Today's paper | eEdition | Subscribe
The Truth-O-Meter
Latest print edition
St. Petersburg Times
Special report
  • Testing Grounds
    The latest industry being outsourced to India is clinical drug trials. And any number of tragic things can happen on the way to your medicine cabinet.
  • More special reports
Video report
  • Friday Night Rewind
    It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
  • More video reports
Multimedia report
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Your name Your email
Recipient email
You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message
Validation Code
Hear
validation
code
  Enter validation code
A Times Editorial

Expel Sen. Stevens


In print: Friday, November 7, 2008


Social Bookmarking
Digg Facebook Stumbleupon
Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Video...
Loading...

Sen. Ted Stevens is nothing if not tenacious. Even after the 84-year-old Republican senior senator from Alaska was found guilty of seven felonies last month, he pressed his bid for re-election. This would have been a perfect opportunity for Alaskans to show Stevens the door. But benefiting from peculiar voter loyalty and his own tenacity, Stevens holds a small vote advantage in his race against Democrat Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage, and may well be re-elected.

Getting the final result could take weeks, but Stevens should not set foot in the Senate chamber again. As a public servant, Stevens violated the trust of his office, and the Senate should vote to expel him later this month. There is no need to wait for court appeals.

Stevens' claims that he has "not been convicted of anything yet'' is self-delusional and deceptive. A jury convicted Stevens of breaking ethics laws by taking hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of renovations to his Alaskan home and other expensive gifts, and not reporting them. Technically the conviction attaches when he is sentenced, which hasn't occurred. But a jury has pronounced Stevens is guilty, and that should be enough for his Senate colleagues.

It will take a two-thirds vote of the chamber to expel Stevens. Republican leaders in the Senate, while calling on Stevens to resign, have suggested that any expulsion should remain on hold until his appeals are exhausted. This would be an untenable delay.

The facts of Stevens' case are well known, and they point to a man who traded on his status for a better lifestyle. Stevens exploited his office, and he should be removed.



[Last modified: Nov 10, 2008 08:09 PM]



Comments on this article
by James Schoenberg Nov 10, 2008 8:09 PM
Remember Alcee Hasting? Was a Fed. judge appointed by Carter, Took a $150,000 bribe! Was impeached by the U.S. House, 413 to 3.!!! In 1992, elected to the same U.S. House in a black district in FL. Why is he there & Stevens has to go?
by James Nov 10, 2008 8:08 PM
...cont'd. Oh, wait. Hastings is a Dem & black. Stevens is a Repub & white. Typical liberal double standard!!!!!!!!!
by JT Nov 9, 2008 11:11 AM
Get rid of Stevens, Dodd, Frank, Cold Cash Jefferson and all those other Democrats who violate the public trust. Democrats need to be held to the same standards as Republicans. No Pelosi rebuke for Rep Mahoney tells the story. She lied about ethics.
by Wesley Nov 7, 2008 8:34 PM
George Bush is a fine teacher - Trample the Constitution, Break the law - claim "Executive Privilege" - It works for him! What are we teaching our children?
by Dale Nov 7, 2008 8:28 PM
So, are you against the Judicial System and a "fair trial"? When the judge asked, "Is there anyone in the Office of Integrity who has any Integrity?" That didn't raise a question in your mind? A better life style? Have you ever been to Girdwood?
by Anthony Nov 7, 2008 12:03 PM
First, Stevens is a small fry. Guaranteed, every other Senator has taken more. They just haven't been caught yet. Second, we can elect whomever we want. Is there a law saying a felon can't be a Senator? No, there isn't. So mind your own biz.
by Partisan Hack Nov 7, 2008 11:54 AM
If they do, Sarah Palin will make her way into that seat, giving her the "experience" needed to make a run for the presidency in 4 years. Many Republicans see her as their future. I'm hoping, but doubtful, that their party as a whole is that stupid.
by Fred Nov 7, 2008 11:50 AM
When Dodd and Franks are in jail for destroying the economy with fannie and freddie. Stevens made a few bucks, Dems destroyed lives.
by jimmy Nov 7, 2008 11:49 AM
Corruption is fine by me. Oh, and I also like lying and theiving!
by Stuart Nov 7, 2008 11:37 AM
Those Alaskans sure know how to pick 'em!
by justice Nov 7, 2008 11:05 AM
this guy is a 'felon' and people are still voting for him...guess that tells us something about Alaskans. luckily they get to keep Palin up there.
by Kay Nov 7, 2008 11:02 AM
If convicted felons lose their voting rights (at least until their debt to society is paid) then convicted felons should not be allowed to hold public office.
by Brian Nov 7, 2008 11:02 AM
Reason #435 why public servants should never make politics a lifetime career. Robert Byrd is another example--nothing against the elderly, but his competency is into question and he's overstayed his welcome as well.
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT

 
ADVERTISEMENT