by Frank James and updated, and again at 4:40 pm
Sen. John McCain and Sen. Ted Stevens are said not to be very friendly. During better days McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, got under Stevens' skin for being a constant critic of earmarks, including Stevens' "bridge to nowhere."
So it was no surprise that McCain would today call for Stevens to quit the Senate after the Alaska Republican was convicted yesterday on seven counts of violating federal disclosure laws.
McCain said in a statement:
"It is clear that Senator Stevens has broken his trust with the people and that he should now step down. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will be spurred by these events to redouble their efforts to end this kind of corruption once and for all."
Last we heard, Stevens showed no signs of ending his re-election bid and it's doubtful he'll be taking his advice from his party's presidential nominee.
McCain's running mate, the governor of Alaska, didn't take the question of Stevens;' future quite as far as McCain did, initially. See the video of Sarah Palin above.
But then, when she and McCain sat for an interview with CNBC's Maria Bartiromo, as the Top of the Ticket noted, Palin said: "Yeah, yeah. Ted Stevens, you know, a sad day for Alaska yesterday when he was found guilty of seven felonies. But -- and now he needs to do the right thing, and the right thing is -- as he's proclaiming his innocence and proclaiming, too, that he will go through the appellate process.
"OK, then he needs to step aside and allow our state to elect someone who will be supportive of those ideals of America: the free enterprise, the missions that we're on, to win the war, those things that have got to take place in order to progress this country. Ted Stevens has got to play a very statesmanlike role in this now.''
Comments
I don't understand why more people aren't accusing this guy of being senile. He is treating this situation the same way I have seen many elderly people drive: completely without regard to the rules of the road, or any sense of safety. Talk about 'rogue': how much more 'rogue' could it be to declare our justice system bunk upon being declared a felon?? Hah!! I'd like to see him take that nonsense into the Senate chambers just to see how his colleagues will react. Ever curious to see how long he will last, if he wins (unfortunately, I don't completely trust the Alaskans to make the right decision). Does the senate go to session before the election?
Posted by: kittyonice | October 28, 2008 12:13 PM
If Senator McCain had any of the sense of propriety,for which he is posturing, than he should have retired from the Senate, when he was cited for questionable conduct, relating to the Keating Five. Making points from some else's faults is not a very classy thing to do, nor is it very honest, especially when Senator McCain was cited for the very same things as Senator Stevens was convicted !! Doesn't Senator McCain have any face ?? I guess not, after this election, he will be in the same boat as President Bush and Vice-President Cheney will be in, the boat to Nowhere !! They have done great harm to America and her principles and for anyone of the Bush-McCain Republicans to be elected, would be an ill-informed act by the voters. Just as their votes turned on them, when they voted once and sometimes, twice, for the present incompetent administrations !! If you liked Bush-Cheney, you'll love McCain-Palin !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | October 28, 2008 1:09 PM
Obama to Congressman William Jefferson, who was indicted on bribery, ... silence.
Obama endorses the Stroger family to run Crook County - change?
Posted by: Terry | October 28, 2008 1:12 PM
Looks like another split between McCain and Palin.
Palin is going to be quiet. She owes Stevens for all of that pork over the years.
Besides that, if he somehow wins and then resigns Palin (as Governor) can appoint his successor - keeping the seat in Republican hands and gaining herself a stooge in DC.
This isn't about the people of Alaska. It's about Palin's power.
Posted by: Carl L | October 28, 2008 5:06 PM
Here is a classic case of another member of Congress found guilty, but will maintain their pension. What we are doing here is allowing crooks to prove that crime pays.I've been on this soapbox for quite some time and can not believe there isn't any public outrage. When someone is found guilty of betraying the public trust they should forfeit their pension regardless of party.
Posted by: paul | October 28, 2008 6:11 PM