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

[bpai]

I admit to being amazed that he allowed himself to lose this election (he could have rigged it anytime he wanted) - the other Senate Republicans must have told him they would not support him if he didn't leave voluntarily. However, he got away with corrupting the system and personally profiting from it for 40 years, with all the power and perks that come along. He'll get the conviction overturned on a technicality (or Bush will pardon him), take his $120K/year pension and continue living like a king. He should be very happy with what he got and did. Crime does pay, he has proved it.

[motoGpifupleez]

Thanks for the memories. "The internet is a series of tubes" or that pure classic "NO!" You will be missed.

[realpolitic]

Those law-and-order Republicans were really tough on Stevens by giving him a standing ovation. Well, I guess he only has seven felony convictions and not eight.

[ohiomark]

This is just like a lawyer falling off his boat and the shark NOT eating him because of professional courtesy.

Every one of these Senators are crooks in one way or another. Stevens is just the latest to get caught.

[research]

The Senate is way too "Chummy" .

Hey Senators, you don't believe this, but

YOU WORK FOR THE PEOPLE!

Awkward silence, jeers, boos,

That's what I expect for a man who betrayed our trust so criminally.

We're watching.

[MajorKong]

Buh bye!

[Eusebio]

Love to see you go...hate to watch you leave, baby!

[jajaja]

Longest serving member of the senate?

I guess MSNBC forgot about Senators: 1. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), January 3, 1959 to present; 2. Strom Thurmond (R-SC), December 24, 1954 to April 4, 1956 and November 7, 1956 to January 3, 2003; 3. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), November 7, 1962 to present; 4. Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), January 3, 1963-present; 5. Carl T. Hayden (D-AZ), March 4, 1927 to January 3, 1969; and 6. John C. Stennis (D-MS), November 5, 1947 to January 3, 1989.
All of whom served longer than Ted Stevens and his tubes (December 24, 1968 to present).

[Beantownbadboy]

I think they meant current Repubs.

[Matt7]

I thought it was nit-picky, too. But the tape did say, "The longest serving senator IN THE HISTORY of the senate."

Glad there are people who continue to do their "homework."

[Forester]

A standing 'o

and out the doh!

[Muskered]

Stevens lights up a room everytime he leaves.

[VOTER]

You nailed it! Kudos!

[Pupadup4oBama]

ha ha...love it!

[grey32]

Bye!! Bye!!

[shearm]

STOP CLAPPING. THIS MAN IS A FELON.

[jdfast]

If I was a senator and gave him a standing ovation I would have been ashamed and most likely should have been hauled before the ethics committee (oh I forgot, they have no ethics). For them to show that man the honor that they did speaks volumes about how they feel about ethics and money. They should never allowed him to speak. He is a convicted felon and as such violated the pubic trust his state placed in him. Buts thats ok, he was the biggest porker of all time. Its just very sad that he is honored for being an unethical liar and spent billions of our tax money on BS projects in Alaska. But again, thats why they are all in congress. They want to get rich at the public trough and are doing quite well from themselves. This is one of the many reasons we should have term limits. Vote all the incumbents out in 2010 (if were are here by then!)

[grey32]

Boy do I agree with you on that one TERM Limits YES!!!

[VOTER]

Ah but with the stipulation of not being allowed to work for any
lobby firms for 10 years.

[Arkangel3]

My modest proposals for Term Limits:

President: Change the current term to a 6 year one, and otherwise maintain the current limits to two terms in a lifetime (TOTAL: 12 years)

Senator: Two-Six Year Terms (TOTAL: 12 years) in a lifetime

Congressional Representative: Six-Two Year Terms (TOTAL: 12 years) in a lifetime

Most people these days are lucky enough to be able to keep their jobs 12 months. I think 12 years at the public trough for ANY so called "public servant" is more than enough!

[WoodyGrant]

Agree completely with your comments on allowing Stevens this "honor." But term limits is NOT the answer at all. Term limits is one of those superficially appealing solutions (Oh, let's all go back to the amateur legislature!) but is awful and counter-productive in its effects. Think about it: who gains when legislators are limited to only a couple of terms? Lobbyists and bureaucrats, that's who! They are always around and are experts in their fields. Amateur short-term legislators become at the mercy of these professionals and the results are exactly the opposite of what we all want; instead of more democratic control you get less when it comes to policy! There's a better way to ensure accountability to the public--if your representative starts becoming like Stevens, vote him or her out of office just the way the voters of Alaska just did. Term limits is not the answer.

[bobsmith]

Agreed.

[HARVIN]

To help ya'll understand the unmitigated praise for Stevens from his comrades, please see my Nov.20 comment on "Hagel, Unrestrained, Lashes Into Bush, Rush and the GOP".

[dontomas]

Alaska is beginning to realize no more free rides, their pork man is gone. They may have to start paying state income tax and sales tax to pay for those perks.