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Indicted Hometown Senator Poses Problem for Sarah Palin
August 31, 2008 5:15 PM
ABC News' John Berman and Ursula Fahy Report: It’s clear who Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be supporting when it comes to the presidential race, after all she is on the ticket. The bigger question is who will she vote for in the Senate race in her home state. Embattled Republican Sen. Ted Stevens faces a tight race against popular Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. And as of now, McCain campaign aides will not guarantee that she will endorse the senior Senator. Of course, perhaps more telling is that they won’t promise she won’t endorse him either.though the antithesis of reform, is an icon in Alaska politics.
So what is the problem? After all Stevens is her fellow Republican. Well, the problem is Ted Stevens is under indictment. Stevens, a Senator for 40 years, has come to embody Washington’s love for pork-barrel politics. And this July he was indicted for allegedly lying about gifts he received.
The endorsement issue highlights Palin's complicated, and not always acrimonious relationship with her state’s controversial senior Senator.
At the time of Steven’s indictment, Palin, who likes to wear the mantle of a reformer, said, "News such as this rocks the foundation of our state." But she continued, "Senator Ted Stevens has dedicated his life to the betterment of Alaska. I share Alaskans' concern and dismay at this turn of events."
In that one statement you can see the opposing political forces at work. Palin wants to be a reformer, but seems to have a hard time distancing herself too much from Stevens who,
Palin has not been shy about bucking at least some of the GOP establishment in Alaska. Remember, she unseated a Republican governor in a primary fight. And in the recent congressional primary she endorsed the opponent of longtime Republican congressman Don Young. But all that only highlights her seeming unwillingness to buck Ted Stevens too much. She pointedly did not endorse any of Stevens recent opponents in his Republican primary. It is impossible to know whether an endorsement from Palin would have swung the election one way or the other. Stevens won easily, while in the race where Palin did fight the establishment, they are still counting ballots.
More complicated history: in Palin's 2006 race for governor, after she ousted Governor and former U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski in the Republican primary, Stevens withheld his support for Palin. But Palin was locked in what looked like a tight race in the general election, and three weeks before the election, Palin welcomed a Stevens endorsement, even releasing a campaign commercial of the event, featuring Stevens offering support of Palin, with Palin smiling mightily in the background.
One other bit of telling video: in July of this year, Stevens and Palin held a joint news conference, denying that there was any political distance between them. This was at a time before the indictment, but after an FBI raid on Stevens home, and after the scope of the investigation of Stevens was clear.
Earlier, Palin had called on Stevens to be more open about the details surrounding the investigation, but at this joint news conference she said:
"I have great respect for the Senator. He needs to be heard across America. His voice, his experience, his passion needs to be heard across America so that Alaska can contribute more."
When asked about specifically about whether Palin would back Stevens in upcoming race, Ben Porritt, a spokesman for the McCain campaign said, "Governor Palin has a record of reform. It was one of her signature issues when she ran for office. And she has a record of accomplishment in office."
Indeed, Palin helped push through key ethics reform in Alaska. And it is clear she now opposes one of Steven’s pet projects, the so-called Bridge to Nowhere (though past statements show she supported it initially). And it is even clear that Palin is not afraid to fight entrenched Republican interests in Alaska. What is less clear is whether Palin will take a definitive stand for or against Stevens before November.
August 31, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (418)
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Who cares..
Posted by: Kathy | Aug 31, 2008 5:18:07 PM
She's a nutter! Anti-science, anti-choice, pro-death, pro-oil, and pro-abuse of power. This shores of the Christian radicals in the country, but we will not be duped again. Science and reason will not be crucified for these archaic beliefs.
McCain fails to grasp that Sen. Obama is not the change, his approach to governance is. Obama is, and has been through the continual republican slanderfest, cool calm and collected. He is the product of some of our highest institutes of learning and has demonstrated great judgment regarding foreign affairs, energy, the environment and reform. His economic positions are not based on punishing business, but by bringing balance back to our economic systems. When business rules government and makes their own rules our power, the power of our great citizenry, is corrupted and the nation suffers.
McCain, this election is about vision. It's about harnessing our innovation and intelligence, about aspiring to causes greater than the short-sighted gains of bloated bureaucrats, lobbyists and their constituents. We want to rebuild our electrical grid and develop our renewable resources so that we can free ourselves from foreign energy. We want to renew our standing in the world and reinvigorate world politics because we understand we are not alone in this world and that not only are the world's problems are ours as well, but that they require more than bravado to solve. We want to provide the basic underpinnings of a smoothly functioning democracy; education, health and opportunity. And yes, it will take hard work and sacrifice as we strive towards these goals, but I for one am willing.
McCain, you my friend are still looking behind you, and while your choice in Palin is to be acknowledged as a step forward for the republican party, your policies and approaches to governance have failed. Hillary Clinton is a great woman, Palin pales in comparison, and your nod to her as your VP is indicative of your cynicism and disrespect for the American people and women in particular. To use the women's struggle as a divisive political tool is disturbing to say the least, and I have faith in the daughters of America to recognize your long record of sexism in both your political and personal life.
Posted by: A slap in the face | Aug 31, 2008 5:27:59 PM
there is also a deleted video where they appear for her reelection. much has been deleted about her over the past few days, and epeople have been finding it in web archives.
Posted by: kravitz | Aug 31, 2008 5:30:53 PM
John McCaint principal, but foolish, quality in a VP is someone who shares his views. (Not someone ready to be President)
In Pollen, McKeating does find someone who shares his incompetent bush views:
McCaint giggled when Senator Clinton was styled as a 'biacth' by his supporter.
And Pollen ALSO giggled when senator Lyda Green is styled a 'biatch' by her supporter
I cannot imagine Senator Obama entertaining such indignities from a supporter against an opponent and government leader, especially against a female leader.
Can you?
Posted by: Patriot | Aug 31, 2008 5:36:45 PM
What worries me most about Palin is her environmental policy (especially regarding drilling in the ANWR). I think it is evermore important for us, as consumers to support 'green businesses' that benefit the environment. For example, http://www.simplestop.net stops your postal junk mail and benefits the environment.
Posted by: Clark | Aug 31, 2008 5:38:37 PM
Hey ABC idiots, running scared like all other democrats huh?
Posted by: Steve | Aug 31, 2008 5:39:16 PM
Another who cares?....isn't Rezko being sentenced Sept. 2? And where is Rev. Wright.....have they got enough info on Bill Ayers? WHO BLOODY CARES ABOUT PALINS VOTE FOR OR AGANIST STEVENS?
Never B. Hussein
McCAIN/PALIN
Posted by: Debra | Aug 31, 2008 5:39:41 PM
Who cares about her associations? Just look at Obummer's friends. Rev. God damn America Wright, Sleazebag under indictment Rezko, drug use and gay relationship, Michelle I hate America,..
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what a creep Obama is!
Posted by: Ed | Aug 31, 2008 5:40:19 PM
Thank you Ed.....we are in total agreement
Posted by: Debra | Aug 31, 2008 5:41:12 PM
Hey Debra...did you see the time on our last entries? We were thinking pretty much the same thing at the same time!
You know a lot of others were thinking it too!
Posted by: Ed | Aug 31, 2008 5:42:46 PM
Oops...we did it again! c ya later....
Posted by: Ed | Aug 31, 2008 5:44:29 PM
This compares to Ayers and rev wright?
Posted by: Jr Ewing | Aug 31, 2008 5:51:01 PM
"Intelligent design should be taught and let kids debate both sides" Palin 2006
Posted by: doug | Aug 31, 2008 5:52:34 PM
What a bunch of ill-informed blather!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2008-07-24 20:59.
Andrew Halcro did exceptionally well in his campaign. I really don't think he is a sore loser. Andrew just cares about where this State is going and feels the current governor is leading us to disaster. If you would just take the time to study the issues like he has, you would be outraged too. But you don't. You don't think things through which is what Andrew kept saying about Ms. Palin during the campaign. Tony Knowles said the same thing. Ms. Palin could not answer any questions. She never said anything intelligent. Now we are stuck with someone who still can't make an intelligent statement or decision. You should be outraged too, unless you are another of those that think it is okay to lie like the governor.
Posted by: Mr. Coffee | Aug 31, 2008 5:54:17 PM
Kravitz,
Actually the stuff that has gone down the memory hole is on Biden.
I'm still wondering what happened to all of his background info.
Posted by: Jo | Aug 31, 2008 5:54:52 PM
Another poorly vetted VP candidate. You would think by now presidential candidates would learn.
Posted by: DMR | Aug 31, 2008 5:55:29 PM
I'll take Ted Stevens over a Bill Ayers.
Any more silly comments?
Lol.
Posted by: Jo | Aug 31, 2008 5:55:49 PM
The dems are running scared.
One blog actually has the question:
"Did Palin really get enough pre-natal care?"
Bwahahahahaha.....you can't make this stuff up!
Posted by: Jo | Aug 31, 2008 5:56:37 PM
How amazing in less than 48 hrs she's been accused of lying, big oil ties, it's not her baby, no experience, under investigation, putting her career before the baby, not knowing what a VP job is and so-on.
Obama picks Biden and despite 35+ years in congress not a single negative story, no issues, no problems, nothing. Just truely amazing. I guess it really does matter if you have a "D" or a "R" in front of your name.
Posted by: Kenny Jones | Aug 31, 2008 5:56:45 PM
she is the most unqualified VP candidate ever!!!!!! When will McCain withdraw her name?????? How long will it take????
Posted by: michelinphilly | Aug 31, 2008 5:59:29 PM
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