Swell news: Stevens might hold his seat
posted at 10:00 am on November 5, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Really, I’m finding it difficult to decide how to feel about this. Ted Stevens has apparently eked out a win in Alaska to return to the Senate, despite his convictions on seven counts of corruption. As of this moment, with 99% of precincts reporting, Stevens holds a 3300-vote margin over Mark Begich, who may well wonder what it takes to get Alaskans to retire Stevens.
On the positive side, it gives Republicans their 41st confirmed Senate seat, making filibusters possible. If the GOP catches breaks in Oregon, Minnesota, and Georgia, they would have a strong firewall of 44 seats. That would give them the ability to keep an Obama administration in check, at least on its most radical impulses.
However, keeping a corrupt porkocrat in office hardly merits celebration. Every day Stevens caucuses with the GOP is a day his corruption taints the Republican caucus as a whole. The Senate Ethics Committee will almost certainly recommend expulsion if the judge in his case confirms the convictions in February, and they’ll be doing the right thing when they do, regardless of which party holds the majority.
The good news? Once Stevens gets the boot, Sarah Palin will get to appoint his successor, and that will be a Republican. More than likely, it will also be a reformer, which will help the GOP find its identity in the Obama administration.
Update: I’m told that the seat would get a temporary appointment from Palin, followed by a special election. That’s the way it works in some other states as well. Alaskans don’t seem too interested in sending Democrats to Congress, though, so it’s still almost certain to remain Republican if Stevens wins.
Blowback
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It’s good news. The GOP needs the seat. Hopefully Stevens is out of the Senate soon.
dedalus on November 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
The good news? Once Stevens gets the boot, Sarah Palin will get to appoint his successor, and that will be a Republican.
Not at all. Under Alaska law, there will be a special election set once the current vote is counted and Stevens is compelled to resign.
coldwarrior on November 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
WRONG ED!
Sarah, puts in a STAND IN and we have a SPECIAL ELECTION!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
How many times do I have to say it?
41 seats is a false measure. Democrats have already said they’d use the nuclear option whenever necessary.
41 seats is a false measure.
Does anyone not read what democrats have been saying for the past week?
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Yeah, what upinak said…
coldwarrior on November 5, 2008 at 10:04 AM
They probably just voted him in knowing he wouldn’t be able to stay but not wanting his opponent.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 10:06 AM
So this next administration will put our form of government through the test. Can anyone answer what can be done if all three branches go renegade and begin stomping all over our liberties? What happens? This is a serious question. What are our options or do we have any?
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:06 AM
How about Todd Palin for Senate? I’d like to see him run for that seat after Stevens goes to jail.
ZzzzDad on November 5, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I think Sarah should post herself in the senate. She could become a great leader for the party.
But most likely she will stay in Alaska with her family and get away from the lower 48. I won’t blame her at all.
jencab on November 5, 2008 at 10:07 AM
nail on head.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Aw crap I was hoping for unfettered Democrat rule.
Sheesh what does a guy have to do to get that done?
I so want to see Reid and Pelosi run the country into the ground. Come on Universal Healthcare! Come on appeasement foriegn policy! Come on card check! Come on millions of new government jobs full of union employees! Slash that military spending. Come to me baby!
Burn it down Barack!! Yeah baby!!
Theworldisnotenough on November 5, 2008 at 10:07 AM
No options. anything they want, they get.
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Stevens may be compelled to resign. But it will be in spite of the parochial interests of Alaskans. If he has brought a big share of the Federal pie to the North Star State, they could end up being very forgiving.
Which is more than I can say for anyone who’s ever had to work for the son of a…
manwithblackhat on November 5, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I applaud Alaskans. It seems Stevens should be in jail, but his vote is vital to block lunacy like the fairness doctrine and card check. I doubt we can count on the likes of Senator Collins.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I miss the let it burn discussions of the bailout.
Let it burn, baby! LOL
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:08 AM
A special election favors Republicans in Alaska. It was smart to keep Stevens running. He’ll get inaugurated, then hauled away after resigning, and Palin will put in a stand-in. They’re already compiling he stand-in and likely candidate.
Had Stevens resigned earlier, it would have given Democrats a Senate seat for 6 years. As much as a douchebag Stevens is, it’s better in general to have that seat red.
Nethicus on November 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Seriously though, Barack is a cipher. And I’m guessing Maliki is not going to risk a Barack adminstration leaving him high and dry. The Iraq deal gets done and gets done quick.
Theworldisnotenough on November 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Interesting. Did you eveen pay attention to his case in court. He wasn’t charged for using federal money. Idiot!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
It’s called the 2nd Amendment. They won’t turn that one over without a fight.
thirteen28 on November 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Could Palin run for the Seat while the sitting Governor?
jp on November 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I know exactly how I feel. Stevens needs to win. Then resign so Palin can pick a decent replacement of the same party. Stevens needs to go but Republicans need to keep te seat. So now resign Stevens…que Palin.
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Now that he’s won, Steven can prove he actually has honor and resign his seat.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Think Sean Parnell should run if Stevens gets axed?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:10 AM
why would you want her in the senate? it’ll only tarnish her image as an outsider.
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:10 AM
HELL YA!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Sarah should appoint the First Dude to fill the seat.
:)
Elizabetty on November 5, 2008 at 10:10 AM
With all the corrupt dems cruising to victory, I find it silly that the GOP whines about keeping this seat. The American people simply accept corruption, deals with slum lords, Countrywide and outright cash in the freezer.
And while the GOP beats their breasts, the dems deny and get re-elected.
clnurnberg on November 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Three words: New American Revolution
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
If there are any, we won’t use them. From what I have observed, “conservatives” are less likely to stage “counter-inaugural” demonstrations in DC, or otherwise take to the streets. Obama appealed to the type who had nothing better to do with their time while living on Daddy’s oil-money trust fund.
So, YOU tell ME what we’re prepared to do.
manwithblackhat on November 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Just what I thought.
So, if they wanted, they could ban guns.
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
what if Obama sells Alaska to Russia? j/k
jp on November 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Nepotism! HELLO! There is a reason why we have this LAW in place!!!! Murkowski!!!!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Yeah, right. See “less likely to… take to the streets,” above.
manwithblackhat on November 5, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Stocks are down in early trading, as Wall Street focuses on the troubled economy following Barack Obama’s election to the White House. Analysts said the market expected an Obama victory, and Wednesday’s selling was part of a trading pattern known as “buy on the rumor, sell on the news.” Investors were also cashing in some of their gains from Tuesday’s big rally, which sent the Dow Jones industrials up more than 300 points on expectations that battered stocks would enjoy a traditional yearend rally.
way to spin MSM way to spin
unseen on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Thought so. :)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Ted Stevens is what is wrong with the Republican Party. He needs to go and there needs to be a reform minded, small government Republican in his place.
If the Republicans want to find their way out of the wilderness, the first step starts in Alaska.
rbj on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
The point here is we (conservatives) will have 44 Senate seats. If the “STAND IN” is carefully selected, that person has the advantage going into the special election the may help retain the 44 number we will need.
Rovin on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I hope we sucede first.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Via a left-leaning new SCOTUS, I should add.
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
As far as I’m concerned, the Stevens win is a horrible thing. Why would anyone re-elect a convicted criminal boggles my mind. They do that too much in Milwaukee for me to care what party they belong to. Either way, it’s sickening.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I’m not one for EOTW talk, but the american revolution might have never happened if the British didn’t decide to disarm the colonials.
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Excuse me but someone needs to raise those kids… Todd is more important to the future of the country right where he is at. Besides Todd is a Democrat, right?
petunia on November 5, 2008 at 10:12 AM
He’ll be forced to step down or resign. So AK can elect a republican in his place. Purely a tactical decision.
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Oh goody, now we will have a Senator Sarah Palin on the Washington scene soon!
MitchFlorida on November 5, 2008 at 10:13 AM
probably, have mixed views on the matter. It keeps her in National news and she could get some needed Foreign Policy credentials for 2012. As Governor she stays out of news and is perceived as running a ‘small state’.
after the coming international crisis Obama’s weakness will likely provoke with Russia/China/Iran, the American public may swing away from ‘change’ and want someone like McCain with alot of FP credentials again.
jp on November 5, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Then please tell me why all these Dems in Senate and Congress are still in when they have felonies over their heads as well.
Oh that is right, because they are DEMOCRATS! Shut up FFS!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:14 AM
The Congressional GOP are for all intents and purposes outsiders. Palin could become the face of that in the Senate. As the Governor of Alaska, her influence will be limited to TV appearances and fundraisers.
Plus the foreign policy credentials she can acquire in the Senate would be invaluable as a Presidential candidate. Look what it did for Hillary(Iraq vote notwithstanding).
Doughboy on November 5, 2008 at 10:14 AM
I sincerely hope that Sarah will continue, jencab. She can appoint someone and then they can have the special election soon. Alaskans re-elected a republican. They can elect another republican, as long as this new person is a good one, and deserving of the vote.
And again for Sarah, the huge lie by the left and the media is that she’s an idiot from Alaska, who conned herself into office, or that all of Alaskans are idiots for voting in this idiot. If she continues to be governor, that’s nice, But i don’t want to see these people get away with thinking that they were right about her.(in their minds, of course) Because if she just fades away, they can call her VP attempt to be a fluke of John McCain. And that she isn’t a serious politician. I would really like to see her spend the next 4 years studying and preparing as much as she can, and then throwing her hat in the ring for 2012. Let her participate in the debates with the other hopefuls and campaign for president in 2012 or 2016 if she wants.
I do think that we can hugely benefit from a person like her in politics. We need strong conservatives like her that can garner a great appeal to our voters. And govern well, as she has already demonstrated so far.
wise_man on November 5, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Joe the Plumber would also make a great Senator, but he will have to move to Alaska to do that.
MitchFlorida on November 5, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Wow, you ARE an idiot!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:14 AM
I know, me neither. I am not trying to appear fatalistic. I am just asking questions because I am concerned. Fairness Doctrine, Carbon taxes, higher taxes (all classes), gun bans….it could all realistically happen under a 3-branch partisan control. Scary.
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Revolution.
The purpose of the second amendment is to give the citizenry one last chance to protect themselves from a tyrannical government. If tyranny is what comes our way then arms must be taken up to defend our rights.
If an amendment is proposed to take away your second amendment rights then you only have a small window of time to protect yourselves from the oncoming tyranny. This is of course known by every socialist in history that has ever come to power. Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler…etc.
theguardianii on November 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Things are pretty awful when you have to root for the crook to avoid worse consequences.
Cicero43 on November 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM
If Democrats can keep a scumbag like William Jefferson in Louisiana. Why should we lament a victory of one of our fallen? Just because he was corrupted doesn’t mean he isn’t one of ours. His last best move is to win the seat and hand it to one who isn’t corrupted on our side. I, for one, am thankful, and I’ll be even more thankful when he steps aside and lets Governor Palin (I think that is who will appoint his successor) do her job.
drewmesq on November 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Im glad Stevens won
This turn the other cheek crap (thanks W) has gotten us nowhere.
The Dems, media, elitists all hate us- lets give them a real reason to going foward.
At least some people might actually respect us for fighting for power.
jjshaka on November 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM
You’re wrong everywhere here. I’m too lazy to expound upon it. As Governor, her position is better – if she decides to run nationally again – which I doubt.
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Will. not could.
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:16 AM
By the way, it is not the end of the world, but it could be the end of our country, at least as we have known it.
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:16 AM
joking aside, and this would probably come after taking Ukraine and Georgia and having world by the balls thanks to control of Oil. but if America is at point of submitting and we are weak, wouldn’t suprise me in the least if Putin tried to then take Alaska from us and the Dems let them have it. Dems don’t want us to drill for the Oil there, its a GOP state, if they could get away with it politically they would let them have it.
jp on November 5, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Not McCain!! We need a conservative who isn’t going to bend over backwards to appease the libtards!! We need a real leader – a conservative leader – and not a moderate that shows no real difference from the liberal candidate! Leave McCain in the senate!
AubieJon on November 5, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Do you suppose the whole Civil Security Force is meant to oppose this?
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I am serious Lorien. Republicans in the majority turned into low tax highspending idiots. In the minority they have kept the country from feeling the real pain of Democrat rule. The people have spoken. Give them what they want. Let Pelosi and Reid do their worst.
During the down time we need to
refine the partytear the party down brick by brick. Spend four years rebuilding on the principles that the party was founded upon.When the first ‘black’ president is the second Jimmy Carter maybe, just maybe the people will get their heads on straight and give the GOP a chance.
Theworldisnotenough on November 5, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I hope she appoints someone with great speaking skills who can give the people the movie star they want. Someone with training in debate, a nice voice and a young professional wife.
clnurnberg on November 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
This is the EXACT reason that “Republicans” have gotten slaughtered the last two elections….because we’ve become just the Democrats; we embrace and coddle and elect the criminals and crooks and corrupt assholes such as this guy!
The Republican Party has become a pathetic mirror to the Corrupt, Anti-American Traitor Democrats!
Pathetic..
Dale in Atlanta on November 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
AubieJon, no shouting. Who do you think you are, Billy Mays?
wise_man on November 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Why not just Sarah appoint HERSELF?
Even if they held a special election, she’d still win hands down!
pilamaye on November 5, 2008 at 10:19 AM
not McCain, but someone like McCain with alot of FP credentials that Americans trust as CinC.
jp on November 5, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Not literally, but ideologically.
By the election of Obama, American citizens (and illegals, probably) have abandoned the spirit of the American Revolution that the individual is superior to the state. Liberties will be traded for the “common good”. American citizens have deemed it appropriate to sell themselves for a few trinkets (health care, money they did not earn in the form of tax “creits”, etc.) to an ever-increasing more powerful central government which will ultimately lead to their enslavement to said government.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Todd Palin? Why? Have you ever heard the guy give a speech? Do you know where he stands on the issues? Does he have a clue about how to bring home the bacon like Stevens so masterfully has done? Does he know how to campaign?
Also, on principle, do we want another dynasty? And would you want the parents of five children, three of them quite young, to live 7,000 miles apart? I know there are not that many Alaskans but there has to be another one who can do this job.
factoid on November 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
KA-BOOM!
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I’m agreeing with you.
With country is already facing bankruptcy:
Social security, pensions and medicare are all bombs ready to go off.
I totally support expanding government so it happens more quickly.
lorien1973 on November 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Ugh… can I build a wall around Alaska. It might help keep stupid out.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
“wonder what it takes to get Alaskans to retire Stevens.”
The usual… wooden stake to the heart, decapitation, sunlight, holy water…
There are many fine places to raise a family in the DC area. Repeat after me: Senator Sarah.
raybury on November 5, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Well, You know that god doesn’t exist when good people like Sarah aren’t elected.
Palinpuma on November 5, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Nope, but I’m sitting here listening to Laura Ingraham talking about rebuilding the conservative party, and it cannot include the likes of moderates who really stand for doing nothing, but doing it with style.
AubieJon on November 5, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I could see that happening. Even if the moose hunting is not that good in the Washington area.
factoid on November 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
FIFY
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Sarah needs to remain as Gov and get herself into a party leadership position as soon as possible. She also nees to retain as much staff as she can so that she can fend off whatever findger-pointing and blame is about to get thrown her way.
bdestini on November 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I don’t think an amendment would have a chance. I worry about some sort of executive order in the interest of “national security” or during martial law, just like they did in New Orleans during Katrina. The question is whether or not conservatives are willing to defy the government in the event such an order is given.
I also think they will try to tax guns and ammo to the point of extinction. They will implement the most burdensome laws they can come up with and Obama’s new Supreme Court appointees will most assuredly uphold them.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
ShamWow!
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM
No need. Stupid becomes Grizzly food.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM
You are an idiot as well. Look crap UP FACTOID! Ugh… stupid is all around me.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Thhhhbbbbbppppt! Nominate another “moderate” and see how much further the conservative movement in this nation sinks.
AubieJon on November 5, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Thank you… it is only 6:30 here.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I’ve heard Todd Palin give a speech. He’s no Sarah Palin. He’s better off as First Dude.
rsrobinson on November 5, 2008 at 10:24 AM
A friend recently sent me this quote attributed (though not verifiably) to Professor Alexander Tytler of the University of Edinburgh in the year 1787, around the time our constitution was being debated.
Regardless of its actual origin, I think it is worth repeating here:
“A democracy is always temporary in nature, it simply can not exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.
From that moment on, the majority will always vote for the candidate who promises the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy has and will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.
The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations have always progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from great courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence and from dependence back into bondage.”
Rovin on November 5, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Bush giving speech right now.
carbon_footprint on November 5, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Good prediction. Teh One-Elect, with his progressive cap-and-trade policy, would tax coal mining and coal power plants into oblivion. I could see the same happening for firearms.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:25 AM
How the hell is that even a response to what I said?
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Rovin that was on wakeupusa.com it was a very good PPD file that was put together.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:25 AM
If it comes to be it has multiple purposes. Much like the brownshirts they will be used to “quell” dissent. At election time they will be used to “protect” the election while in reality they will be intimidating voters. It will more than likely be used as the Stasi were in Germany.
If it comes to be there is no other option but revolution at its inception otherwise there will be no other opportunity when it has become entrenched.
theguardianii on November 5, 2008 at 10:25 AM
I cannot think of anything more ominous than an Obama Civilian Security Force. This idea should be high atop the filibuster list. Perhaps Joe Liebs will join-in. He ought to be sensitive to anything hinting of Brownshirts.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 10:26 AM
I’ve traded hopium for caffeine. Look into it. :)
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 5, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Stevens is symptomatic of everything that is wrong with the Republican party.
Until we can clean our house of his ilk, we’re going to be spending many long, cold evenings in the wilderness.
LimeyGeek on November 5, 2008 at 10:26 AM
+1
Ah, I see. The old moral equivilancy card. Isn’t it ironic how we howl when the other side plays it to rationalize corruptness? And no dissenting opinions allowed. Do I have that right?
a capella on November 5, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Cwac. I am at work… my cab;e box is broken and I couldn’t watch anything last night… not even my senate and congressional race.
I have a cup of joe next to me and trying to wake up and pissed off at the Nation.
give me a moment ok…
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Maybe even Sarah herself? :D
irishspy on November 5, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Bush failed to defend conservatism (if he ever was one) and even failed to defend himself. He is unpopular because he is weak and craven in the face of the press, silent when he needed to speak up.
When attacked he should have responded, the “high road”made him look like he was invoking his 5th amendment rights.
clnurnberg on November 5, 2008 at 10:28 AM
OOOOHHHH…HOPIUM. That explains it all, it wasn’t stupiditiy taking over, it was additiction. Maybe it can be sold on the international black market.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Are we grouchy this morning?
factoid on November 5, 2008 at 10:29 AM
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