News Ted Stevens: Innocent Despite Conviction?

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During a recent debate, a candidate maintained his innocence despite being convicted of multiple crimes, highlighting a unique legal perspective in Alaska where a conviction is not considered final until all appeals are exhausted. This situation raises questions about the eligibility of convicted felons to serve in the Senate. Discussions revealed that while a governor cannot directly remove a senator, they can appoint a replacement if the senator resigns or is expelled by the Senate. The conversation also touched on the broader implications of criminal convictions on political eligibility, noting that in some states, felons retain voting rights even while incarcerated. The debate reflects a complex interplay between legal interpretations and political realities, particularly in Alaska, where local sentiments may differ significantly from federal standards.
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"I have not been convicted of anything," he maintained during a Thursday night debate in Anchorage, only days before Tuesday's election.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/31/stevens.debate/?iref=mpstoryview

What is this business that I heard about Palin? She could remove Stevens if he wins, and take his place in the Senate? Is that right?

Of course, Stevens was indeed convicted of multiple crimes, but he still arrived to a cheering crowd at home, in Alaska! Hmmmmm.
 
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It seems that in Alaska, if you have been convicted of felonies, you aren't REALLY a felon until you have dragged out the appeal process as long as possible, and lost. I'd love to see Stevens try to cast a vote for himself Tuesday to test that theory. (Add voter fraud to the list of charges.)
 
He was tried in Federal Court, in DC, not in Alaska. He was convicted.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
What is this business that I heard about Palin? She could remove Stevens if he wins, and take his place in the Senate? Is that right?

It could well be, though I don't think she can remove him. She can appoint herself if he is removed or he resigns. That would be one way for her and Todd to get a new addition to their house for the Piper and the Trig to run around in.

I trust she understands that the US Senate doesn't offer per diems to stay at home and act like a queen.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
He was tried in Federal Court, in DC, not in Alaska.
That's the point - Washington is not 'the real america' (tm) so it doesn't count!
 
Ivan Seeking said:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/31/stevens.debate/?iref=mpstoryview

What is this business that I heard about Palin? She could remove Stevens if he wins, and take his place in the Senate? Is that right?

Of course, Stevens was indeed convicted of multiple crimes, but he still arrived to a cheering crowd at home, in Alaska! Hmmmmm.

I don't think the governor can remove a Senator. Being a criminal doesn't bar someone from serving as a Senator. If he wins the election, the Senate, itself, would have to boot him out of the Senate. If they booted him out (or if Stevens resigned during the process), then Palin could probably replace him with someone else. Each state is different, but most allow the governor to appoint at least a temporary replacement, either to serve out the old Senator's term or until a special election can be held.

Sometimes, I just don't get why a politician has to cling to the possibility of continuing in office no matter what. It amazes me how they claim innocence right up until the day after they lose the election, then accept a plea bargain. The threat of losing an elected office is worse than the threat of prison.
 
mgb_phys said:
That's the point - Washington is not 'the real america' (tm) so it doesn't count!

Ugh, I need to get a "Sarah Palin's Real America" map. I don't what is America, and what's not!
 
Ivan Seeking said:
I don't what is America, and what's not!
Anywhere that ATF is a shopping list rather than a government agency.
 
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wait a minute...being a convicted felon does not form an impediment to serving as a senator?. ... am i missing something here? there is a guy in georgia from an abusive home, who was accused of a sex crime against his sibling when he was 14, currently a responsible family man, who can't even live in a trailer if a school bus stops nearby. but he could be a senator? (where would he live?...)
 
  • #10
Actually in Georgia a convicted felon can still vote as long as he hasn't started his sentence yet. There was an article in the paper the other day about rapper T.I. voting in Atlanta even though he's been convicted of felony weapons charges for trying to buy an assault weapon. Maybe other states, including Alaska, having something similar to this?
 
  • #11
mathwonk said:
wait a minute...being a convicted felon does not form an impediment to serving as a senator?. ... am i missing something here? there is a guy in georgia from an abusive home, who was accused of a sex crime against his sibling when he was 14, currently a responsible family man, who can't even live in a trailer if a school bus stops nearby. but he could be a senator? (where would he live?...)

Yes. Believe it or not. Of course, he would have to leave the Senate Chamber every time a school bus stops near by...
 
  • #12
There are several states that do not strip voting rights from felons, even while they are incarcerated. I think the one exception in VT would be a conviction of voting fraud.
 
  • #13
I don't believe that he has exhausted his appeals as yet, in which case his conviction is only pending at least through the election.

Edit:
ADN said:
Still, Stevens is able to vote in Tuesday's election according to a state Department of Law ruling this week that his conviction isn't final.

That's because there's two ways to view the law: The popular interpretation that you're convicted when a jury declares you guilty, and a competing legal precedent that says the official conviction comes at sentencing.
http://www.adn.com/politics/story/574952.html
 
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