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   Memo: The way forward on health care reform in 2010.
 A dark legacy of the Vietnam War is creating a whole new set of problems.
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October 27, 2008
DOWN THE TUBES.... Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), the first sitting senator to endure a criminal trial in 27 years and an ally of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, was found guilty today on seven felony counts.
Roll Call noted that the decision came "on the same day that an alternate juror was placed back on the jury -- and just over a week before Stevens (R) will face voters in Alaska as he seeks re-election." The AP added that Stevens "faces up to five years in prison on each count but, under federal sentencing guidelines, will likely receive much less prison time, if any." His lawyers will, undoubtedly, appeal today's outcome. As for the political implications, this will seriously diminish Stevens' re-election chances -- call it a hunch -- and make it that much more difficult for the GOP to stay competitive in the Senate. Palin, meanwhile, is also likely to face new questions -- assuming she ever actually speaks to the media -- about her support for and long-time association with Stevens, whose political group Palin helped run and whose support she relied on to get elected. —Steve Benen 4:35 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (18)Comments
A man of privilege, the (dis)honorable Sen. Stevens must now surely know his errorous ways! If he does not, a little time behind bars may give him the epiphany he has until now not been able to make on his own. -Kevo Posted by: kevo on October 27, 2008 at 4:48 PM | PERMALINKPalin will surely insist that the jury was corrupt, but that their verdict proved that Stevens did nothing wrong. Posted by: Danp on October 27, 2008 at 4:57 PM | PERMALINKMan, at this rate the Republicans won't have a candidate who isn't tainted by a sex or bribery scandal! Democrats might yet get 60+ seats in the Senate. Even better, it seems Americans have woken up to the reality that deregulation and trickle-down economics have not benefitted them. Posted by: independent thinker on October 27, 2008 at 5:05 PM | PERMALINKWill someone explain to Sarah Palin that the jury verdict is not an acquittal? Posted by: UncaPaul on October 27, 2008 at 5:10 PM | PERMALINKStevens now faces an interesting dilemma. Does he ask Bush (discretely of course) for a pardon so he can stay out of prison, or does he risk trying to 'clear his name' through appeals knowing that once the appeals are exhausted there'll be a new, less sympathetic president. Posted by: SteveT on October 27, 2008 at 5:16 PM | PERMALINKThe real question is whether there are a dozen honest Republican Senators who will vote to throw Stevens out of the Senate if he is reelected. Nope? Didn't think so. Posted by: Lance on October 27, 2008 at 5:24 PM | PERMALINKIt's that damn liberal Department of Justice, I tell you! Posted by: mjm on October 27, 2008 at 5:33 PM | PERMALINKSarah Palin: She Pals Around With Felons! Posted by: martin on October 27, 2008 at 5:52 PM | PERMALINKBut, but, I paid every $13.42 bill I received for the complete renovation of my Alaskan home! Aside: Does he ask Bush (discretely of course) for a pardon so he can stay out of prison, or does he risk trying to 'clear his name' through appeals knowing that once the appeals are exhausted there'll be a new, less sympathetic president. Why can't he do both? It's not like a President is forbidden from pardoning someone during the appeals process. Posted by: Seitz on October 27, 2008 at 6:15 PM | PERMALINKI hope Bush pardons Stevens. It would really make a point about how utterly fucking sleazy the Republicans are, that they're shameless when it comes to protecting their own. And then if Stevens tries to take his seat (assuming that's even an option) the Senate votes to deny Stevens his seat and ousts him. What better way to give Bush a send-off back to Crawford? Posted by: Cash on October 27, 2008 at 6:31 PM | PERMALINKSeitz said: I'm pretty sure that if Stevens is pardoned, then the appeal process would end and the conviction would stand because the issue became moot. Even if Stevens doesn't go to prison, his entire career would be tainted by his being a convicted felon. Posted by: SteveT on October 27, 2008 at 6:51 PM | PERMALINKWell, dear Scarahcuda has weighed in on the subject, applying pretzel logic with her usual grace and speed. From Think Progress: Vis pardon/commutation. I'm not sure it can be done before the sentencing. And the sentencing is scheduled for... January 26. By which time, a different regime will have been installed in the WH. The delay had been agreed to at Stevens' request. I guess he's hoping that his appeal (or one of them) will overturn the *verdict*, so that the sentencing part will never take place. Posted by: exlibra on October 27, 2008 at 8:59 PM | PERMALINKVis pardon/commutation. I'm not sure it can be done before the sentencing. Pardoning can be done anytime, from before the crime is charged (e.g., Nixon), to after the sentence is completely served (probably the most common case), and anywhere in between. The only time it can't be done is before the crime occurs. Posted by: cmdicely on October 27, 2008 at 9:17 PM | PERMALINKWhat better way to give Bush a send-off back to Paraguay? Fixed your typo. Posted by: Bob Loblaw on October 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM | PERMALINK
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