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McCain says Stevens should step down |
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By Sam Youngman
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Posted: 10/28/08 10:12 AM [ET] |
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GOP presidential candidate John McCain, already fighting a political environment hostile to Republicans, said Tuesday morning that Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) should resign from the Senate. Stevens was convicted on seven felony counts of failing to disclose gifts, leading McCain to say in a statement that the longest-serving Senate Republican has “broken his trust” with his constituents and that he should step down. “It is a sign of the health of our democracy that the people continue to hold their representatives to account for improper or illegal conduct, but this verdict is also a sign of the corruption and insider-dealing that has become so pervasive in our nation’s capital,” McCain said. “It is clear that Sen. Stevens has broken his trust with the people and that he should now step down. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will be spurred by these events to redouble their efforts to end this kind of corruption once and for all.” McCain has never enjoyed a friendly relationship with Stevens, and the senator’s conviction just one week out from an election that already sees McCain losing to Democrat Barack Obama has likely only added to that dynamic. McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was not as committal in her reaction, saying only that she has confidence that Stevens will “do what is right for Alaskans.” But Stevens said Monday night that he plans to appeal his conviction, and he will continue to run for reelection against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D). In a statement Monday night, Stevens asked his Senate colleagues to support him as he goes through the appeals process and tries to retain his seat. |
