Ted Stevens' Farewell Speech: "God Bless Alaska And Our Governor" (VIDEO)

The recently-convicted, recently-ousted Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska gave his farewell address to the Senate this morning. The 85-year-old was the longest serving Republican senator and has been in politics so long that he actually lobbied for Alaska's statehood. Stevens told the Senate that he doesn't "have any rearview mirror" and hopes soon to escape the "cloud" of his corruption conviction.

WATCH:

Comments

[demfriend]

This guy reminds me of Cunnigham out here in San Diego being the crook from hell who was elected too many times. But what made me ill and reall consider how much I dislike Harry Reid is compounded now. I have not cared for Reid as his way of leadership has been a waste and he isn't much in my book but now with him also singing praises with the rest of the Senate about this horrible crooked man who has abused everything he was elected for and the standing ovation given this idiot when he was on his way out....exc­use me while I barf! I fail to see how this should convince me to think anyone of the senators in Ca should be relected next time I vote it will not be for them. I can now see why Congress is ineffective and at such low numbers as they all loved Stevens. Larrg Craig is still there singing along with them so I guess morals isn't a visitor to Congress any longer.

[woody2fiver]

Imagine if every Democratic Senator had walked out when Stevens went to the podium. It would have sent an enormous message. It would demonstrate a CHANGE in governing, not lip-service but a real change. Walk out, felons don't speak on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Americans red and blue would have loved it, Republican lawmakers would have been forced to explain there singular support of a convicted felon that intentionally cheated the American people. It would have created an environment in which a Bush pardon of Stevens would be the final underscore of a corrupt administration and the party that enabled it. Walk out and any future Stevens pardon is page one above the fold in EVERY paper, and the lead on every broadcast. Applaud this fraud, and a pardon is page six, and Republicans, once again, are toasting Democratic spinelessness. One more opportunity lost.

[actualcompassion]

The standing ovation spectacle sums up everything that's wrong with Washington, D.C. And they seem oblivious to the inapproriateness of it. I suspect we're going to see more turnover in 2010.

[research]

It's Senate you should focus your anger on. Way too Chummy.

It's actually against Senate rules to give a standing ovation.

They broke that rule to honor

Corruption, incarnate.

[sixx]

The Senate standing ovation was a slap in the face to every citizen who is ask to obey the law. The Senators declared that they are above the law that governs the common low life citizen.
To remove all these chaps after one term would not be a bad idea.

[VAVet4Obama]

Just goes to show the old saying is still true today. You can do 100 things right and 1(7) wrong and the wrong will over shadow the 'right' everytime.

[funnyguy]

God failed Ted when he needed him most.

[Shanti]

The fact that the people that are suppose to work for us gave this convicted felon a standing ovation tells you who they really work for, doesn't it? One wonders how bad you would have to be before they would just refuse to clap or stand!

[nomobull]

what if they were applauding his deemise

[nomobull]

demise

[chumley207]

Don't care what he says when he goes as long as he's gone.

[newpotusplease]

i want an apology from Harry Reid for encouraging this behavior-- the touchy feel good has gone too far!

[SidneyNightmare]

I just loved Larry Craig's tribute to Teddie.

[newpotusplease]

where is it posted?

[Shanti]

Yeah, one hypocrite praising a convicted felon!

[OneTop]

They all figure that Bush will or already has given him a blank Presidential pardon.
And he might just come back to haunt them if they didn't look the other way.

[strifeknot]

To hell with your kind of politics.

[bandillero]

TDS with Jon Stewart killed last night with Ted responding to the Amy Winehouse song: they want me to go to rehab but I say -

Ted: No, No, No

funny as hell

[Dave01]

Perhaps he got the standing ovation because everybody was just happy to get rid of him?

[militarymomforobama]

We need term limits.

[weatherwaxx]

Term limits were instituted in Ohio and we lost some great Democrats. There's already a term limit -- it's called an ELECTION.