Can someone explain why

[Kathi OD]

people would vote for someone who has been found guilty of federal corruption charge?

With 99% of the precincts in Alaska reporting, Stevens is in the lead by a little over 4,000 votes.

 

[Dedejf]

Excellent question..... A little Bush mentality maybe? (aka lack of smarts)

 

[ConcKahuna]

Can you serve as senator from jail?

And that 4,000 votes is pretty big, when you consider Alaska's population of about 200,000.

 

[okeydokey]

I think Alaska's population is around 600,000 but I still don't understand the vote.

 

[smartestnumber5]

I heard NPR suggesting that if Stevens wins then once he goes to prison Palin could appoint herself to take over for him.

 

[wdhinn89]

After Clinton was re-elected, nothing surprises me anymore.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I think Alaska's population is around 600,000 but I still don't understand the vote.

Yup, you're right. I was looking at the wrong numbers.

It still amazes me though

 

[tekmom]

They want the Republican seat. If he goes to jail, someone can be appointed.

 

[DawnCt1]

Excellent question..... A little Bush mentality maybe? (aka lack of smarts)

So it was President Bush that stuck the cold cash in his freezer!!!

U.S. Rep. William Jefferson cruises past Moreno to December runoff
by Frank Donze and Michelle Krupa, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday November 04, 2008, 11:00 PM

With his trial on federal corruption charges looming and questions swirling about his effectiveness in Congress, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson cruised to an easy victory Tuesday in the Democratic Party runoff for the 2nd Congressional District.
Michael DeMockerOn Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at the Fine Arts Center in Central City, Congressman William Jefferson, his wife Andrea by his side, addresses the crowd after his victory.

The decisive win over Helena Moreno, a former TV news anchor and political newcomer, ensures Jefferson a spot in the Dec. 6 general election. With two-thirds of the district's voters registered as Democrats, Jefferson seems the hands-down favorite to win a 10th term against four poorly financed opponents with scant name recognition.


And a little history here, in case you forget.

(CBS/AP) Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., was indicted Monday on federal charges of racketeering, money-laundering and soliciting more than $400,000 in bribes in connection with years of trying to broker business deals in Africa.

The indictment in federal court in Alexandria, Va., lists 16 alleged violations of federal law with prison terms totaling as much as 235 years. Jefferson is charged with racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire fraud, money-laundering, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.

He is the first sitting congressman to face charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits corporate bribery overseas.

The indictment claims Jefferson bribed Nigerian officials to pave the way for U.S. businesses — deals in telecommunications, oil fields, sugar, fertilizer and waste recycling plants, reports CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson. In return, he demanded monthly payments, profit shares and stock for his family-owned businesses.

The scheme was complicated, and Jefferson set up a front company to hide the money, prosecutors said.

"But the essence of the charges are really very simple: Mr. Jefferson corruptly traded on his good office and on the Congress," said Chuck Rosenberg, the U.S. attorney for eastern Virginia.

In August 2005, investigators raided Jefferson's home in Washington and found $90,000 in cash stuffed in a box in his freezer.

The 63-year-old Jefferson, whose Louisiana district includes New Orleans, has said little about the case publicly but has maintained his innocence. He was re-elected last year despite the investigation.

Joseph Persichini, who leads FBI's Washington field office, called on the public to "take the time, read this charging document line by line, scheme by scheme, count by count. This case is about greed, power and arrogance."

 

[ConcKahuna]

Jefferson has yet to go to Trial, Stevens has been convicted of 7 counts.

 

[chager]

Sometimes things are goofy! Many many years ago we were visiting family in Tn just before an election. There was a big issue surrounding the election of the Police Chief or Sheriff. I can't remember which it was, other then he was the head law enforcement person. Any way... the issue was that this person was GOING TO JAIL on DRUG CHARGES!! Guess what??!! He was elected! I think I was about 9 or 10 at the time and I really did not understand this. Of course there was also a huge sex abuse case going on that this guy was also involved in along with several other area leaders. It was a very strange time. I remember thinking it was scarey not to be able to trust the "good people" if you were being abused since they were probably part of the problem! This was a very small town in western Tn so everyone knew everything that went on. They were also a little backwards in some things! I hear they have finally hit the 21st century though! LOL

 

[LuvDuke]

After Clinton was re-elected, nothing surprises me anymore.

What crime was Clinton convicted of in 1996? Link, please.

Then again, John Ashcroft lost to a corpse in 2000.

 

[SeeVee]

After Clinton was re-elected, nothing surprises me anymore.

Marion Berry did it for me.

 

[RockNRollerGator]

Because Alaskans know a vote for Stevens is a vote for an unnamed Republican Senator, and not actually for Stevens.

 

[Kathi OD]

They want the Republican seat. If he goes to jail, someone can be appointed.

Because Alaskans know a vote for Stevens is a vote for an unnamed Republican Senator, and not actually for Stevens.

OK, this makes sense. I didn't think about that. Thank you!

 

[okeydokey]

Marion Berry did it for me.

Me too.