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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Auctioned off and then the proceeds donated to charity, but yes, it would be, as it is illegal for them to keep them. Some campaigns care about campaign financing laws. Some, don’t.
Then that’s where we differ. Canada might be an incredible country, but I’ve never in my life been given a reason to believe it’s crucial to my personal life.
Europe, sure. The Middle East, sure. Russia, sure.
That’s something all Americans share, including Alaskans. You can hypocritically attack them all day today if you want while complaining when anyone attacks you, but ultimately they matter far more than you do.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:52 AM
I think this is Alaskans being smart and not giving the Dems as much control. They know Palin will appoint someone to replace Stevens, then they will elect a clean Republican.
Much smarter than most of the people in the lower 48, who vote for the person they like best, instead of considering the consequences.
Common Sense on November 5, 2008 at 11:52 AM
He will step down and then Sarah Palin can appoint herself. This is the best of all worlds. She gets to Washington on the taxpayers dime. She gets to the foreign affairs committee.
We have our next President in 2012.
Jdripper on November 5, 2008 at 11:48 AM
———-
She’s got a vacant parking lot between her ears, but even she isn’t stupid enough to appoint herself.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 11:53 AM
That’s the first article I’ve ever read from that site. And I will be the first to admit, it’s way out there. I found it interesting only as a discussion piece. Let me reiterate, I do not advocate that scenario. I share the writer’s frustration, but I’ve got to believe we can compete and win in the arena of ideas. I want to fight to preserve the known world, not spark the apocalypse.
I knew nothing of Alex Jones until recently. That guy is a loon. I don’t know how anyone who believes all of his tripe can sleep with both eyes shut.
flyfisher on November 5, 2008 at 11:56 AM
shmendrick on November 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM
That among so many other things today.
But like I said, I misunderstood you and apologize. Things are likely going to be tough in here for some time. You might want to make an effort to be as clear as possible while people continue to talk about arming and starting a war.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I apologize then, for assuming you were aware of the crazy talk on the site. Yeah, there are a lot of kooks that have been on since last night, although admittedly a lot of that is due to the recent open registration. However, the atmosphere made for mumbling agreements from some otherwise rational posters.
I’m sorry if I bit your head off. I’ve just been dreading the response from the right being a mirror image of the left in 2000, and the hypocrisy bothers the hell out of me. As I’ve been saying, this is America, people. The greatest nation on the planet, and the keystone of history. We need to be proud of what happened and not so spiteful.
Upinak, you’re my countryman, and I’m proud that you are. You’re a sharp and insightful person, and I don’t want you to go off the bend just because McCain sucked so much that some chump from Chicago got into the big chair. It won’t be long till he realizes he’s wayyyy in over his head. I want to make sure you’re still here when his whole administration starts collapsing. Then, in 2010, we fight the libs again, as conservative Americans. I love this country.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Then that’s where we differ. Canada might be an incredible country, but I’ve never in my life been given a reason to believe it’s crucial to my personal life.
Europe, sure. The Middle East, sure. Russia, sure.
That’s something all Americans share, including Alaskans. You can hypocritically attack them all day today if you want while complaining when anyone attacks you, but ultimately they matter far more than you do.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 11:52 AM
———
You know what, I take it back. Alaskan Republicans were brilliant to elect Stevens. He gets turfed out and Palin picks. It’s slimey, but it’s legal.
Canada is very very crucial to your daily life. You import 18% of your crude oil from us.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 11:58 AM
You aren’t even worthy of licking her shoes clean, you cretinous skidmark.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Sarah Palin should not appoint herself to Stevens seat, and I doubt she would. She needs to keep being a Governor, get re-elected, do a great job cleaning up Alaska, and then take a look at running for President or the Senate in the future. Appointing herself would wreck her reformer image. Sean Parnell is a natural candidate for a temporary appointment to Stevens’ spot. Frankly, I’m happy that Stevens and Young seem to have won. They’re both crooks and need to be removed, but under the circumstances there’s no reason we should let Democrats benefit from the circumstances. It’s time to play hardball. They tolerate Bill “Cold Cash” Jefferson and have made little effort to remove him. We can clean our own house and not let the Dems benefit.
Jill1066 on November 5, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Then the economy tanked and oil prices dropped as well. Now it means nothing at all in my life.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Madison,
I’m sure this didn’t help the mistake in understanding my thought processes:
I’ve been around HA since the primary registration, and don’t post often enough to be well known. I’m more on the academic end of many things in my thought processes, I’m a scientist by training. The pasted quote is me approaching your scenario as a what if scenario, and was completely divorced of the rest of my posts.
Its the way I think.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 12:04 PM
You aren’t even worthy of licking her shoes clean, you cretinous skidmark.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 12:00 PM
———-
If McCain’s dismal performance has you so teary eyed that throwing cool insults at me is the only thing that keeps you from kicking your dog, then by all means, keep up the self-therapy.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Then the economy tanked and oil prices dropped as well. Now it means nothing at all in my life.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 12:03 PM
——–
Don’t kid yourself – you will always need that 18% from us.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Your only therapy keeping you from doing something more vile to your dog was to latch onto every little left-wing hatchet job from clothes to tanning beds. I didn’t like McCain from the start, but for you to have been slinging your mud at Palin from the start just because you despise charisma from the other side of the political fence is, and always has been, ludicrous. Like I’ve said, go back to worrying about defending your borders from squirrels.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Again with the hypocrisy. You insult someone, or a whole group of people, then feign indignation when someone throws the insults back in your face.
Whatever makes you feel superior to us.
It’s a nonrenewable resources. Obviously that’s not true. The age of oil is going to end by pure necessity alone.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Yeah, and I’m a resident bigmouth.
*tosses over a beer*
Truce?
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Truce.
You’re dead on about the conservatives being on dangerous ground if too many come across being deranged like the Dems did in 2000.
We need to have some massive congressional changes in 2010 for relief from the coming misery.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 12:16 PM
TODD PALIN!!!
Rich on November 5, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Thanks. I missed this with all the writing I was doing.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 12:26 PM
It’s a nonrenewable resources. Obviously that’s not true. The age of oil is going to end by pure necessity alone.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 12:12 PM
—–
You win on a technicality.
Dave Rywall on November 5, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Me and Ayers.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Are you kidding me?!?
The exact beauty of NAFTA was that it gave us full access to all of Canada’s water (yummy) and energy (yummy yummy). Canada NZ and Iceland are the three countries best positioned to deal with the future in regards to water and energy. NAFTA essentially hooks Canada to us.
Canada is huge!
A Axe on November 5, 2008 at 12:39 PM
“57 million Americans want no part of Obama.” sez Rush. I agree. Y’all need to point your frustration and anger somewhere else, not towards those you need to work with – fellow conservatives – but towards those deserving of it.
rtsidedragon on November 5, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Yes, and I would far rather line the pocket of a Canadian for oil than someone in the middle east. A Canadian is much less likely to wish me a quick visit to Allah and then hell.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 12:43 PM
I’d rather line the pockets of an Alaskan.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 1:03 PM
You must fall into the unpragmatic 80% being discussed in the other thread.
A Axe on November 5, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Agreed, but we do import a chunk of our oil from Candada, so lets leave it at lining the pokets of Alaskans and Canadians.
Ya know what I mean, eh?
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Good grief I asked the question above almost two hours ago and there is so much hatefulness and name calling no one can take a minute to answer my question. Or maybe no one knows but I don’t think this is what Michelle had in mind when she brought us HA. Somebody… Anybody…
Believer88 on November 5, 2008 at 1:13 PM
Dave Rywall…
You do realize that Canada isn’t running well due to the LACK of people who know oil and gas? You are IMPORTING jobs slower then you are getting people to Canada.
Alaska has just as many people living in it then Canada. As you have a larger land mass… You don’t have that many people living within your borders and can not grasp the realization that you, like ALASKA are importing everything as well… except oil. You are EXPORTING all of your Natural Resources and not keeping much to yourself. You are taxing yourselves to death on Healthcare which you don’t get enough of. You also don’t seem to understand Tariffs… which you pay to export but we as the U.S. don’t PAY to import to you.
You little whiney ass wannabe American Liberal stuck in Canada, has no clue about your government, infrastructure, political pull or Natural Resources…. and probably never will since you don’t learn.
Do you want me to go on Dave? You think Alaskans suck… how about Canadians living literally on the Border of the United States and taking the U.S. Electric that for somoe reason you can’t supply yourself because you won’t make your own grids? Interesting and if you say you are making new Grids, why are the enviro wacko’s in Canada stopping it.
Give me a break Dave, you couldn’t find your country even if it was taped to your head and you saw it in the mirror.
Get lost Canuk!
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Canada has a population of 34 million, Alaska has 0.7 million people.
And you were the one spouting out namecalling haha…
A Axe on November 5, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Sorry, I did end up defending myself and negelected to put the part I remember up.
Illinois is probably going to put Jesse Jackson’s son in Obama’s seat, which is something the Governor does.
I can only assume that DE has a similar process.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 1:24 PM
*puts an arm around upinak*
Easy now, hun. Easy.
*whispers* Actually, there are a lot more people in Canada than there are in Alaska.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 1:27 PM
That lives on the borders! Great people huh. Give me a break…. have you even been to the Norther Territories? I have.. can you as a Canadian say you have?
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 1:28 PM
That live on the f*cking BORDER!
Ask a Canadian where Dalton is, or Plattoon or Beaver or Ft Riley… and they can’t tell you because they don’t go traveling in their couontry… they come here.
Let them spend their money here. Their country is dying. I couldn’t give a crap.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 1:29 PM
Screw it Madison…
People in Canada are 10 times dumber the I realized. What is the point of saying anything to them when all they say is “My Country is better then Your Country” yet they bitch about ours and do not live here.
upinak on November 5, 2008 at 1:31 PM
I take your point.
Doesn’t matter anyway. We’re talking about Northern Wisconsin here. We just like to let them think they’re a different country.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Far be it from me to interfere with your Canadian-bashing, except I’d like to point out that while Canada and the US are on a common electric grid, Canada is not “taking the U.S. Electric.” As a matter of fact, Canada is a net exporter of electric power to the US, to the tune of about 7,000 gigawatt-hours per year (which is not a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but clearly more than zero). As usual, Wikipedia has more on the topic.
Just another useless factoid.
factoid on November 5, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Sure, why not.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
First off, I’m not even Canadian. I used to live in Texas and now in NYC.
Second of all – yes I have. I’ve been to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Calgary (and explored north to see the Northern Lights).
Last time I checked, traveling and learning new things is a good thing. You keep talking about how population of AK == population of CA.
You can also mention a thousand cities in the US no one has ever heard of. Of course, I bothered to look up the first city you mentioned – Dalton is so small it doesn’t even have a Wikipedia entry. Way to pull out cities no one has heard of in general.
A Axe on November 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Look man, just resist the urge today. OK? As he tolk Madison ealier, Drywall is making himself available for the random cathartic outburst or cool insults, due to his *selfless* nature. Let upinak have her grieving catharsis. Besides, I think Madison just got her calmed down.
If you must, come up with some creative insults to hurl at Drywall.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 1:43 PM
An orange jumpsuit “PURP WALK” for Ted Stevens looks pretty good to me. Ditto for William Jefferson and the other crooks in congress. We are going to need a lot of jump suits!
John Bibb
rocketman on November 5, 2008 at 1:43 PM
As he
tolktolk Madison ealierDoh.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Illinois is probably going to put Jesse Jackson’s son in Obama’s seat, which is something the Governor does.
I can only assume that DE has a similar process.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Believer88 on November 5, 2008 at 1:46 PM
*snort*
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 1:47 PM
LMAO,its been a long day. Trying this again.
As he
tolktold Madison ealierMarine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Palin for senate
eski502 on November 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Gave me a rare smile today.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Yeah, that one was funny. Not much smiling going on. Lots of snarking to go around, and the stupid crap begins to fly about what went wrong and when.
No one will admit the truth on this one though in the media. McCain lost this one when he voted for that crap bail out bill and didn’t back that up with a promise to send those responsible to Jail.
Bawny would have been the only one looking forward to that.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Yeah, Stevens being reelected is almost as bad as the corruption that got Obama into office.
argos on November 5, 2008 at 2:06 PM
I honestly think that he will resign shortly, but he is an individual. The Chicago machine and corruption surrounding Obama is coordinated, and there is little cross comparison possible.
Stevens did the right thing, and if he hadn’t done it this way, there could have been a Dem in place. Now there will be a special election to elect a Republican. Some have bandied about the current Lt Gov as a choice, but they know him and like him.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 2:10 PM
DE does. It will be Biden’s son.
either orr on November 5, 2008 at 2:19 PM
You’ve got to understand in this new era of Obamination, Democrats should be handed whatever they want- even if they aren’t qualified or have ideas that are abhorrent to America. Upon being found guilty a week before the election, our new masters believe Stevens should have forfitted the campaign and thrown his support behind the only other candidate on the ballot.
Alaskans knew they were electing a convicted felon who will resign. They just wanted the opportunity to do so. That they gave the middle finger salute to our new masters was just icing on the cake.
highhopes on November 5, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Are you joking?
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 2:22 PM
No, but this is helping…
http://minx.cc/?post=277495
What’s the difference between a woman and a tuna?
—The US just elected a Marxist to preside over the systematic overthrow of the American Dream. John F. Kennedy’s corpse is spinning like a top.
Q. How much money will Joe the Plumber get to keep under an Obama administration?
A. He won’t need money. In prison.
Q: What’s black and white and has a finger on the button?
A: Pelosi just had her first orgasm in 30 years. Could someone please dust her patent-leathers?
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 2:24 PM
…what? That made no sense.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 2:28 PM
EWWWW. Ok the last one was just wrong.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Many of the “Jokes” on that Ace of Spades post don’t make sense. Some are funny.
I like this one…
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 2:32 PM
MarineBio, I’m not joking.
Sen. Beau Biden, on the way.
either orr on November 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Anyone else notice a 6.5 temblor near WFB’s grave?
either orr on November 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
I think that was the point, but I’m not totally sure.
The person started the post by talking about moving in a lighter direction with jokes but then ended on a very serious note for the joke.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Very, very much so.
So are these two:
What’s the difference between like, love, and lust?
Spit, swallow, and gargle.
Two condoms are walking by the local gay bar .
One condom looks at the other condom and says ” Wanna go in and get shitfaced “.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 2:49 PM
This one isn’t lol funny, but I like it.
Q: What’s the difference between George W Bush and Barack Obama?
A: One governed under a policy of lower taxes and increased government spending. The other campaigned with the promise of lower taxes combined with increased government spending.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Wow. This one takes the cake.
A large woman, wearing a sleeveless sundress, walked into a Bar. She raised her right arm, revealing a huge, hairy armpit as she pointed to all the people sitting at the bar and asked, “What man here will buy a lady a drink?”
The bar went silent as the patrons tried to ignore her.
But down at the end of the bar, an owl-eyed drunk slammed his hand down on the counter and bellowed, “Give the ballerina a drink!”
The bartender poured the drink and the woman chugged it down. She turned to the patrons and again pointed around at all of them, revealing the same hairy armpit, and asked, “What man here will buy a lady a drink?”
Once again, the same little drunk slapped his money down on the bar and said, “Give the ballerina another drink!”
The bartender approached the little drunk and said, “Tell me, it’s your business if you want to buy the lady a drink, but why do you keep calling her a ballerina?”
The drunk replied, “Any woman who can lift her leg that high has got to be a ballerina!”
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Ugh. Okay, over the line.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Ditto. Kids do browse these pages.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 3:00 PM
If you must, shanerm@gmail.com
Send all you like.
MadisonConservative on November 5, 2008 at 3:02 PM
You think? I sincerely doubt that.
You’re both right. It is over the line. The last one probably is as well.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 3:03 PM
I’ll stop. I promise. They’re not mine.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 3:05 PM
There may be more than you think. My 13 year old and 11 year old do on occasion. Mostly because the are being raised conservative and know I have some level of participation on this blog.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Fair enough. You are in no way alone. I’ve noticed quite a bit of inapropriate language being bandied about today, but tensions remain high. I’m sure it will taper off as things settle down and trolls ease off.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 3:08 PM
That is surprising. Unfortunately I can’t take it off, so just keep your kids away from this page.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Right now there is some really classless troll activity intended to throw salt onto an open wound. I don’t know if this kind of behavior was exhibited after the 04 election by conservatives, but I doubt it.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Oh, believe me, I have been as we got closer to the election. For the reasons I just stated, they will be until the trolls slow down. No worries.
Marine_Bio on November 5, 2008 at 3:18 PM
That’s wise. And it’s great that you’re teaching them early.
Esthier on November 5, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Vote the bastards out! Well, everyone but my bastard.
sheesh on November 5, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Uummm… Did some of you forget that she is STILL a governor?!?!?! I voted for Stevens only so he can step down and let Sarah Palin appoint her primary endorsee Sean Parnell. Give us SOME credit.
fsalw3 on November 5, 2008 at 5:42 PM
lwssdd on November 5, 2008 at 7:03 PM
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