by Frank James
I meant to get this one up earlier. Sen. Ted Stevens, who was recently convicted in federal court of failure to disclose gifts as required by federal law has his good friend, Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, vouching for him.
Inouye issued a statement saying that Stevens would get to stay in the Senate, a statement meant to neutralize assertions by Stevens' Democratic opponent for his Senate seat, Anchorage, Alaska Mayor Mark Begich, that Stevens would be ousted from the Senate because of his conviction.
This is from a press release issued by Stevens' office:
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), a 42-year veteran of the Senate and a revered Democrat in Congress, today told Alaskans that Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) will retain his Senate seat while the legal process moves forward. Senator Inouye also echoed the sentiment of legal scholars across the United States saying that Senator Stevens will be vindicated through an appeal.
"As the Senate has done in every other instance in its long 220-year history, I am absolutely confident that Ted Stevens will be sworn into the Senate while he appeals this unjust verdict," said Senator Inouye. "I am certain that this decision in Washington, D.C., will be overturned on appeal."
Senator Inouye's statement directly contradicts Mark Begich's misleading advertisements which deceptively imply that Senator Stevens will be expelled from the Senate when he returns to Washington, D.C., after this election. Not a single Senator in either party has suggested that this will occur while Senator Stevens pursues his constitutional right to an appeal...
But Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, slapped down Stevens fairly sharply.
Here's most of Reid's statement:
While I understand that Senator Stevens is fighting for his political career, you don't have to go any further than the comments of:
§ Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell who said there would be zero tolerance for a convicted felon in the United States Senate
§ NRSC Chairman Senator John Ensign who said Senator Stevens'career has ended in disgrace;
§ Or Republican Presidential candidate Senator John McCain who said it is clear that Senator Stevens has broken his trust with the people and should now step down.
While I respect the opinion of Senator Daniel Inoyue, the reality is that a convicted felon is not going to be able to serve in the United States Senate.
And as precedent shows us, Senator Stevens will face an ethics committee investigation and expulsion, regardless of his appeals process.
This is not a partisan issue and it is unfortunate that Senator Stevens has used his long time friendship with Senator Inouye for partisan political gain.
Comments
Well Reid, the days of corrupt politicians must end partisan or not. Stevens needs to go as well as Jefferson. Americans deserve better, from both parties.
Posted by: bill "Hussein" r. | November 2, 2008 10:18 PM
Now, that is what you call leadership !! No felons, in the Senate, says Majority Leader, Senator Reid !! It is bad enough, that the Bush-McCain Republicans are promoting the McCain-Palin ticket, both of which, have been and are being investigated for official misconduct !!! If their were any real leadership left in the Republican Party, Senator McCain wouldn't have received the nomination, thanks to Charles Keating, nor would Governor Palin, with her citation for abusing her power, as Governor, in attempting to fire of her ex-brother-in-law. Neither of them have earned the right to lead the real Republican Party, but since Rove hijacked the Party, any thing goes and I do mean anything !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | November 2, 2008 11:12 PM
Reid is a good one to make a statement like that-
Posted by: Inky | November 3, 2008 7:03 AM
Reid is a good one to make a statement like that. I don't believe Reid nor any of the Senators quoted have been convicted of a felony. Though your statement implies something quite vague, it seems to imply he is a criminal or partisan. Sorry, Inky you got your butt kicked this election. Support our president...because you are either for us, or against us.
Posted by: Miguel Sanchez | November 6, 2008 12:52 AM
It appears Don Fitzgerald is out of his head. What is his qualifications to declare McCain or Gov Palin guilty?
Posted by: hawqeye | November 15, 2008 2:26 PM