Stevens Indictment Leaves Long-Dominant Alaska Republicans Facing Meltdown

[marmar]

from Bloomberg:



Stevens Charges Leave Alaska Republicans in Meltdown (Update1)

By Ken Fireman

Aug. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Senator Ted Stevens's presence is visible everywhere in Alaska, from his name on Anchorage's international airport to the plaque at a senior citizens' center thanking him for his support.

These symbols, grand and modest, reflect the influence of Alaska's pre-eminent politician, who for four decades has helped his party dominate the state's politics. Since his July 29 indictment, however, Stevens, 84, has come to symbolize something else: the fading power of the scandal-plagued party.

``He has served Alaska for 40 years, but his time is over,'' said former Governor Walter Hickel, who launched Stevens's Senate career by appointing him to a vacancy in 1968.

Stevens's indictment last month on federal charges of failing to disclose more than $250,000 he received from Veco Corp., an Anchorage-based oil-services contractor, is the latest -- and the biggest -- crest in a wave of ethical controversies that has swamped Alaska's Republican politicians.

The scandals were spawned by the confluence of one-party dominance and soaring oil and gas prices in this energy-rich state, said Gerald McBeath, a political scientist at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.

``This has to do with big money, big corporations trying to influence public policy,'' McBeath said. ``There was a lot of money awash in Alaska. Veco was a very powerful organization in state politics. It had tentacles that reached out and touched everybody.'' ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=a1TayhszevWM&refer=home

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. An accelerated global warming, eh Ted?

Adios, loser.

[zbdent]

7. nah ... that's just the

fact that his ass is on fire now ...

[bluerum]

2. In the immortal words of Jerry Seinfeld - "That's a shame".

NOT.
:sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick:
:sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick:
:sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick:
:sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick:
:sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick::sarcasm::kick:

Sorry (no, not really) to be so petty and spiteful,,,, but hey. They are republicons.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Ted is still extremely popular here.

I participated in a women's run in Kenai Saturday at which he was in attendance for the start, and I couldn't believe the way people were crowding around him, asking to have their pictures taken with him, etc. I have to admit, in this particular venue, he just seemed like somebody's sweet old grandpa, and my three companions and I -- all sporting Benson for Congress T-shirts (Democratic candidate for House) -- even toyed with the idea of asking him if WE could be photographed with him, but we chickened out. Despite Ted's troubles, I think Mark Begich has his work cut out for him.

I will agree with Wally Hickel -- I think Ted's time has passed. If he had retired rather than running again in 2002, he would have been revered here in the state for all time. He blew it.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Hopefully, just to get Ted's autographs and pictures now,

because being in jail can make it harder to get them later.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. True enough.

They could be collector's items someday.

Honestly -- and maybe I'm being overly charitable here -- I think he did do a lot for the state in the early years, and many of us, myself included, have had positive experiences in dealing with his office on various personal issues for which we needed some help from on high. But I think in his later years, he severely blurred the lines between friendship and corrupt relationships, which turned out to be his downfall. I guess it's what happens when you're in power for too long. I don't think the Republicans have a corner on this, and we would probably be appalled if we knew all the little secrets of some of our more longer-serving Democrats.

[DainBramaged]

5. I guess he thought he was invincible, and wanted to leave a legacy

of pork and patronage.

He fucked up.

Now he will be remember in the history books as a criminal.


Fucjk him, his resignation can't come soon enough.

[Happyhippychick]

8. I love the smell of a Republican meltdown in the morning.