If Senator Ted Stevens is found guilty...

[Alaska DogCat]

United States Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska is currently on trial for failing to report ~$200K in gifts (a home remodel, cars, generator, etc.) received from an Alaskan Oil Services company. This company bribed a number of state lawmakers--including three who are currently serving time in a prison and our former governor's chief of staff who pleaded guilty to a felony corruption charge.

A jury will decide Ted Steven's fate this week. I have been amazed that the mainstream media has not picked up more on this story, particularly with the links to Sarah Palin. Palin is a long-time supporter of Stevens and served as the Director of his 527 fund raising group. She used her relationship with Stevens to get many federal earmarks for Alaska. She has refused to comment on the charges against Stevens so far. John McCain seems to despise Ted Stevens, having spent much of his political career fighting against him. However, that didn't stop him from picking Steven's political protege and beneficiary of Steven's earmark largesse as his running mate.

So, if Ted Stevens is found guilty, will there be any implications for Sarah Palin?

 

[mrsv98]

United States Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska is currently on trial for failing to report ~$200K in gifts (a home remodel, cars, generator, etc.) received from an Alaskan Oil Services company. This company bribed a number of state lawmakers--including three who are currently serving time in a prison and our former governor's chief of staff who pleaded guilty to a felony corruption charge.

A jury will decide Ted Steven's fate this week. I have been amazed that the mainstream media has not picked up more on this story, particularly with the links to Sarah Palin. Palin is a long-time supporter of Stevens and served as the Director of his 527 fund raising group. She used her relationship with Stevens to get many federal earmarks for Alaska. She has refused to comment on the charges against Stevens so far. John McCain seems to despise Ted Stevens, having spent much of his political career fighting against him. However, that didn't stop him from picking Steven's political protege and beneficiary of Steven's earmark largesse as his running mate.

So, if Ted Stevens is found guilty, will there be any implications for Sarah Palin?

Well the Repubs will just say she is a maverick who fought against her own party, doncha know....and completely ignore the relationship and its implications.

 

[sk8ingmom]

You would think there would be implications!

Even though it is "just Alaska" there are only 100 freeking Senators in the entire country. I figured this story would be getting much more play in the national media. I've been following it through ADN online because I am stuck in VA for a few years (Eagle River is home).

The sad and scary part is Uncle Ted might just win re-election despite getting caught. If it doesn't ruin his political career, I guess it won't ruin Sarah's.

 

[GeorgeG]

As much as politicians are, well, politicians, we should take each one on their own merit, or lack of. I don't think there's ever been a politician, no matter how good, who hasn't been somehow associated with at least one or two corrupt politician. Does that mean that they, too, are corrupt? Not necessarily. Each and every one of us has at one time or another worked with corrupt people. It's kinda like going on a cruise and not seeing the ocean - it's just there.

Now, politicians (and company execs, etc.) who have been found to be corrupt should pay a heavy price for their foul deeds and not retire wealthy.

 

[marybet]

Doncha know it's only Barack's relationships that count. John and Sarah are in no way responsible for what their friends do. Or in Sarah's case, her mentor.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

No matter what happens, Sarah refuses to answer questions, and the story goes away. God bless the media.

 

[Alaska DogCat]

You would think there would be implications!

Even though it is "just Alaska" there are only 100 freeking Senators in the entire country. I figured this story would be getting much more play in the national media. I've been following it through ADN online because I am stuck in VA for a few years (Eagle River is home).

The sad and scary part is Uncle Ted might just win re-election despite getting caught. If it doesn't ruin his political career, I guess it won't ruin Sarah's.

Nice to see fellow Alaskans on the Disboards.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And recently there has been a major earmark for a road in Florida that was not wanted locally. It turns out that a company in Alaska owns some land that the road would run right next to and would make a killing once that road was in place.

 

[Anewman]

It is a reflection of character that she associated with this person, and this person helped her get to where she is now.

It saddens me deeply that she is so close to the white house.

 

[sk8ingmom]

Nice to see fellow Alaskans on the Disboards.

We're stuck in DC hell for a few years, but gosh darn it, we're still Alaskan!
Got the bluetarp and duct tape to prove it.

And recently there has been a major earmark for a road in Florida that was not wanted locally. It turns out that a company in Alaska owns some land that the road would run right next to and would make a killing once that road was in place.

That was Uncle Don (Rep. Young), not Uncle Ted (Sen. Stevens).

 

[natenapril]

And the sad part is it looks like he has a really good chance at getting reelected