STEVENS’ FUTURE…. Despite having already been convicted on seven felony counts, Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is seeking re-election on Tuesday. It’s tempting to think this is the Republicans’ culture of corruption taken to comedic levels, but it’s just as accurate to describe this as the Republicans’ culture of chutzpah.
Roll Call reports today that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has no intention of letting Stevens’ career go forward, even if he manages to win on Election Day: “In a bluntly worded release from his office, Reid warned that Stevens would not only face an ethics investigation but also expulsion proceedings regardless of his efforts to appeal the convictions.”
The release from Reid’s office doesn’t leave much in the way of ambiguity.
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.
Stevens is likely to lose on Tuesday. But if he should manage to eke out a surprising victory, his “success” is likely to be short lived.
