Colin Powell: Stevens' Word "Sterling"

Former Secretary Of State Vouches For Alaska Senator's Character, Integrity At Corruption Trial

(AP)  Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday praised Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' sense of honor at his trial on corruption charges, calling his reputation for honesty and integrity "sterling" in the quarter-century they've known each other.

"As we say in the infantry, this is a guy you take on a long patrol," said the retired four-star Army general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Federal prosecutors have accused Stevens of trying to hide more than $250,000 in renovations to his Alaska cabin and other gifts from Bill Allen, former head of the oil services company VECO Corp.

But when defense attorney Brendan Sullivan asked Powell to describe Stevens' reputation for honesty and integrity, Powell's answer was simple: "In a word, sterling."

"There was never any suggestion that he would do anything that was improper," said Powell, who told jurors he knows Stevens "extremely well" after having worked with him on military appropriations issues for decades.

It was not clear whether Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator and patriarch of Alaska politics for generations, would take the stand in his own defense. But he is calling some of his famous friends to vouch for him in the court case that has put his Senate seat in jeopardy.

He has languished in the federal courtroom as a Democratic opponent back home mounts a strong challenge to the seat he's held for 40 years.

Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii on Thursday called Stevens' reputation for truthfulness and honesty "absolute." Next week, defense lawyers want to call other senators, including Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., to continue to testify on Stevens' behalf.

But U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan has ordered the defense list of character witnesses to be cut from 10 to five. In court papers, lawyers had argued they should have been able to call as many witnesses as they wanted to vouch for Stevens.

It is unclear when and if Hatch would testify. Though Kennedy was listed, lawyers said the ailing senator would appear only if his health improves.

Powell, who shook the senator's hand before the jury entered the courtroom, said he didn't know anything about the charges that Stevens lied on Senate forms to conceal Allen's gifts.

Stevens has always been honest and upfront - "someone whose word you can rely on" - when he worked with him on Capitol Hill, Powell said.

"I had a guy who would tell me when I was off base," Powell said. "I had a guy who would tell me when I had no clothes on." And as people in the courtroom started to chuckle, Powell smiled and added, "Figuratively."

Powell added that Stevens has always put his country first, even when Powell had to go to him to explain that the military needed to draw down some of the forces in Alaska. Stevens didn't like the idea, Powell said, but listened to the arguments and finally agreed to support it for the good of the country.

"He fights for his state, he fights for his people but he always has the interests of his country at heart," Powell said.

Stevens says he was too busy in Washington to pay close attention to the renovation of the home near Anchorage, which his wife oversaw. His lawyers also say their client assumed that the $160,000 the Stevens' paid to other local contractors covered the work to convert Stevens' modest A-frame cabin into a two-story home with wraparound decks, new electricity and plumbing, a sauna and a master-bedroom balcony.

Real estate appraiser Gerald B. Randall Jr. estimated in 2000 that the renovated house would be worth $270,000 before the work was done, but never saw the completed chalet or the additions of a steel deck and stairs, a backup power generator or a second-floor escape ladder.

Justice Department lawyers used Allen, a self-made multimillionaire who has known Stevens for more than two decades, as their star witness.

Allen testified that the senator came up with the idea for the renovations to make room for visiting grandchildren. As the work progressed, Stevens sometimes asked him for invoices, but Allen said he ignored the requests because he liked his old fishing and drinking buddy too much, and the senator never paid VECO.

Some contractors recalled on Friday being promptly paid by the senator or his wife - testimony that Stevens' legal team hopes will undercut the charges against him. Asked if the senator ever ignored a bill, excavation company owner Jean Redmond replied, "No sir. It's always been paid. Always. Everything."

If convicted, Stevens, 84, faces up to five years in prison on each of seven charges, though under federal sentencing guidelines, he probably would receive much less prison time, if any.

Federal courts are closed on Monday for the Columbus Day holiday.

[freckster]

Den of liars.

[andejack]

How in the world do we bring Colin Powell back into public service? This is a person of conviction, sincerity, and very admirable philosophical and personal qualities. If you have ever had the privilege of a personal or public appearance encounter, you would NOT have a question that our country needs Colin and as many more of his likes that we can get!

If Colin were running for ANYTHIHG today, no matter what his chosen party affiliation may be, HE WOULD GET MY VOTE! He is unquestionably a committed American, an individual with impeccable integrity, a person without personal agenda, and refreshingly GENUINE. While those characteristics may be a threat to some, to me that is even more reason to endorse this wonderful person for however he can be convinced to serve again.

Unfortunately, I suspect, Colin has the good sense to conclude, %u201CI%u2019m not subjecting myself or, more importantly to me, my family, to the C___ the media and the public feel compelled, obligated, and entertained by, to dish out today.%u201D His perceived conclusion, while most understandable, is a MOST SAD commentary on how our country has driven incredibly talented people away from public service. SHAME ON US!

[rickstas]

Everybody knows Powell lost all credibility with his false assertions at the UN. Why listen to his unreliable opinion now?

[darkroom2]

If all of you dumbasses that are questioning Colin Powell had done 1/1,000,000 for you country as he had we would be in great shape. But you had rather whine and sit back and do nothing but try and hurt someone else. Probably less than one percent have ever served in the Military. You want to help so it''s free why don''t you join or shut up.

[shoebox119]

The guilty always bring character witnesses to trial to help bolster themselves in the eyes of the jury. Unfortunately for Ted Stevens, Colin Powell offers no exculpatory evidence that would help exonerate the senator. None, nada, zip.

[brianbwb-2009]

"Colin Powell: Stevens'' Word "Sterling"

This from the 5-star liar who helped bring us Iraq.

Powell should be on the front line of those on trial for treason and war crimes.

Oh well, since he has already sold his soul, Powell has none left to lose.

[joker1944-2009]

Mr. Powell then climbed into one of the mobile biological weapons labs captured - along with all the other massive stores of WMDs - in Iraq and drove off.

[beader59]

From the man who played along with Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rove in the biggest mistake America has made. Powell is not one whose word should be trusted.

[p-syrus]

Colin Powell: Stevens'' Word "Sterling"
--------------

This from a man who is on record as having lied to the entire world about an illegal war.

[vietvet06]

Sterling you say...Sterling what???? Colin Powell has taken his place among the worlds worst, an interloper with no regard for humanity. I prefer he steels his support for the no goods, in the days to come, everyone will pay.

[libratine]

Too bad Colin Powell''s words aren''t worth gold.

[lost4words]

He should have shrunk Stevens, put him in a little bitty bottle, taken him to the court, and asked the judge to be careful of the possibility of foul odor when crushed !...5 years ago, that would have worked !

[babooph]

Powell vouching for someones voracity is like Madona speaking up for modesty.

[egresor]

well i hope mr powell visits this thread and see what the people think of his word.

and that putup phone call from stevens denying he did anything wrong doesn''t mean anything either.

maybe mr stevens can use one of those numerous pork barrel bridges he got for alaska to get to the truth?

[canctu1]

I am going to rely on Powell''s word, just like the UN and the American people did? Don''t make me laugh!

Until this moment I thought Powell was a decent man! Now I know he is just another Republican!

[airboatboy1]

These Republicans do try to stick together don''t they? One will lie and the next will swear to it.

Common, folks Powell rose to the top in both Republican and Democratic administrations by being always bold but only usually having correct judgement. That is a lot more than can be said of almost any other government leader. Inspite of his mistaken call on the WMDs in Iraq, he deserves some respect. Ofcourse that does not mean Ted Stevens is innocent.

[toby2958]

Until this moment I thought Powell was a decent man! Now I know he is just another Republican!

Posted by canctu1 at 04:22 AM

Yep, looks like Powell caved just like McSame did.

Oh well, they''ll both be irrelevant soon.

"Sterling?" Isn''t that what Republicans use at their teas and fund raising? "A guy you take on a long patrol?" Would that be on the bridge to nowhere? I notice Colin didn''t put him "on point;" that''s the one you really trust! This testimony reminds me of the Timothy McVeigh, Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah Building, case. A number of people vouched for Tim as being a really good guy, never having done anything wrong except for this one thing. That would be the 168 dead thing, of course.

[ajaxtheleast]

If a Republican is going to do something

that will stick to them for life besmirching

their image and emanating a moral stench

about them like lieing does, why not do

Larry''s public restroom bit and at least

get some fun out of it !??


But what do I know,,,maybe some
Republicans DO derive from lieing what
Larry gets out of public restroom stalls.

[babooph]

"Sterling" only has to be 92.5% pure-that leaves a lot open for some criminal behavior-Al Capone may have only been 7 1/2 % crooked .

[flreason]

Let''s be fair, it is possible that Stevens is telling the truth. It is also possible that Colin Powell is telling the truth. Perhaps Stevens has lost some memory function. Perhaps the contractor didn''t submit invoices. That may have been because of friendship...or ulterior motives.

Despite the fact I''m an Independent/Democrat, with the bi-partisan list of high profile people vouching for his character, I''m inclined to think this is either an honest mistake on Stevens part, or a set-up.

[nor-one]

Colin Powell has been an apologist for the government, any government, since his military days. He was the head of the first investigation of the "My Lai" massacre and "white" washed it for the government. Then he went to the UN and lied to the world for the Bushies. Let''s not be too surprised that he would say Stevens the thief was honest!!!

[jerr11]

Colin Powell: Stevens'' Word "Sterling"



From the liar who sold us the Iraq war with fake WMDs!

Colin WMD Powell -- just another lying scumbagg in the Bush house of LIES.

[blackyowe]

Trot out Uncle Tom again to try to save the day?

[Keypinitreel1]

Powell would do himself justice by declaring himself Independent.

[suzyku]

Colin Powell lost all respect when he LIED, LIED, LIED about the Iraq war! He didn''t have enough guts to tell the truth in the beginning which would have saved thousands of lives and billions of dollars. I don''t believe him now either!

[roachcrusher]

Yeah, I guess Colin if you''re using worm-low Republican standards and your new Pledge of Allegiance "...One Nation under Deception..."

[nirak2-2009]

Coling Powell is the worst judge of character and not to e trusted.

[lemonskink]

Colin Powell, always to be remembered as a liar and Bush minion. Once a man of honor, he fell into Bush''s trance and lied to the world. Sterling, my a.ss.

[notfooled]

Coming from one of the Bush/Cheney crime syndicate henchman liars and one of the chief architects of the WMD scam and scheme - this means nothing, except that
Stevens is undoubtedly guilty as charged.

Colin Powell has no credibility whatsoever.

[antizion]

I suppose by Washington DC standards that is true but by any moral persons standards that is a lie like everything else that Powell says.

Thanks to Powell''s son the FCC chairman, the media is in the hands of 7 zionist jews. Perhaps that is why the story goes one way and the comments are the opposite.