Anyone have a wooden stake?
posted at 2:30 pm on October 28, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Anyone convicted of seven counts of corruption should really consider resigning their position in the Senate to spend a little time with family before entering Club Fed. Unfortunately, that hasn’t occurred to Ted Stevens. He insists today that he will not resign his seat, which means that the Senate will have to eject him if he wins re-election:
For most politicians, a guilty verdict on seven felony counts — eight days before an election — would guarantee the end of a political career. But Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is not like most politicians. After his conviction Monday on charges that he lied about free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor, the 84-year-old Stevens refused to drop out of his re-election race against Democrat Mark Begich.
Republican presidential nominee John McCain called Tuesday for Stevens to resign from the Senate, saying he “has broken his trust with the people.” …
In a statement issued by his Senate office, Stevens said he was disappointed but not surprised at the verdict, “given the repeated instances of prosecutorial misconduct in this case.”
Stevens proclaimed his innocence and said, “I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have.”
He asked Alaskans and his Senate colleagues to stand with him as he pursues his legal rights and his re-election campaign.
Stevens has every legal right to keep his seat, but that’s not the point. He had a major contributor doing him lots of expensive favors, and his entire defense is that no one ever told him about it. Small wonder the jury returned a solid wall of guilty verdicts. Now Stevens wants to pretend that he’s as clean as the Waldorf’s dishes at dawn, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt while he appeals his convictions over the next few months.
Stevens had his day in court. He lost. He can keep appealing as long as his money holds out, but he needs to exit the Senate now. Alaska deserves better than to be represented by a convicted felon. The fact that Stevens can’t see that much demonstrates how distorted his perspective had become even before getting caught in corruption. His obstinate grasp on power is quite a revealing moment for a supposed public servant.
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So how much of the Republican Party is this guy representative of? I don’t think Sarah Palin is the cancer but there definitely is one.
D0WNT0WN on October 28, 2008 at 2:33 PM
He is acting like a Democrat (Jefferson)
GET OUT, STEVENS! LEAVE the Honorable Institution that you have ravage so.
originalpechanga on October 28, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Boot to the head for this dirt bag. A better argument for term limits I’ve never seen.
hburns on October 28, 2008 at 2:34 PM
You know it is interesting, Ed, that the only politician in a long time that has said anything about having a servant’s heart is this piece of work’s fellow Alaskan, Sarah Palin.
I think people like Stevens here, forget that they are servants to the public, not little dukes and princes.
kybowexar on October 28, 2008 at 2:34 PM
Dude, I think I just got hoped on.
Abby Adams on October 28, 2008 at 2:35 PM
I’m gonna laugh my ass off if the Dems get 59 seats and Stevens is re-elected.
lodge on October 28, 2008 at 2:35 PM
You know who this conviction benefits?
Answer: Sarah Palin and John McCain.
Mcguyver on October 28, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Employing the William Jefferson strategy, eh?
fogw on October 28, 2008 at 2:36 PM
why cant the other republican senators just shun him…not talk to him..I am being serious. Same thing with that embarrassment in Idaho that picks up dudes in public bathrooms. We cant seem to get rid of these monsters.
Republican leadership should hold a news conference saying that they are officially shunning Larry Craig (is that the idaho dude) and this old nut. We are so f’ed.
Roger Waters on October 28, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Scuse me for being clueless, but how?
NoFanofLibs on October 28, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Go. Away.
Lol, that would be pretty funny. But I hope if he does win re-election he resigns and the seat can go to a better man.
BadgerHawk on October 28, 2008 at 2:38 PM
How about a gun?
Spanglemaker on October 28, 2008 at 2:38 PM
stevens at this late date should say he will resign after the election and allow Palin to appoint his successor. He should tell alsaka voters to vote for the rep tciket and trust Palin (80%) approval to pick the next Senator since the dem canidate is just as bad as I am.
unseen on October 28, 2008 at 2:39 PM
stevens at this late date should say he will resign after the election and allow Palin to appoint his successor. He should tell alsaka voters to vote for the rep tciket and trust Palin (80%) approval to pick the next Senator since the dem canidate is just as bad as I am.
unseen on October 28, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Yup.
Time to play according to the rules the Dhims play by.
PimFortuynsGhost on October 28, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Problem.
If he resigns, and does not run, that gives an auto seat to the Dems…
What he SHOULD do is make a statement with Gov. Palin, saying that he is not going to resign NOW, but will continue to run, BUT will immediatly resign if re-elected, so the Gov can then appoint somone to fill his seat until next election.
Romeo13 on October 28, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Why not let his constituents decide if they deserve better than a convicted felon representing them? That is how this works right?
Bill Scrunty on October 28, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Meet the Attitude that is the chief primary reason for the rapid downward spiral decline of the Republican Party.
pilamaye on October 28, 2008 at 2:42 PM
He should, but he won’t.
Stevens, along with Rep. Don Young, are the exact kind of Alaskan politicians that Palin has been fighting against her entire political career.
He won’t make some magnanimous gesture to the party that will benefit Palin, even if it is for the best of the Republican party.
teke184 on October 28, 2008 at 2:43 PM
He’d be replaced by the republican governor of the state. He needs to be re-elected, so he can be dumped.
lorien1973 on October 28, 2008 at 2:43 PM
“And another boot to the head for Mary and The Wimp.”
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 28, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I wonder what Ted Kennedy would do if he got in some kind of legal trouble…
perroviejo on October 28, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Since when can the senate be considered an honorable institution? My real questions is; can the RNC get someone else on the ballot before tuesday or is this a lost cause?
Tommy_G on October 28, 2008 at 2:45 PM
If he wins and then goes to prison, the governer appoints his successor. If he ducks, the Democrat wins.
Just sayin’.
S. Weasel on October 28, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Thank goodness someone’s thinking strategically.
_____________________________________________________________
OT: An excerpt from an email from an business associate in Galveston, whose house was severely damaged by Ike and with whom I have never spoken about politics:
RushBaby on October 28, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Won’t work. Only a black Democrat could pull that off.
sdd on October 28, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Or William Jefferson…
right2bright on October 28, 2008 at 2:48 PM
Thinking the same myself. If I was an Alaskan, I would vote for him knowing that he is a goner and that Sarah Palan, or, hopefully, the Lt Gov., will get to pick a replacement (assumming that is how the state of Alaska does it).
WashJeff on October 28, 2008 at 2:49 PM
the call for Stevens to resign is the reason the party is losing election after election. If Stevens resigns today the dems win. If the Party makes it clear that Stevens has no future in the party and will resign once reelected the Seat stays with the Rep. Rep have this problem with the “ends don’t justify the means” . I say there is a time to bend you strongly held beliefs for what 8 days? I think this is very doable. shut up already with the calls to resign. That fight needs to be fought AFTER the election.
unseen on October 28, 2008 at 2:51 PM
how come rangel can say he didn’t know about it?
tomas on October 28, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Drive the legal trouble off a bridge.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 28, 2008 at 2:53 PM
As a fellow Texan, it does my heart good to hear of it.
kybowexar on October 28, 2008 at 2:54 PM
TERM LIMITS. Period.
tickleddragon on October 28, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Have daddy get him out of it like he always did. Too bad he`s been dead for decades.
And on topic, I say go Ted, go…………No I meant it, GO!
ThePrez on October 28, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Can McConnell strip him of anything, e.g. all committee asignments or at least ranking member status?
If the Republicans regained control of the Senate — a long shot, but follow me — wouldn’t he be President Pro Tempore? I see this being pointing out in Democratic Senate campaign commercials in 3..2..
raybury on October 28, 2008 at 2:58 PM
See William Jefferson, the guy in FL who won Foley’s seat or any member of congress who has the magic (D) after their name.
D = Get out of jail free.
perroviejo on October 28, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Ed, please tell me WHO THE HELL is good enough?
Begich? Look into that little rat’s nest and find some interesting things.
The libertarian idiot that wants to sucede away from the U.S., sure that works for me… no more Money going to the Federal Government from Alaska. I wonder what we would call ourselves? Keep Alaska as a name? Hmmm the interesting thoughts that come about.
Someone in here PLEASE tell me who the HELL I should vote for…. Oh PLEASE since you ALL KNOW better then I!
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 2:59 PM
I second that! Release the hounds, Alfred.
baxtrice on October 28, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Oh and BTW via the Statutes:
Gov. Palin or Lt. Gov. Parnell can only put in an interm Senator until another election is established.
Which means that you all get Begich.. as sure as hell won’t vote for him… and you all want someone new.
Have a good one with this Pelosi wannabe.
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Hey sweetie,
I’m not going to tell who to vote for. But if you were “wicked smaht” and not like Barbara West, you should go with Stevens.
/tons o’ sarc (except the Stevens part)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 28, 2008 at 3:02 PM
**Evil smile**
I am STILL going to vote for Stevens Cwac, because I know how Begich is.
And if Begich gets elected…. whom has Al Gores home phone number… well, you figure it out.
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 3:05 PM
No, that’s not how it works. Our justice department has the legal authority to jail him, which would make it impossible for him to do his job and thus disqualifies him no matter how many people think he’s cool.
Esthier on October 28, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Consider this scenario. Stevens wins, then resigns or gets tossed. Sarah Palin picks his replacement. Thus, the seat is held against the socialist tide. Works for me.
exdeadhead on October 28, 2008 at 3:07 PM
And Governor Palin should appoint his Democrat opponent. That’s the only honorable thing she could do.
Stevens should never have run in the first place.
spmat on October 28, 2008 at 3:09 PM
Oh ech. Forked.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 28, 2008 at 3:09 PM
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!
Oh, you’re serious.
BWAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on October 28, 2008 at 3:10 PM
He’s got the Goracles digits? Oy.
You know what to do. (’Cuda wink)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on October 28, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Nonsense. No action in favor of a larger Senate majority for the criminally corrupt Democrat party can be considered “honorable”, spmat.
If he runs and wins, the Republican party needs to censure him. But when he leaves office – whichever way – the voters of Alaska deserve a Senator from the party that they have put in the Governor’s office and Stevens’s Senate seat. This is a two-party system; putting a fuc*ing Democrat in there serves no honor at all.
Jaibones on October 28, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Consider this scenario. Stevens wins, then resigns or gets tossed. Sarah Palin picks his replacement. Thus, the seat is held against the socialist tide. Works for me.
exdeadhead on October 28, 2008 at 3:07 PM
It is the best end game we conservatives can hope for. I trust gov. Palin. her pick will most likely be her Lt. Gov.
unseen on October 28, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Stevens conviction is actually good news for Alaska Republicans who want to be rid of him and keep the seat. He’s toast by early 2009, replaced in the interum by a Palin selected Republican with time to develop some incumbent name recognition credibility before a special election.
exdeadhead on October 28, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Anyone for encouraging the House Republicans to bring up articles of impeachment?
You know, get out ahead of it?
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Me, too. Must be a former Dead fan thing.
Jaibones on October 28, 2008 at 3:16 PM
So, whats the scenario if if the Gov becomes VP and the Lt becomes senator? Who runs Alaska?
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Can he win then resign imeediately? So we can keep the seat. I disagree with it. What I am wondering is if that is what he is considering?
Theworldisnotenough on October 28, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Ummm tell me when Parnell was running for Senate?
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 3:19 PM
John McCain needs the vote
Lets be honest, if McCain wins, he’ll need every senate vote he can get. If Stevens gets re-elected, and then resigns
Palin can appoint his successor before resigning as governer.
If he resigns now, however, the democrats have the seat for six years.
Paul Murphy on October 28, 2008 at 3:20 PM
That needs to be changed.
yo on October 28, 2008 at 3:23 PM
It was suggested that Palin would appoint him as Senator.
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:26 PM
So, whats the scenario if if the Gov becomes VP and the Lt becomes senator? Who runs Alaska?
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Todd Palin
unseen on October 28, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Well, ultimately I think Steevens is still a free man until they get to sentencing months down the road.
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:28 PM
DOW up almost 7% today. Obama going to suspend his campiagn and return to washington to deal with the problem
unseen on October 28, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Palin or Parnell is Sarah get VP… will only be able to seat an interm Senator until a special election.
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 3:29 PM
And if Obama wins next week and then produces his Kenya birth certificate, he should step aside and let McCain be prez. Only honorable thing to do. But Democrooks have no honor…NONE
txdoc on October 28, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Let Joe the Plumber move to Anchorage and then appoint him!
txdoc on October 28, 2008 at 3:34 PM
He is not gay, he never has been ga…..oh, wait, wrong Republican senator scumbag who won’t resign.
aquaviva on October 28, 2008 at 3:37 PM
No, but I have a needle and thread and some Morton’s salt…
Y-not on October 28, 2008 at 3:37 PM
No stepping aside, if Obama (IF) is not a citizen, he can’t be president, and McCain is then chosen to replace him.
But it won’t happen…but it would be interesting to watch.
right2bright on October 28, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Wouldn’t it go to Biden?
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:42 PM
The idea of term limits is quite appealing, but I have to oppose it.
I want good representatives to enjoy long productive careers. I want bad ones to get fired.
‘Term limits’ seems more like a way for we the people to abdicate yet another responsibility – paying attention to our employees.
Honestly, most people know absolutely fuck all about their government. How much less control do you want?
You get the government you deserve.
LimeyGeek on October 28, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Obama would be rightly impeached for violating the constitution, and thrown out. Biden would then be prez.
LimeyGeek on October 28, 2008 at 3:47 PM
You guys reckon Bush might pardon Stevens on January 19?
factoid on October 28, 2008 at 3:48 PM
There is no presumption of innocence on the appeal of a person found guilty. Period.
Maybe he will be found not guilty on appeal, maybe he’ll skate on a technicality a la Ayers. But, as of the verdict, he is no longer presumed innocent.
Blaise on October 28, 2008 at 3:48 PM
3 time term limit for Senate and Congress. But like they are going too vote on that.
But then again Limey… there are still places in the U.S. that don’t have term limits for Mayors and such. N.C comes to mind… but I forget the town.
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 3:48 PM
The spirit of the wild, baby ;)
LimeyGeek on October 28, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Thining about suceding… wanna help? You can be an Alaskan National!
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Doubtful. Its just a guess, but I would think Bush may be more agitated by the guy than we are.
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Why 3 terms? Why not 2 or 4?
There is no constitutional requirement for term limits. They seem ilke a very arbitrary solution to a problem that only exists because we the people are a bunch of lazy feckers.
We don’t throw members of winning teams out for no good reason, why do so with our representatives?
LimeyGeek on October 28, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Very tempting. I’m a long-distance lover of Alaska ;)
LimeyGeek on October 28, 2008 at 3:54 PM
After 20 yrs they get stale.
3 terms is 18 years… enough time to do good and not become to use to the easy life of a Congressman or Senator.
upinak on October 28, 2008 at 3:55 PM
he’s f*cking outrageous. the fact that the GOP didn’t go after him to resign when he was indicted and the case looked good, says something about the GOP.
i’m so torn. because i think the GOP should suffer horrendously, but not at the cost of marxism. this is why there are so many undecideds.
bloghooligan on October 28, 2008 at 3:57 PM
I still say Senators should be the ambassadors of the state governors to the federal government, the that spending should be limited to congress approving budget requests (only able to mandate new spending with a 2/3 majority).
Count to 10 on October 28, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Absolutely. It was a dark day when senators became elected representatives.
LimeyGeek on October 28, 2008 at 4:02 PM
How about allowing them to run for a fourth (and upwards) term if they successfully run the gauntlet by punching 100 yards of hippies?
LimeyGeek on October 28, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Yeah. I don’t get it either. I’m really tired of the double standard.
Badger40 on October 28, 2008 at 4:24 PM
You reckon Obama might pardon Osama on January 20?
fogw on October 28, 2008 at 4:27 PM
And yet we have term limits for our most important office.
Esthier on October 28, 2008 at 4:54 PM
No, but likely Rezko, ACORN bigwigs, Wm. Jefferson and all future Democrooks, in advance, in eternity (Get out of Jail free cards)
txdoc on October 28, 2008 at 5:36 PM
+1
wise_man on October 28, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Is there some way he can use his campaign funds to pay his legal bills in this issue? Could this be ONE of the reasons he isn’t resigning?
Oleta on October 28, 2008 at 10:04 PM
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