Great news: Stevens files papers to run in 2014
posted at 11:41 am on April 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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You know what would really help Republicans in the midterms? Ted Stevens. According to the AP and The Hill, the 85-year-old former Senator has filed paperwork to run against Mark Begich in 2014, in a classic grudge match:
Former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska has filed a statement of candidacy for the 2014 election, but an aide cautions against reading too much into the move.
Campaign treasurer Tim McKeever says the filing does not mean Stevens has decided to seek re-election. He says it simply was done to accept donations that came into the campaign after the November election.
Well, there’s a good entry for the Somebody Left The Irony On Department. Stevens may not want to actually run; he just wants a way to get more money from political contributors. Wasn’t that how Stevens wound up in court in the first place? I guess Veco and other corporate clients don’t have the time to remodel his home these days.
The AP notes that the 2014 election will “look very much like” 2008’s contest if Stevens decides to run against Begich. I’d expect the outcome to be the same, too. Stevens will be 90 years old, assuming he runs. Maybe Republicans up in Alaska can find someone whose more likely to survive a six-year Senate term, and someone less likely to pork up appropriations bills.
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Minnesota off the hook?
Bishop on April 9, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Yeah, we need him in the senate for another 50 years.
Akzed on April 9, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Of course he will run again. There are tubes that need unclogging.
Mark1971 on April 9, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Some people NEVER learn.
He wasn’t INNOCENT…. he should have resigned in shame, but then, shame isn’t something that many politicians have.
originalpechanga on April 9, 2009 at 11:44 AM
This is a problem. Please retire vindicated. PLEASE!!!
Then the young business owner who is conservative needs to run. And retire within ten years. And so on. Now we depend on career politicians because anybody with a brain wouldnt dare.
Break the cycle, someone please!!!
tottoritodd on April 9, 2009 at 11:45 AM
is it possible for Alaskans to recall Begich?
how old will he be in 2014
jp on April 9, 2009 at 11:45 AM
America doesn’t need a 90 year old senator, period.
thomasaur on April 9, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Oh geez, not again. Go home and lick your wounds old man and let Sarah take that spot.
Knucklehead on April 9, 2009 at 11:46 AM
If Steven’s runs and wins would he be a “freshman” senator again or does his past service in the Senate but him back where he was in seniority?
Dusty on April 9, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Enough already.
moxie_neanderthal on April 9, 2009 at 11:49 AM
I thought she was going to be President by then?!?!
Proud Rino on April 9, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Also, the fact that his conviction was overturned due to prosecutorial misconduct does not mean he is innocent. It means the prosecutors in charge of this are terrible lawyers and should be disbarred, of course, but it’s pretty obvious that Stevens wasn’t exactly the most ethical guy.
Proud Rino on April 9, 2009 at 11:52 AM
BWAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!
ernesto on April 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM
In the future, people will need to be reminded that it’s not something that you can dump something on, and that it’s not a big truck.
MadisonConservative on April 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM
The “technicality” aspect makes the most sense. They probably already have some checks lying around they can’t account for properly without this filing. And, he may get more contributions in the future.
Still… another run? Please no.
cs89 on April 9, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Stevens is a scumbag, but you’ve got to like that optimisim. When I put money into my retirement accounts, I do it with the thought that there is no way I am going to live long enough to see that money again.
But Stevens, at 85 is filing papers for a 2014 election… that is pure optimism.
myrenovations on April 9, 2009 at 11:57 AM
I would much rather Trig run. The age issue aside he’d be much better. Most of the Down’s Syndrome people I’ve met are very conscientious about their work and are honest.
rbj on April 9, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Umm, if I read this correctly, he’s not planning to run again. He did it so that he could claim some contributions that already came into his campaign.
Not sure what he’s allowed to DO with that money, but it doesn’t sound like he plans to run.
hawksruleva on April 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Oh, Lord! If he’s feeling that lucky I wished he would just take a run at the lottery.
Cindy Munford on April 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM
How old will he be, 90? The guy’s probably not even going to be alive.
Sign of the Dollar on April 9, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Incredible.
Proud Rino on April 9, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Ah, well then I take back my admiration of his optimism on longevity. I’ll just have to go back to craven scumbagedness.
myrenovations on April 9, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Well, I hope he gets the idea that the Internet is more than just a “series of tubes”.
I don’t think Ms. Palin would sink that low to use her family members as puppets. Trig would end up being a “tabula rasa” on which someone could place their agenda.
sethstorm on April 9, 2009 at 12:04 PM
If it is not President Palin in 2012 it should be Senator Palin in 2014.
tjexcite on April 9, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Does Stevens have children? Maybe it gives them an opening to run for the seat. What would happen to the funds if he chooses not to run?
Repurblican on April 9, 2009 at 12:08 PM
rbj on April 9, 2009 at 11:58 AM
You know, when you make it possible for longtime trolls to sound like voices of reason, it is time to just hang it up.
A Balrog of Morgoth on April 9, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Sarah might be President by then. How about Sean Parnell, her Lieutenant Governor?
Although if Sarah Palin wins re-election as Governor in 2010 (likely) and is NOT elected President in 2012 (possible), she will be finishing her second term as Governor in 2014, at age 52, a much more reasonable age to run for the Senate than Stevens.
Steve Z on April 9, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Like this guy?
Yeah, it’s an Onion article, but it’s funny because it’s true.
Sekhmet on April 9, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I think Sarah Palin should be President, Governor of Alaska, and Senator from Alaska. Wouldn’t that just be great?
Proud Rino on April 9, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Isn’t one Senator’s daughter (Murkowski) in the Senate enough for one state?
Maybe it’s time for new blood, from a different family.
Steve Z on April 9, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Don’t go quietly into that good night! His ego is matched only by that of Byrd!
“Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.” –George Bernard Shaw
pgrossjr on April 9, 2009 at 12:20 PM
This guy is a moron. He should have retired 10 years ago as it is.
Speedwagon82 on April 9, 2009 at 12:24 PM
‘12 comes before ‘14!
/jus’ sayin’ …
Buckaroo on April 9, 2009 at 12:30 PM
huh….
85 now….add five more years….
ohh yes….DEF LANDSLIDE….
*shakes head*
alexraye on April 9, 2009 at 12:36 PM
He’s 85yrs old and 2014 isn’t really right around the corner.
poppieseeds on April 9, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Stevens thinks he’s filing to run in 2008.
Dave Rywall on April 9, 2009 at 12:41 PM
The GOP doesn’t need a doddering old fool to come back and represent them. What the party needs is new, creative, young blood. Stevens time has come and gone. I am shaking my head at the silliness of a party that used to be so smart. Time to move forward not back.
Halli Casser-Jayne
http://www.thecjpoliticalreport.com
The CJ Political Report on April 9, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Ed, it’s “who’s”.
radiofreevillage on April 9, 2009 at 12:44 PM
The lesson here is that power is like crack. No matter what side of the political spectrum, once someone gets a taste of it, he just keeps coming back for more. Those of us on the right have to hold our team accountable to the ideal of limited governmental power, especially in our elected representatives who seem to think their very presence in office is necessary for the good of the Republic. These bozos need to be laughed out of office, big shoes and clown noses in tact.
Nemo Dat on April 9, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Are there really no other Alaskan Republican legislators who want to better serve their state? They seemed to have no problem bashing their governor for firing a drunk relative, but bashing a 90 year old for running is too much I suppose.
Speedwagon82 on April 9, 2009 at 12:52 PM
If I remember correctly, because he has been around for so long, he continues under the old campaing rules where he gets to KEEP his campaign money when he finally does retire.
But any money since Nov would not have been in his campaign chest, as he was not running…
He aint really running folks… he’s just getting the payout like every other politician in Washington does.
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Toxic assets?
Feedie on April 9, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Ted will be 90 in 2014.
And I don’t see why everyone is freaking? Why do you care?
Begich has screwed everyone over via the Stimulus Package…. Why not put Ted back in? He wouldn’t have voted for this, and probably would have gotten other RINOS and Republicans to NOT vote it as well.
Oh well.
upinak on April 9, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I’m really not seeing the upside here….
Diogenes Online on April 9, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Alaska will get what it deserves.
rightside on April 9, 2009 at 1:39 PM
The parts of this I like. Every day is an embarrassment to the corrupt system.
If he just went away, it would be easier to forget. It also exonerates Gov Palin’s record of cleaning up Alaska.
The witness thot he charged Stevens 150,000 dollars for 80,000 dollars worth of work. The feds insist it is not worth a dime less than 250,000. They were unable to prove that it could not be done for the 150,000 he has in it.
seven on April 9, 2009 at 1:39 PM
And to think some people worried that the republican jokefest was over when bush slinked back to texas!
benny shakar on April 9, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Private pyle, you have got to be s**tting me!!
JohnGalt23 on April 9, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Bunny Shaker, as long as the Dims keep nominating criminals like Blago and Spitzer, you really have no room to talk.
Speedwagon82 on April 9, 2009 at 3:50 PM
FIFY. We saw what happened 5 months ago when one doddering old fool represented the Republican party. We sure don’t need an even older doddering fool in Washington. I mean, come on, the guy is 85 now. He should retire with dignity and, as you said, make room for some new blood.
UltimateBob on April 9, 2009 at 4:45 PM
If the Republicans still need help by 2014, Stevens will not be their biggest problem.
JM Hanes on April 9, 2009 at 5:17 PM
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