In the last week Sen. Lisa Murkowski has given Alaskans what they voted for in her November write-in victory -- a senator who would put a Alaska and the nation's interests ahead of partisan politics, and cast her votes accordingly.

On Tuesday, Murkowski broke with her party's leadership in support for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), by which the United States and Russia agree to continue their reduction of nuclear warheads and delivery systems, and provide for on-the-ground inspections to make sure both nations are abiding by the terms.

The idea is to make the world a little safer and saner without surrendering any defense capability.

The top two Republicans in the Senate, Mitch McConnell and John Kyl, stand against the treaty, for reasons that have more to do with partisan politics than sound defense and smart foreign policy. Murkowski is among 11 of their colleagues who Tuesday cast procedural votes in favor of the treaty -- including Tennessee's Lamar Alexander, No. 3 in the Republican Senate leadership.

Their stand is more in keeping with that of the late Sen. Ted Stevens, who could be a fierce partisan but also knew when it was time to come together for the good of the country -- and for Alaska.

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