Alaskans need to buck up and face the fact that the Federal Government will most likely convict Senator Ted Stevens on all or most of the counts they have drawn up against him, either in late September or early October. However, Ted will win his primary race 25 days from now against Mr. Cuddy and the rest. Handily. The sentencing will be in early 2009. Stevens won't go to jail.
After the trial, he will have to immediately step down and vacate his candidacy. Randy Reudrich's Alaska Republican Party machine will not recommend Governor Sarah Palin to fill Ted's slot on the ticket. The only Republican with enough stature to challenge Mark Begich in November is Wally Hickel. He won't run. There might be a lot of GOP fools stupid enough to think they could jump into the breech and beat Mark, but I can't think of any who actually could even make the campaign interesting.
Mark Begich, unless something totally unforeseen happens, will be our next U.S. Senator.
I've asked myself several times over the past ten years, "Why do so many people think that Ted Stevens has been so unique, so positive, for the development of Alaska?" He was far more effective in the U.S. Senate for us and for the country, than was Frank Murkowski. Or Mike Gravel, for that matter. But how much of that effectiveness was he directly responsible for? How different would it have been over those years had somebody like Nick Begich or Wally Hickel or Fran Ulmer been our Senator?
We'll never know. But I do know that the challenge Alaska faces in the post Stevens and Young era in Washington, DC will be one pointing toward the future, totally unreliant upon our past experience. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has been a better senator than her father ever was, within a few days of her inheriting his office. But is she good enough, though, especially in the coming eight years that will probably be dominated by Democrats?
Sorry, Alaska Republicans. You've failed Alaska on many levels over the past 14 years.
Alaskans! Get over Ted. Now. There is no reason to have to go through Post Ted Stress disorder.
4 comments:
I know how we find out! Let's keep Begich in office for forty years!
That of course is a horrible thought. With gaining power for the state through a politician's pure longevity we sacrifice the competitiveness of democracy that should be always urging politicians to do the will of the people.
I'm sure we lost that in Stevens a long time ago.
Excellent point, peter! I wish there was a better way to keep politics from being a "career."
Timing on Palin VP announcement:
1. Several days after gasline passed in Alaska.
2. Several days before the Olympics.
3. Ideally before Obama names his Veep (especially if Obama were to name a woman or Hillary).
Hey, McCain, why not Monday (tomorrow Aug 4) and LET THE GAMES BEGIN already!!!
In any event, stand by this week!
pssst! Ted is a secret Democrat.
You are right in what you are saying. ADN wants him in so this will all happen and no one else but losers like that guy from Florida get the space in their paper. Most people don't think-- but Begich will get in. Mark's time is in 09!
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