(Jake Turcotte)
Alaska’s Ted Stevens gets primary win
By Jimmy Orr | 08.27.08
One down, one to go.
The longest serving Republican in the history of the U.S. Senate took the first step on Tuesday toward winning his eighth term with more than 63 percent of yesterday’s vote. He topped his closest competitor by more than 35 points.
Alaska is a key battleground state for the Democrats this year with both Stevens and incumbent Representative Don Young mired in legal issues.
Last month, Stevens was indicted by a federal grand jury on seven felony counts involving a failure to report gifts. At issue is his house - or the expansion and remodeling of it. He is charged with accepting some $250,000 for improvements to his home along with other gifts.
After his primary victory, the senator, known for speaking his mind, quickly compared his general election opponent, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, to national Democrats and energy exploration - particularly ANWR.
“This is still a Republican state,” Stevens said, according to the Anchorage Daily News. “You think they’re going to go for Obama? You think they’re going to go with Schumer who’s against drilling in the arctic and offshore?” He was referring to Democratic Senator Charles Schumer of New York.
“This is a Republican state — don’t forget that,” he continued. “And we know why we’re Republican — because the Democrats have opposed our development every inch of the way. … Biden voted against the oil pipeline five times.”
The man the newspaper once described as “the second-largest engine of the Alaska economy,” has, as Monitor Colleague Yereth Rosen put it, “been lionized as a pillar of the economy here.”
That being said, he is also lampooned or revered (depending on one’s point-of-view) for his explanation of how the Internet works. And it is always worthwhile to let those words speak for themselves:
“An Internet was sent by my staff at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday and I just got it yesterday. Why?
“Because it got tangled up with all these things going on the Internet commercially…
“They want to deliver vast amounts of information over the Internet. And again, the Internet is not something you just dump something on. It’s not a truck.
“It’s a series of tubes.
<< Dem convention: Hey, where’s the Biden bounce? | Main“And if you don’t understand those tubes can be filled and if they are filled, when you put your message in, it gets in line and its going to be delayed by anyone that puts into that tube enormous amounts of material, enormous amounts of material.”
Comments
2. Bern | 08.27.08
McCain’s 2 points ahead in the polls, Stevens gets the nomination…this country’s broken. The people have spoken.
4. Nancy | 08.27.08
What are these people thinking? This man is under federal investigation and they seek to reelect him. What a sad state of affairs this country is in when politicians like this continue to win election after election.
With this type of thinking we will watch our country become like the fallen Roman empire. The greatness of America will be ancient history.
Sad, Sad, Sad.
5. Beltway Greg | 08.27.08
You cannot fool all of the people all of the time but you can fool 63% of the people forever. Stevens is just like Washington, DC council member Marion Berry who claims to represent his constituents but is in fact is really just representing himself. Alaska is the Saudi Arabia of the United States and nobody would pay any attention to it or him if they didn’t have oil. The ironic thing is that all of these folks that live in the middle of nowhere living out their country music fantasies are the recipients of more government largesse than people who live in the inner cities. And besides Steven is how old? 83. Should he really be making decisions about the future of our country? Do you really think he is as attentive as he once was? Would you want your grandfather running the country? Look at Strom Thurmond in his declining years. His staffers practically had to prop him up; it was like “Weekend at Bernies.” Except of course Bernie was dead and Ted and Strom are/were entrusted with the future of our nation.
Go home Ted. This ends badly.
Beltway Greg
6. Ridley | 08.27.08
What a bunch of junk coming out of Stevens mouth. If the people of Alaska want to vote for a crook that’s there problem.
7. awenshok | 08.27.08
If a Mafia boss can run things from jail, a re-elected Stevens certainly can. Lobbyists and oil company execs can provide all the furnishings and relay messages to Ted’s minions. If it really does work well and Ted can keep the earmarks coming, why not extend the program to all politicians? Business as usual. Question: What do you call an frigid blood-sucking parasite? Answer: An Alaskan.
8. Jack Richards | 08.27.08
Good God. Did Ted Stevens really say those things about the Internet?
How can anyone be that incredibly ignorant and have acheived the office of US Senator and for 8 terms no less.
Never mind, I withdraw my question!
9. Tim C | 08.27.08
Your staff member sent an Internet, Senator Stevens? Being an IT professional, one of the things I noticed that no one mentioned was that Stevens was wrong in even the basest of his assertions.
Presumably, he meant that a staff member sent him an e-mail, and not an Internet, over the series of “tubes,” (which presumably he meant a hardware infrastructure consisting of routers, fiber, and other cables and hardware.
As I write this, I’m currently transferring 10GB worth of data between Wisconsin and Indiana (which is taking a path to Minneapolis, then to Chicago, then to it’s destination), and it’s transferring at 100 KB per second.
More often than not, when an email gets delayed, it’s because it has already arrived at its destination, and the email server queues it, either because it interprets it as SPAM, or because it is in some other way, unable to deliver to its destination.
Stevens was wrong, as most Republicans tend to be about mostly everything. Out with the technophobes.
10. robert chapman | 08.27.08
Senator Stevens stoutly defended his support of Alaskan oil exploitation as the development of the State. It is clear that the vast majority of those voting in the GOP primary share his sentiment.
It would be instructive to know the numbers, though. What was the turnout? What percentage of registered GOP voters voted? Was this a high or low turnout? What is the GOP registration in the State?
Senator Stevens is probably right about Obama/Biden’s chances in Alaska, but that does not predict his future. Without numbers like those requested above it is hard to put Senator Stevens’ comments into perspective.
11. Scooter Libby | 08.27.08
Wow, we’ve really done it. A man both eloquent and precise in delivery and gracious in victory. Just look at how someone sent him the whole internet! With his solid grasp of such a complicated technology as a series of cables and switches, I mean to say, big tubes, he’ll clearly be able to grasp the far reaching consequences of this offshore and wilderness area drilling that is just so important.
12. BillC | 08.27.08
That crook actually won….I guess they like criminals to represent them over there…
13. A. L. Flanagan | 08.27.08
I’ve actually been told by tech support that a problem was due to a “clogged router”. We can only assume the fix was to run some Drano through the tubes.
14. Getzel | 08.27.08
Ted is good. The things he is accused of are frivolous. I hope he gets off. If you want to change the system then start a third party; but do not complain about this system and Ted if you intend to vote Demoquack or Richpublicon because it would make you a hippo-crit-er or a Hippo-criticizer!
15. nuffsaid | 08.27.08
Unbelievable, their best choice is a republican under investigation or anybody else that isn’t, Wow!
16. winger | 08.27.08
Taxpayers elect a crook–knowing he’s a crook–and then taxpayer money is spent on more investigations and prosecution of the known crook.
Face it, voters want crooks, not reform.
17. ProfitGanda | 08.27.08
If Alaskans voted for one of the most blatantly crooked politician in history it simply proves that the “dumbing of America” is working. Heck this week reports state that the national SAT scores were at an all time low.
18. Saxxon Domela | 08.27.08
What you don’t understand is the Alaskan mindset. I recall when my friend, recently 100 years old, was serving on the grand jury. The prosecutor brought them a case against a bootlegger who was caught red handed. They refused to prosecute. They asked the prosecutor why they were bothering with somone in the service industry when there were criminals out there. She related this tale over a couple of glasses of Johnny Walker Black.
19. Chris | 08.27.08
It also shows how much in need of change we are in the United States that we can’t get rid of the mass of criminals that occupy our government administrations. These people only work for themselves and their corporates sponsors.
Time to make some serious adjustments to the constitution, but revolution not legislation.
Legislation will only be controlled by the same thugs, theives, and child monlesters that currently control our government.
20. Joe | 08.27.08
lol the guy isn’t stable either, either that or just too old.
“the internet is a series of tubes”
21. Jack P | 08.27.08
What have we come to in this country when we no longer consider honesty as a prerequisite to hold political office? How could those Alaskan Repubs vote for a crook? It’s tough enough trying to figure out who the crooks in office are but here we have evidence which points strongly in that direction and the people vote for him anyway. I guess they are the same ones who wanted that $10 million bridge to nowhere that the senate blocked.
22. B-town for B-Rock | 08.27.08
Hey Ted, what do you think happens when you have an IT issue in your office, like say, your server goes down? Do you think that that nerdy guy in your office with the thick black-rimmed glasses takes a “secret” stairway under your building to where the “magic tubes” are stored and runs a plumbing snake through them and “zip, zam, zoom” everything is back to normal? McCain can’t use a cell phone, Stevens doesn’t have a clue about computers, boy no wonder the technical innovation in this country is down the “tubes”…gotta love that Republican leadership!
Wake-up Ted, it’s time to turn on that strange white box on your desk and learn how to use a computer. Better yet, go back to sleep, it’s time for your afternoon nap.
23. Actica | 08.27.08
Nancy et al, in America, one is innocent until proven guilty. Would you abandon your father or favorite uncle if he were indicted or wait until proven guilty. Senator Stevens has done his job well — by and for Alaskans. If you have never lived in Alaska or traveled extensively, you can not fathom the positive impact he has had on Alaskans…while some call it “pork”, the Alaskan reality is that he has brought Alaskan infrastructure up to a point where most towns now have running clean water, a sanitation system and electricity. In the lower 48, there is no place you are not 13 miles from a road. In Alaska, a vast majority of the small villages are not connect to a road or even the electrical power grid. They are completely on their own and the only way in is by foot, snow machine (in the winter) or barges/boats (in the summer) or airplane. And think of the kids…each village has to have teachers willing to live there…it isn’t easy to create a great place to live. Alaska has been a State since 1959…almost 50 years. For those whom live in States that are over 200 years old, think about what you’ve got…and realize how far Alaska has come in such little time to catch up with the lower 48 — this is no small part due to the efforts of “Uncle” Ted.
24. thorninurside | 08.27.08
It looks as though water has reached its own level. In handing Stevens his victory the Repupugnicans have clearly stated, “He’s a thief, but he’s OUR thief”. Maybe he’ll get lucky and share his cell with Berry so that they can both have a good laugh at the venality and self-serving hypocracy of their voter bases.
25. Mark Blumenthal | 08.27.08
So, Ted, how are you going to govern from the jail cell you richly deserve to occupy?
26. yo | 08.27.08
You guys are all idiots, none of you live in Alaska, and none of you know Alaska politics, and what is good for Alaska. Most of you have probably never been here, and have no idea what kind of funding it takes to maintain life in this place. It’s not easy. Ted Stevens understands this, as well as most of the Republicans in office up here.
You call him a Criminal? The only reason everyone of you aren’t considered that is cause you didn’t get caught. Everyone breaks the law, I don’t care who you are, so quit being Hippocrates and get a life.
27. John | 08.27.08
What??? It’s not a series of tubes??? And I just ordered a special internet plumbing device to unclog my internets connection to speed up the flow through the pipes. Dagnabit!
It doesn’t surprise me that Alaskans continue to support Stevens-it is, after all, the “Last Frontier” where misfits and off-the-gridders go to live off the land-and their endless government handouts! All while enjoying the illusion of self sufficiency and individuality. Bah!
28. David E. Connolly, Jr. | 08.27.08
Getzel (comment #14,) is right about one thing: We desperately need a viable third party in America. I once heard someone say that a two party system is just one better than communism, and you know what? They were right! I don’t know about anyone else, but I never really agree with either party on everything, and I doubt that is even possible, though I have to admit that I agree with Obama on many things, he just keeps flip flopping on so many issues, like saying he would take public financing, and offshore drilling, and now he wants to send the troops in Iraq to Afghanistan, instead of bringing them home. It just reminds me that he is just another politician promising people another thousand dollar tax rebate if they vote for him, and to think, I was so proud of him for calling the revocation of the gas tax suggested by his opponents a gimmick… I don’t know, I hate these old, entrenched politicians, who have long ago forgotten who they work for, and a young one headed down the same route doesn’t interest me very much, either. of the major problems seems to be that the lobbyists are buying everything from free dinners, to game tickets, to free use of the company plane, and condos on the beach, to real tangible stuff like old Teddy boy gets. All this just seems to leave you and I out of the loop. I mean, why would a politician think of us, when he has all these people massaging their big egos, and stuffing their pockets all the time?
29. Buddesatva | 08.27.08
Civility, the way back from the abyss we are dancing toward …
The backing that Stevens has gotten surprises me. I have the save reaction to the support given to Bush, Kwame Kilpatrick, Marion Barry, etc. I would like to understand how people so compromised remain popular. It must be that they represent something that over-rides logic and that thing called morallity. If Barack Obama becomes president his administration will have a scandal or two, its inevitable. I wonder how that will play, how it will be played and what it will reveal about his true believers.
30. Flimsy Sanity | 08.27.08
Even though polls show an 8% approval rating in Congress, do you honestly think we will throw any of the ******* out? Not likely as our own bring home the bacon - although those in other states bring home the pork.
31. Bob Smith | 08.27.08
‘yo’ blathered: “…quit being Hippocrates…”
BWWAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates
Wouldn’t expect anything less from a supporter of “Intertubes Man”!
32. Jack P | 08.27.08
Actica: I have never stolen $250,000, nor committed other acts of political corruption or any other corruption like Ted has. He has been a crook for many years. Couldn’t an honest person from Alaska in the Senate accomplish the same things for your fine state? Let’s hope he is voted into the political junk pile in Nov.
33. Chad Steele | 08.27.08
The Choice…?
A criminal or a clown… Alaska chose the criminal.
The rest of us don’t get any better choice down south,
Obama the clown or insane mccain the senile criminal.
Change teams every 4yrs or you lose your country.
34. Steve-O | 08.28.08
As a pro-life/anti-tax/Republican/lifetime NRA member, I am completely embarrassed. Stevens is in for a tough race and our national party will pay a price for this. We’ll probably lose another seat in the Senate. Even if Stevens wins, this matter taints the party brand. I don’t pretend to understand Alaskan politics. But if AK Republicans won’t to go to bat for the national party, I hope the national party shows no interest in wasting any political capital on AK.
Would warn some of the Democrats not to get too smug, BTW. Let’s not forget William Jefferson who was also indicted for corruption. Then there’s Laura Richardson, failed house-flipper who has used her elected office to get favorable treatment from mortgage companies. Richardson’s misdeeds are especially appalling considering her role in inflating the current housing bubble.
Both Jefferson & Richardson will skate to re-election. Thankfully one can’t say that about Stevens. We can hope a few sensible AK Republicans will write-in their choice for senate. I’m well aware that write-in votes are a de-facto vote for the opposition party.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Kb | 08.27.08
What can a country achieve in 7 years?!?
“…the culmination of seven years of national investment, planning, concentrated state power, national mobilization and hard work.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/opinion/27friedman.html?ex=1377576000&en=1b1efd63601e7e7a&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
“…Seven years … Seven years … Oh, that’s right. China was awarded these Olympic Games on July 13, 2001 — just two months before 9/11.”
And what have we done in the past 7 years. Entered into an unnecessary war in Iraq, and couldn’t finish a war in Afghanistan. Budget surplus ,to record budget deficit. High employment and rising wages, to higher unemployment and lower or stagnant wages. World leaders to also-ran. From a shining city on the hill, to bitter national, racial and religious divide.
I’m not complaining. I take as much blame for the past 7 years. I, we, didn’t do enough to make sure the administration changed in 2004. This year can be different.
Instead of complaining, I, we, can ask “what do I want the next 7 years to be like? What world, country, and future do I want to look back on in 7 years? And what candidate believes in what I believe in?”
–
Kevin B
I’m saying it now: President Barack H. Obama, Jr., 2009 - 2017