Ted Stevens indicted

Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:53 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Courts, States, Republicans

From NBC's Pete Williams and Mark Murray
US officials say the Justice Department has indicted Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) on charges related to a long-running investigation of business dealings in Alaska.

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

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

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

*** UDPATE II *** NBC's Ken Strickland adds that, per Senate GOP caucus rules, if a member is indicted, he or she can no longer serve as chairman or ranking member of a committee until the case is resolved. Upon conviction, the chair/ranking member would automatically be replaced.

Stevens is ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Good. He's should have been locked up long ago. I can still remember him screaming that he didn't want to give up money for "the bridge to nowhere" to help with the states hit by Katrina.

Billy, MI (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:59 PM)

Can anyone say the word OIL? How about PERJURY?

Leni,michigan (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:02 PM)

Another corrupt politician....your outta here!

The rest of you corrupt pieces of garbage, be afraid...be very afraid.

Obama '08 - '12

Cheryl, Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:02 PM)

Is Karl Rove next and Gonzo next?

Judy Ovilla Tx (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:02 PM)

I would like to see a Democrat in the Senate in Alaska. Having a Democrat in support of drilling in ANWAR would be a nice symbolic statement of bi-partisanship.

Drilling in ANWAR might only be one small piece of the energy puzzle, but it would be a very large piece of the Alaskan economic puzzle.

It would be interesting to see how a Democrat senator would approach this.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:02 PM)

Eh??? Wow. Is is Christmas?? The Repubs are imploding . . .!

Matthew (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:03 PM)

Who woulda thunk the repukes are so corrupt.Wow, another one bites the dust, bye bye.

justthinkinoutloud (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:03 PM)

Finally it happens and now that senate race is over.

Nick H (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:04 PM)

The GOP can now formally kiss his seat goodbye. It may even be possible now, if Bob Barr makes a good showing, for AK to turn blue. It's not outside the realm of possibility and at the worst, it would cause Sen. McCain to have to spend money there. The rest of these criminals need to start practicing their perp-walks.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, Fl (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:04 PM)

Big suprise. Republican sen. owned by the Oil and Gas companies? no way.

scott (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:06 PM)

When is Karl Rove going to be indicted? Congressional Dems, how about doing your job?

Just a thought (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:06 PM)

another bad apple in the republicans stable. OUCH

SAM USA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:07 PM)

Honestly, this might be the best thing that could have happened for the GOP in Alaska. This should get Stevens out of the race. I think the only thing that was keeping this race close was Stevens and the investigation into his corruption. With a better Republican running, this should keep this Senate seat for the GOP. We need it to!! The thought of a 60 seat Dem majority gives me (and my wallet) nightmares!

Dookie (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:10 PM)

This guy has been corrupt for like 20 years hasn't he? I mean every time I read a article about government corruption his name would be mentioned. What took so long?

Mister Anderson (The Matrix) (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:11 PM)

The Dems may get close to that veto proof Senate.....although it won't matter, since they will have control over the Presidency and both houses of Congress.

Ron Jeffers, Arizona Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:13 PM)

This guy is a crook. And very representative of many of the GOP leadership that has been using the U.S. Treasury as a personal piggy bank. Lock him up.

One who knows (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:14 PM)

Well, that makes one guaranteed pickup for the Dems!

Woohoo! Keep locking the crooks up!

One step closer to 60! (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:16 PM)

In the immortal words of Nelson Muntz,

HA haaa!

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:18 PM)

He will be remembered by the youth generation for one thing and one thing only...
"They want to deliver vast amounts of information over the internet. And again, the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a SERIES OF TUBES. And if you don't understand those tubes can be filled and if they are filled, when you put your message in, it gets in line and its going to be delayed by anyone that puts into that tube enormous amounts of material, enormous amounts of material."

Aaron, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:18 PM)

Judging by the way the justice system works currently in our country, nothing will happen to him. And if they do have the nerve to find him guily, Bush will just grant him clemency before he leaves office. I have lost total faith in our justice system. Just look at Karl Rove for example.

New Independent (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:21 PM)

Oh boy, time for some Republican bashing. That's so rare around here too.

James Dali, Lama, MS (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:22 PM)

The sea is being parted for the dems. If we win this election cycle, we best do what's right when we get in there!

Those of us pulling for this victory must be commited to holding our government accountable, should we get it. If not, we should still be commited to do better.

Washington's fall from grace is only an extension of our own. The people lacked the will to stand up, and struggle for the preservation of our nation's best hopes. Dear G-D, no more.

donna (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:22 PM)

Richard, Washington State: '...Drilling in ANWAR might only be one small piece of the energy puzzle, but it would be a very large piece of the Alaskan economic puzzle....'

Richard, how about lowering the speed limit to 60 mph ???

THAT would SAVE oil and lower gas prices
We need to invest in mass transit BIG TIME
(I haven't heard anyone talk about either idea)

Then, of course alternate energy and raising the CAFE standards

Nuclear energy means higher utility rates and more cancer

Obama / Biden '08
There's a winning ticket

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:23 PM)

Forget Stevens in the GOP primary in August. Clean out his desk, send him home. Tell Lieberman he's a republican. Take away his committee assignments. Dem's still one ahead in this Senate year. Looking for the magic number of 60 for next year. Go Bob Barr, Alaska is turning ice blue.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:23 PM)

What's the hub-bub?

http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/story/8928969p-8829178c.html

Seems an oil company helped foot the bill for Stevens to double the size of his home!

No, Ted, nobody would ever notice!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:24 PM)

Another corrupt Repugnant, what else is new???

OBAMA/BIDEN, 2008!

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:24 PM)

Just in case this missed another thread.

*******************
Donna,
I meant to post this in response to your post several weeks ago. It was on the Jewish practice of not spelling the word G-d. It is really a reverence thing and has nothing (in my practice) whatsoever to do with dog spelled backward. http://www.jew-jews-judaism.com/rec/31-Jews-spell-God-as-G-d,-why/

I converted to Judaism about ten years ago. Most of my friends and family do not spell it. I guess I got used to seeing it this way and it now seems odd to type it out. This way seems more respectful to me, personally.
Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 9:52 AM)
****************************************

Clara,

Thank you for your input. As I stated in my answer to 'sotired', it is the translation of the concept of G-D from Hebrew into English that is problematic.

Hebrew, and Arabic, as sister languages of the decendants of 'Abraham', do not have vowel characters in their purest form. Vowel signs were established to help teach these languages to those of other tongues.

Here is an example of how vowels are not needed with the possession of a good command of a language:

G-D blss.

I apologize if the information I was given is incorrect with regard to your traditions in Judaism.

donna (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:25 PM)

A corrupt Republican? There's a surprise...

mcair (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:27 PM)

Don from OH--

I respectfully disagree with you about negativity in the campaigns as well as the race card being played. The Clintons are the ones who sought to play on whites' fears about a black man being president--with Bill Clinton's "Jesse Jackson" comments and Hillary's "white working class voters".

The MEDIA and others might have tried to play the race card, but not Obama. He was so gracious to Hillary, even after the RFK assasination remearks. Her comments about the "commander in chief" test and "he wouldn't be MY pastor" were unfair and are part of the reason, along with the other comments above, that she cannot be trusted to serve as VP.

Beth, Denton, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:27 PM)

And THIS is why you DON'T want Hillary on the ticket !!

You need someone clean and honest

You DON'T want a running mate who has her HillRaisers going to jail

You DON'T want a running mate who's getting six figure donations from dish washers in NYC's Chinatown

You DON'T want a running mate who peddled lots at WhietWater to retirees and made a fortune in commodities trading

I'm convinced.... Joe Biden for VP

How about indicting Monica Goodling next ?
She's clearly violated laws by hiring only conservatives at the DOJ
Maybe you can get at Alberto gonzalez and Karl rove through her

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:27 PM)

It will be interesting seeing an Alaskan Democrat argue against Alaskan jobs that would be created by drilling, constructing the pipeline section that would get the oil to the existing Trans Alaskan pipeline and upgrading the existing Trans Alaskan pipeline.

It will be interesting to see an Alaskan Democrat arguing against one element of the T. Boone Pickens energy plan. Hopefully, they have drilled down a bit with regard to Pickens' plan, to find out that he supports drilling and exploiting all American energy resources to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources.

Actually, I'm encouraged at the prospect that a Democrat will be influential in opening ANWR to drilling.

Of course, if it's a Democrat, it will be the right thing to do, huh? And if it works, it will be the only time anyone has thought about it, huh? And of course, it won't be a flip-flop, it will be a wise concession to pragmatism.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:27 PM)

All they have to do is nominate a different repub and Alaska will vote for that one.

Howie (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:28 PM)

It's time for a change in Washington...no longer will the fat cat repubs..be in charge....Dems are for all of the people...
It's unfortunate that the next President has to deal with a trillion dollar deficit!

Seabird Jax Fla. (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:28 PM)

"Stevens is ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee."

How utterly moronic -- a technophobe in charge of Science.

Since when is being intelligent and educated a bad thing? I want the next POTUS to be the smartest one in the room surrounded by experts in their individual fields.

By the way, I love my non-college educated family -- all of them -- but none of them are qualified to be President. That position requires intelligence, education and the ability to listen. Senator McCain is not qualified, and the people who surround McCain and advise him should scare every voter far more than the color of Senator Obama's skin.

Obama 08

NoMcCain (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:29 PM)

Indictments related to bad business dealings?

That's a bad series of tubes to get tangled up in.

game kid (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:30 PM)

Systemic corruption in government, lately, particularly in the GOP. The Keating S&L scandal certainly should cast doubt on John McCain, too. The power elite all too often rely on an uninformed electorate. Open your eyes and ears. Vote Obama.

subgruvet, ok (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:30 PM)

Maybee he can take the "bridge to nowhere" to his potential federal jail sentence. A good friend of John McCain who has shown he is interested in making money for himself at the expense of the taxpayers.

Terry,Great Plains (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:33 PM)

Surprise? No, republcians are a bunch of thugs and McCain is right in there

tr (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:35 PM)

Now there's a shocker....another Republican indicted.
My dream would be to have Bush/Cheney and Rove to follow.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:36 PM)

ANOTHER CORRUPT REPUG...WHO NEW?

MR (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:37 PM)

That makes McCain the ranking member of that committee. Well, another committee upon which he will hold no hearings.

ATFILLINOIS (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:38 PM)

Now if FR and the rest of the media would cover the McCain untruth and gaffes this would not even be a close race. The only people that would vote for him would be the ones with views that cant be changed.That is putting it nicely so those offended by what I am implying wont cry foul. I also saw that the media trick to get the so called dissenfranchised Hillary voters panties in a bunch worked. It is a sad day when people rant and rave about the lack of experiance that Obama has. The same lack that the great Lincoln had and gee they are from the same state. Or how honorable John McBush is, well his service to the country was honorable. But his decision to sell out our soldiers for the war on oil I mean Iraq. His refusal to sign the new GI bill yet walked in to take credit for it. Is dishonorable. His behavoiur towards Obama this jealous , hate with that twisted grin he has after what he believes is a good talking point is just down right sick. BY the way Thanks New Independant. Has some work to do not all of us get paid to be here.

Brian M. De (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:38 PM)

The cumulative effects of this indictment goes to show why we should not let any republican anywhere near the whitehouse. Electing McCain will only help to preserve the status quo. McCain is academically unqualified and I am sure he will 'select' more uneducated justice department officials who will continue to devalue the rule or law.

The election is about Americans reclaiming their country...a vote for McCain is status quo.

Stephen Missouri (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:39 PM)

Why don't you MSM do your jobs and report McCain's lies and flip flops instead of bashing Obama for not stopping at one hospital. Do your jobs fairly!

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/07/mccain_backs_off_his_nonewtax.php

freddie, cleveland (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:40 PM)

A corrupt Republican, shocking!!!!

JS (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:42 PM)

We need to clean the house. The entire GOP is corrupt.
More bad news for McCain & GOP.

banko (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:47 PM)

One wonders how this would have been handled by the Gonzales DOJ.
No, I guess one KNOWS how it would have been handled by the Gonzales DOJ.
Never underestimate the effectiveness of zealots who feel that they belong to Gods Own Party.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:50 PM)

With this, it seems that Obama should take a trip to Alaska and campaign there, and get that red state blue! `

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:52 PM)

Scratch a Repiglican, get a crook Mr. Bridge to Nowhere and "Drill Alaska To Slag!" is finally going down. Should have been done years ago.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:52 PM)

If the christian envagelicals are really supporting the Republicans, then how come we are having these kind of people in the senate? What about all the corruption acts of the president and his vice - for God sake, we raelly need new faces in Washington. All these people that have spent decades need to go home.

Nelson, Knoxville, Tenn. (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:56 PM)

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