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

[hugs4u]

You got to admit the people of Alaska isn't too smart. they elected Sarah Palin as Governor, you betcha they did.

[AKPhil]

I've been against Uncle Ted almost from the day I moved to Alaska over 20 years ago. His whole claim to fame was how much pork he can get for Alaska because of his seniority. I was on the receiving end of a lot of that pork in my job with the Federal Government up here. When I tried to report the funds were being misused I was told to shut up because you shouldn't kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
This election I am kind of hoping Ted does win though. I heard this morning that the Senate Minority Leader has pretty much guaranteed Stevens will be expelled from the Senate if he returns. That sets up the possibility of Palin appointing herself to take his place until the special election that would be held 90 days after his expulsion. I'm sure she would try to run for the permanent seat and I really don't think she would win. Don't put money on it though. I also thought Kerry would win by a landslide last time. How could the American people reelect the lying b*s*red of a crook that sent our troops to Iraq and killed hundreds of thousands of Iraq's innocent civilians?

[hortonhearsawho]

CONVICTED, ITS ON THE COUCH.

[Skeptiqone]

What is going on with civics education in Alaska????? Ted and Sarah we have rules in this great country of ours, you betchya!

[J4]

So, Stevens is say that any person currently in prison or on bond is innocent until the appeals process is finished? That's Incredible!!

[AKPhil]

Only if they are Republican. That is why Palin is innocent of any wrong doing even though the report says she is guilty of ethics violations.

[redsongia]

Join me in donating to the Association of Alaska public libraries so that they can buy a few copies of Webster's Dictionary.

[bearchao]

Do these people live in an alternative reality? Palin says she was cleared of any ethical violations in the Troopergate investigation, and now Stevens says he hasn't been convicted yet? Does power corrupt this absolutely? Wow! Either they think we're really, really stupid, or they've lost their minds. Or maybe their ambition and need for power have blinded them? I don't get it.

[RTIII]

Yes, yes, yes, and, of course, yes.
.

[Martha12]

Man oh man!, as I said in my youth. What a reminder that Palin was taught her brand of politics by uncle Teddy. One can be as ignorant as a box of rocks, dumb as a sack of hammers or whatever else comes to mind, to practise politics in Alaska.

Today Sarah Palin turned the fist amendment on it's head .She said that media criticism of her criticizing Obama for his association s with Bill Ayers Rev Wright etc. violated her first amendment rights.

The first amendment includes protection of;
a: a free press
b: freedom of association

It seems to me that Palin, the McCain campaign, RNC and all the republicans that have criticized Obama for this are infringing on Barack Obamas' first amendment rights.

Sarah Palin should step down with Ted Stevens. Palin is completely ignorant of the Constitution of the USA, therefore unable to swear to uphold it, in the event something should happen to John McCain.

Ted Stevens has turned the law inside out with this statement. As per previous post;
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OpusIsUnderTheBed ;

Does not work that way. Jury finds "guilty", you are convicted. Appeal, if won, is to overturn conviction.


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Neither one of these Alaskans have the right to hold office, or run for office.

Voting has NEVER been more important in the USA . All the good people of the country have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the country and the world. I pray you all vote.

[hortonhearsawho]

Can they add on to his sentence, just because.

[RTIII]

As sentencing itself hasn't been done yet, yes, in a manner of speaking.
.

[maumeeone]

Only a Republican could be delusional enough to make such a claim. Hey Senator, what part of "guilty" don't you understand? As usual, up is down, black is white, in is out and wet is dry. Just the same old crappola.

[kid5rivers2]

con·vict (kən-vĭkt') Pronunciation Key
v. con·vict·ed, con·vict·ing, con·victs

v. tr.

1. Law To find or prove (someone) guilty of an offense or crime, especially by the verdict of a court: The jury convicted the defendant of manslaughter.
2. To show or declare to be blameworthy; condemn: His remarks convicted him of a lack of sensitivity.
3. To make aware of one's sinfulness or guilt.

Only because of definition 3. would I agree with Senator Stevens. Otherwise? He's convicted!

[redsongia]

Ha, that's funny, I made a simlar comment above, before I read yours.

Could it be as simple as these people just don't know the meaning of words? I don't think there is an ideological rift, as people say. I think they really just don't know what the words coming out of their mouths mean.

[OpusIsUnderTheBed]

Does not work that way. Jury finds "guilty", you are convicted. Appeal, if won, is to overturn conviction.

Show this bum the door. All doors. Any door.

[robbie44]

I do believe Alaska has replaced Chicago in politics........If ya know what i mean..........wink..wink.

[hopeless277]

Stevens will receive a complete pardon from Bush. Unless we're lucky, Bush will invalidate the entire election and just appoint Senators and Representatives. Then, when the populace has finally had enought, he'll call out Blackwater to quell the uprising. He will then proclaim that he must remain in the presidency until things 'settle down'. With a group like the Republicans who neither accept the rule of law nor abide by it, anything is possible.

[Dystopic]

FEMA's job is to quell rioting, and make sure you goto work

[proudlefty100]

You would think this Senate race is over now. Come on, the guy has been found GUILTY of a CRIME! Another Republican has done his part to turn America into something it should not be.

Most employers will not hire someone who has a criminal record yet some Alaskans feel he is still qualified to represent them in the United States Senate? There is something terribly, terribly wrong about that.

Everyone must VOTE! Make your voice heard.

OBAMA/BIDEN '08 (&'12)

[robbie44]

One would think it very difficult to run for Senate with two eggs over easy for eyes