Ted Stevens 2014? Former Senator Files For Candidacy

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska has filed a statement of candidacy for the 2014 election, but an aide cautions against reading too much into the move.

Campaign treasurer Tim McKeever says the filing does not mean Stevens has decided to seek re-election. He says it simply was done to accept donations that came into the campaign after the November election.

Stevens lost to Democrat Mark Begich days after being convicted of lying on Senate disclosure forms, but the conviction was vacated this week because of prosecutorial misconduct.

Begich wasn't declared the winner until two weeks after Election Day.

McKeever says federal election laws require donations received after Nov. 4 to count toward a future election.

If Stevens were to run, the 2014 election would look very much like the 2008 race. Begich says he intends to seek re-election.

Comments

[zanegrey]

Alaskan politics seem to be a slippery slope. I think Stevens just wants to get elected to control the position. If elected he can say he is too sick & the Gov. can appoint someone else or if he should die the Gov. can appoint someone. Either way it will be a repug. It's kind of creepy.

[jdfast]

How old will he be in 14? My guess is about 90. Just what we need is another old white guy in office.

[Soundofthunder]

Even if he were to croak in 2013, at age 90, Stevens would still demand to be on the ballot, and why not. The stench of decay adequately covers the smell of corruption.

SOT

[Jude1930]

Perhaps he should now find a sunny place in Flordia. He needs to retire. Term limits anyone?

[zanegrey]

You've got my vote. The Senate is starting to look like a Skilled Nursing Facility.

[Austintatious]

If you have any question about the extent of corruption to be found in the Congress of the Untied States, you need look no farther than the right Honorbale Ted Stevens of the great State of Alaska. This country has a bleak future as long as it's politics as usual. Garbage in, garbage out.

[zanegrey]

Yes, I'm afraid Uncle Ted has a rather shady past. What's curious is the new gov seems to be following in his footsteps & so far has gotten away with it. Gates up the ying yang but nothing seems to stick.

[stonelaw]

This guy could die a month before the election and the people of Alaska would still elect him.

My opinion of Alaska has gone from "curious - it would probably be a nice place to visit someday " to "no way, no how." It's terrible that the national reputation of 2 people can do to an entire state.

[zest]

He's running in 2014? He's 85, you do the math.

[TotoToo]

Just because his case was dismissed because of prosecutorial misconduct, doesn't make Stevens any less guilty.

He was caught on tape while in prison acknowledging he might have to do some time for his illegal profiteering while in office.

[liminal67]

Is Ted made out if Slimm JIm's...

http://pitchbendpost.blogspot.com/

[MovingtoNorway]

This man has no shame. Just incredible.

[abbeyroad]

he should just go away and enjoy his retirement is his beautiful 10-bedroom remodeled home

--- the one that the oil company paid to have remodeled for him.

[bluguy8]

someone needs to be locking him in his house or put him in an institution

[AKaurora]

When one is already 85, every day is a gift. Personally, I think he should have simply returned the contributions with a note, "I really appreciate your support, and when and if I decide to run for elective office in the future, I would welcome your support at that time." As a senior, an Alaskan, and a liberal, I have very mixed feelings about "Uncle Ted." His popularity is very real as he has brought home huge amounts of federal funding for a very isolated state that fights economic issues well beyond the poorest states in the south. Alaska remains a state of great undeveloped potential. But, I do believe that every life needs a time of relaxation and inner spiritual growth without high amounts of competing and action -- i.e., retirement. In particular, it's time for Stevens to let go of his struggle. He won. His retirement benefit is intact. His place in Alaskan history is secured. I would not vote for him in the general election for any office as I don't agree with many of his stances; however, I do respect him, warts and all.

[ssjj]

Right. She said that "you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska." Nevermind that this response was not particularly relevant to the question Charlie Gibson was asking, or that Sarah Palin has never visited Little Diomede (population 146), an island from which you can see Big Diomede (a Russian island with no permanent inhabitants). I guess that Palin's comment is slightly less funny/ absurd than Fey's "I can see russia from my house," but not by much...

[GetACluepeople]

Why can't these mothball scented geezers give it up??? Answer: they certainly don't want the rest of us getting a sniff of their lifestyle, their access to first class healthcare and perks do they?