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

[VOTER]

Come on, Sarah and do the right thing.

Tell the Senior Republican Convicted Felon Senator to RESIGN!

[yeshe]

Maybe now the truth will oooooooze out about how her own lakeside holiday home was funded and built ... may it be soon, please. The blinded madness this woman incites is to be stopped quickly if at all possible.

[Anare]

Wasn't Gov. Palin involved with Sen Stevens 527 PAC? Maybe that is why she is being so quiet about his conviction. Maybe she is next! Woot!

[T Pol]

Here's the link:
http://crooksandliars.com/2008/09/04/palin-was-director-of-stevens-527-group

Palin and Stevens used to be quite the pair.

Wonder what skeletons he knows about, if any.

[ThoughtAboutIt]

Did Sports Complex Contractors Build Palin's House for Free?

www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/11/111018/34/47/627460

www.villagevoice.com/2008-10-08/news/the-book-of-sarah/5

This could be a nuclear warhead to the McCain/Palin campaign and Palin's political ambitions.

[rich misty]

http://www.senateguru.com/

Let's win some Senate seats ;)

[grumpyoldcoot]

Seems to me that Sarah "Pals around" with convicted felons!

She really needs to come clean on this association.

Wait a sec! Where have I heard this before?

hmmm...oh never mind...must have just been a deja vu.

[tokitori]

LOL. palin pallin' around with convicted felons. love it.

[devinsbuddy]

Isn''t pardoning of convicted felons one of the duties of the Vice President?

[blustate135]

No, only the prez can pardon. Unless you're Cheney.

[roshni]

I'll chip in for a free orange-striped jump suit for Palin.
She has done what Stevens has done, only more often.
Hope she is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

[unite4change]

What could she say, Ted Steven was her mentor in Alaska. But the corporate media doesn't want to discuss it.

[HOPE/CHANGE]

She said it was a sad day for Alaska and said it highlighted the corrupting influence of Big Oil in Alaska.

How Rovian of her to distance herself from a problem that she is so clearly a part of...

[RRG64]

Absolutely, How Rovian.

Now that Stevens is convicted,what are Palin`s ties to him and the possibility she has also succumbed to this "sad" corrupting influence of big oil.

[clamperken]

The great moose hunter knows she's going back to Alaska in 9 days . After the facts of what she's been doing with the taxpayers money has been exposed to the citizens of Alaska, her only hope of not getting recalled or impeached is to hang on to the republican base. Calling on Stevens to resign would surely lose that base. If she loses that base she'll be lucky if they don't tar and feather her.
Things ain't lookin' too good fer ya Sarah darlin'. "wink,wink"

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!!!! YOUR VOTE COUNTS!!!! BE SURE TO VOTE!!!!!
OBAMA / BIDEN 08'

[mattw69]

What if OBAMA had been convicted of these charges. You think she would've asked him to resign??
Gee, I wonder..
I also wonder if those McCain Nazi's (Mcnazi's) arrested for plotting against Obama are what Palin considers "real americans"..Just like familiy planning clinic bombers, I guess these guys are not domestic terrorists either!!!???

[hannitysux]

I knew Palin was a fraud from the first time I saw her and heard that screeching voice. If the Republicans really believed in "Country First" they would have dumped her a long time ago...

[Js420]

What would a Maverick do?

[bogtrotter]

For years it bugged me when I'd come back from the Lower 48 and have to land at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. Now maybe they'll take that felon's name off the sign out front, and I will finally feel at home.

[AtticusinPa]

In answer to the prior comment that Gov. Palin could appoint herself to fill Stevens' vacancy: after Frank Murkowski was elected governor, he appointed his daughter to fill his Senate seat under Alaska rules which permitted the gov. to fill the vacancy for the remaining term. This incensed Alaskans and the law was changed in 2004. Now, the gov. can appoint a temporary Senator for no more than 90 days by which time a special election must be held to fill the remaining term of the vacancy.

So, yes, Moose Barbi can appoint herself for up to 90 days. But the electors have the last say.

[peeps1]

I wish yiu cry babies would get on with life. She has done alot for Alaska and as a senator she could do more. She has forgotten moe than most of you nuts will know. you didn't complain when she took the windfall profets, form the oil and gave it to the people of Alaske. So quit being such a crybaby and thand God you have a Lady that will stand up for you , now and the future.