How does the GOP recover from Stevens? Update: AOL Hot Seat poll added
posted at 7:11 am on July 30, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Politico looks at the ramifications of the Ted Stevens indictment in terms of their electoral strategy for this fall. The plans for the Senate Republicans are in disarray, and no one seems quite sure how to proceed. With Alaska holding its primary soon, the focus will stay on how to extricate the GOP from Stevens in that election, but what about the overall strategy for the Republicans?
“This is very bad for the party,” a retiring Senate Republicantold Politico as news of Ted Stevens’ indictment echoed across Capitol Hill on Tuesday. “The timing on this couldn’t be worse.”
One year ago today, Stevens pleaded with his Republican colleagues to “stay with me” as he rode out a Justice Department investigation and an FBI raid on his Alaska home.
Now, there’s an arrest warrant out for the 84-year-old senator. He’s been stripped of his top committee rankings. His iconic career is crumbling. His hopes for reelection are in serious doubt.
And Senate Republicans have no idea what to do about it.
National Review insists on his resignation, and calls the electoral consequences secondary:
The question is not whether Stevens should resign, but whether he should resign now or after Alaska’s August 26 primary. If he steps aside now, the nomination will go to one of the six relatively unknown Republicans who are registered to run in the primary. The deadline for registration has passed, so it is too late for the party to field a stronger contender. If, however, Stevens won the primary and then stepped aside, the party could replace him with a better candidate.
To us, such political calculations are subordinate to the fact that Stevens has disgraced himself and his office. If he steps aside now, the politics will take care of themselves. The eventual nominee will have distinguished himself by winning an open and competitive primary. A party appointment would look calculated and unprincipled, and the candidate would be weaker for it. Stevens should allow the voters to pick his replacement. He should resign, and the sooner the better.
Of course, the Republicans can’t force Stevens to resign. They wanted Larry Craig to resign after his arrest for importuning an undercover officer in a public restroom, and at first he did, and then he rescinded his resignation. Craig remains in the Senate, although he’s not running for re-election as Stevens is.
Legally, the National Review notes, Stevens has a presumption of innocence. So does William Jefferson (D-LA) in the House, who was indicted on corruption charges but remains in Congress. Jefferson still has his committee assignments, unlike Stevens, who had his stripped by Senate leadership.
In truth, the GOP should have pushed Stevens out of the race a year ago. The basic structure of his unethical activities with Veco has been well known for at least that long. Even without that, Stevens’ embarrassing pork-barrel antics such as the Bridge to Nowhere came to exemplify all of the worst impulses of Congress on perks and power. Instead of cleaning house when they could, the Republicans couldn’t bring themselves to tell a 40-year man that his time was over and that it was time to find fresh blood.
Stevens should resign, but he won’t without his colleagues making it necessary. Republican leadership should demand it, as they did with Craig, who they insisted had brought shame and dishonor to the chamber. What Stevens did brings more than a little shame and dishonor to the Senate — it undermines its authority and American confidence in representative democracy. We don’t send people to Congress to enrich themselves through bribery.
How will this affect the election overall? Strangely, I don’t think it will have much affect at all outside of Alaska, where the Democrats may well win both the Senate and the House seats this year. With William Jefferson remaining in Congress, the Democrats have no real footing to use this against the Republicans. And that may be the biggest scandal of all — that corruption in both parties serves to protect everyone.
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IMHO, the Senate is different from Congress, and a scandal there plays differently. “And Senate Republicans have no idea what to do about it.” Surprise surprise. Maybe one could compose a song?
Marcus on July 30, 2008 at 7:18 AM
Ted Stevens has been a detriment to that party for a long time. He should resign immediately. There’s no question.
RWLA on July 30, 2008 at 7:18 AM
The timing was perfect, orchestrated by “non partisan carreer” emplyees at the justice department. The timing is always perfect because they plan it that way. Yet the idiot republicans in power never clean house, never make sure they have honorable candidates. The republican party is no better then the democart party, the goal is to keep thier jobs with thier cushy perks, benefits and pensions. I have news for everyone, there are no conservatives in office, only politicians who play a part to keep themselves in office. It’s all a game being played on the American people. Meanwhile our country is rudderless, floating towards the abyss.
peacenprosperity on July 30, 2008 at 7:20 AM
Sack everyone above the age of 80. Not because they’re old, but because it’s time to get some new faces in Washington.
Seixon on July 30, 2008 at 7:21 AM
I suppose there are no Democrats that need indicted?!
JellyToast on July 30, 2008 at 7:22 AM
The problem isn’t indictments like this. The problem is the double standard we let the Dems get away with. They can literally do anything - even treason, for God’s sake - without much more than a slap on the wrist, and with absolutely no media recriminations. We are the shmucks, for putting up with this.
Halley on July 30, 2008 at 7:24 AM
The reason our country is in the shape it is, is that all polititions are on the take.
“EVERY STINKING ONE OF THEM!”
TheSitRep on July 30, 2008 at 7:26 AM
The system has evolved in such a way where you have to be crooked to get into an office.
This starts at the city counsel level and goes to the U.S. Senate.
If a person ran for office and never took money from special interests he’d not get elected dog catcher.
TheSitRep on July 30, 2008 at 7:30 AM
T-E-R-M L-I-M-I-T-S PERIOD.
stenwin77 on July 30, 2008 at 7:30 AM
The poster boy for term limits.
He’s got to go.
JammieWearingFool on July 30, 2008 at 7:32 AM
I guess you’re right. It’s easy to forget that this kind of thing is supposed to be shocking.
forest on July 30, 2008 at 7:35 AM
We don’t? Loosen up the definition of bribery just a tad and I would suggest that’s exactly what we do.
Note to Ed: Your “enrich” is missing the “i.”
BigD on July 30, 2008 at 7:37 AM
He definitely has to go. The problem now is that we might lose yet another Senate seat to the Democrats — one that should be a safe seat. The Dems are inching their way toward having that 60 seat filibuster-proof majority. Hold on to your wallets, people, this is going to get ugly!
Outlander on July 30, 2008 at 7:38 AM
Term limits? Don’t you realize what an inconvenience that would be for all of the hard-working lobbyists and influence-peddlers?
hillbillyjim on July 30, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Ted Stevens is yet another supreme example of why we now need Term Limitation in Congress. If this isn’t THE prime example of how absolute power corrupts absolutely, I don’t know what is.
This is why guys like him, as well as Kennedy, Byrd, Reid, Pelosi, Waters, O’Connell, Kerry, and the rest of those who have turned the Congress into their sole careers, have to go! There has to be an amendment made to the Constitution that will give any member of Congress the same right as the President to serve two terms, but that’s it!
What happened with Ted Stevens here should serve as proof that such a change is needed, and needed right now!
We should no longer be just suggesting it, we should be demanding it!
pilamaye on July 30, 2008 at 7:43 AM
That didn’t matter to the Dems when Frank Lautenberg got in the Senate race after Torricelli quit the race under shame.
Anyway……Resign, Ted. For once, look after something other than yourself.
BacaDog on July 30, 2008 at 7:47 AM
Typo? Did you mean 84 year old man, or that he’s been in the Senate 40 years?
Bobbertsan on July 30, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Thanks to Stevens, Alaska pulls in considerably more federal dollars than it pays out.
Maybe now, in light of Stevens downfall, Congress will re-look this issue. I recommend that they start with the process in which the Alaska state government gives each and every citizen a check for their “share” of the oil profits. For every dollar the state kicks back to its citizens under this program, the Feds should reduce its payouts to Alaska by the same amount. The only reason the Alaskan government can afford this boondoggle is because of the huge Federal subsidies it receives.
rbb on July 30, 2008 at 7:50 AM
As an alternative to term limits, I have always thought if there was a mandatory retirement age for CEOs of public companies (65), then there should be a mandatory retirement age for members of Congress and yes, the president. I would place it 70. That is, they would be not be eligible for re-election after they have turned 70.
Alot of these people — Byrd (who’s not even functional), Kennedy, Dingell, Levin, Stevens, Specter, McCain, we could go on and on — have been there way too long. They’re sick, they’re no longer rational, they’re out of touch.
BigD on July 30, 2008 at 7:52 AM
And the Republicans don’t know what to do. Ya think? They haven’t known what to do since Newt and Delay left! They have no coordinated strategy to attack the democRATs and will be slaughtered this fall! Welcome to an Obama administration with liberals running all branches of government and thank your republican leaders for the mess!
sabbott on July 30, 2008 at 7:52 AM
Senor McVain should push his stance on pork barrel spenders for the whole republican to join Juan in saying, “Adios Stevens.” You have been a disgrace for far too long as it is.
Branch Rickey on July 30, 2008 at 7:54 AM
Ex.Demecrat Gov. Don Siegelman convicted for criminalities & democrat congress is conducting “hearings” shouting - “how dare they?”.
Anyone care to question the timing?
Rush Limbaugh - I’ve seen two different things — he’s being indicted for shady deals with lobbyists (remember, they raided his house), and then another report says that he’s going to be indicted for false statements, which is like the Martha Stewart indictment.
Anita on July 30, 2008 at 7:55 AM
So how do the Democrats recover from Schumer costing the tax payers $8 billion? Maybe the Republicans should use that strategy.
I am sure there are other scandals that could be used as models, Harry Reid’s shady land deals, why hasn’t Reid been indicted. I think you know ….
tarpon on July 30, 2008 at 7:56 AM
There should absolutely be a mandatory retirement age applied to Congress. I am tired of people, older than dirt, continue to live off the taxpayers. How effective was Strom Thurmond? Byrd and Kennedy need to be forced out. I think anyone over 75 ought be forced out. If you have to wear diapers into the halls of Congress, it is time to go. Also, they should be required to be present 75% of the time. If they miss more than 25% of the votes; automatic out!
bopbottle on July 30, 2008 at 8:02 AM
Corruption in American politics is a problem that is biting us in the ass big time. Is the unthinkable possible; could the US government be bought and controlled by foreign interests; the mob; or a billionaire socialist such as George Soros.
How did it become a reality that the mighty USA became dependent upon foreign countries for our energy supplies? Could environmentalists really be that powerful? How is it possible that American companies have found it necessary to relocate off American soil in order to compete in a global market that was once dominated by Americans?
Over regulated into oblivion by our own government policies, seemingly with no care as to the consequences. As the war between Liberals and Conservatives rages on, power brokers such as Murdock and Soros have monopolized markets. Organizations such as CAIR and the ACLU are busy destroying the American dream by way of our courts (Liberal activest Judges). Foreign lobbyist are wielding power in DC with little or no reporting of such dynamics. The American media is not doing the job as designed when given the special rights under the guise of “freedom of press”.
People who deny America is vulnerable from within have their collective heads stuck up their asses. America is (and has always been) under attack from within. Who’s pulling the strings of our politicians? Political reform must happen! Term limits must happen! Our media must be reformed!
Keemo on July 30, 2008 at 8:07 AM
One comment about Rich Lowry and National Review. It’s fine if they think Ted Stevens should resign. But everytime there is a problem in the Republican party and they come out on their high horse about Republicans needing to be above it all, they become one giant tool of the MSM and the left-wing punditry. That is, all of the Dem strategists and Dem others who will be interviewed on this subject will all quote Rich Lowry.
In fact, Dick Polman at the Philly Inquirer pretty much has a template for discussing Republican problems. Lay out the issue and quote Rich Lowry. An eighth grader could do it.
BigD on July 30, 2008 at 8:17 AM
This should have no more effect on Republicans than the Mark Foley scandal did in the ‘06 election. In other words, “YIKES!”
Maybe the best option is for McCain to show the nation what a devoted, patriotic, corruption-defying, no-nonsense Alaska Republican looks like by putting Sarah Palin on the ticket ASAP. Then she could deflect the Stevens Stench and concentrate on her adoring Hot Air constituency. (One can dream, can’t one?)
Captain Scarlet on July 30, 2008 at 8:17 AM
Maybe the same way the Democrats recovered from Jefferson?
stenwin77 on July 30, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Example of the destruction of the American way of life from within…
From today’s LA Times:
“A law that would bar fast-food restaurants from opening in South Los Angeles for at least a year sailed through the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday.”
Zoning and regulation run amok. In a free market economy, it is not the government’s role to decide what and where certain services or products should be provided. Let the market decide. Let the consumers decide.
It is the height of a paternalistic government to decide that consumers should be isolated from fast food simply because the government officials think they know better what is good for you than you do. Such a ban violates not only individual freedoms but also individual choice and individual responsibility.
Pizza might be bad for you most of the time — should we allow government to create “No Delivery Zones”?
This restriction is not only arbitrary and capricious, offensive to the market, constrictive of individual freedom, ultra vires and beyond the legitimate role of the government, but also just further evidence of the “Nanny-State” out of control. Property rights have been under constant attack in recent years, and this is just another example of the government invasion on such property rights as well as consumer choice and freedom. (hughhewitt)
We had better wake up fellow Americans; the corruption in our political make-up is widespread and runs deeper than most of are aware of.
Keemo on July 30, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Have him engage William “Dollar Bill” Jefferson’s legal counsel.
Texas Rainmaker on July 30, 2008 at 8:19 AM
One sliver lining to all this is that sign makers /painters in Alaska will make a bundle removing the offending name from a number of things, starting with the “Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.” http://www.dot.state.ak.us/anc/index.shtml
rbb on July 30, 2008 at 8:30 AM
Ariel Durant said, “A great civilization cannot be conquered from without until it destroys itself from within.” Both political parties are working as hard as they can to accomplish this. Maybe it is just history repeating itself and there is nothing we can’t do about it. No leadership = no future.
volsense on July 30, 2008 at 8:31 AM
If you have term limits, then the power shifts even more to the permanent employees in DC: the bureaucrats, including the lifers in the Justice Department and every other department. They’d be writing the policy, not the elected representatives.
Wethal on July 30, 2008 at 8:37 AM
Duh..easy….have Maverick nominate Gov. Palin…a tough anti-corruption governor FROM Alaska…NOW.
CapitalistPig on July 30, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Regarding term limits. I did some business with WalMart a few years ago and had to deal with several buyers for the company. These are the individuals who review your product and decide if your price, quality, etc. are competitive and
then either give you the business or do not. They have a great deal of power and can sometimes make or break a business. I very rarely dealt with the same WalMart buyer more than one time. Why? Because one of the most succesful
retailers in history knows that with the power the buyers have there may be the temptation for back room deals and thus not get the best product for the best price.
For the exact same reason, politicians should not serve more than two terms to eliminate these ‘back room deals’.
Firmworm on July 30, 2008 at 8:42 AM
DUH!
CapitalistPig on July 30, 2008 at 8:43 AM
We don’t need term limits, we need to return to our original Constitutional government that a) has a very limited federal government, b) has Senators elected by state legislatures, and c) has elected representatives who do their limited business then go back home to their real careers–i.e., no career politicians. Not only would we rid ourselves of the vast majority of this corruption, but the savings to taxpayers would be astronomical.
DrMagnolias on July 30, 2008 at 8:48 AM
Begich had Stevens by the very short hairs, long before this latest revelation.
J_Gocht on July 30, 2008 at 8:52 AM
The same way the Dems recovered from William “Cold Cash” Jefferson? Oh wait, we are Republicans and we actually make our leaders accountable.
carbon_footprint on July 30, 2008 at 8:57 AM
He needs to resign (he won’t) or be forced out of his office by a loud, public shaming from his caucus fellows. He sucks.
Jaibones on July 30, 2008 at 9:02 AM
I guess I’ll be the heretic here….. I’ll get excited about Stevens when I see the same excitement about ol Bill Jefferson, Frank, Dodd and Murtha. Punish them punish Stevens…. drag your feet on them drag your feet on Stevens. I want term limits as well. and a total ban on lobbyists.
MNDavenotPC on July 30, 2008 at 9:09 AM
I don’t care what it does to the party. Ted Stevens is a disgrace. He has been a disaster for the party and a disaster for America. I don’t care who replaces him, Senator Pork has to go.
fleiter on July 30, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Eighty-four years old. Another life-time geezer in the Senate. It’s time for him to go, past time, actually, and time for him to sit on his front porch, sipping his metamucil, enjoying the few Alaskan sunsets he has left. Any bets on whether Stevens will be re-elected?
This country needs term limits and we need them NOW.
abcurtis on July 30, 2008 at 9:14 AM
The silver lining, if there is one, is that this highlights how right McCain has been all along to go after pork-barrel spending and trying to reform the campaign finance system (although his method on this was incredibly stupid).
hillbillyjim on July 30, 2008 at 9:14 AM
How do they recover? If they were liberals, just re-elect him.
Seeing as we are not liberals, kick him to the curb, and move on…
right2bright on July 30, 2008 at 9:26 AM
I don’t know how things will work out in Alaska, but it will only affect Republicans if they let it. It is the Republican Bush Administration that has been cracking down on this corruption and it’s Republicans that are calling for resignations. It’s McCain, a guy who’s decried corruption for as long as I can remember, who is our nominee and he didn’t buy his house with the help of high-flier in the corruption trade of public officials.
The best thing Republicans can do what, on the whole, they are now trying to do, investigate and prosecute it, fight to eliminate pork where corruption is fertile ground, and point out the difference between Repubs and Dems.
I do agree with DrMagnlias, too. Any dollar the government doesn’t steal from my wallet through taxes is $0.15 less skimming corruption by all through government. If you don’t want corruption buzzards in Washington, don’t put what they prey on there.
Dusty on July 30, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Why is it that someone like Rep. Jefferson is no problem or issue for the DNC, but if someone in the RNC gets caught doing the same thing it is? If fact what happen with the case against that crook?
JeffinSac on July 30, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Republican leadership must insist upon his resignation. Now. Or it’s all over folks. Get ready for socialism. As a reminder to the other corrupt pieces of dung, he should go to prison.
Griz on July 30, 2008 at 9:40 AM
The NR has become very elitist. Young snobs laughing at us great unwashed.
peacenprosperity on July 30, 2008 at 9:48 AM
If the republican party had integity and balls they would send out talking points that said any republican asked about stevens should reply, “I think ted stevens and william jefferson should both resign today.” End of comment.
peacenprosperity on July 30, 2008 at 9:52 AM
The question for Alaska Republicans is, if the Stevens investigation was common knowledge over a year ago, why are the other five candidates in the primary race considered to be “weak”? Were the “strong” candidates happy to let Ted go on about his business for another six years and try to ride out the Justice Department probe, as long as he kept bringing home the bacon (and aside from the Justice probe, outrage on the right over the “Bridge To Nowhere” dates back two years, but even that apparently wasn’t outrageous enough to get one of the “strong” Republicans to challenge an 84-year-old senator).
jon1979 on July 30, 2008 at 9:53 AM
My mother, who worked in DC in the early ’60s, has a novel approach for making DC less damaging to the country, and it’s Green too *grin*
Remove the air conditioning from all government owned or operated buildings located within 50 miles of the Washington Monument.
Nathan_OH on July 30, 2008 at 9:54 AM
I don’t want to call them elitist, but I do think they have become very insular. You know, like they are writing for and among themselves, rather than for the public.
There are exceptions, of course.
BigD on July 30, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I agree with Seixon. There is just no reason for anyone 70+ years or older to represent any American in the Congress, Senate or White House. In fact I think there is no reason to have 78 and 88 year old judges deciding legal arguments of our time until they die.
65 should be the mandatory retirement age for all political offices.
Monkei on July 30, 2008 at 10:15 AM
The biggest problem is the lack of resolve to rid our democracy of these cretins. Joe Public and Jane Republican stay blissfully uninformed, disengaged and without the mettle to ‘revolt’ against bad governance.
As Pogo used to say, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”
JonPrichard on July 30, 2008 at 10:19 AM
huh?
Monkei on July 30, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I’d be willing to bet that Dodd’s countrywide deal was worth more than the renovations here.
That said, the dude is 84 years old. I’m not ageist, and if there was some compelling reason that we couldn’t live without him I might say he should stay. But 84, I mean come on. . . it’s time to go dude. Retire already.
ThackerAgency on July 30, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Who cares? Compared to the deep corruption that encompasses the entire democrat party Stevens is small time.
What a joke. Jail ‘em and then try the entire Congress.
darwin on July 30, 2008 at 10:36 AM
This is why the RNSC can just kiss my butt when they call begging for money, and then send me an e-mail saying it’s up to ME. Arrogance.
kirkill on July 30, 2008 at 10:38 AM
The irony? He will retire with full benefits…full.
right2bright on July 30, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Double Duh!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/21/AR2007092101724.html
Mr. Wednesday Night on July 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Stevens should resign, and Governor Palin could appoint an untainted, popular Alaska Republican to serve out his term, after consultation with the State party. Then the appointee could run for election in November.
Where is “upinak” on this thread? We could use some words of wisdom!
Steve Z on July 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
They need to kick him out ASAP. This man is a disgrace.
WisCon on July 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
A) The GOP should act decisively, and unlike the Dems.
B) As someone has noted, without long-serving Congresscritters, the bureaucrats will have no check on their power. The answer is to change the seniority system, so that no matter how long someone has served, he cannot continuously enjoy the benefits of that seniority. Of course, the Houses of Congress make their own rules, so good luck on that happening.
njcommuter on July 30, 2008 at 11:01 AM
The William “Cold Cash” Jefferson of Louisiana who was found to have tons of cash in his freezer? He is still serving? No accountability? Republicans DO hold our leaders accountable? What don’t you understand?
carbon_footprint on July 30, 2008 at 11:03 AM
BigD on July 30, 2008 at 7:52 AM-offers an interesting alternative to term limits: congressional mandatory age limits. I like it, but it is impossible: the very ones who make the law will never curb themselves, will never allow any limits to be placed on their power. I’ve always advocated term limits, but I don’t see that happening either.
However it works out best, leaving instantly or staying until after the election, assuming Stevens Could win re-election…I don’t care. I’m sick up and fed with all of the politics. Which is why I don’t post much at Hot Air-maybe when the election is closer I’ll care more.
Doug on July 30, 2008 at 11:05 AM
On the one hand, I’m opposed to ageism and I think it’s healthy to have a few very old–but mentally sharp–people in the Senate. Also, I’m not keen on term limits. But still there is a problem with some Senators staying in the Senate far beyond their due date: Robert Byrd, Ted Kennedy, Strom Thurman, and obviously Ted Stevens. These people have got to the point where they don’t understand that there is life without being a Senator. They really should lead the last few years of their life under other circumstances. I don’t know that they need the public humiliation of a vote telling them to go. What I think needs to happen is that the other Senators should start pushing them to go, by asking them their plans after they retire and similar questions. They need peer pressure.
I think we’ll less of these never retiring Senators in the future, because I think the competition for Senate seats is becoming more intense.
thuja on July 30, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Just getting dumber by the moment . . .
DUMP HIM!!!
Sheesh! Was that so difficult.
Ted Stevens has been a wacko for some time now. Remember his hissy fit, tantrum, crying on the floor of the Senate about quitting if his Bridge to Nowhere was defunded?
It was. He didn’t.
Maybe he should’ve.
seanrobins on July 30, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I’ve been telling them to take me off their phone call lists…
seanrobins on July 30, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Lowry pissed in his man-panties when Zell Miller gave his impassioned (and very effective) speech at the 2004 RNC. That pretty much says what you need to know right there.
thirteen28 on July 30, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I guess I don’t understand where the accountability is? Tom Delay left but only after years and numerous filed complaints, the rest of them simply retired or decided not to run. So if you phrase your question to say that at least the GOP crapheads decided not to run or resigned then the comparison is mute. The GOP electorate like you had nothing to do with these guys leaving unless you claim they did this all in smokey back room meetings … which somehow defeats the purpose of open and honest disclosure. Pulling out of your re-election bid or retiring before the electorate had a chance to crap on your re-election is hardly handling it.
Your problem is like most you can’t accept blame without jumping on the other party. I think everyone over 65 should leave Congress regardless of their party. You simply throw out comparisons to the other party as if one is better than the other.
Monkei on July 30, 2008 at 11:25 AM
And Bush continues to be blamed for the woes of republicans.
Sue on July 30, 2008 at 11:32 AM
If he had any decency he would resign. That is the problem, he obviously hasn’t any.
Ronald Reagan proves otherwise
Sometimes I suspect cries for resignation. This Senator has been a jerk for a long time. Alaska keeps re-electing him. The same Alaska that elected Palin. This Senator is a pork meister. That tells me his constituents must like pork better than they hate jerky
The White House must like the way he votes because they can take people out or at least ostracize them a la Tancredo. Or they feared him. That is always possible
Someone decided to make the move during the election cycle. That is the real story here. Who decided to wait until now to indict?
The real story is political. The PorkMeister is most useful to the Democrats roasted just before the Presidential election. A slow roast.
On the other hand, didn’t the RINOs see this coming and who let the indictment happen now of all times? Were they outfoxed, or is this a diversion from something else?
The mystery is in what is not being told
entagor on July 30, 2008 at 11:39 AM
He’s 84.
He should have been long gone.
Kick his ass out.
Mommynator on July 30, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Either the Republican Party clean house, or the voting public will do it for them. The choice is easy.
newton on July 30, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Because the GOP, with all it’s problems, is better than the other party. IF you don’t see that then why do you spend time on a conservative, GOP blog? Not trying to pick a fight, just curious.
List of Republicans who did something wrong and DID THE RIGHT THING by resigning, and a list of Democrats that did no such thing after getting caught. Also, any Dem congressmen or party honchos under indictment or investigation.
(R) Newt Gingrich – had affair with aide – resigned
(R) Bob Livingstone – caught having affair (after Larry Flynt offered 1 million dollars for information on sexual indiscretions) – resigned
(R) Mark Foley – inappropriate IM’s with page – resigned
(D) Gary Stubbs – in 1983, had sexual relations with a page, age 17 – wasa cansured by the House and served until 1997
(D) Ted Kennedy – We all know what Teddy did. You or I would still be in prison had we done that – STILL serving in the US Senate
(D) Cynthia McKinney – assaulted Capitol policeman – claimed racism and was defeated in the primary this year.
(D) Harry Reid – under investigation(?) for dealings with Jack Abramoff, and not declaring profit on land he sold.
Missing any others?
carbon_footprint on July 30, 2008 at 11:43 AM
entagor … there are always exceptions to the rule. however I think if you take a good long look at it i think there is a lot more to be gained with term and age restrictions than sitting back and finding the occasional good apple in a barrel full of bad apples.
Monkei on July 30, 2008 at 11:43 AM
[BigD on July 30, 2008 at 10:11 AM]
Yeah, I wouldn’t call them elitist, per se, but I wouldn’t call them insular either.
Rich Lowry isn’t a bad guy. I think he tries to uphold Buckley’s demeanor in politics in that he tries to be fair, high minded, respectful and civil in political debate, but he’s left out the passion for both fighting and winning that Buckley wrapped those in.
Standing athwart history, yelling “Stop!” was Buckley’s motto. I think Lowry’s influence at NR has been more to Stand athwart history, yelling “Carpool!” That’s not to say, he’s elitist, but that he considers the debate to be cooperative endeavor rather than a competitive endeavor, when the opposition has no interest in the former.
Dusty on July 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM
As an Alaskan, I will say that Stevens for all his stupid sayings and ramblings, was very good to the State of Alaska, in many ways.
Alaska wouldn’t have had the Trans Alaska Pipeline without him. Stevens helped open the Usebeli Coal mine, which is still in use and is sending coal out side of this State to foreign countries like Japan and China at a much higher cost then they realize, as well as sending coal from this mine all over the State and to the University of Fairbanks where they use it exclusively for power. Stevens helped the fishing industries many a time and when Exxon Valdez spilled all the oil and put hundred of fishing jobs out due to no fish, Stevens asked for Federal help concerning the families of the fish industry. And Stevens has always pushed for ANWR to open for drilling.
Yeah my Senator is a jerk, he may have screwed up. But at least he did more for my State then anyone elses Senator did for theirs. And he always answered the letters he was sent to him by the people who elected him. I have many letters I have kept from Stevens.
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 11:49 AM
yeah who was the guy who was caught having sex with children and yet the Senate Dems gave him a standing ovation. This was late 70’s… can’t think of the name. And he NEVER resigned.
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 11:51 AM
I went through the whole hot-seat series of questions in those poles. There needs to be a standardized option as an answer to every one of those questions that reads something like:
“This is a ridiculous question, which only serves to reveal the bias of the person asking the question”
samuelrylander on July 30, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Hey Upinak, that would be Gary Stubbs?
carbon_footprint on July 30, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Then perhaps, we Republicans should just draw a bold line for liberty and say, “We will put ourselves to a higher standard.”
HotAirJosef on July 30, 2008 at 11:54 AM
I disagree. This is GREAT for the GOP. Stevens has been a disaster for a long time. His approach to gov’t pork is disgusting, and the sooner he is out of office, the better.
Clark1 on July 30, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I think it was!
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Yeah so damn great. He has been pushing for ANWR for years and when it finally may come about this happens?
Why didn’t it happen a year ago? Why didn’t the FBI do anything then?
Kind of a interesting issue when the primary election is a month away. Don’t you think?
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Stubbs I think. Carbon_footprint mentioned him earlier.
austinnelly on July 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM
carbon footprint … this is a conservative blog for conservatives only? Where does it say that on the home page?
So when it is mentioned that the GOP does the right thing, the right thing is to retire or resign after you do that bad thing. That makes them the better party? Did Newt Gingrich really resign after he had an affair? I thought is was over some book deal?
Monkei on July 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Four words:
Innocent until proven guilty.
Tennman on July 30, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I’ve never seen you post around here before, so Hi! That makes a lot of sense. I didn’t know senators used to be elected by state legislatures.
samuelrylander on July 30, 2008 at 12:13 PM
saw that thanks!
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 12:13 PM
It does not “say” that this is a conservative blog anywhere-it does not have to and that is not the point. The reality is this is a conservative blog and it makes me wonder why a liberal minded person would want to humiliate himself here.
carbon_footprint on July 30, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Ted Stevens? Senator ‘ bridge to nowhere’ Ted Stevens??
The heck with this current scandal. This rino needs to resign just on that bridge fiasco alone….
locomotivebreath1901 on July 30, 2008 at 12:14 PM
And you are one of those idiots that took what the MSM spat out as a “Bridge to No Where”.
FYI there are two bridges that were designated in that money. You obviously didn’t research the facts on it did you?
upinak on July 30, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Wasn’t the bridge to nowhere going to be named after Don Young, or something?
samuelrylander on July 30, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Clarification: on the other hand, there is no way that I would want to go to Kos or HuffPo and engage people who do not share the same ideology as I do. That’s just me. I want to discuss politics with people who have similar viewpoints because trying to debate someone over polar-opposite views online is like banging one’s head against a reinforced concrete wall.
carbon_footprint on July 30, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I believe this clown’s name was Gerry Studds.
No, really.
And what about Barney Frank?
I too think Stevens should resign. But what’s fair for one is fair for all. I doubt Reid could withstand serious scrutiny. Nor could Feinstein, Pelosi and many others.
So long as the Democrat machine rolls along with near-total immunity from consequences for their actions, all their corrupt people will skate.
That doesn’t mean Republicans should not pay for their crimes/errors. It only means this is a place where we do need a “fairness doctrine.”
MrScribbler on July 30, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Yes, Gerry is right.
And well put comment.
carbon_footprint on July 30, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Democracy.
Oligarchy.
MB4 on July 30, 2008 at 12:44 PM
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