Sen. Ted Stevens Indicted
Alaska’s senior Senator Ted Steven was indicted today:
Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator and a figure in Alaska politics since before statehood, was indicted Tuesday on seven counts of failing to disclose thousands of dollars in services he received from a company that helped renovate his home.
Stevens, the first sitting U.S. senator to face federal indictment since 1993, has been dogged by a federal investigation into his home renovation project and his dealings with wealthy oil contractors.
The investigation has upended Alaska state politics and cast scrutiny on Stevens — who is running for re-election this year — and on his congressional colleague, Rep. Don Young of Alaska, who is also under investigation.
I’m with Patrick Ruffini who wants Stevens to resign immediately. As Erick Erickson puts it:
For the longest time Ted Stevens has done all things for the good of Ted Stevens. Now is the time for him to fall on his sword and take one for the GOP team.
At least the indictment didn’t happen closer to the election when voters are paying attention. What this news doesn’t do is take away the corruption taint that’s been around the GOP since 2006.
Who should replace Stevens on the Republican side? Gov. Sarah Palin? She’s a rising star, and stars end up disappearing in the Senate (George Allen, Norm Coleman).
“Justice Department Indicts Sen. Ted Stevens“
He should resign, but from what I remember of Alaskans I think he’s still more likely to get re-elected than not.
Which is a sad commentary on Alaskans and on Republicans these days.