John McCain this morning:"It is a sign of the health of our democracy that the people continue to hold their representatives to account for improper or illegal conduct, but this verdict is also a sign of the corruption and insider-dealing that has become so pervasive in our nation's capital.
"It is clear that Sen. Stevens has broken his trust with the people and that he should now step down. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will be spurred by these events to redouble their efforts to end this kind of corruption once and for all."
Meanwhile, Ted's campaign chief has other plans:
Dear Friends,
I wanted to share a few thoughts with you about today's news.
First, the Senator is committed to stay in this fight. He will be home soon and he will be campaigning hard around the state.
Second, Alaskans should decide who our senator is. It should not be up to 12 people who have never been to Alaska to decide who represents us in Washington, D.C.
Third, because of overzealous prosecutors, Senator Stevens was deprived of his rights. The prosecutors, operating independent of the normal Justice Department process, spent millions of dollars to try to get Ted Stevens. They could only come up with charges that claimed he failed to file accurate paperwork. They presented an indictment that was false. They insisted on trying this case thousands of miles from Alaska. They, apparently intentionally, failed to follow the law and failed to turn over to Stevens' defense team evidence that tended to show he was not guilty. They sent a witness back to Alaska without telling the Judge or the defense, knowing he had been subpoenaed by the defense. They presented evidence to the jury that they knew to be untrue. The judge said, according to The Hill newspaper on October 8, 2008, “It is very troubling that the government would utilize the records the government knows were false.” There are numerous examples of their misconduct.
Remember that the Alaska Public Offices Commission just last month determined that our opponent had failed to file accurate disclosure statements. He has admitted this was not the first time. He failed to report a gift he received in 2002. When he ran for Mayor in 2003 voters did not know of that gift.
So this race is not about who accurately reported gifts. This race remains about who can best represent Alaska in Washington—who has the proven record of fighting every day to do what is best for Alaska. We all know that Ted has that record. And we need to re-elect him so he will continue to stand up for all Alaskans.
How can you help? First, tell your friends and neighbors that the prosecutors overstepped—that this verdict should not decide who our senator is. Second, make the same point in a letter to the editor, a call into a local radio program, or by posting comments online. Finally, we can still use your donations to help us pay for the ads we will need to air. Make a donation today.
Lets let Alaskans decide who should represent us. Don't let the misguided efforts of these zealous prosecutors tell us what to do. Lets fight for Ted because he has always fought for us.
Sincerely,
Mike Tibbles
Campaign Manager
6 comments:
I am amazed how republicans are throwing him under the bus! Heather Wilson of New Mexico on Harball said flat out that Stevens was wrong and should be prepared for the consequences! I nearly choked on a tortilla! She didn't even try to deny the charges? Very Unrepublican like.
It seems a few republican congress members are distancing themselves from Stevens. I imagine for Repubs, they are trying to distance themsleves for their next election. I also wonder if many Republicans in congress have grown tired of this cranky old man who gets all the money and wouldn't mind seeing him gone.
Not much lock step republican unity these days... I love it.
12 people not from AK wouldn't be deciding the race if Stevens had withdrawn his primary candidacy after he was indicted. He has only himself to blame for the Republican party's loss if Begich wins.
What I don't want to see is both AK Senators appointed by Republican governors -- first Lisa and now possibly Stevens' successor if Ted wins here next Tuesday. And I wouldn't put it past this state to re-elect him!
Ted won't win on Tuesday. I trust in Alaskans that much.
Ted Stevens was driven to corruption by his sense of entitlement, and clings to denial by his sense of pride.
The tragedy of the Stevens family is not over. Ben Stevens has yet to be prosecuted, and his fate is likely to be worse.
What a bitter ending to ponder. Ted Stevens could have retired in honor to golden years of acclaim.
I remember Big Ted, I once had the "honor" of introducing him to a crowd at the Tanana Valley Fair when he was waging his first re-election bid running against Gene Guess in 1972 He was a jerk then, he's a jerk now, and I'm glad it finally caught up with him. Couldn't happen to a snarkier guy.
The Republicans know if they lose to Begich they won't get another shot for 6 years.
Their only hope is to elect Ted and run someone else against him in the special election.
If a special election were to take place, any advantage that Begich has now would be marginalized on a number of fronts.
Stevens baggage wouldn't be quite the drag it is this cycle, it wouldn't be a national election, so turnout wouldn't be as great.
The wingers could run Sarah against Begich and I don't have to tell you how many incredibly stupid Alaskans would vote for Sarah.
It's not time to be talking about Begich having any lock on winning, it's more important than ever that we make sure this is decided now and not take any chance it could go to a special election in some future.
I wouldn't be telling people Begich has it in the bag, I'd be presenting this in another light entirely.
I'm hoping you make that point soon, phil. I'm not hearing anyone talk about what this means if Ted can be elected. There's a real danger in telling people they shouldn't worry about who might win, we need to work harder than ever because the alternative plays right into the opposition's advantage.
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