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

[CurtisEMayle]

Comforting to all those in our prisons to know that as long as their appeals have not been exhausted, they have not been convicted ... just being provided temporary taxpayer lodging. How very socialist.

[kid5rivers2]

Precisely!

[LouisianaLiberal]

What is the matter with these Republicans? They all seem to think they are above the law. Just deny that they have been exposed or convicted and just continue business as usual. “Let’s just say, our Intelligence shows that there are WMDs, even though we know there are none.” Ethics violations? Just say, “I have been exonerated from any ethics violations.” Convicted felon? Just say, “I have not been convicted.”

I hate what these people have done to my country. THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! VOTE A STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

[robbie44]

Two sided politics?

[robbie44]

He's high on Kool-Aid if he thinks he's not a felon.

[Yve72]

Is that like Sarah Palin claiming she hadn't abused her power?
I guess to them "convicted" means being behind bars.
Soon.

[kid5rivers2]

...and with ball-and-chained feet.

[bpai]

Those who retain a childish (but still touching) faith in the rule of law will receive an education when Stevens wins re-election, gets the conviction overturned on a technicality and returns laughing to the Senate. You don't manipulate and corrupt a system for 40 years without learning how to make it dance to your tune when the chips are really down.

Among other things, Stevens well knows the wisdom and relevance of Roy Cohn's (his partner in decency) saying "I don't give a damn what the charge is, just tell me who the judge is." He'll serve at least one more term and then gift his Senate seat to his son.

[musholmes]

The largest mountain in Alaska is Denali but Stevens and Palin heard Denial. That's their story and they are sticking to it.

[HateLieCheatKillRepubWay]

OMG, it's something in the water in Alaska. Remember Sarah the Pathological Liar, said that she was cleared of any wrongdoing in "TrooperGate" and Stevens is claiming that he's has NOT been convicted. These people are anti-American if you were to ask me, since they don't recognize the AMERICAN system of justice, which found them guilty.

[jnah]

yeah and palin hasn't violated ethics in alaska. maybe you guys in alaska need to clean the snow out your ears

[cmilburn]

Drunk with power makes you say stupid things. See what happens when you elect an old guy?

[CharleyCat]

I'm as pleased with the verdict in this case as the rest of you. But am I the only one here who is afraid Stevens might actually get out of this? The comparison to Palin's troopergate verdict is apt. She misconstrued the result loudly, and then the media let her off the hook about four days later. End result: her supporters find her innocent, the rest of us: guilty.

That's why the seemingly picayune legal technicalities really do matter. We shouldn't be so complacent about Ted's verdict as if this whole thing is now settled. For one thing, it's almost a given that Bush will be pressured to pardon him before he leaves office. It's too early to celebrate.

I for one would really like to hear from a qualified lawyer on the procedural issues at hand here, because if there is a chance the system will be abused, we must remain vigilant . For example, if Stevens conviction doesn't enter the record in February, can he still be pardoned in January?

Just to be clear, I find this guy odious and I want to see him nailed to the wall. I'm just worried a guilty verdict isn't enough to stop him or the political machine behind him any more than Palin's verdict was.

[grf67]

What does he think that guilty on all seven counts means? He has been a republican senator for so long that he thinks that he can dictate reality.

[nunzia]

Alaskans.
Give 'em enough rebates and freebies and they'll believe anything.

[BeasleysMom]

It's the Alaska "way." Maybe something in the water or lack of sunshine that makes so many of these Alaskans irrational.

[cjs82]

Well, if the senatorial race doesn't pan out for him, maybe Mayor Begich should run for Governor. I have a feeling the citizens in Alaska don't like Palin much anymore.

[ITSDEE]

Poor thing! He's still living in the 1920's.

[robbie44]

He is aware of "the tubes"..................1950?