A Fete for Uncle Ted

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November 20, 2008 1:51 PM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports from Capitol Hill: Since we called out Sen. Mitch McConnell yesterday for not giving Uncle Ted Stevens a send-off speech, it is only fair to point out that today, the seventh-longest serving Senator and recently convicted felon, who just yesterday conceded his quest for reelection, received a two hour tribute and a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle during his last speech on the Senate floor.

Stevens lost his re-election effort Wednesday to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, bringing the Democratic net gain in the U.S. Senate to 7 seats.

On the floor of the Senate Thursday, the Alaska Republican was called a model of service and a moral example for the body by GOP Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky.

"I have found Ted Stevens to be the most straightforward, honest senator I have ever worked with," said Bunning.

Sen. Larry Craig talked about riding in a cab in Alaska to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Craig, the Idaho Republican who will forever be linked with the airport in Minneapolis and did not seek reelection because of the legal problems he encountered there, said of Stevens, "As we round the curb and pull up to exit the cab, I look up, and there is your name. And I said, oh, my, Ted's got an airport," said Craig. "That's neat."

The cab driver told Craig to give his best to Uncle Ted in Washington. That said, Craig is why he calls Stevens "Uncle Ted."

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., chimed into the tribute adding, "I think its fair to say that no senator in the history of the us has ever done more for his state than Sen. Ted Stevens," as Sen. Robert Byrd, R-W.Va., yelled "That's right! That's right!" from right across the aisle. "Alaska would not be what it is today if it were not for him," McConnell said of Stevens, ignoring Byrd.

When it was his turn to speak, Byrd, the longest serving Senator who speaks hunched over his desk, reading from a binder, said, "Politics is a rough business. Lots of Highs. Lots of lows. After long time in politics, there comes a time to stand that the point of it all is helping people. Ted Stevens has helped a lot of people."

Even Nevada Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid weighed in on the conversation.

"Although Senator Stevens flew in World War II with the flying tigers in the Senate, he will be known as a lion," said Reid.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, called Stevens one of the "greatest men I've ever met" and said the stain will ultimately wash away from Stevens and his legacy, which before Stevens' legal troubles had more to do with helping steer tax dollars to Alaska, rights for native Alaskans, fighting to open the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, and his quirky fascination with the Incredible Hulk.

"I always loved -- loved that when he wore the incredible hulk tie," said Hatch. "I always got a big kick out of it. I even liked his crankiness because there was always a little smile behind that. he never held a grudge against anybody and he was always willing to lend a helping hand and to give good advice. and, frankly, I admire him so much. Ted, I believe this cloud will be lifted from you. and it should be."

Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-HI, who has also served longer than Stevens and is one of the few remaining World War II veterans left in the Senate said, "The events of recent weeks have been less than pleasant and at times dismal and heartbreaking," referring to Stevens convictions and loss. "But to my friend I say stand tall, Ted, because you have every good reason to do so. your good and courageous service to our nation is part of our history. It can never be obliterated."

Stevens spoke too, calling the Senate, where he has served for 40 years, his second home and acknowledged the regret he feels about leaving.

"I really must pinch myself to fully understand that I'm privileged to speak on the floor of the united states senate. coming from a boyhood I had I could never even have dreamed to be here today. and home is where the heart is, Mr.. president. if that is so, I have two homes one is right here in this chamber; and the other is my beloved state of Alaska. I must leave one -- leave one to return to the other."

A pit stop along the way will be appealing his conviction in September on seven felony counts for hiding gifts on financial disclosure forms and hopefully for Stevens staying out of the Big House.

"I look only forward and I still see the day when I can remove the cloud that currently surrounds me. That's it, Mr. President 40 years distilled into a few minutes. I close by saying and asking God bless Alaska and our governor, God bless the United States of America and our president, and god bless the senate and every member of this body. I yield the floor for the last time."

November 20, 2008 in Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (33)

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I hope Stevens serves a number of years in prison to show these people they are not above the law and they do have to be accountable for their actions. Next it should be Tom Delay and William Jefferson!!!!

Posted by: rickyt1234 | Nov 20, 2008 2:41:13 PM

Is there ever a time when your good deeds excuse your bad deeds?

You broke the law, Mr. Stevens, and this is just for some of the things you got caught on.

Set the correct example for everyone now and accept this penalty humbly and maybe your legacy will repair itself.

Otherwise you become this joke of a man who people will refer to for years as the guy who screamed all the way to the Ted Stevens Memorial Gallows.

Posted by: Michael Hall | Nov 20, 2008 2:44:29 PM

"a model of service and a moral example" --- for Republicans, I guess. Imagine that, calling a convicted felon a "moral example" for the Senate. No wonder conservatives got thrown out of office in large numbers and only 34% of America has a favorable attitude towards the Republican Party. Maybe conservatives are just.....wrong. They seem to be doing their level best to make everyone else think so.

Posted by: whybeconservative? | Nov 20, 2008 3:10:57 PM

Were I a Senator, I would have a speech for this occasion. It would go something like this:

"MISTER Stevens, kindly remove your withered, useless expletive deleted from this chamber with all due haste before we have you forcibly expelled."

This man has betrayed his office, his people and his honor. I have no respect for him, and no pity.

Ted's best service to Alaska would be to find an ice floe and take a final, solitary voyage.

Posted by: Yukon Sam | Nov 20, 2008 3:42:27 PM

Years ago Ted Stevens brought millions of dollars of "pork" to the State of Alaska....he was their hero. Uncle Ted is the poster child of Republicans,
the big-spenders who rape and pillage us taxpayers. I lived in Alaska for 14 years, disenfranchised by Uncle Ted for the whole time. Good-bye, and don't let that evil door open again.

Posted by: Mary Ann Schallert | Nov 20, 2008 3:45:00 PM

GET THE HELL OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. AS A MATTER OF FACT GET THE HELL OUT OF THE USA,YOU LIAR AND THEIF.

Posted by: A.E."BUDDY" WPPD. JR. | Nov 20, 2008 3:53:42 PM

How clubby is the Senate? Stevens was convicted of 7 felony counts. SEVEN. How fitting that Larry Craig would be a part of the final tribute.

Posted by: Steve from Danville | Nov 20, 2008 3:55:37 PM

Senator Bunning - please look up the word "moral" in the dictionary. Your values, sir, are not America's values.

Posted by: Steve from Danville | Nov 20, 2008 3:57:22 PM

Stevens doesn't deserve a standing ovation - a big fat raspberry would be more like it. All together now... Phhhhhhhhhtttttt!

Can we make him pay for his own room and board in prison so he doesn't soak the taxpayers for a penny more than he already has?

Posted by: marylou | Nov 20, 2008 4:53:58 PM

""a model of service and a moral example" --- for Republicans, I guess. Imagine that, calling a convicted felon a "moral example" for the Senate. No wonder conservatives got thrown out of office in large numbers and only 34% of America has a favorable attitude towards the Republican Party. Maybe conservatives are just.....wrong. They seem to be doing their level best to make everyone else think so."

What a sad little world one lives in when one political party can do no wrong and the other one is always wrong. News flash for you; these guys can change parties in a heartbeat. So don't get too hung up on the ideology scam. There's crooks in ALL political parties.

Posted by: Grand Old Party | Nov 20, 2008 4:55:58 PM

you people are crazy !!! ted kennedy you think is great and courageous after cold blooded murder , but stevens is some kind of horrible person becuase of ethics ?? come on !!!! ted k makes stevens look like a saint !!!

Posted by: ROBERT | Nov 20, 2008 5:29:07 PM

i don't see why everybody is so down on Stevens.. the government ripps people off for a lot more than that every day and nothing is ever said about it...

Posted by: sage | Nov 20, 2008 5:30:32 PM

good point sage !!!!!

Posted by: robert | Nov 20, 2008 5:31:59 PM

thank you Robert.

Posted by: sage | Nov 20, 2008 5:43:36 PM

Politicians are all crooked anyway.
However, it is sad to see Uncle Ted go.
These slimy democrats will take over the senate and the house, and the black house.
which is very sad indeed. America is on the brink of collapse.

Posted by: JJdillon | Nov 20, 2008 6:14:33 PM

People need to stop beating up on Sen. Stevens. I am a registered Democrat, and happy to see his seat fall to a fellow partisan, but there is no point in denying that Stevens has been as good a senator as Alaska, or any state, could ever hope to have. When it comes to national issues, i disagree with Stevens on many things. But I applaud his effort to win federal support for his state. And the charges against him are total BS. It is good that dems have more control, but did it have to happen this way? This guy was great!

Posted by: Phil | Nov 20, 2008 6:24:34 PM

good point Phil... i agree

Posted by: sage | Nov 20, 2008 6:29:26 PM

For shame U. S. Senate! To give a convicted felon a standing ovation. If there was one shred of decency left in our political system, our Senate would have risen as one, and summarily turned their back on this shamefully corrupt person.

Posted by: LCLaurie | Nov 20, 2008 6:49:01 PM

i would like to point out what a lot of people seem to be missing. 7 felony counts, an the senate gives him 2 hrs of applauds, poor stevens, hell poor us. this is the direction the senate is leading us. i have no respect for our senate, they have become self serving. read about the roman empire an there collaspe. youll see striking simularities. greed greed greed an absolutly no accountability. screw the senate club

Posted by: Kevin | Nov 20, 2008 6:59:26 PM

It amazes me that anyone would defend Stevens. He has been pilfering your tax dollars for years and filling his pockets with bribes but yet you justify it somehow because there is a (R) behind his name. I would like to see a send off for Stevens to prison, where he belongs. All Americans, “We the People” need to have zero tolerance for corruption. Hopefully next it will be Tom Delay and William Jefferson!!!!

Posted by: rickyt1234 | Nov 20, 2008 7:01:16 PM

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