Stevens Says He Hasn't Yet Been Convicted

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Sen. Ted Stevens says he is not a convicted felon, at least until the appeal process is over.

"I've not been convicted yet," the Alaska Republican insisted Thursday in a meeting with the editorial board of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. "There's not a black mark by my name yet, until the appeal is over and I am finally convicted, if that happens. If that happens, of course I'll do what's right for Alaska and for the Senate ... I don't anticipate it happening, and until it happens I do not have a black mark."

A federal court jury on Monday convicted Stevens on seven counts of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and renovations to his home from VECO Corp. founder Bill Allen.

Stevens, the longest serving Republican in the U.S. Senate, is seeking re-election in Tuesday's election, and faces a formidable challenger in Democrat Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage.

There have been growing calls among Republican leaders for Stevens to resign, including from GOP presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Stevens dismissed that as "statements made on the trail, in the heat of battle."

Alaska's junior senator, Republican Lisa Murkowski, sat with Stevens in the editorial board meeting and was more critical of Republicans turning on Stevens.

"For all of them, it's a very close election. I think they're looking to their own political skin. If it helps them in their effort to gain re-election, they will, unfortunately, throw Ted under the bus," she said.

Comments

[Snoop2]

He is a good reason why we have to vote out of office these relics who keep hanging on to their positions by hook or by crook.........

[thankgodimanatheist8]

Remember Alaskan politicians never do anything unethical or illegal by definition. Look at Sarah the Appalling 's total denial of troopergate.

[DDK]

"The appeals process isn't over. It's a series of tubes!!"

[JohnnyKay]

Ted Stevens hasn't been thrown under the bus. He drove the bus, he took on passengers he shouldn't have, and knowing he had faulty brakes, he still parked on the hillside road paid for with American taxpayer dollars so he could eat at his favorite restaurant that solely benefitted from that road, then he stiffed the waiter and walked back to the bus, only to discover the brakes had failed and the damn bus flattened him smack dab in the middle of that golden road to nowhere else but his comfort and covenience!

Didn't you see that one coming either, Ted?

[me again]

No Ted, you have been convicted, you await the appeal process. However, you were convicted by a jury of your peers.....and should resign and save yourself the embarassment of being pitched out.

[WilliamBudd]

If he isn't convicted then what does he think he's appealing to a higher court?
If he wins his appeal won't the record state his "conviction was overturned on appeal"?

His statements are nonsense. If you haven't heard Stevens comments about the WWW and Net Neutrality, you should have a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f99PcP0aFNE

The man has lost his grip on reality.

[tsand19151]

wo...I just watched that video.......my head hurts. What the @#$%%$#@ was he talikng about?

[Archivist1000]

ARE ALL ALASKANS DELUSIONAL ??? Stevens has the nerve to say he has't been convicted???? LMAO

Just like Palin www.palindeception.com

THREE DAYS TO GO AND STILL NO MEDICAL RECORDS FROM PALIN

LOOKS LIKE IGNORING THIS ISSUE HAS WORKED !!!! THE MEDIA HAS NOT PRESSED HER ON OUR BEHALF AND NOW SHE IS GETTING AWAY WITH IT >>> ANOTHER BUSH/CHENEY TACTIC


IGNORE THE PEOPLE AND THE GIVE UP!!!!

For a well-written and factual BLOG on why this is important .. take a few minutes to read THIS ... then write to all the NEWS agencies and DEMAND that they NOT LET PALIN GET AWAY with this!!

This lady makes sense! http://www.palindeception.com/

[BillMelater]

Hey I got one for you. Let's say for a moment that Sarah Palin is actually Trig's Grandmother. That raises another question. Who is Trig's father?

And what motivation is there for Sarah Palin to lie about the Maternity of Trig? Is embarassment over teenage daughter, Bristol, becoming pregnant enough?

My mother was 16 when she gave birth to me. She got pregnant when she was 15. Now, I have a hard time believing that this embarrassment would be enough to warrant such an elaborate cover up. Teenage pregnancy has been around a long time. It happens and it does not necessarily reflect on the parents. Kids will be kids.

So, I would conclude either, 1, Sarah Palin is telling the truth. There seems to be alot of evidence that she is not, so perhaps this is not likely.

Or, 2, there is a much worse scenario being covered up. Assume for a moment that Bristol is Trig's mother. This elaborate cover up might very well have to do with who is Trig's father. Todd?

[JohnnyKay]

Your mother wasn't a governor with a tawdry reputation to hide, though, was she?

God love your mom.

Sarajh's something else....... entirely.

[Vere15]

There has to be some reason for not putting forward her strong suit - she appears to be healthy. Either there is some deep dark family secret or she has been or is under treatment for a mental condition. Five universities in six years - please find me another child who racked up such a transient educational portfolio that quickly.

[bdl0715]

You would think after all those years on the Senate, he would have learned something about law. The jury or judge says you are guilty, you have been convicted. That's why an appeal is called an appeal. You are appealing the conviction.

[BillMelater]

In another link, 500 people met him at the airport to show their support for him. Do these Alaskans not realize that the man sold them out for personal gain? That he ripped them off? That he is a crook? I find this simply amazing.


http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/10/stevens_does_the_convicted_fel.php

[ratcityreprobate]

That would be The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. They are going to have to be changing that name pretty soon, but then they are Alaskans so maybe they won't. Never underestimate the smell or oaf quotient of an Alaskan.

[whognu]

I'm seriously starting to wonder if I haven't greatly overestimated the intelligence of the average American. Then, I see Bush still has supporters and there's a substantial margin supporting McCain/Palin, despite her ethics violations, his history and temper, etc., and I'm certain... I absolutely overestimated their intelligence.

[JohnnyKay]

Let's remember truly nasty people nevr have to have more than hurt toward another to behave the way they do.

Welcome to the Republican Party Lincoln wouldn't have recognized!

[tsand19151]

I was wondering the same thing......is there something in the water up there? Should have been a mob there to demand that he goes to jail.

[TexasLovesUBlue]

In the lower 48, as you like to call the rest of the United States, the jury said, "Guilty", Mr. Stevens,you are therefore a "felon"; get rid of the guns, toss all the boze, don't "hang out" with other felons, that's the law; even for Alaskans. Get ready for the sentence faze, it's coming. The only hope you have is a possible "pardon" from George Bush, and that's not coming in time for reelection; Deal with it.

[texanna]

What is it with Alaskans? They don't seem to speak the same language as the rest of us. Gov. Palin was definitely cited for abuse of power in the report that she claims exonerates her. Sen. Stevens was definitely pronounced guilty by a jury, contrary to his assertions. Even the next phase of the process for Sen. Stevens confirms the conviction as it an appeal of the conviction that he's going to file.

[SaddieMcCall]

These Alaskan politicians are an interesting group. Palin also concluded that she was fully cleared with the trooper gate investigation - when the group said that she did violate the ethics law.

[whognu]

Makes you wonder, don't they speak English in Alaska? It seems up is down, guilty is innocent, must be a different language.

[TheMetalGod]

people from alaska are immune, don't you know that?

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Oh, did you mean he's not CONVINCED....... maybe he's just confused.

[JohnGrrr]

Uncle Ted, hello....you're geezin again. You absolutely HAVE been convicted. That's what that trial thingy was all about!