GOP Senator DeMint: Kick Ted Stevens Out

Politico:

South Carolina Republican Sen. Jim DeMint is pushing his party's leadership to expel Sen. Ted Stevens from the Senate during this month's "lame duck" session, according to people familiar with his plans.

DeMint, one of the most conservative members of the Senate, is said to be angry with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for tolerating a convicted felon in the GOP caucus.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[tbone99]

Kick out a felon from the Repug ranks ? They'd all have to resign.

[doctorwang]

If Stevens does managed to squeeze out a win in his senate race, it may be better to leave him in office. He's been stripped of any power (other then his simple vote on the Senate floor). His presence will be a constant thorn in the side of the other G0P members- especially those who claim to be reformers. And, most importantly, it will prevent any move by Palin to acquire that senate seat and thrust herself, again, onto the national stage.

[tbone99]

strategic thinking.!

[georgebeckton]

Absolutely, my view entirely

[georgebeckton]

Although it does seem such a shame they both can't be in the Senate

[MMJones]

Alaska. What in the heck is going on with you?????

Felons can't vote. They can be in the Senate? No-brainer. Geesh.

[chriss0114]

The Repugs have repeatedly called for any member of the House or Senate to resign if INDICTED!

An indictment does not equal guilt since it is only charges.

Funny how they change their tune when it is one of theirs.

In this case, Stevens is a CONVICT, proven guilty.

[jerryfromcalifornia]

Gee, can he serve and vote from prison?

[bpai]

DeMint and others calling for Stevens to resign or be expelled will be eating crow soon enough. Stevens, having 40 years of experience in manipulating and corrupting the system both at home and in DC, ain't going nowhere. He's already calibrated events so that he'll win re-election by a hair (a landslide would raise too many questions), get the conviction overturned on a technicality and return gloating to the Senate.

DeMint is about to be taught a lesson by a master in how power really works. Watch him grovel the next time he has to go cap in hand to get consideration from Stevens' committee.

[majorteddy]

As a Democrat, I think this is truly the smartest thing I have heard out of the Republicans.They cannot heal their image with the public until they amend for stuff like this. They should also move swiftly on Cleman's misdeeds. Likewise the Democrats should see that William Jefferson is gone yesterday.

[feyangel]

It is truly APPALLING that a CONVICTED FELON can be elected to and serve in Congress. What does that say of the integrity requirement we have for our highest leaders? What does it say about Alaska that they elected him?

[bpowell1]

How would they justify people not being able to get jobs sweeping the floor because they have a felony on their record and he is in the Senate. He should not have even been allowed to run again. I personally think we have to re-think the whole felon can't work thing. How does this country think people are suppose to support themselves if they can't even get basic employment. I think it is just silly. If you have done your time then you should be able to find a job. And they always ask on the application has a person been convicted of a felony and always say this won't have anything to do with you getting the job. And, I always think it has nothing to do with a person getting a job then why ask the question. I think in cases of child molesters, sex offenders, and extreme violence it shouldn't be asked. Especially if it was more than five or ten years ago.

[guamarcy]

The Republican pundits repeatedly and emphatically asserted that Sarah Palin was the most popular governor in the United States. The Stevens' reelection in the face of his conviction speaks volumes about the same people who made Palin the most popular governor. Maybe Alaska should succede.

[dewarren]

He should go. He's a convicted felon.

[Beninn]

I think the voters kicked Stevens out, if all the ballots are counted. Those numbers coming out of Alaska just don't add up.

[hilary916]

Um, if Stevens gets booted, Palin gets to pick who runs as a replacement, which means she could pick herself. What would be worse, having Stevens or Palin?

[Beninn]

She can't pick herself. If she wants the job, she's going to have to resign as Governor and her successor would appoint Stevens' replacement.

[chriss0114]

If she really can't pick herself, then I hope she does resign with the Lt Gov telling her he will appoint her but then appointing someone else as a result of getting back to her on a wrong to him by her - that would be juicy!

[dagnome27]

she can't pick herself, but she could resign as Governor, and have her Lt. Gov appoint her.
Just depends on how greedy she is...

[Emlyn]

BOTH!!!

[MrsPeel]

Leave him there. If he's kicked out or resigns, Gov. Palin is the one to reappoint his replacement. She could appoint herself.

He's marginalized and old. Let him stay.

[rollingdivision]

Yes they should kick him out.

[SeeDaddy]

Expel Stevens from the Senate, then Sarah Palin can name herself as the replacement. Hmm? Senator Palin? What a quandry! Replace a crazy old Repub with a numb-skull extremist?

Maybe Stevens isn't that bad.