Breaking News: Ted Stevens guilty on all counts

Mrs.tlcS

according to CNN.  

Will his seat go to Dems?  

ETA: link to the news in writing http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27398089/

 

EastSideFluffy

I'm not surprised.  Bye bye Stevens.

I'm guessing his seat will go to the Dems.  I don't see how it couldn't.  He's up for re-election, so he'll have to drop out.  I don't think a new Republican could even get on the ballot.

LittleMissWifey

EastSideFluffy:

I'm guessing his seat will go to the Dems.  I don't see how it couldn't.  He's up for re-election, so he'll have to drop out.  I don't think a new Republican could even get on the ballot.

My thoughts exactly. Bad timing for this (well good timing for the Dems). 

Pescalita

Thank goodness they didn't fall for that woeful excuse for a defense.

Mrs.tlcS

CNN reporting that its up to the Senate to remove him from his seat, and that this doesn't necessarily mean he's off the ballot (I could have heard that wrong?)... though I seriously have doubts that he could win the seat back after this, even if he can stay on the ballot.  Very good timing for Dems.

LittleMissWifey

It's probably too late to take his name off the ballot; they have probably (most definitely) been printed. Presumably, he could still be elected. Then I guess the Senate would have to impeach (?) him and then the state of AK would have to hold a special election. AK voters should just vote in someone else.

EastSideFluffy

I am practically falling out of my chair with excitement at how Palin will respond to this. 

Especially since Stevens claimed that the "gifts" didn't really belong to him, they were just in his home.  Just like she claims her wardrobe doesn't really belong to her, they were just on her body.

 

Mrs.tlcS

EastSideFluffy:

I am practically falling out of my chair with excitement at how Palin will respond to this. 

Especially since Stevens claimed that the "gifts" didn't really belong to him, they were just in his home.  Just like she claims her wardrobe doesn't really belong to her, they were just on her body.

 

I'm also anxious to see SP's response.

EastSideFluffy

LittleMissWifey:

It's probably too late to take his name off the ballot; they have probably (most definitely) been printed. Presumably, he could still be elected. Then I guess the Senate would have to impeach (?) him and then the state of AK would have to hold a special election. AK voters should just vote in someone else.

Actually, a lot of states don't do special elections right away.  In many cases, the governor appoints someone to finish the term or to serve for some period of time until there is a special election (usually whenever the next national election would be, so in this case 2010).

So if he were elected and kicked out, Palin (or her replacement if MPC wins) would appoint someone.

But given the narrow hold the Rs have on the Senate right now, I wonder if they will ask him to step down. 

LittleMissWifey

EastSideFluffy:

I am practically falling out of my chair with excitement at how Palin will respond to this. 

Especially since Stevens claimed that the "gifts" didn't really belong to him, they were just in his home.  Just like she claims her wardrobe doesn't really belong to her, they were just on her body.

 

Was he just going to donate that new deck to charity too? 

bunnybean

This is awesome!  I do wonder what Palin will say.

LittleMissWifey

EastSideFluffy:

LittleMissWifey:

It's probably too late to take his name off the ballot; they have probably (most definitely) been printed. Presumably, he could still be elected. Then I guess the Senate would have to impeach (?) him and then the state of AK would have to hold a special election. AK voters should just vote in someone else.

Actually, a lot of states don't do special elections right away.  In many cases, the governor appoints someone to finish the term or to serve for some period of time until there is a special election (usually whenever the next national election would be, so in this case 2010).

So if he were elected and kicked out, Palin (or her replacement if MPC wins) would appoint someone.

But given the narrow hold the Rs have on the Senate right now, I wonder if they will ask him to step down. 

True that. The Gov. usually appoints until a special election can be held. 

LittleMissWifey

Here is polling data on the AK senate race; it was a tight race, with the D slightly ahead prior to the guilty verdict. I wonder how much the verdict will tip the scales over for the D.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/senate/ak/alaska_senate-562.html

Mrs.tlcS

OK, I didn't hear it wrong.  He does not have to drop out of the race, as there's nothing in the Constitution prohibiting a felon from serving in the Congress.  A 2/3 vote would be required to remove Stevens, should he win re-election. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27398089/

I have a feeling that he will continue his Senate campaign, and will resign soon after if he were to win.  This would allow SP to appoint a Repub to replace him until the next election in 2010.  There's no way the Republicans are going to give up the seat that easily.

brideymcbriderson

The front page of nytimes.com right now has the headline Alaska Senator Is Convicted on Corruption Charges. Right next to it is a picture of McCain speaking at a rally in Ohio. Not such a good visual for MPC. Ouch.

LittleMissWifey

Mrs.tlcS:

OK, I didn't hear it wrong.  He does not have to drop out of the race, as there's nothing in the Constitution prohibiting a felon from serving in the Congress.  A 2/3 vote would be required to remove Stevens, should he win re-election. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27398089/

I have a feeling that he will continue his Senate campaign, and will resign soon after if he were to win.  This would allow SP to appoint a Repub to replace him until the next election in 2010.  There's no way the Republicans are going to give up the seat that easily.

I am not convinced that he will win now though. It was a very tight race to begin with...but if he does win, I think your analysis is correct. 

EastSideFluffy

LittleMissWifey:

Mrs.tlcS:

OK, I didn't hear it wrong.  He does not have to drop out of the race, as there's nothing in the Constitution prohibiting a felon from serving in the Congress.  A 2/3 vote would be required to remove Stevens, should he win re-election. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27398089/

I have a feeling that he will continue his Senate campaign, and will resign soon after if he were to win.  This would allow SP to appoint a Repub to replace him until the next election in 2010.  There's no way the Republicans are going to give up the seat that easily.

I am not convinced that he will win now though. It was a very tight race to begin with...but if he does win, I think your analysis is correct. 

Interesting.

If MPC were really about "country first" and cutting down corruption and earmarks, and reform, then I think they'd be putting their country first by urging Alaskans to vote a felon out of office.

Obama needs to pounce on this one.  It's an easy shot for him.  He helps the Senate and he points out MPC's hypocracy.  There's no downside here.

LittleMissWifey

*waiting for the pics of Stevens hugging Palin*

In 3....2....1....

Pescalita

Mrs.tlcS:

OK, I didn't hear it wrong.  He does not have to drop out of the race, as there's nothing in the Constitution prohibiting a felon from serving in the Congress.  A 2/3 vote would be required to remove Stevens, should he win re-election. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27398089/

pssst, founding fathers? This was a bad oversight. FAIL

Mrs.tlcS

LittleMissWifey:

*waiting for the pics of Stevens hugging Palin*

In 3....2....1....

Haha, good call.  There's already one of Stevens and Palin together over on E08, with the comment "Palin pals around with cons" in this thread http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/4883327.aspx

LittleMissWifey

Mrs.tlcS:

LittleMissWifey:

*waiting for the pics of Stevens hugging Palin*

In 3....2....1....

Haha, good call.  There's already one of Stevens and Palin together over on E08, with the comment "Palin pals around with cons" in this thread http://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/4883327.aspx

Ha. Someone is very quick to the draw. Although, they don't look very happy to be near each other....

brideymcbriderson

LittleMissWifey:

*waiting for the pics of Stevens hugging Palin*

In 3....2....1....

Well, they have had a bit of a rocky relationship. Still, he endorsed her, and she hasn't denounced that endorsement. By GOP logic, that means that she shares his views and values.

WinesNotWhines

Palin is associated with a known felon! Egads!!!!!