http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/ted-stevens-update/Our embattled Senior Senator Ted Stevens is facing the fallout of his seven felony convictions at every turn. Here’s a semi-concise summary of where things stand.
Poll Numbers - The latest polls in Alaska, taken after the conviction, show Anchorage Mayor and Democratic challenger Mark Begich ahead with a commanding 22 point lead. 36% of Alaskans don’t mind voting for a convicted felon, but 58% do. So that’s something. The race was in a statistical tie just before the conviction, which makes you wonder why he pressed so hard for a speedy trial. If he hadn’t requested it, he’d be in a lot better shape today.
Law License - Ted Stevens is an attorney, and last Thursday, theAlaska Bar Association sought to temporarily suspend his license to practice law. Under the Bar Association rules, a conviction is considered to take effect as soon as the verdict is handed down by the jury. (Remember this for the next section).
Ability to Vote - The Division of Elections sought counsel from the Alaska Department of Law regarding whether Senator Stevens will, in fact, be prevented from voting on Tuesday. Assistant Attorney General Michael Barnhill returned the opinion that Stevens may vote, and that the restriction of that privilege, due to felony conviction, comes at the moment of sentencing, and after the appeals process has run its course. It’s interesting to note that the day this opinion was released by Barnhill, two callers in to progressive talk radio station KUDO in Anchorage, said that they were convicted felons and that they had lost their right to vote immediately upon the guilty verdict, despite the fact that they had appealed the case and were not yet sentenced.
PFD Check - Because Stevens committed his seven felonies outside the state of Alaska, he will be allowed to continue to receive his Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend check. Had the crimes been committed in the state of Alaska, he would have been ineligible to receive the annual check. If Stevens’ appeal is tried in the state, and he loses, he would also lose his check.
Endorsements - Stevens still retains the support of Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Congressman Don Young, and his long-time close friend Democratic Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. Those on the other side who have rapidly distanced themselves from Stevens and have asked for him to step down are: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D), Republican Presidential nominee John McCain, and VP nominee and Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin.
In a statement released by the Stevens campaign,
Inouye argues that his longtime friend will be seated as a Member of the Senate next year if re-elected and that he believes the felony convictions will be overturned.
“As the Senate has done in every other instance in its long 220-year history, I am absolutely confident that Ted Stevens will be sworn into the Senate while he appeals this unjust verdict, I am certain that this decision in Washington, D.C., will be overturned on appeal,” Inouye said.
But Reid rejected that reading of Senate history and chastised Stevens for using his friend in a political campaign.
“While I respect the opinion of Senator Daniel Inouye, the reality is that a convicted felon is not going to be able to serve in the United States Senate. And as precedent shows us, Senator Stevens will face an ethics committee investigation and expulsion, regardless of his appeals process,” Reid said.
Expulsion - Expulsion requires a 2/3 vote of the Senate, and is likely should Stevens be re-elected. As much of a lion as Stevens has been, and although he has built solid relationships in the Senate, I don’t believe that more than a third of the Senate will fall on their swords to support him. Voters don’t like politicians that like to pal around with convicted felons.
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