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GOP Senate Campaign May Feel Fallout of Stevens Verdict
A defiant Sen. Ted Stevens is returning to Alaska on Wednesday to resume his re-election campaign, despite being convicted of felonies that carry the potential of years in prison.
Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska departs the U.S. District Court in Washington in this October 22, 2008 file photo. (Kevin Lamarque/Files/Reuters)
Stevens, 84, faces a challenge of historic proportions with just one
week before the election. He'd be the first convicted U.S. senator ever
elected, on appeal or not.
Alaska pollsters and political consultants were skeptical of Stevens' chances Monday but not prepared to count out the longest serving Republican in Senate history. Several pointed out that, contrary to most predictions, Stevens surged in the polls after his indictment in late July, coming from far behind to what's essentially a tie with Democratic opponent Mark Begich in most recent polls.
"That had to be people rallying to Ted against these Outside influences attacking their senator. It's possible, extremely unlikely, that with the conviction we'll get another backlash against this Outside influence," said Anchorage pollster Marc Hellenthal.
The mood at Stevens' Anchorage campaign headquarters was one of stunned horror immediately after the conviction came down mid-day Monday. People milled inside while two young volunteers stood in the cold guarding the door. One of them looked close to tears.
Hours later, the news had settled in. The guards were gone, the campaign ordered Moose's Tooth pizza for its workers and Stevens' backers started talking about what's next.
"I think it will be a battle but we're going to throw every ounce of effort into doing so," said political consultant Art Hackney, who is working on the Stevens campaign.
Hackney said it's going to be a "nonstop campaigning, very aggressive," once Stevens gets back to Alaska. He said the campaign has to ask people to withhold their judgment.
"And basically what I think most people understand, it's really three words -- prosecutorial misconduct and appeal," he said. "And other than that it's campaigning on the record of what he's done and what he can do."
SHARP DIVIDE
Larry Sabato, who publishes the nationally watched Crystal Ball forecasts of congressional races, said he can't imagine Alaskans would re-elect a U.S. senator just convicted of seven felonies.
"It would make Alaska a national laughingstock," said Sabato, who directs the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia.
The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee appears to have given up on Stevens.
"Ted Stevens served his constituents for over 40 years and I am disappointed to see his career end in disgrace," said NRSC Chairman John Ensign, a senator from Nevada.
Carl Shepro, a political science professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, said that kind of talk might be premature. Shepro said he believes Stevens still has a real chance to win re-election next week despite the conviction.
"Right now I'm in Fairbanks. It's pretty amazing the advertisements for him and the testimonials and stuff," Shepro said. "It's certainly difficult to think they are just going to turn around because of the conviction, and with appeals this could drag out for years."
Stevens' Democratic opponent, Anchorage Mayor Begich, was playing it safe on Monday. Begich read a 14-second statement that said it's been a tough year but time to move on. He then refused to answer any questions from reporters.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who recruited Begich to run, wasn't feeling so shy. He called on Stevens to "now respect the outcome of the judicial process and the dignity of the United States Senate." The Alaska Democratic party said Stevens should resign.
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Stevens must face the consequences of the verdict and will be held accountable so public trust can be restored.
But Alaska's other U.S. senator, Republican Lisa Murkowski, said the prosecution committed several gaffes during the trial and she'll stand with Stevens as he pursues his appeal.
RURAL SUPPORT
There's nothing in the U.S. Constitution or Senate rules to keep a convicted felon from being a senator.
Stevens' colleagues could expel him with a two-thirds vote if he's re-elected, or even before his current term ends in January.
If Stevens resigned or was expelled, the seat would stay empty until a special election within 90 days.
Todd Larkin of North Pole, who has been active in the state Republican Party, said Stevens could win, and then resign, allowing the Republicans to put up a candidate in the special election. That's a potential scenario state party officials are talking about to keep the seat out of Democratic hands.
Stevens isn't talking about resigning yet. His campaign sent a message to supporters Monday saying "overzealous prosecutors" deprived Stevens of his rights and that 12 jurors who have never been to Alaska shouldn't decide the race.
Stevens is particularly strong in rural Alaska. Matthew Nicolai, president of the Calista Corp., one of 13 regional Native corporations, estimated Stevens represents about $1 billion a year in federal projects to rural Alaska. He said the 40-year senator has visited nearly all of the 56 villages in the Calista region at one time or another. Nicolai said he thinks Stevens can still be re-elected.
Rep. Reggie Joule, who represents Kotzebue in the state Legislature, heard news of the verdict while preparing for a caribou hunt. Joule is a Democrat but has stumped for Stevens during the campaign.
During the Alaska Federation of Natives convention, some rural voters walked to the nearby Anchorage City Hall to cast early ballots last week -- before the verdict, he said. "Sen. Stevens has a lot of loyal backers, and a lot of people have voted already."
Asked if he still plans to vote for Stevens, Joule hadn't decided.
"There's a piece of me that's really torn. So, I guess when I get inside the polling booth, I'll cast my vote," he said.
Alaska Republican Congressman Don Young, who is under federal investigation and facing his own tough re-election battle, said he thinks Stevens can still win next week.
"He's the best thing for that, for the Senate. Alaskans know this. This is a trumped up charge. ... I can remember Richard Nixon, you know, his years of service, what he's done. And everybody were ridiculing him and he ended up being the greatest president in the history of our century," Young said.
Young, who has not been charged, said the Stevens conviction doesn't make him more concerned about what federal prosecutors might be planning for him.
"I have no problem with anything. I know where I'm going, where I've been and what I've done," he said.
POLLSTERS GET BUSY
Pollsters said a Stevens acquittal could have given Young a needed boost, helping to give voters doubt about the federal investigation of Young. Clem Tillion, a Republican former president of the state Senate, seemed to agree.
"I think it's going to be harder on Don Young than it is on Ted Stevens," Tillion said.
Alaska pollsters will be scrambling in the coming days to test the effect of Monday's conviction on both Young's U.S. House race and Stevens' Senate bid.
Most recent polls have showed Begich and Stevens being statistically tied. But a Craciun Research Group Inc. poll over the weekend put Begich in the lead by 12 percentage points, after the closing arguments but before the jury came in with a verdict.
Pollster Anne Hays said it's been a close race, according to her numbers, but she expects "the dam to open up," following the conviction. Ivan Moore, another Anchorage pollster, said there's no way to know for sure what the conviction will bring.
"This is one of those situations where nothing like this ever happened before," Moore said. "But I think it's pretty clear Ted's going to have a hard time winning next week."
Related: Alaska's Ted Stevens found guilty on all 7 counts- Posted in
45 Comments so far
Show AllMy gut intuition (the polling data is extremely close, at least before the convictions) is that Stevens will WIN in Alaska. I think the power of the "R" after his name may prove to be too strong there. This is actually one of the most fascinating post-election stories that is yet to play out fully. And I think his defiance will help him, too.
Look, Stevens may not be perfect-- but what you so-called "progressive" purist poltroons fail to understand is that Stevens is a SYMBOL.
Millions of octogenarian Alaskans are feeling engaged and empowered by his candidacy! Can't you get that through your thick heads? Or is that not important to elitists? The REALITY is that he's the only Republican candidate for Senate with a chance to win! Can you really justify supporting the usual Pied Pipers who come out of the woodwork every campaign season? Give me a break!
I'm as disappointed as anyone with some of his positions, but you have to take into account that he's gotta do what he's gotta do to get elected first!
And it doesn't END there! Why, Stevens himself has commanded his constituency to push him, to move him, to hold his feet to the fire. And that's just what I plan on doing-- or at least I would, if I lived in Alaska.
I swear, I used to love to visit Common Dreams when it was like a real old-fashioned choir practice. But now all of the bitterness and negativity just give me the fan-tods.
It's all about change. This is a historic moment-- do you really want to be on the wrong side of history?
Hmmm.... 200,000 more people live in San Francisco than the entire state of Alaska. So I'm not sure where you get your "millions" since there isn't anything near a million people living in the state. A symbol? Of what? That when we are looking at the last few years of our life we should commit felonies and then try to deny the obvious? Stevens case was clear cut from the beginning and he tried to lie his way out and got caught. Not much there to debate. Doesn't mean that the criminal whore defense lawyers won't find ways to keep appeals going. After all, a good whore does what it is paid to do and with enough money you can drag out any case for years. Watch for the plea bargain related to keeping Stevens out of jail. After all, only rich people can be convicted of SEVEN felonies and still expect to NOT go to jail.
I like your sense of sarcasm, LB.
Thanks; I couldn't resist.
Unfortunately, satire and sarcasm are way over the heads of most of the "literalists" who comment here, as shown below.
FWIW, it's a vexing and persistent problem; humorous, ironic, satiric, and even merely sarcastic tone, nuance, and intent ARE crippled on the Internets comments boards.
Certainly each reader's sensibility determines whether or not a comment is obviously not serious. But I think we've all misunderstood comments.
Anyway, I've been cautioned by at least one person who knows me well, came across one of my tongue-in-cheek comments here some months ago, and e-mailed me to ask if I realized that anyone who didn't know me and my sense of humor would take it seriously.
I reluctantly began to use HTML emoticons (aka "smilies") a while back, but of course they're not available here. The other option is to explicitly identify sarcasm, which to we "purists" spoils the joke; it's like putting on two condoms-- it ruins the mood. ;)
It's not the 'R' after his name that really counts this year. It's the 'P' for PORK.
-30-
"Millions of octogenarian Alaskans are feeling engaged and empowered by his candidacy! Can't you get that through your thick heads? Or is that not important to elitists?"
Millions of octogenarian Alaskans? Trudging through the melting tundra holding their colostomy bags while eating raw moose liver. "Millions of octogenarian Alaskans" charging over the ridge intent on destroying all the "elitists" seeking clean government. Chanting "We want our pork, we want our pork."
Millions of octogenarian Alaskans saying "we know Ted Stevens is a bastard but he's OUR bastard."
Nice trolling, Little Brother. If you had actually been following the case you'd understand how Stevens is GUILTY.
-30-
Americans seem to love corruption, tolerate it and support it. so yes, he can be reelected. Without values or any moral compass, our economy collapses on corrupt business practices. As the regulations and safeguards of our democracy and economy have been eroded by people like Stevens - we continue to want more of the same. since there appears to be no will or desire for integrity and honesty in government and business, why not reelect Stevens. I'm amazed he was convicted. Of course, this was in DC which is not Alaska.
TUBES!
Bush is still in office after war crimes and Larry Craig wants to change his plea, so it seems rather unreasonable to expect that another Republican lawbreaker would step down over free counter tops.
God helps those who take a big helping for themselves...
Conservatives would re-elect him just like they pardon their tv preachers. He is one of them and they are above all, reactionaries out saving the world from godless communism.
Agreed. I'm convinced he'll be reelected, and never do a day behind bars.
"no gods, no masters" --m. sanger
"It would make Alaska a national laughingstock,"
You mean a bigger laughingstock, don't you? Because now we've all found out about their governor. How's that Palin pick workin' out, Mac?
Alaskans may send the senile Stevens ("the internet is a series of tubes") back to Washington. Then the interesting thing will be what will his senate colleagues do with the public watching? Welcoming a convicted felon back into their ranks, especially one whose conviction is directly related to his office, would rankle a purple public already up to here with congressional malfeasance. Would he phone in his votes from his jail cell next year? I'm betting powerful Republicans, and lots of 'em, will soon be begging him to call it quits at 84 and go home and enjoy his new free whirlpool while he can. Palin is already calling for him to "do the right thing for Alaska", leaving definition of that thing open to his, and our, interpretation. Maybe he gets elected, quits, and Palin (still gov, not veep) installs another worthless Republican; that may not be how it works in Alaska, anyway, and it seems way too much of a long shot for even the desperate and dying Republicans to gamble on.
Just what we need, another corrupt felon in the Senate. Republican or Democrat makes no difference. He has disgraced his office, his state and his country.
"He has disgraced his office, his state and his country."
So many do - the lure of big lucre must really be strong, along with some kind of they-owe-me, I'm-above-the-law mentality. I guess power does corrupt.
It must be temptation, but its time we made it clear the game just changed. Time to clean up at home and begin to start rebuilding locally in every way.
"along with some kind of they-owe-me, I'm-above-the-law mentality. I guess power does corrupt."
Too true!
Senator Ted Stevens could get life in prison whether his sentences are consecutive or concurrent.
Ted Stevens As a Convicted Felon: Can he vote in this coming election?
Don't know if his name will be purged, but he will still be collecting his fat federal pension.
On Democracy Now! this morning the guest said he would be able to vote for himself in this election cycle; but not in the future.
Good news, another crook bites the dust!
Another example of how in trouble our political system is. This do-do , if I am not mistaking, was in the senate for 40 years. Except getting special favors for his friends what did he do for America and Americans. The good news is that he is out, the bad news is he is not the only one. We need a big clean up!!!
He pushed for Alaska statehood (1959) and I believe he was Alaska's first senator - that would make almost 50 years in that office! The amazing thing to me is that a few lousy home improvements are all they could dig up.
Ted Stevens – Oh! How the mighty have fallen. And Nixon being the greatest president of the last century is almost as ridiculous as Stevens’ lame defense. Nixon’s few accomplishments will never outweigh the outrageous criminal exploits that now render his face off of any Mt Rushmore considerations. Stevens won’t make it there either. Oh! How the mighty have fallen!
My guess is that Republicans will make the argument that the overwhelming Republicans in Alaska should cast their votes for Stevens, so that when he resigns Gov. Palin can appoint someone (herself, IMO) to the U.S. Senate. Perhaps the gravity of the matter will make them pull the lever for Bergich? It's actually a fun story to watch, entertainment wise!
Vote for Stevens! Convicted felon, living high on the hog at YOUR expense. Another example of Republican ethics!
A defiant Sen. Ted Stevens is returning to Alaska on Wednesday to resume his re-election campaign, despite being convicted of felonies that carry the potential of years in prison.
This pipsqueak's got more hard bark on him than a teakwood tree. Set him adrift in the ocean in a canvass raft along with Jack Abramoff and Randy Cunnigham. They'd kill themselves trying to steal each other's money.
Of course, this is merely business as usual in Washington. All of em do this and it is the reason, with the possible exception of Russ Feingold, that they will never pass campaign reform, i.e. throw the lobbyists out...
where I live a felon cant even vote in the election! rules must be a bit different once ya git wealthy enuff to buy yer way into the senate tho!
Remarkable how as a convicted felon Stevens could still vote for himself and be elected a US Senator when in some states if you're convicted of a felony you can't vote even if you're out of prison period.
Oh, it looks pretty grim for Ted right at the moment-- but once President Unitard pardons him and pins that shiny new Presidential Medal of Freedom on Stevens' concave chest, things will turn right around.
But seriously, folk, my guess is that Stevens will be treated as gently and respectfully as possible no matter what happens. If he is incarcerated in a Federal facility, it will NOT be, like the Internets, the series of tubes ordinary inmates experience.
And assuming he doesn't actually retire at this late stage of his life, I'm also sure that he will obtain some sinecure that will allow him to maintain a public presence to the end of his days with little noticeable loss in dignity or prestige. He'll write his memoirs, perhaps.
It's not as if being a crooked politician is really a DISGRACE any more.
True, true enough. The real disgrace is the people of the states who keep re-electing these bums even with a felony record and conviction. Stevens' real crime here is he got caught. He's just one of 100 just like him. The test now will be just exactly what sort of IQ test you must first fail in order to live in Alaska and re-elect a convicted criminal.
Wouldn't it be a good idea if we made it a disgrace again?
And you are probably right about his treatment.
Jim Swanson, Los Altos, CA
www.bushleagueofnations.com [for FREE download of entire book]
The hits just keep on coming. Let’s do a quick review.
The infamous GOP-controlled 109th Congress (two years ending January 2007) richly deserves its place in history as the worst ever.
A dozen of the GOP’s dirtiest in the 109th Congress are discussed in detail in Chapter 18 (“Corruption in America and Iraq—GOP Style”) of the new book: “The Bush League of Nations,” by James A. Swanson (2008, CreateSpace Publishing, 448 pages), which can be downloaded for free at www.bushleagueofnations.com.
They include Tom DeLay, Bob Ney (in prison), Randy “Duke” Cunningham (in prison), sexual predator Mark Foley (who promised to “turn over a new page”), Don Sherwood, Richard Pombo (under investigation), Curt Weldon (under investigation), John Doolittle (under federal investigation), Rick Renzi (under indictment), serial john and adulterer David Vitter, and “wide stance” Larry Craig.
That chapter leaves room for the reader to jot down his or her additional “Top Five” favorites not mentioned above.
Regarding “Alaskan of the Century” Ted Stevens, it then notes: “If you’re from the great state of Alaska—a place dear to your author’s heart ever since he worked in the Aleutians during a summer many years ago—you’ll probably want to include at least two-thirds of Alaska’s entire congressional delegation—GOP Senator Ted Stevens and GOP Representative Don Young—on your list.”
GOP congressional leaders carried to the extreme Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment—“Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican”—as they systematically protected the scoundrels and criminals in their midst. Reagan’s 11th Commandment became synonymous with obstruction of justice.
If the 109th GOP Congress of Crooks and Creeps had had its own zip code, it would have had the highest crime rate—and “grime rate”—of any zip code in America.
Jim Swanson, Los Altos, CA
www.bushleagueofnations.com
I like Stevens's opponent. I know AK is heavily Republican but to the point of re-electing a CONVICTED FELON ? It's ironic that the GOP goes out of its ways to deny former felons the right to vote and yet they would keep an utterly rotten felon in their party. It's like a girl stuffing her boots with rotten eggs and walking around in them all day like a silly slut ! Alaskans shouldn't even be giving Stevens a closer vote. Anyone else would be lucky to do 10% !
Ted Stevens should do the honorable thing, step down, and restore a shred of grace to his legacy.
His failure to do so is reminiscent of another disgraced 84 year old who has been defiant in spite of all logic, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
So, Zimbabwe:Africa = Alaska:USA.
Alaskans, speak out this Tuesday against the corruption and crony-ism!! A brighter day is dawning for our country.
Carol
There is nothing honorable about him he cheated and has done this for a very long time.
He had better step down because he been found guilty of fraud anybody else would go to jail and not pass go and that is a fact.
I hope the judge gives him at least 6 years AND the IRS nails his ass for all the unreported 'tips' he got as Senator.
If a waitress fails to report her tips and is caught the IRS will turn her every which way but loose.
I am glad we can discuss this issue on a series of tubes.
He will still get $100,000 + per year pension. Paid for by us and the tips that the waitress gets.
Carol
This is the sad truth but that is the way it is. This is no win situtation and that is a fact.
You guys don't understand Alaskans at all. I lived there from birth (pre-statehood) to age 34, so I have some insight. One of the common slogans heard back in the heady days of pipeline construction was "We don't give a damn how they do it Outside!" Always remember that when trying to guess what Alaskans will do.
Alaskans couldn't care less about being a national laughing-stock-- they see themselves as a world apart.
I predict Stevens will be re-elected, because 1) the GOP apparatus in Alaska, as in other places, is quite capable of scoffing at courts, juries, laws, etc. that conflict with their goal of hegemony, and 2) Stevens is extremely popular there because of his history of dragging back heavy bags of federal loot all those years.
The GOP always has an easy job getting anyone elected in Alaska, and they will want to hang on to that Senate seat no matter what. After Stevens is re-elected, he'll retire "to be with his family" and will appoint a relative or lackey to finish his term.
Just watch. You heard it here first!
Carol
I realize that Alaska is in another world altogether and I know he will get away with it but these kind of things have to end and that is a fact.
He did something wrong and that is the way it is. Alaska is still part of the United States and have to go by our laws whether they want to or not.
Carol
This man has brought more disgrace onto our government again.
He just feels that is it OK what the did. He has been there way to long like so many more of them in the Senate/Congress. It is people like this that make all of them look so bad.
All of us own that home of his so they should put it up on the auction and all of should bid on it and that is a fact to get our money back.
Whatever prison sentence they hand out that is what he should serve and I don't care about his age. Age has nothing to do with this he did something wrong and he should pay like everyone else does and that is a fact.
He needs to go to JAIL now!!!
Its not one Senator making them all look bad.
All of them together make them all look bad. Everyone of them is a corrupt crook. Its just that since they also write the laws, they make most of what they do legal. Then there's a few who get even greedier and go beyond that.
Just for instance, go to maplight.org and look and see who the top recipients of telecom donations in the Congress are. Then remember how Obama switched his vote to grant them immunity for their illegal spying. Then, you have a choice of putting those pieces together, or living in some deluded state that says Obama wasn't bought off. If you are still in that state, go back to August and pull up the pictures announcing the AT&T sponsership of the Democratic Convention.
If we continue to elect people who are bought and owned by big money and corporations, this is what we'll continue to get. The only way to stop this is to refuse to vote for the candidates who are backed by big money and corporate money.
You want to support the broke candidates who never have the money to run TV ads, who are blocked from the corporate sponsered debates, and who are derided and ridiculed by the corporate media. You want to vote for the candidate about whom you are told 'they can't win' and that you'll be 'wasting your vote' if you vote for them.
That's the way to real change. Real change will never be backed by corporate money and corporate media.
----------------------------
"To know, and not to do, is not to know"
When will the American people stop supporting this corruption of our Government by both parties and support third party candidates? Stevens is only the tip of the iceberg folks, almost all the 535 political leaders in congress are corrupt, just some more than others.What you have is Republican attorneys and Democratic attorneys representing corporations not us.The definition of political insanity: voting the same duopoly in time after time after time and expecting a different result!