BREAKING: Ted Stevens Indicted

Submitted by Patrick Ruffini on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 12:25

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials say the Justice Department has indicted Alaska Senator Ted Stevens on charges related to a long-running investigation of business dealings in Alaska.

Stevens, who has served in the U.S. Senate for 40 years, is up for re-election this year, and Democrats view his seat as one of their top pick-up opportunities.

His Democratic challenger is Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

However, before the general election, Stevens must survive a GOP primary that occurs on August 26.

The Cook Political Report labels the Alaska Senate race as a "toss up."

At a minimum, Stevens must abandon his re-election campaign if not resign. Let's not act like Democrats, who shield their William Jeffersons. But who to replace him? Sarah Palin? I suspect it's too soon to bury this rising star in the Senate.

All thoughts on Stevens replacements who can beat Mark Begich welcome in the comments.

UPDATE: The rules are that the Alaska Republican Party can replace the nominee after he steps down after the primary. The primary is August 26th.

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I think We Caught A Lucky Break Here

Submitted by Jeff Roberts on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 13:04.

In many ways, this was the best scenario for us to keep this seat in Republican hands. If these indictments weren't handed down, I think Stevens would have won his primary, and probably lost his Senate seat. Stevens is one of those "rat heads" for the Republican brand, similar to Young. Stevens needs to either resign, or the Republican Party needs to put the proverbial horse's head in his bed. Alaska is a Republican state, and if Palin can appoint a solid and electable Republican, I suspect it will stay in Republican hands. The Democrats were completely banking on running against a corrupt Stevens.

There's just something about Alaska politics, it's like a Republican version of Lousiana. It needs to stop now, and I'm glad Palin & Co. have taken up the call to reform how business is done. The Republican Party needs to cut these people off at the knees, Republicans can't have a hint of corruption in their ranks.

The net effect would be a

Submitted by dorseymike on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 06:37.

The net effect would be a continuation of the trend of collecting Republican scalps, while sparing Democrats.

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But will Stevens step down??

Submitted by Keith_Indy on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 13:43.

If he wins the primary, would he step down?

Stevens isn't a "for the good of the party" type

Submitted by johnson springs on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 13:55.

At a minimum, Stevens must abandon his re-election campaign if not resign

He may resign; he may abandon his campaign. But it won't be because he follows a code such as your "at a minimum" suggests...

Dave Cuddy

Submitted by CF on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 13:59.

I suggest that everyone get behind Dave Cuddy for Senate. He seems to be a solid conservative, and he has challenged Stevens before unsuccessfully. Now, if only Stevens would withdraw from the race...

I looked up Dave Cuddy on the

Submitted by Joseph T. McCarthy on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 14:56.

I looked up Dave Cuddy on the FEC website and it says he has only $10,000 in the bank.

To put that in perspective, the Democrat had $800,000 in the bank at the close of the same quarter. We should find another candidate, someone with statewide name recognition.

Senator Stevens - Groundhog Day

Submitted by Stajack on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 15:46.

Patrick,

How many times have elected Republicans and their supporters been in this situation? One of our guys gets in trouble and our opinion makers (of which you're a member) immediately start beating drums for a quick resignation, so that Republicans can maintain the "moral high ground". To heck with the high ground. Five or six years ago, I would have agreed with you. But seriously, where has that startegy gotten us? For all the criticism it has gotten from DEMOCRATS for being a politicized outfit, it seems that the Bush Justice Dept. has collected a lot more REPUBLICAN scalps. And I have a gut feeling that an Obama Justice Dept. would ACTUALLY be political. The net effect would be a continuation of the trend of collecting Republican scalps, while sparing Democrats. No thanks.

Winning elections

Submitted by Patrick Ruffini on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 17:08.

Your argument might have some merit if Ted Stevens had any value unindicted. Unindicted, he's just another "Republican" who thinks it's good to spend other people's money.

He is also an electoral albatross. If he runs indicted, this seat is a Dem lock. Replacing him gives Republicans a chance.

This isn't about the moral high ground. It's about winning elections.

About Ted Stevens "Value"

Submitted by Stajack on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 08:00.

Patrick,

My argument has nothing to do with Ted Stevens political "value". Rather, as I said, it's about the mistaken belief of some that Republicans will get a public relations boost from the quick political execution of Stevens. There's no empirical basis for that belief. And if your call for Stevens to step down is driven by your belief that he was a "lousy" Republican anyway , does this mean that if he were a "good" Republican, you wouldn't STILL be calling for his head?

Yep, standing by Weldon, Sweeney et al worked so well last time

Submitted by Ironman on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 19:06.

Half the seats we lost in '06 were trying to avert our eyes from crooks, drunks and pervs. And I'm not counting DeLay, who legitimately got railroaded.

It would be insane to keep doing what you suggest. The best way to avoid having the Dems get scalps is take them out ourselves

Democrats dont vote on morals, Republicans do

Submitted by Freedoms Truth on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 22:47.

That's the "problem" or the flipside is that it is proof - at least to me - that Republicans have higher standards.

I first noticed this in the page scandal long time ago. A Republican house member was caught dating a female page, instant disgrace and exit from the House. Gerry Studds liberal Gay State Democrat, after getting caught in the scandal having sex with male pages and censured, not only didnt resign, but the Democrat voters re-elected him, and folks like Pelosi supported him in leading commitees etc.

We have a double standard where Democrats get in legal trouble, from a Presidential perjury on down to a Congressman with 'frozen assets' of bribe money in his freezer - and they stay in office. Latter day Mayor Curleys (look it up, mayor of Boston elected while in jail). We also have a double standard where the Bush administration, less political by far than the Clinton Justice was, manages to get tagged by partisan watchdog groups (staffed by liberal Democrats) and the media (staffed by liberal Democrats) as having an excess of partisanship.

But the double-standard is what it is. We can dislike the double standard or not, but it exists and its existence requires us to realize that an indicted Republican, even on a weak case, is dead meat in an election and even will hurt other Republicans. Unless he can outright prove his innocence now, he needs to resign.

I can give you the inside skinny on how fraudulent, fake and outright phony the DeLay indictment by Ronnie Earle was. It stunk to high heaven and was a case of abusive prosecution. Delay will never get convicted IMHO, because the case is a weak concocted one. BUT IT DIDNT MATTER. Once indicted, and combined with other suspect acts, Delay was toast. The strong Republican district flushed the GOP standin (maybe a good thing, since Pete Olson the current candidate is a big step) and let a liberal Democrat win.

How many seats did Mark Foley cost us? That refocus on "Republican scandal" even though precipited by the left-liberal CREW, was a real scandal and was worth at least a 5% shift in the polls.

It doesnt matter if Democrats in similar situations survive. We can and we should, on a regular basis, remind people of the double-standard, point out where the Democrats are corrupt, venal, even criminal, and work to get crooked Democrats unelected as well. ... but Democrat base voters are voting for their 'pander bear' the guy who brings home the bacon. It doesnt matter how many bridges Stevens gets built, for a Republican a crook goes in jail not Congress and he wont get their vote. Instant and massive loss. Plus, this is another brand killer. The GOP has to clean up these messes right quick or their brand is ruined and their candidates will lose across the board.

Dump the rat heads - institute Six Sigma Quality Control for Congress.

Rep. Don Young- The Logical Choice

Submitted by carltonyates on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 21:05.

Rep. Don Young is the logical choice. He is very GOP. If fact I predict that Sen. Stevens will be McCain's VP, or he will play it on the TV. In fact, I hear there is this video of Stevens with McCain that is going to get lots and lots of airplay during the GOP convention. Chickens......comin'........home....to......roost.

Palin can't appoint a replacement

Submitted by irishspy on Tue, 07/29/2008 - 21:15.

Alaska law doesn't allow a governor to appoint a replacement US Senator anymore. (That must have changed after Lisa Murkowski got her seat from Daddy.) There has to be a special election in between 60-90 days. Unlike Patrick, I wouldn't mind seeing Stevens withdraw after winning the primary and Palin being chosen to run in his stead. I think it's our best chance to hold the seat.

Alaska Senator Replacement law

Submitted by Leiden on Tue, 11/04/2008 - 16:37.

http://www.ncsl.org/ncsldb/elect98/irsrch.cfm?recid=2330

State Legislative Elections

Initiatives and Referenda

Total Count=1

Alaska Initiatives and Referenda


Ballot Measure 4	Temporary Replacement of U.S. Senator
Election:	General -- 2004
Type:	Initiative	Status:Pass (Yes votes: 55.6%)
Topic Areas:	\| Elections & Redistricting \|
Summary:	This measure would repeal state law that allows the Governor to appoint a person to temporarily fill a vacant seat in the United States Senate until an election can be held and certified. Under this measure a vacated seat would remain vacant for three to five months, leaving Alaska without full representation in the Senate. Other provisions are identical to existing law and those parts of the law remain unchanged. Current law requires that a senate vacancy be filled by special election, or regular election if the vacancy occurs less than 60 days before the primary election for that seat. (2330)

Ted Stevens

Submitted by positive42 on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 10:22.

If you have money & Power you are above the law, honest people who play by the rules dont stand a chance. The judge who want to dismiss the case is a friend of the family, im sure...

the only thing i can do is create a teeshirt @ www.positivecreations.com to express my outrage!!!

It’s a shame to see

Submitted by Jordan_X on Wed, 04/08/2009 - 04:34.

It’s a shame to see Senator Ted Stevens’ once-great career end in scandal. Stevens was convicted last year on corruption charges, amidst several high profile corruption arrests of government officials. He was accused of taking cash advance loans, home renovations, and other things and not reporting them on his tax information. However, after the revealing of severe prosecutorial misconduct, Attorney General Eric Holder dropped the charges and nullified the conviction. Federal Prosecutors involved with the scandal will doubtless need cash advance loans and a new job after dropping the ball big time with Ted Stevens.

Your argument might have

Submitted by luizeba on Fri, 07/03/2009 - 17:06.

Your argument might have some merit if Ted Stevens had any value unindicted. Unindicted, he's just another "Republican" who thinks it's good to spend other people's money.

He is also an electoral albatross. If he runs indicted, this seat is a Dem lock. Replacing him gives Republicans a chance.

This isn't about the moral high ground. It's about winning elections.

Regards,

Jogos do Naruto and Jogos de Tiro

No re-election

Submitted by nina on Sun, 07/26/2009 - 22:49.

I am never into re-election. If a country has gone through the official election, then they are done. There should be no compromise for re-election for that will give excuses to many parties. . free advertising |job listings |memory foam mattress

If a country has gone through

Submitted by ryan on Wed, 10/07/2009 - 11:31.

If a country has gone through the official election, then they are done. There has to be a special election in between 60-90 days. That would be my dating tips.