Will Stevens’ indictment hurt GOP?
Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say.
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Senator Ted Stevens was the guy behind Alaska's "bridge to nowhere". He might soon be able to use that bridge to cross from the Senate to a federal prison.
The Alaska Republican was indicted on charges of lying about accepting gifts from an oil company, somewhere to the tune of $250,000. That included work on his home like a new first floor, garage, wraparound deck, plumbing and electrical wiring, along with a gas grill, furniture, tools and a sweetheart deal on a Land Rover.
Stevens insists he's innocent and his office says he'll move "full steam ahead" toward re-election. Nice.
Watch: Cafferty: Stevens hurt GOP?
The six-term Senator will likely face his toughest general-election challenge so far against the mayor of Anchorage, who was already leading in the polls. What is it about politicians who think they can simply continue in office after running afoul of the law. Remember the weasel Larry Craig?
The news probably couldn't come at a worse time for the Republicans. This kind of stuff could help the Democrats reach a 60-seat majority in the Senate, which would let them break Republican filibusters.
Stevens' legal problems could even affect the presidential race. Alaska is a state that hasn't voted for a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson in 1964, but Barack Obama has sent staffers there – which likely means he's ready to compete.
Some of Stevens' Republican colleagues are already distancing themselves, donating campaign contributions from Stevens to charity and refusing to comment on whether they support his decision to stay in the Senate.
Here’s my question to you: How will Ted Stevens' indictment affect an already-wounded GOP?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jonathan from Hartford, Connecticut writes:
The GOP does not hurt. They feel nothing but the pleasures of revenge and vindictive vetting. They have survived DeLay, Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, Bush, Rove, LIbby, Cheney, Vitter, Craig and Goodling. Stevens is nothing, get it over with before Christmas and give him a pardon. The American people have short memories and shorter attention spans.
Gideon writes:
What a surprise! The guy is just living like a Republican. This is the kind of stuff taught at the Republican boot camp. He is just expressing his loyalty to his party's values.
Joe from Arlington, Virginia writes:
The Stevens’ bribery case looks similar to Congressman Duke Cunningham's case in 2006. Even though the "Duke" went to jail, there wasn't much fallout. Bribery is ok. Stevens would have to be hanging with Senator Larry Craig in the Capitol men’s room to affect Republicans.
Eugene from California writes:
Jack, Stevens is just another corrupt politician. It doesn't matter which party they belong to. They're all corrupt.
Judy writes:
Steven's indictment adds more fuel to the Republican disgrace. The thing that really bugs me is he will be found guilty, go to prison and still receive his very generous retirement.
Cheryl writes:
Jack, No more than your boy Jefferson who had the 90K in cash in with the frozen hot dogs! Two four-year terms and then get out of Washington.
Robert writes:
I doubt it will affect anything. Unfortunately the voters in this country seem to have no memory at election time. That’s why the same idiots serve 6 terms.
Galen from Vancouver writes:
Will Sen. Stevens’ scandal affect the Republicans? Before or after Diebold 'counts' the votes?
@jackcafferty on Twitter
No cause I believe that the majority of the voters are sick of the Republican party and their my way or the highway ways. This is why there should be term limits. Two terms pack your bags and get the hell out of Dodge.
After the Bush years, how much lower can the republicans go? Besides John McCain is setting new records for low, sleazy and dishonorable campaign tactics–so how can Stevens bring them any lower?
I doubt it. All Mcsame has to do is put out an ad and blame it all on Obama.
I certainly hope so.
Wounded GOP? I don't think so ,Jack! Compared to Obama's 20 year friendships,you'de have to have much more than this guy to wound the GOP! Obama's friends makes the GOP members look like Saints!
The Ted Steven's indictment only goes to confirm that the GOP is truly a "Ship of Fools"
Christopher
Los Angeles
I doubt Senator Bridge-to-Nowhere Stevens can do anything that will make the G.O.P. sink any lower in the minds of most Americans. Just this morning Republican legislators stymied the Senate again, stopping a bill that would put us on the path toward energy independence. I wonder how many more Ted Stevens there are in that bunch who are getting "gifts" from big oil to make sure alternative energy sources aren't funded.
The GOP should be dead in the water at this point but they have enough big money spenders shelling out huge amounts of cash to keep the party on life support. Hopefully, someone will pull the plug sooner rather than later!!!
No. But maybe it will wake Americans up and get rid of the whole gang on the hill when terms are up. Between Bush and congress, it has not been a comfortable ride.
Are you kidding me, Jack ? Ofcourse not !!
Stevens scandal is a 'soft ball' compared to the 'biggies' we have seen coming from the Repubs in the last few years.In fact the 'standard' of their outrageousness has dropped a little; they need to be doing better!!!!
It couldn't help. The Republican party is out of touch with middle America. The November election should be a mandate-delivering event, but the Democrats continue to mess around and play partisan politics instead of pursuing a compromise to address energy prices, the economy and all the other challenges we face. Don't they throw everyone out and start over in parliamentary governments at this point? Maybe we should vote out every incumbent and start over with people who have our interests at heart.
What makes you think the GOP is wounded? In spite of the fact that all logic would indicate Obama should be leading by at least 85 points, he is still 50-50 with McSame.
Well Jack from what I've observed with American politics the public seems to take a shine to corruption in their legislators and administration. The people elected Little Hope and No Hope for two terms as President and Vice President and their administration would make the James Gang look like choir boys.
My guess they will continue on the same path by electing John McCain despite his obvious short comings. Although the aging process may be the cat's meow for fine wines and liquors I doubt it will result in a better President.
Chalk stevens to another republican embarrassment. As a former republican I am disgusted at what has happened to the GOP over the last 7 years with Bush running the show. The stevens scandal will have an effect in the fall when Alaska becomes a blue state.
How can a single injury hurt a Party that's terminally ill?
No. The Republians are imune to any scandal, or King George and his co-conspiritors would be in prison for war crimes. It "aint gona" happen unfortunatly.
Honestly, Jack, I think there are probably an equal number of dishonest Democrats in Congress.
However, the Stevens indictment, coupled with the recent DOJ debacle and Rove's refusal to testify before Congress should have anyone who would consider voting Republican running for the hills. And those three things have only occurred in the last week or two. I don't think we have enough room or time to list all the other illegal acts that the Republicans have perpetrated in the past 7 1/2 years. The GOP's disdain for legalities is an abomination.
The Republicans are already sunk because they keep accepting bribes from Big Oil not to develop alternative energy. As Lou Dobbs said "This is the best government that money can buy" Jack.
The truth it hurts us all. The more our elected officials...you know, those people who are supposed to have our respect and trust...turn out to be lying, cheating scum-buckets, the less faith we have in our own government. Not that there is any faith left at this point.
He won't hurt them any more than they already are. But he will reaffirm what they are.
For now yes. But it will be forgotten by November. Jack, you have to realize that American people have short memory when it comes to politics. They start to react when something happens and after a while live like nothing happened. That is good. Why would we want to live in the past anyway ?
Nuwan from Houston, TX
With a president who only serves his own interests, has no regard for the country, Republican party, or even his own family how can the Ted Steven's issue even matter to the GOP? One by one the congressional crooks reveal themselves. Senator Stevens is a good example of why we need term limits in congress. Career politicians, over time, are rarely good for the country. Power corrupts. Term limits will never happen because congress will not legislate against themselves.
Vote wisely!
Sure it will. More voters would begin to see the need for the GOP to go on a much needed long vacation.
Nah. Stuff like this happens so frequently nowadays that the public probably tune it out. The net result of this affair will be that the Dems pick up another Senate seat in November, which will come in handy in keeping Pres McCain from nominating Supreme Court justices who are rightwing nuts.
The GOP is already in the dog house but this negative news is a good reminder as to why most American's are sick and tired of the Republicans.
Jack the GOP are already so badly wounded that nothing more hurts.
I do not think they care that much either.
Jack! It is like adding salt to a wound. The GOP are already wounded; so anything happening is to make everything more worse.
Jack, it is what it is. I don't think a whole lot of people will be surprised he is a Republican.
makes it clear to me which party represents more of the same and which party is committed to a fresh start.
I don’t call it being wounded when you have a candidate that is saying all the wrong things, both factually, and ideologically, stumbling over everything, and can’t remember anything, has health and age issues, but is still even with the flawless campaign of his young healthy rival. In this senseless world of the last 8 years the GOP’s ability to win with everything going in the wrong direction and no merit to speak of, the impact can doubtless be nothing but positive. Apparently the voters are dumb as posts.
Does anybody care about this crap anymore?
It sure doesn't help. Who are they going to find to replace the man who thought [thinks?] the internet is a series of tubes? Maybe McCain should step in, since he can now send e-mail.
I don't think it will have any effect. The Bush Administration has shown contempt for the rule of law and not been held accountable. If people are not concerned about the President and his administration breaking the law, why should they be upset if a Republican senator joins in?
I don't think it will really make any difference. The public is already fed up its with elected officials and it's just business as usual no matter who in which party may be involved.
No, I don't think so. While Senator Stevens has pushed for pork-belly projects for his state, so too has every other senator and member of the house. The GOP has sunk itself, without his help.
Now, if there were an investigation into how many members of BOTH parties have benefited from the explosion of oil prices, the war machine, and cutting of taxes for the rich while the middle class pay MORE, then it could really affect the election!
Same story, different name. When will these politicians figure this stuff out? They work for the People, not the other way around. But will will it hurt the already injured GOP? Only if they lose another senate seat. Otherwise... frankly Scarlett (or is Jack during the day), I don't give a damn.
I think the Republican Party is poised to suffer their worst election defeats in history this November. One more corrupt GOP senator won't make a difference one way or the other.
Yes it will! I'd like to see what McCain has to say about his old buddy Stevens' Mess! But corruption seems to be the food the GOP feeds on . . . I wish the Dems would grow a pair and go after these crooks! But alas I dream . . .
My guess is they will ramp up to go after Obama with a vengeance never before seen in the history of politics, making what they did to Gore, McCain, and Kerry look like kid's play.
No. People who tend to support the GOP believe they are the party of God. Since nothing detracts from their "rightiousness" everything that could point to evil on the part of their representitives is simply a "witch hunt" or "being unamerican". Furthermore, people who are on the fence as to whether to go with Obama or McCain will rightly note that Stevens is not McCain. They both might like big oil-but McCain hasn't been caught...yet.
Jack: Don't think so. There are many left in the GOP who will carry on with that tradition....now they will just be more cautious. You can touch the spots of the lepoard, but you can't move them.
Are you kidding Jack the indictment makes him Presidential material and a real threat to take the nomination away from McCain at the Republican Convention.
Basically he is just well oiled like your current administration and the Republicans back them to the hilt.
Come to think of it McCain's positions seem to be pretty well oiled as well so he may not be able to take the nomination away from him after all.
Jack
Its sad to say were doing a hell of a job electing people to Congress, is there anyone in the house or senate that doesnt have a skeleton in the closet ?
Voters have lost count! Does it really matter anymore? It seems that is their trademark.
Jack, it's politics and if they dug a little deeper they'd find lots more politians cashing in on both sides of the fence. Heck, if Bush was one of them, they'd let him go free.
This is businees as usual for the Republican Party ;the party faithfull will continue supporting him and blaming the liberals for his transgressions.
i cant help but wonder if the voters of this country are that stupid as to believe that one member of a party is a clone of all the other members of a party. they figure every republican is "just like george bush" or every democrat is "just like ted kennedy". news flash people!!!! there are good and bad people in each party. right now it would seem the really stupid ones are ALL in congress.
Hurt them i do not think it will even stun them. look they call the democrates tax and spend. I want to call them no tax and borrow for our country. They are the blood suckers and they love to call it the democrates.
I'm a political news junkie, and even I can't manage to care about another GOP political scandal. At this point it is simply part of the brand.
The GOP has their hardcore 30%. The economy in crisis, the unwarranted war, the flagrant disregard of the Constitution by the Administration, and still they have a 30% approval rate. That 30% approval rate will stand even if George W. was to have an affair with Monica. They're a pathetic bunch. I'm not mad at George W.–I'm mad at all the idiots who voted for him–not just once, but TWICE!!
No, I think Stevens will get a standing ovation from the Senate Republicans, just like David Vitter received after his prostitute scandal. Republican Family Values.
It should but probably won't. Look for him to be in a McCain ad shortly pointing out the "youth" of McCain, Steven's is about 13 years older. Steven will hope for a speedy trial so Bush will pardon him just before leaving office.
McBush is the only thing hurting the GOP right now!!!!!!!
"Stupid is as stupid does..."
Hurt them as in making them appear accepting of a politician who subverts the law, lies to Congress and the American people, starts wars and shoots people in the face with impunity? No, I think they already have that one covered, they may rise in the polls from the news!
Nah. Stuff like this happens so frequently nowadays that the public probably tune it out. The net result of this affair will be that the Dems pick up another Senate seat in November, which will come in handy in keeping Pres McCain from nominating Supreme Court justices who are rightwing nuts.
If you look deep enough, I'll bet you could find dirt like this on just about any politician, Dem or GOP...Dodd's mortgages, Stevens' home improvements...there's no such thing as a free lunch, remember?
McCain has railed against the kind of pork barrel politics that Stevens represents for years, so I doubt that will affect him. Say what you want about McCain, if there's one thing for sure he's against, it's pork. Where it really hurts are the downline GOP elections in Congress and the Senate, especially his seat in Alaska. Every day the Dems get closer to an untouchable solid gold 60 seat majority in the Senate. It might not happen, but thanks to Stevens, it's at least possible.
Oh, perhaps Gotham might appear even darker than it actually is as seen in a Batman movie. Senator Steven's problems really stem from a position that anything is appropriate in this Bush administration. It shouldn't come as a surprise as this anything goes administration allows. When people are above the laws, people will do what they want. I am a little surprised that Stevens will be indicted at all by this justice department. What this suggests is that Senator Stevens may not want to stick with Bush business as usual and may actually be planning to attack Bush somehow. Why would a justice department go against its own when Goodling and others are not going to be indicted for wrong doing. What gives? You have a justice department in the Iglasius concerns that want eight republicans dismissed for not getting democrats indicted and yet Stevens gets indicted for actual wrongdoing, there is something deeper here than meets the eyes!
Of course there are corrupt public servants in all parties. Stevens' indictment may tarnish the GOP's image just a tad more and may take some votes away from McCain, especially since the word "oil" is involved.
Jack,
Maybe this latest dust-up will get Congress' approval rating to 0%!
It will help reinforce in the public's mind the level of corruption and disregard for the law that characterizes much of the GOP. The mainstream media needs to keep reporting prominently the examples of "public servants" who serve themselves and their party ahead of the national good. Republican politicians seem to believe that the law doesn't apply to them, their families and their friends. I hope the public is paying attention and I hope Stevens ends up in a jail cell. cy gardner arlington va
I find the comments above interestingly amusing. The people's comments above read as if the Democrats are Saints when in actuality they have proven, by their inaction to be as criminally and willfully negligent and incompetent as the Republicans.
Geri – Mead, OK
Yes, this is just another crook in a long line of Republican crooks. America needs to wake up and smell the roses–Republicans favor only the rich and could care less about the rest of us. The Senator should be removed from office and Bush/Cheney should be impeached!
The GOP was DOA before the Stevens scandal. There's no point in kicking a dead horse.
I don't think we are finished seeing how ugly the GOP can get yet and I am sure john mccain will provide us with more examples of 'how low can they go...'
Without Ted Stevens where will we build our bridges?
Doubtful. Look at what they've been through already with Foley, Larry Craig, Duke Cunningham, Tom Delay, etc. You cannot shame this group–they don't seem to even understand the concept. Look at McCain's advertising strategy. It's based on the concept that if you repeat anything long enough, regardless of the facts, a lot of people will believe it. Example: Gas prices are Obama's fault. I guess in his 2 years in the Senate he was able to block all oil exploration in the U.S., and thwart Republican and oil companies' plans to handle this crisis. Prediction: They'll be blaming Obama for everything from the war in Iraq to the environmental crisis to the bird flu before it's over.
Jack, our country has so many problems thanks to our present leader and his cronies, and McCain stumbles in his campaigning - what else is new?
it could cost the republicans his seat in the senate and i hope the democrats take it.by the way isn't this sen. stevens the senator that had the "bridge to nowhere built"? a waste of the people of alaska's money
This is nothing more then Washington cleaning house of someone that embarrassed the other thieves. Look at all the scandals and misappropriations that go on in DC.
It was reported that Obama and Hillary both took hundreds of millions in earmarks for projects just as bad as the Alaskan bridge to nowhere...
Anyone that takes money away from real needs to benefit friends or political contributors can not be trusted...
and dont be so short sighted to believe that one politician doesn't push through projects for another so they can hide the direct connection between the contribution and the action...
Thats what they call a bipartisan effort
It does seem as if the GOP has more than their share of scandal. Even more than the Democrats. Jack, maybe someone like you or I should campaign for office. I'd like to think that regular people could successfully help their country. But it sure seems as if the only ones getting elected are the "take advantage of everybody" people.
I'm not sure the GOP can be much more damaged after this administration, but Steven's certainly won't help. Now maybe even Alaska will turn blue.
Nothing ever sticks to the GOP. They get away with the worst crimes and abuses of power and the Dems are too chicken to do anything about it.
One can only pray that it will hut them, permanently.
Do I care NO! Do I hope so YES! Don't forget to vote for anybody but an incumbant congressman in Nov.
Jack, I do not think it will help them. But it is refreshing to see that this one was not caught with his pants down.
Just another politician who got caught doing bad things. I doubt
if his corruption is going to make any difference towards the GOP.
Jack –
You have to get to the bottom before it can get better. They are not yet at the bottom. Lets talk in November when the Dems sweep.
No, congress has a habit of sticking up for one another. It's a sad day when our elected officials find they don't have to follow the same rules they expect to public to follow.
The only problem here, Jack, is that those of us who want to buy a politician have to wait. Their all taken.
Every little bit helps. There would be a lot more prosecutions if Bush & Cheney had not politicized the justice department.
I would hope it reminds the people who voted for Bush twice they maybe should have done a lot more research. Maybe those swiftboat people( who Mc Cain is aping in his attack ads) were wrong. Who wants another person in charge who the likes of Rove, the criminal, is convincing us Mc Cain is exactly alike.
Isn't it time for new, different & intelligent?
BJ in Seminole, Fl
This is the reason the republican party has no other
option but to create negative, outlandish ads.
They have no accomplishments and no merits to
run on.
Unfortunately, corruption has been so prominent in the
republican party it probably won't change a thing.
Hey, Jack, wait til Bush, Cheny and Roves turns come.
As a person living in Alaska, I am totally aware of all the good Stevens has brought to Alaska...it is rather sad to see his fall...but on the other hand, we as a nation must do whatever we can to clean-up the ethics of those we put into office. Yes we want our guys to bring dollars home for our growth, but we expect it to be done above board not in some dark backroom deal.
In my view, yes, this may be among other causes that will take Ted down and one more republican down means more openings for someone who hopefully has ethics and stands by them
Hey Jack in the Republican party an indictment is a badge of honour. He just might give McCain a run for his money at the convention.
It certainly reopens the Democrates' opportunity to revitalize the Republican influence/corruption association. Remember McCain's good buddy, Jack Abrahmoff.
The GOP are hurting already, so they can't get much worse. After all the things the President has done to this country, I'm willing to bet that a good amount of people, even life long Republicans will vote Democratic this year because they want to see change and something new and fresh,
I think this is just one more exposure of the deep corruption that has occured in Congress, it seems to be among the senior members – sure is a good reason for term limits and lobbying controls –
The GOP has shot itself in the foot so many times since the last election, what's one more bullet?
But I am a skeptic......they will limp through this election and probably not do as bad as some people might think, after all, most voters have a very short memory.
Stevens has joined the likes of Delay and Rove and Mr. A. Their collective disdain for we the people is sickening. One of the Alaskan politicians who was caught receiving brides summed it up well when he said, I would sell my soul to the devil. What they have really sold is the average working American who have placed their hope and trust in these guys to solve the common problems we face. Greater still, who they sold to the devil are all the men and women in uniform who steadfastly believe in the people and institutions they defend. This is a time for change more than ever.
GOP or Democrat, it just feels like "here we go again". We need to establish and enforce strict term limits to put a stop to this Politician Shopping by Companies and other Countries and force these Politicians to listen to "We the People"
No way Jack, the people who vote republican are to blind to understand.
The Culture of Corruption continues and shows that no political party should absolute control over our three branches of government.
For many Republicans this will not be an issue. They have this amazing ability to point fingers at every single indescretion a Democrat makes, but when it is one of their own, they turn a blind eye.
No, and it will not even reflect badly on the government. He is most likely being set up anyway.
We think all politicians are corrupt so when one gets charged it just reinforces our beliefs. It hurts all people living a political life, members, staff, everyone. As far as the Republicans go, when you’re at the bottom of black hole you don't need to worry about going lower.
Well only if McCain had him on his VP list for his young ideas.
Paul
Texas
Not in the minds of Republican voters, who are already overlooking the crimes being committed by the Republicans already in office.
In Alaska maybe. I don't see GOP corruption as an issue in this campaign.
Nothing can hurt the GOP anymore , Bush has already set that bar out of sight.
Not much because they are about as low as they can go.
TX
No because the voters of Alaska will probably relect Stevens if he's allowed to run. He knows how to bring home the pork. The whole system stinks.
Scandals, corruption, smears....... it's the Republican way!
Are You Serious, Jack..... If the bush/cheney Gang hasn't Hurt the gop.
Why the Hell should this. They've Been Investigating the "Bridge to Nowhere" for what 4-8 yrs. This guy's More Corrupt than any country in the World.
Correct me if I'm wrong !
Again, What a Great County we live (make that Survive) in Today......
Sorry , Jack....I admire You so Very Much, but how can You keep reporting what's Happening in America and the World Without having a Nervous Breakdown, or Have You?
With George W. Bush in charge, the GOP is already "brain dead" with multiple wounds and lacerations. Hopefully, this will be a wake-up call to the good folks in the party that they are on the Titanic and it's time to jump ship. GOP corruption isn't just an embarrassment to the party, it's an embarrassment to our entire governing system. How could we fall so far in eight years?
Who really cares? All the GOP, are terminally coated in oil spilled, along with every corruption and smell from Capital Hill is abomination.
Just like being in BEIJING!
How can another rat make the sewer worse?
Oh, puhleeze, Jack.... do you really think those who voted in all those Republican actually CARE about their elected officials being crooks and liars?
I note that John McCain has nothing to say on the subject... at least not yet.
Probably waiting for someone who remembers what his message is to come up with his typical negative lying campaign ad blaming the disrepair of Steven's house on Obama...
Come on Jack everyone knows the Republican Party is a well oiled machine so this certainly isn't out of character and won't even phase the electorate. Most people just vote the way their parents did and don't need to confuse the issue with the facts.
No...they are all sleazy and I hate to think about the ones we do not know about who will never be charged...the GOP=going going gone out of politics
has it ever; has any political figure corruption harmed anything but the tax payer's!
they just use what they learned what they did wrong make a new law to skirt that law take 20 years to bilk the people and it's a full circle!
This guy's running for re-election! If his crimes don't hurt the party, hopefully his audacity will.
Boise, ID
Not at all. I think this guy learned from William Jefferson the Governor of Louisiana not to hide the money in the freezer. At least he was a transparent crook and remodeled his mansion so everyone visiting could enjoy the theft while he drove them around in some of the ill-gotten gains.
Just goes to show you that the longer the politician is in office the better criminal they become.
One thing that America can still mass produce in this country is a crooked politician.
Jack, if eight years of Bush/Cheney destroying America hasn't hurt the Grand Old Party, what's an 84 year of crook gonna do.
Kenneth Chadbourn, N.C.
Jack, what’s one more pill to an overdose victim? The GOP is in freefall and I cannot wait to add to their demise in November.
Jack - other than adding one more log to the blazing fire of
ineptitude and corruption, its unlikely this will hurt the
GOP unless of course the people in his district awake to the
fact the fact that the GOP has carried corruption to new
heights.
Not at all – the republicans support theft by their representatives as long as it's coming off the backs of the middle class.
After the indictment the trial will drag through for months, eventually some technicality will acquit the Senator and business will go back to status quo. Guess why I am not a Senator ? By now I would have been a Billionare !!!
Youtube "Ted Stevens techno tubes"... funniest thing of all time. I'm gonna miss all the fun he's given the world!
If Ted Stevens were the only member of congress on the take, it would be a huge black eye for the Republicans. But he probably isn't, so most of the others in Washington will maintain a low profile, being a little more careful as they continue to feather their own nests.
I'm shocked, just shocked I tell you, to find that a Republican has been involved in illegal schemes and shady deals. Who does he think he is, President Bush? This just gives good, hard working crooks like Cheney and his kind a bad name. And, the patio deck didn't look all that good either. There are plenty of out-of-work carpenters that could have done a much, much better job.
I hope so, Jack, but sadly people do not see that the Republicans have long been sell-outs to big business and big oil. All I have to do is read some of the comments on the CNN blogs to know that there are plenty of people who will vote GOP, because they don't think for themselves.
No, the hole will just get a little deeper! But it seems like they would learn that when you've dug yourself into a hole, quit digging!! They're bringing in heavy equipment to dig deeper!
It shouldn't Jack. What ever happen to "innocent until proven guilty" in this country. We may find out in the end these charges are true, but the man has been convicted of nothing. Its terrible what makes this country great is slowly slipping away.
Jack,
All he has to do is refuse to show up in court because of "executive privilege". Either that or he can get Bush to pardon him. Every lobbyist on John McBlame's campaign staff is shaking in their boots?
Although they're already in the gutter, this will affect them. Next in line is Rove. Then hopefully.... Bush?
while they are distracted by stevens,the REAL criminals,[most notably,our current executive branch],will slip away into retirement,with all their goodies from iraq.
The GOP does not hurt. They feel nothing but the pleasures of revenge and vindictive vetting. They have survived DeLay, Rumsfeld, Gonzalez, Bush, Rove, LIbby, Cheney, Vitter, Craig and Goodling..... Stevens is nothing.....get it over with before Christmas and give him a pardon. The American people have short memories and shorter attention spans.
The Stevens bribery case looks similar to congressman Duke Cunningham's case in 2006. Even though the "Duke" went to jail, there wasn't much fallout. Bribery is OK. Stevens would have to be hanging with Senator Larry Craig in the Capital "Gents" to affect Republicans.
Well Jack, it should just shame them even more, of their hypocritical ways. It's always been the "top shelf" all their lives and just like the FBI sting at the hotel, when the guy said he would sell his "Soul to the Devil"
I believe they have sold America's soul, and should go to hell for it.
Hopefully, Americans are tired of having incompetent losers and idiots running the SS America, and get rid of them, before we have to Change it to the SS TITANIC.
Jack,Hell No,because it's time for the Democrat to take over.The voters are sick and tired of the Gop .Bertha Malveaux/Houston Texas
Not a chance. Never going to happen. I live in Idaho where I still hear comments how poor upstanding Larry Craig was framed by the liberal police. I assume the Republicans in Alaska will take the same stance with Sen. Stevens and continue to vote party regarless of the level of corruption. Until the American people wake up and start voting their own interest rather than their party nothing will change.
Yes, it will hurt as much as McCains blabbering of inconsistant utterances, laced with omission of facts and a trace of out right lies.
C'mon Jack. This, too, will go away and nothing will happen. It's part of the good 'ole' boy club hunker down, deny, cover up and get re-elected handbook. There will be the usual staged group finger pointing, tsk tsking and some blustering and then under the rug it will go. The whole barrel is rotten, not just one apple.
Ted Stevens’ indictment will only make the wounds of GOP more septic and infected. They seem not to have any antibiotic for this. GOP's presumably the nominee, John McCain’s continuous flip-flops are not providing any cure and just making worse.
It should it show everyone how far that republicans will go for the big oil company's. Just watch C-span and watch them filibuster everything trying to get everything they can for big oil. if they do not get there way they will not let anything get done. John McCain talking with the head oil guys said he would do everything he could to open up the OCS then all 29 opened up there check books and donated 1.2 million to his campaign.
Enough is enough.
Don from wagontown,Pa
When you consider the number of politicans who have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar and never been convicted, If I was a career criminal I would run for public office to make sure that when I did commit a crime I would be convicted.
No one could do more harm than George W. has. He is not and never was a Good GOP member...
No Jack. It won't hurt the GOP. Americans "don't understand; they have no understanding; they just don't understand" 'cause we are much too busy fiddling and diddling over flag pins and who's more patriotic than thou to notice that our Constitution is not just going up in flames. It has been damned near been burnt to a cinder.
This hurts Congress in general and this is what needs to be done:
Congress should have a two term limit – 12 yrs maximum.
President should have one term of six yrs – 6 yrs maximum.
Why should there be term limits? Because power corrupts folks – and this will help tremendously.
Has anyone ever thought "what a nice place this earth would be if only animals lived on this earth"? I have many times thought the aforementioned statement. Send the people to the moon and watch the animals clean the earth up and global warming would disappear quickly as well.
Janet J
Madison, Wi
ABSOLUTELY!!! The GOP is in the toilets, they just keep flushing themselves down the drain.
People are too divided and this wont matter as we tend to stay loyal to ideas and not results.
Senator Stevens indictment confirms the Greed and Insensitivity of the Repulican Party towards the middle class and needy people of this country. I say drum them all out before we're all wearing the barrels that they leave after spending all the money on themselves.
Yes, the indictment will hurt the Republicans, but they deserve it.
It isn’t just the “bridge to nowhere”.
What has yet to be determined is the broad extent of similar corrupt activities by all of our elected officials.
In my opinion, all our elected officials ae being blackmailed by large contributions to their campaign funds.
A few home repairs do not match the billions that go toward campaign ads, buttons... all bribes intended to gain political favors in a Congress that seems to believe that we've got infinite resources available to pay the cost.
The waste and fraud in our defense department and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is staggering.
Our ‘true’ Federal deficit will exceed a trillion dollars next year.
This case is just the start – the ‘tip of the iceberg’ that is about to sink the USA into cold waters and much deeper financial chaos.
Bernie
Lowell, MA
No, Jack. The GOPher's leader somehow still hold a 29% approval rating after the 8 year long, artificial disaster. I doubt that Ted could shove it any farther down the series of tubes to the teens or single digits, where it should be.
Why? I guess when people watch the propaganda that comes out of that "news" channel with the name of a member of the dog family for a while, you start to believe that the economy is good, the Iraq war was justified and that Bush was a good president.
It's not the last nail in the coffin for the republicans, but the GOP casket must be close to air-tight at this point.
It does not as far as I am concerned. Both partys have so many crooks it is hard to choose which one you will vote for. All we need to do is indict the other 99. That way it will send a message to the next people who run for public office that crooks will not be tolerated.
Probably not. The republican spin machine will make it look like Stevens done them a favor, before its all over. Just look at the republicans who have been convicted of one thing or another and it doesn't seem to hurt. Seems like the public is asleep at the switch.
No. It is a non issue. Americans ar focused on the candidates and now their picks for VP. Perhaps for the first time in a long time, Americans will closely scrutinize the VP pick. If McCain picks Romney he will lose.
Hi Jack,
Don't be silly. Everyone knows our law-makers & enforcers are above the law & corrupt (both parties). Nothing surprises me anymore. That's why I keep screaming that we need to crash the parties, throw out the trash & vote in some independants & third party candidates. We need to make an example out of them, to show our discontent. Maybe they'll remember it for awhile.
Later,
Deb
This will really open up criticism of Stevens on the "series of tubes."
Should hurt all of Congress. Send Will Stevens onto a bridge to
no where but paid for by him.
Jack, I don't think lack of term limits are to blame. Hopefully some day apathy among Americans to vote and engage in their nation's politics will decrease significantly.
Anybody who doesn't already know how the GOP operates isn't likely to take the blinders off over a no-name Alaskan Senator. Why aren't you asking about Karl Rove's contempt charge instead, Jack?
Jack, the GOP that pretends to be "Holier than thou" party is surely hurt and the clean party image destroyed. For sure they have lost one senate seat from Alaska
Ted Stevens indictment is the final nail in the GOP coffin.
Send flowers in lieu of Karl Rove.
Jack it will probably do as much damage to the GOP as it did to the Dems when Congressman Jefferson got caught with all the money in his freezer.. There seems to be a double standard here.
Get Out-of Prison (GOP) will be their top priority for a while, not elections. How may GOPs are out there?
Jack
No more than your boy Jefferson who had the 90K in cash in with the frozen hot dogs! Two four years terms and then get out of Washington.
Jack:
He has just opened the door for many more of his party to follow. Just wait until this Administration ends. It will look like a water slide straight into the federal dunk tank. When Bush is out of office, he cannot pardon his cronies. Can you see Karl and Dick in the same cell.?....I am busting out laughing at the thought.
Slow death by a thousand cuts. Right now the Republian party has what, 9 trillion of them. I doubt this changes anything.
Nah. When you're already in a hog wallow, how much worse can you get?
I don't understand why people would expect anything more than mediocrity from the man who once proclaimed the internet was a series of tubes, rather than a dump truck that you can just put things on.
Of course it won't Jack. Because money talks,. Now if there were a minor sexual in discretion then he would have been hung drawn and quartered and John MC Cain would be running around like a headless chicken reputing everything he has done and said. Notice there have been no words from his camp.
The whole lot of the GOP are corrupt.
Does it hurt the GOP, maybe, maybe not. Hopefully this kind of "scandal" willforce the GOP to rethink there stance on the issues and the type of people who should represent the Republican party. We need to get rid of trash like Stevens and replace him with a better republican like congressman Ron Paul. Ron Paul 2012.
I'm both sick and giddy at his demise. Yet one more corrupt republican exposed for who he is and showing the party for what it's become: a party of, for, and by the money. If it doesn't hurt the republican party, then the public is in as deep a denial as those who represent them.
I can only hope that we don't ever have to hear about how much more "moral" the GOP is-but I have the feeling that all Stevens et al will have to say ala Tom Delay, " I hope that when I go through this trial, that people will see Jesus in me".
Then Dobson will feel better, and defend him against his "liberal" opponent in the fall.
Ugh.
CLangford, Las Vegas
You bet it will, Jack! I find it interesting that Steven's current defense is that he personally paid all of the invoices provided to him for the remodel of his vacation home. As a former FBI agent, I can tell you that his real problems are the invoices that were not presented to him.
Tom Parker
Santa Barbara, CA
Crooks come in all shapes, sizes and politcal affiliations. It hurts more than just the GOP. It hurts our hearts and minds as our nation's integrity bleeds out.
Ted Stevens indictement hurting the GOP?.. Unfortunately probably not...This government has been the most corrupt and yet, the american public continues to be oblivious to all of this.. How can a candidate (mcCain) who represents a 3rd "W" term garner so much support nationally? Simply put, the public does not care..
I just wonder how anyone can be a pround Republican anymore...
To quote many others.. "The United Sates of America has the the very best government and politicians that money can buy"... Alaska residents should not feel badly, I lived in Massachusetts durning the era of "The Big Dig"... NOW there is CORRUPTION ..... I had a neighbor while I lived there who won a lottery, and I ask him "Joe, what are you going to do with all that money ??" He replied, " The same thing that every other rich guy in this state does, I'm going to go out and buy a couple politicians.."
If he ever winds up in prison, which I doubt, Bush will give him
a pardon, before he can begin making license plates or building
paper bridges to nowhere.
I hope it hurts bad enough to cause/create real change – no more lip service and no more word weasel protection either .
I know I am not alone in saying I am really tired of politicians protecting the interests of the wealthy. Not that I am in favor of welfare for lazy people who want to kick back & exist on govt handouts – I most definitely am not! I am a cheerleader of economic opportunity supported by our govt .. and pray we can get out of the killing wars created way more by politics too. Lori – La Quinta, California
Jack, would you be so kind as to contact the IRS regarding Sen. Ted Stevens. If he hasn't claimed that $250,000 as income, then the IRS should begin prosecution of Stevens ASAP. That would be failure to report income, a fraud and a felony. Maybe he could share a cell with Duke Cunningham.
Would Bush pardon these two when he pardons Scotter Libby (He will, you know, so Scotter can get his law license back. Be sure to cover that in about four months.).
Thanks.
Jack how can it hurt the GOP ,,,, He will just claim executiver priveleges or just ignore the supeona
Please don't say all long-term congressman are rotten.
We, in WV take pride in the fact that our Senator Byrd, longest elected member of the Senate is squeaky clean and puts the USA and WV first !!!!!!!
I'm not against term limits but Senator Byrd is our pride in WV.
THANKS!!
No.....I don't think it will make a difference. After the Bush years, the only position a republican could hope to vie for would be the village idiot.
I doubt it will effect anything.unfortunitly the voters in this country seem to have no memory at election time. Thats why the same idiots serve 6 terms.