Acknowledged as one of the most liberal republicans, second only to Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Murkowski has emerged as a key swing vote in the Senate on issues backed by the Obama administration 72% of the time.  She has voted with the Senate's Democratic majority on such issues as tax policy, ending the military's ban on gays in the military, and even immigration, the DREAM Act,  claiming Alaskans were overwhelmingly for her "yes" votes.