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Focus for Stevens now turns to election

by Jason Moore, Rebecca Palsha and Mike Ross
Monday, October 27, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- With his case now decided -- guilty on all counts in his corruption trial -- Sen. Ted Stevens' immediate concern is the election and whether he can survive fresh off of seven felony convictions.

Leaders of Alaska's Republican party, who believe Stevens is innocent, are asking voters to consider what might be called "Plan B" -- vote for Stevens next week, even if he later decides to resign.

From a political strategy standpoint, a Stevens victory next week keeps the door open for the state GOP in the future

"If you don't vote for Ted Stevens now, you don't have an option in the future to have a conservative candidate," McHugh Pierre of the Alaska Republican Party said "You're stuck. You're stuck with a liberal who does not represent your views and beliefs."

If Stevens wins re-election, he can still start his new term in the senate. If he later decides to resign, then under state law, a special election would be called to replace him.

Republicans want to keep that option open, instead of just handing the Senate seat to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich for the next six years.

In the view of the state Democratic Party, Stevens should get out now.

"Senator Stevens' seven felony convictions are very serious and he should immediately resign from the United States Senate," Patti Higgins of Alaska Democrats said. "He knew what he was doing (was) wrong, he did it anyway, and then he lied to Alaskans about it.

"Alaskans deserve better than that. It's time for us to elect an honest and ethical senator who can move our state forward."

The news of the guilty verdicts broke during a Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, in which Stevens appeared in a video.

His opponent, Begich, had only a short statement after the forum.

"This has been a very difficult year for Alaskans, and a long year," he said. "Alaskans are strong and resilient, and I believe Alaskans will move forward because we have many critical issues and challenges ahead of us to deal with.

"That's it."

Stevens issued a statement on the verdict but did not otherwise address reporters.

"I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have ..." Stevens said in the written statement. "I am innocent...

"I remain a candidate for the United States Senate. I will come home on Wednesday and ask for your vote."

The other members of the Alaska congressional delegation called it a sad day and said Stevens would still get their vote.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski had just spoken with Stevens.

"He is up, he is up. He is charged. He's mad, I think appropriately so," Murkowski said. "He started to just tick off the numbers of areas where he felt that the prosecutors really misstepped."

Rep. Don Young said he thinks Stevens can still win.

"He's the right thing for the state of Alaska," Young said. "Again, through the process, he will eventually be found innocent, and I think it's the right thing for the state. But that's up to the voters. If the voters decide something else, that's a different story."

There was a much less favorable reaction from vice presidential candidate, Gov. Sarah Palin.

"This is a sad day for Alaska and a sad day for Senator Stevens and for his family," Palin said. "The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company up there in Alaska that was allowed to control too much of our state. And that control was part of the culture of corruption that I was elected to fight, and that fight must always move forward regardless of party affiliation or seniority or even past service."

Democratic Congressional candidate Ethan Berkowitz, who's supporting Begich, had this to say about the conviction:

"I'll tell you as an Alaskan, when I look at Ted Stevens I'm going to look at more than just what happened today," he said. "I'm going to look at everything he's done for this state, for the 40 years he's been in the Senate and the other service he's done. Ted Stevens has an incredible legacy and this is just part of that legacy."

Pollster Ivan Moore said the verdict all but dashes Stevens' hopes to hold on to his seat.

"Well as far as his race for re-election is concerned, I think it's all over," Moore said. "I don't think there's any other rational conclusion that anyone can come to."

Stevens does not face an automatic punishment in the Senate because of the convictions. However, the Senate could vote to expel the Stevens, a two-thirds majority would be required. Some supporters are even hoping for a pardon from President Bush.

Contact Jason Moore at jmoore@ktuu.com; Rebecca Palsha at rpalsha@ktuu.com; and Mike Ross at mross@ktuu.com