Palin Reserved In Reaction To Stevens' Verdict

WASHINGTON — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has crafted a corruption-busting image as part of her Republican vice presidential campaign, wasn't talking tough Monday after Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted in a corruption case.

Palin did not call on Stevens to resign or drop out of his tight re-election race.

"I'm confident Senator Stevens will do what's right for the people of Alaska," Palin said in a statement.

Just weeks ago, when John McCain tapped her to be his running mate, Republicans trumpeted her ability to stand up to her own party. They said that proved she could stand up in the face of crisis.

"If you can take on Ted Stevens and that crowd in Alaska, you can handle the Russians," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C, told ABC News.

But Monday, Palin wasn't taking on Stevens. She said it was a sad day for Alaska and said it highlighted the corrupting influence of Big Oil in Alaska.

Stevens was convicted of seven counts of lying about $250,000 in home improvements and other gifts from oil contractor Bill Allen.

"I will carefully monitor this situation and take any appropriate action as needed," Palin said. "In the meantime, I ask the people of Alaska to join me in respecting the workings of our judicial system."

Stevens has not said what he plans to do and Palin's reluctance to call on him to step down may reflect just how powerful the Alaska senator remains. He is still popular and could win re-election.

Comments

[me again]

She's hoping he wins re-election, so he can then resign after he is sentenced and she can replace him with another Republican........if the Dem wins, she loses....

[billyboil]

Only in america can a convicted felon be inelegble to vote, but be a candidate for election in that same election!
The best democracy in the world - or just another banana republic?

[rr52]

My sentiments exactly. How is it possible Stevens can still run. There are so many things you can't do in this country as a convicted felon, but running for office is not one of them? Baloney. This needs to change!!!

[theplaintrutho1]

Ah, but notice IT52, you can always get a media-spot like Mark Furman & and G. Gordon Liddy (ex-White House staff).
True, Liddy paid His dues to society, while Furman and many others were never charged. Than there was J.Poindexter, Oliver North, (("McCain Camp Touts Ollie North Endorsement"), Elliott Abrams & Reagan, etc.)

News reporting on Elliott Abrams has been so sparse and pallid as to give hope to war criminals everywhere. Like Negroponte, Abrams maintains ignorance when not boasting that his policy was a "fabulous achievement" (Washington Post, 3/21/93).

The man (Abrams) was convicted in open hearings and remains brazenly unrepentant. He called his prosecutors "filthy bastards," the proceedings against him "Kafkaesque" and members of the Senate Intelligence Committee "pious clowns,"

John Poindexter isn't the only Iran-Contra conspirator to be appointed to a high-level position.
Click here: http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=1076
to read about more Iran-Contra figures who now hold top government posts.

Notice while reading that J. Mac has His part in all this.

[oscartucker]

You are right--the irony of politics! Just think, too, a felon like Stevens would stand up to keep others from voting.

[Squigibo]

yah, can run for office, but now can't vote for himself. LOL

[lemonyashes]

The houses that Alaska built the Stevens' and the Palins', hmmmm and she probably doesn't dare ask him to step down. Alaskan Pirates! Hey felons got to Alaska and become a Senator.

[northeastern]

"I will carefully monitor this situation and take any appropriate action as needed," Palin said. "In the meantime, I ask the people of Alaska to join me in respecting the workings of our judicial system."

Why would she suddenly have respect for the judicial system? I guess when it's not Todd or the pitbull, laws are a good thing. What a nutbar.

Alaska, please take them back next week!

[UtahLady]

Yes -- please take them back. People in the "lower 48" don't want them.

[DavidK08]

Does this woman have the ability to think of what she has been doing herself over the past few months? Un-canny. She really does think America is stupid. Must be no mirrors in her house.

Good news is they are making her to be the future champ to go head to head with Obama in 2012.

[Squigibo]

Dear God, I hope she runs in 2012.... please please please, so we can win again.

[SUSANINCOLUMBIA]

In Palin's world, it's only corrupt, illegal or unethical when a Democrat does it.

[Give Peace A Chance]

Sarah Palin, pallin' around with felons! You betcha.

[LeaderofMen]

"I'm confident Senator Stevens will do what's right for the people of Alaska," Palin said in a statement.

You know, AK obtained statehood the year of my birth. I have a very cool sweatshirt with all sorts of AK stuff on it, and I've been to AK.

But now I've come to see that AK is exactly like rural CA, rural MT, rural UT and rural WI. In each and every state I mentioned I have personally come across enclaves of bumpkin fundamentalist Christians who think the believe of the world is corrupt and they are the last bastion of hope.

Now that I see that this disease is all over the country I totally understand why half the voters in the US are still for the McCain campaign. I totally understand why we had 8 years of W. Too many religious people and those weak-minded voters influenced by religious people are still running around loose - and unmedicated.

[Give Peace A Chance]

What does Sarah know and when did she know it?

She was Director of Stevens' 527. She was employed by him and raising money for him. Perhaps she made the deal that got him convicted.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/01/palin-527-stevens/

[frantaylor]

Palin looks at Stevens and thinks, "There but for a few receipts go I"

[imagram3785]

Don't bother crossin' your fingers on this one, Sarah "Lets make a deal" Palin. Got any papers on that house, showing you paid Spenard Builders Supply for the materials. This house that I'm referring to - "the house that Todd built" is located very close to the sports arena that cost the town a fortune.
Coincidental? You betcha!!

[QuakerBeach]

Palin sounds like Bush to me. I'll take a stand on the Plame leak -said Bush - he doesn't and pardons Libby. Same for Palin. The big, bad corruption over-turning maverick from Alaska is just a squeaky little mouse when it comes to Stevens because he still wields power in AK.

You had your chance Palin. Or should I say la squeaka pobrecita?

[WesfromGA]

The idea that Sarah Palin is some kind of reformer was silly to begin with. It wasn't so long ago she was in an ad with Ted Stevens. Her commitment to open, honest government is questionable at best. After all, she seems to believe that the recent state ethics report cleared her of all wrongdoing. Her weak, equivocating reaction to Sen. Stevens's conviction is only one more piece of evidence that she is all talk.

[HST]

What no love for Sarah's best buddy?


"I will carefully monitor this situation and take any appropriate action as needed"


I guess there's a first time for everything.

[meede]

Of course she has to monitor the situation -- Stevens knows too much and can throw her under the bus!!

This should be very interesting in Alaska now as Senator Stevens was Palin's mentor. Seems she learned from the best as her house was built by the same contractors that did the renovations on Stevens house. The house that Todd described as being built by "him and his contractor friends". These are the same contractors that got the contract for the building of the massive arena in Wasilla.

If I'm correct, Palin had the laws changed that you don't need building permits or inspections prior to their building their house -- how convenient!! Let's hide the documentation.

Hmmm -- lets's see -- let me connect the dots. . . . . oh it's just too easy!! So easy in fact that it isn't even fun anymore.

Of course she would not ask for Stevens resignation -- he knows too much. If only the skeletons in the closet would escape for Halloween!!!

That now for her Trooper gate - ethics; Trooper gate the Sequel investigation ongoing now; Use of private email by her & staff for state business; The house; Ethics issue for a mining vote where she took her governor hat off days before the vote to give her personal opinion. Hard to keep up with the playbook on her -- so many issues!!

[the964kid]

She's not talking tough about Stevens because she knows she's next to get indicted.

[InspiredbyObama]

Exactly she KNOWS she better keep her mouth SHUT!

[skibum49]

Come on folks this isnt that complicated. There is a chance that Stevens will win reelection. In that case he will have to be removed from the Senate by the Senate at which time the Gov of Alaska will appoint a replacement. Hmmmm wonder what Party that replacement will come from? Couldnt possibly be that the replacement would be a Republican? If Stevens loses in the election then all bets are off but that hasn't happened yet. Its simple they are merely holding onto the the possibility of retaining one more seat for the Republicans.

[frantaylor]

Why would ANYONE vote for the guy? He is supposed to represent his constituents by voting on the floor of Congress. How can he do that from a jail cell? You're voting for an empty chair.

[Give Peace A Chance]

Sounds like a job for the First Dude but, is he qualified? Did he really get his GED diploma?