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Senate Leaders Mum on Stevens
The Senate is certainly a kinder place to mucked-up pols than the House.
Despite testimony last week from former Veco CEO Bill Allen that he bribed Sen. Ted Sevens (R-AK) and news that the FBI taped two of their phone conversations, Senate leaders haven't commented on the legal woes plaguing the longest-serving Republican senator.
That's in stark contrast to how the House leadership has reacted to news of investigations. House Republicans apparently put the squeeze on Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA) to remove him from his committee spots. Democrats gave Rep. William Jefferson (D-CA) the same treatment. Senate Republicans did react aggressively to news of Sen. Larry Craig's (R-WY) guilty plea, but apparently this is a much different case.
Roll Call asked Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) if Stevens should be removed from his committee assignments in the wake of the scandal. McConnell referred back to a July 31 statement, in which he referred to Stevens' "four decades of service" in the Senate and said he didn't have "any announcements today."
On the other side of the aisle, Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) was similarly tight-lipped:
"I didn’t comment on [Sen.] Larry Craig [R-Idaho]. I’m not going to comment on this. ... I’m not going to get into that.”
Comments (15)
M M wrote on September 24, 2007 5:15 PM:In a backhanded way, Reid equates the Craig scandal with the Stevens scandal! I'm sure Stevens is pleased...
BTW, is it a bad sign that an agency (the FBI) of the most Republican politicized DoJ ends up tapping your phone calls even though you are the longest sitting Republican senator? Ouch...
Ed*ard Teller wrote on September 24, 2007 5:27 PM:Sen. Lieberman hearted St. Ted this morning in Senate hearings on reforms in the primary process. Stevens sounded particularly tired and tiresome.
"That's in stark contrast to how the House leadership has reacted to news of investigations..."
If that's the case Laura, why so little action on Rep. Don Young? Is it because the House leadership has been tipped off about aspects of the Young investigation(s) that the general public is unaware of?
phil james wrote on September 24, 2007 5:39 PM:No surprise that Reid had nothing to say. Reid has nothing to say about anything of real import. But he did allow the vote to condemn MoveOn. What an incredible leader.
global citizen wrote on September 24, 2007 5:40 PM:Perhaps no action has been taken since it takes so long to get the word down the tubes all the way from Alaska.
Anonymous wrote on September 24, 2007 5:53 PM:"McConnell referred back to a July 31 statement, in which he referred to Stevens' "four decades of service" in the Senate..."
Four decades of corruption is now a positive asset in our current Senate...
oldtree wrote on September 24, 2007 6:42 PM:He is my friend and colleague and I can't say anything mean about him or he will tell about my involvement with the Glendale Savings and Iran Contra and Jimmy "primate" Gibbons and his cheese empire......
dirty boys and girls have a criminal in their midst and won't do anything. looks like they are criminals because they are aiding and abetting a crime or crime figure, protecting and defending same. This is how it would read in language that would be used to prosecute you or I under normal criminal statutes or RICO laws. But they allow this as doing business. It is corrupt and broken, and those benefitting will not make changes when it is so lucrative
prove that the country hasn't been sold. I rest my case.
theswan wrote on September 24, 2007 8:28 PM:I'm convinced Reid is a political weakling. Or a republican pumping silver dollars to his constituents behind closed doors.
maniarwild wrote on September 24, 2007 10:34 PM:Maybe, like Oldtree suggested, they all live in glass houses,and therefore, won't throw stones.
xargaw wrote on September 24, 2007 10:47 PM:Doesn't anyone wonder what the republicans have on Reid. No one can be that wimpy all the time.
bob wrote on September 24, 2007 11:30 PM:phil james wrote on September 24, 2007 5:39 PM:
No surprise that Reid had nothing to say. Reid has nothing to say about anything of real import. But he did allow the vote to condemn MoveOn. What an incredible leader.
heh wrote on September 25, 2007 12:17 AM:Good point, Phil. Does Reid know who's in charge there?
Wow, I wonder what kind of face he shows in the lunch room?
He has been such an enabler of the shenanigans hasn't he? I think about the size of Alaska and the money it sends to DC and what it gets back in earmarks. Not even close.
In Calif. the most populous blue state we don't get back even 50% of the taxes we send to DC. Google it.
Bridge no nowhere anyone?
Porgie wrote on September 25, 2007 12:38 AM:If you need a little more proof as to who governs this nation now this should indicate just one more example. Those who now control our country won't give up their valuable senator easily. I hope I am wrong but I think "Üncle Ted" is gonna walk away from this.
get rid o him wrote on September 25, 2007 12:51 AM:Ted is the military industrial complex. he flys all his patrons to the Paris Air show every year
he is Boeing et al man in DC
born and raised east coaster carpetbagging in Alaska for eastern contractors
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/allindus.asp?CID=N00007997
OCPatriot wrote on September 25, 2007 1:11 AM:We have to get rid of politicians like Reid, or the Democratic Party is as lost as the Republicans. Reid is an old time hack, who can't shake off the old traditions, and he needs to be replaced by someone who can really lead. MoveOn.net is right; replace them with people, pardon the sexism, with "balls" or the equivalent.
Nick Grossman wrote on September 25, 2007 9:42 AM:Don't fret folks. Let Stevens win his primary and officially run for reelection, then tear him to pieces. If he steps down now, Republicans will keep the seat.