbent.