Stevens Concedes Alaska Senate Race

Senator, Convicted Of Corruption Last Month, Lost Close Race To Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich

(CBS/AP)  Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens conceded defeat Wednesday in a re-election bid shadowed by his federal felony conviction, a bitter end to a four-decade career in which he held a commanding place in state politics and on some of the most influential congressional committees in Washington.

In an eight-sentence statement, the longest serving Republican in Senate history said not enough ballots remain uncounted for him to catch Democrat Mark Begich, who holds a 3,724-vote lead out of about 315,000 ballots cast.

Stevens was attempting to become the first felon to be elected to the Senate. He was convicted last month by a federal jury in Washington, D.C., of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations from an oil field services company.

Stevens said Tuesday that he will not ask President Bush to give him a pardon for his seven felony convictions.

Stevens never directly mentioned his legal ordeal Wednesday but thanked "the thousands of Alaskans who stood by us."

"I am proud of the campaign we ran and regret that the outcome was not what we had hoped for," Stevens said. "I am deeply grateful to Alaskans for allowing me to serve them for 40 years in the U.S. Senate. It has been the greatest honor of my life."

The votes that gave Begich a winning margin were tallied on Tuesday, Stevens' 85th birthday.

The senator's statement was released just minutes after Begich, 46, the two-term Anchorage mayor, met with reporters and said he had not heard from Stevens. Begich said he had received congratulations from other leading Republicans, including Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

A smiling Begich described his election as a fundamental shift in the Alaska political landscape long dominated by Republicans. But he also made clear he was not a conventional Washington Democrat, citing his support for gun rights and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the state's northern reaches.

"Anybody who knows me knows that I'm a different Democrat — I'm from Alaska," he said. Along with firearm rights and drilling, "Alaskans are very libertarian in issues where the government shouldn't interfere in their personal lives."

He said he was "definitely different than a New York Democrat."

Stevens' defeat moves Senate Democrats closer to the 60-vote majority needed to end a delaying tactic known as a filibuster used to obstruct passage of legislation.

Democrats hold 58 seats, when two independents who align with Democrats are included, with undecided races in Minnesota and Georgia where two Republicans are trying to hang onto their seats.

With this win, Democrats have picked up seven Senate seats in the Nov. 4 election.

Stevens' ouster marks an abrupt realignment in Alaska politics and will alter the power structure in the Senate, where he has served since the days of the President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration, holding seats on some of the most influential committees in Congress.

The crotchety octogenarian occupies an outsized place in Alaska history. His involvement in politics dates to the days before Alaska statehood, and he is esteemed for his ability to secure billions of dollars in federal aid for transportation and military projects. in the state. The Anchorage airport bears his name; in Alaska, it's simply ``Uncle Ted.''

With Stevens gone "it's a big gap in dollars - billions of dollars - that none of the other members of the delegation, Begich, whoever, could fill," said Gerald McBeath, chair of the political science department at University of Alaska Fairbanks. "There is no immediate replacement for him."

Begich will be the first Democrat to represent Alaska in the Senate in nearly 30 years. He is the son of Nick Begich, Alaska's third congressman, who died in a plane crash 1972 while running for re-election.

[cdfoxtrot5]

I suspect moron Bush will give Stevens and all the other criminal Republicans like "scooter" Libby a pardon as he''s walking out the door.

[blublucollar]

Goodbye. Good riddance. Alaskans are falling like flies.

[yeswedid]

"Stevens, who turned 85 Tuesday, also revealed that he will not ask President George W. Bush to give him a pardon for his seven felony convictions"
----------------------------------------------------
Oh, how "honest" of him! What a joke.

[manuob1]

The ultimate Candidate to Nowhere has finally arrived.

[manuob1]

The ultimate Candidate to Nowhere has finally arrived.

[relee42]

I guess some of us Alaskans know a little bit more than some outsiders about the constitution. Pardons are worthless in the Senate. They can still give you the boot, pardon or not.

[jps19651]

I am a Republican and I did not like Stevens. I''m glad he lost and wouldn''t have voted for him.

That''s the end of the Sarah Palin story for now. No special election, no three ring circus, thank goodness. Palin now has to decided whether to run for re-election for Governor or just focus on a 2012 Presidential run, or none of the above.

[torva-2009]

And another GOPer Senator bits the dust...after being convicted...gives new meaning to "NEOCONvict!"

And this just in...it appears that Gonzo and the Vice D.ick have been indicted in Texas on charges relating to illegal detention...could it be the dawn of a new era...JUSTICE?

Wild!

[treknutz]

Hey Ted,

Now you can retire and spend the last remaining days of your miserable, good for nothing life standing on the bridge to nowhere that you built with stolen tax dollars. Hey look on the bright side dude,I''m sure there is a crappy construction organization looking for an experienced con man to screw old folks out of their life savings!

You are the most detestable kind of human being. You are lower than a used car salesman!

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

They say that what goes around comes around.

Time to pack your bags Senator Stevens; and, do not let the door hit your butt on the way out.

[jamshied]

ONE DOWN, TWO MORE TO GO.

IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT MINNESOTA RECOUNT WILL MAKE AL FRANKEN A WINNER. HOWEVER, OUTCOME OF GEORGIA''S RUN OFF ELECTION WOULD BE HARD TO PREDICT. IF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS GO TO THE POLLS AT THE SAME RATE OR PROPORTION AS NOV. 4th, THEN REPUBLICAN NOMINEE WILL WIN.
WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE OVER AND DONE, PROBABLY TURN OUT WILL BE LOWER ON BOTH SIDES. THAT IS MY GUESS AND FEELING RIGHT NOW.

[yeswedid]

You are lower than a used car salesman!

Posted by treknutz at 09:30 PM : Nov 18, 2008
----------------------------------
---------------
Or lower than the car industry itself

[jswilliams451]

Hey Ted, not to worry.

"PRISON IS A SERIES OF TUBES".

All the best buddy.

[ioweign]

from Crooks&Liars

*** Cheney Indicted in TX.
By John Amato Tuesday Nov 18, 2008 6:00pm


Not much info in the piece because the information is not public yet, but a DA has indicted Cheney and Alberto Gonzalez and a few others on charges that are related to corruption in the private prison system following an inmate''s death. And not surprisingly, there''s some profiteering involved.

I''m sure Cheney will try to have it thrown out of court.

[smurfcrusher]

hmmm.... I guess this means he shouldn''t have failed his duty to the American people.

Payback is...what?

Good riddance.

[jamshied]

THIS WOULD DASH SARAH PALIN''S HOPE TO GET INTO THE SENAT. SO SHE SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON WORKING AS GOVERNOR AND AVOID ABUSING HER POWER THIS TIME. 2002 WILL BE A LONG SHOT FOR HER. PROBABLY SHE WILL NOT EVEN RE-ELCTED FOR 2nd TERM. REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR PRESDIEN? IT WOULD BE A NICE DREAM.FROM THE POOL OF EXISTING GOP GOVERNERS, EVERY ONE OF THEM CAN DEFEAT PALIN.

[treknutz]

Or lower than the car industry itself


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by yeswedid

Wish I had said that....Good one!

[cdfoxtrot5]

The most astonishing thing about all this is that so many people in Alaska voted for this convicted felon.
What kind of person do you have to be, to live in Alaska for vote for crooks like this guy and Palin?

[yeswedid]

Wish I had said that....Good one!

Posted by treknutz at 09:58 PM : Nov 18, 2008
-----------------------------------------
Well, it''s just a joke the shape this country is in isn''t it? Convicts for senators, soccer moms for vp, bailouts for greedy crooks on wallstreet & for the auto industry (the supposed heart of our country''s $ source...WHAT THE FVCK IS POSSIBLY NEXT???!!!!

[doctajim]

Either a pardon or commutation will be in the works on the day Adolph Bush and Heinrich Cheney leave office. Their last minute screw-U to the American electorate. None of this would have happened if Americans had been on their toes during the last two elections and hadn''t been dumn enough to be side-tracked by Nazi-Republican lies.

[veteranx-2009]

Good riddance to bad trash. There is some justice in the world, and there''s more coming to those Republicans who have run this country into the ground with their voodoo economics.

[doctajim]

Make that dumb not dumn (blasted b is right next to the n).

[prometheus41]

It would have been real interesting, if not a "slap in the face" to our democracy, to see how a convicted felon could serve in a Congress, on convictions against that office.

This would be like hiring a recently convicted child molester to run a nursery until he is officially sentenced.

[excoachken]

"Go directly to jail. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200!"

[lemonskink]

If this Republican crook was had an ounce of moral fiber, he would have gave the election to the Democrats. If he would have won, he would have fought his conviction all the way to Bush''s Supreme Court. Another one bites the dust, thank God.

[chetthor]

One down

Now what other high profile Alaskians have a new house that is worth far more than you''d expect for their income.

Think we could get pediphyle Foley in front of that DC jury?

[joereed007]

I guess GOD closed the door on Scarah Palin, LOL!

[donbl1]

The Democrats are on the verge of having to legislate and not being able to blame Republicans for their promises not to get passed.

If they actually try to pass laws such as the Unions promise for card check,,,,,, well, we will have 1994 all over again.

No blaming Republicans now.

this could be interesting.

[centerfall94]

I guess GOD closed the door on Scarah Palin, LOL!

Posted by joereed007 at 10:47 PM

Closed the door? Oh please. She''s had it slammed in her face and LOCKED.

LOL!!

[smurfcrusher]

Poor Palin. Guess she won''t be appointing herself to the Senate any time soon.

She''s just.... hapless! lol

[smurfcrusher]

"The Democrats are on the verge of having to legislate and not being able to blame Republicans for their promises not to get passed.

If they actually try to pass laws such as the Unions promise for card check,,,,,, well, we will have 1994 all over again.

No blaming Republicans now.

this could be interesting."

Posted by donbl1

Nice try. The Republicans have dug us SO deep in the hole, it will take.... oh, at least two terms, to dig ourselves out. :)

[washrealtor]

Anyone know whatever happened to William Jefferson, Dem LA? Maybe his cold cash is OK.

[donbl1]

Smurf, this is not going to be about what the Republicans have done but rather about what the Democrats "must" now do as there is no Senate Republican fillibuster to stop them.

Political debt is going to come due.

Look for a try to legislate gay marriage. Elimination of US Government education oversight.
Elimination of secret Union elections
Elimination of Don''t Ask Don''t Tell.
etc.

There will be no Republicans to blame.

So, what will happen next year? Pay off the political debt? Will be interesting to watch.

[terrorislame]

Thank God!! Uncle Ted is Headed For The Big Cabin !!!
Hope He Freezes too!!!
He`s ''The Poster Child " For the RepubliCons!
Is it Any Wonder they got Hammered in the Elections ?

[tiredofthebs]

"The Democrats are on the verge of having to legislate and not being able to blame Republicans for their promises not to get passed.

If they actually try to pass laws such as the Unions promise for card check,,,,,, well, we will have 1994 all over again.

No blaming Republicans now.

this could be interesting."

Posted by donbl1

Nice try. The Republicans have dug us SO deep in the hole, it will take.... oh, at least two terms, to dig ourselves out. :)

Posted by smurfcrusher at 10:56 PM : Nov 18, 2008

Finger pointing already? Let''s point the finger in the right direction then. I recall someone campaigning on a platform of change. And so far, it looks like the only change will be who inhabits the White House. Let''s stay focused people.

[terrorislame]

Obviously donb is a RAT
Hope Your Scabby Azz Freezes Too !

[donbl1]

Ya gotta enjoy the political drama that is getting ready to play out.

Overreach?
Don''t reach far enough?
Who goes for it all?
Who backs away from the edge?
What about the Blue Dogs?

Fun political drama all next year.

Economy will pick up in April (I hope) and the war is winding down so political drama will inundate the news broadcasts.

[relee42]

Thanks Sarah, we Democrats needed idiots like you to win as big as we did. Sarah, you have far less chance of ever being president than you do of getting the boot as governor, so get it out of your thick head.

[redhawk1021]

Anyone know whatever happened to William Jefferson, Dem LA?

Posted by washrealtor at 10:59 PM : Nov 18, 2008

Last I heard he was what sad, pathetic GOP losers bring up every single time something ELSE goes wrong with their stupid little excuse for a party.

[thickredhair]

good for alaska standing up to corruption

[mikezembill]

Thank you Mr.Bush you have been the best thing that could happen to us democrats.

[legacyabq]

I feel pretty sure that Bush will pardon this guy the last week of his presidency

[legacyabq]

I feel pretty sure that Bush will pardon this guy the last week of his presidency

[mikezembill]

See you pops

[wingnutsblow]

Good riddance, you old ***.

[nearl4511]

Wow. What a sad way to end a long career.

[ddaymichael]

I hope they don''t throw the book at the poor old geezer.

20 to 30 years should do nicely.

[pirmin3]

Great news! Go with Sarah and shoot a moose for Christ you losers.

[thisandthat1]

Good! Now throw the crook in jail for the rest of his life.

[evian_ycnan]

NO!