At first, I thought it was a little odd that John McCain would stick his toe in the waters of the corruption trial of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens. But shortly after the jury announced it had found Stevens guilty of seven counts of ethics violations related to unreported favors to Stevens and his family, McCain called on Stevens to step down one week before Stevens' latest re-election bid.
Then, it hit me -- if Stevens still got more votes than his Democratic opponent, Alaska would then have to appoint an interim Senator until a special election could be called. And who might Alaska name to an interim term?
You know. Say it.
Senator Sarah Palin.
And now Palin has called for Stevens to step down, as well, even though she had been quoted earlier as saying Stevens would have to decide for himself what was "right" for the State of Alaska and his family. (Given that Palin also was found to have violated some ethics laws recently, I'm surprised she didn't advise Stevens to just pretend that he was exonerated -- sort of like she did).
And you know she wants it. She's already been trying to throw McCain under the bus on the campaign trail, paving the way for a larger role on the national political stage for herself. She's already gained diva status according to the media.
So what would a diva do if she can't be number 2? A diva always takes matters into her own hands! Palin, as the Governor of Alaska, could appoint herself to the position since, if Stevens won as a Republican, Palin would be required by law to appoint a Republican to the interim seat!
Now THAT'S all neat and tidy and tied up with a shiny bow!
Um, I hate to mention political contributions again since I just asked the other day, but now might be a good time to make a small contribution to Stevens opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich?
Joanne Bamberger is a political commentator and writer who is the Editor-in-Chief of PunditMom, her blog about the intersection of motherhood and politics. Joanne is also a contributing editor for Politics & News at BlogHer. Her political commentary has appeared this election season on CNN, Fox News, ABC.com, BBC Radio and XM Radio POTUS '08, among others.
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The best thing would be for Stevens to win and then Palin to appoint herself to take his seat ... after all, Stevens is a felon and cannot serve.
Senator Palin. That's what she's wanted to be all along.
What -informed- person would vote for her?
The initiative passed by the voters after Frank Murkowski appointed his daughter to the U.S. Senate provides no opportunity for even an interim appointment.
The voters of Alaska made that call with an affirmative vote on the citizens initiative.
It would be a 90 day special election, winner take all.
The seat would be vacant during that time.
Julie Hasquet
Anchorage, Alaska
Unless it's Michael Palin...
Palin / Palin '12
Because two jokes are better than one !!