Why is Ted Stevens Ahead?

[MariaS]

What is wrong with the people of Alaska? The man was found guilty on 7 counts of corruption and they are still carrying him in this election. What a bunch of freaks there are in Alaska. No offense to the non freaks. I guess if they can elect a loony like Palin to Governor any thing is possible.

[Unsane]

1. Why is Ted Stevens alive?

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. You answered your own question

But they can see Russia from their houses.

Just think - we don't have to see or hear that woman ever again.

Small mercies.................

[143tbone]

4. You wish.

You think you've heard the last from her. Don't think so.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. Welcome to DU

And you're dead wrong. She's last week's fish, death to all who encounter her. She's beyond radioactive, about as compelling as Sam the non-plumber.

They're already yesterday's jokes, and we're the better for that.

[Incitatus]

3. Why isn't he in jail?

[kenny blankenship]

5. Some people vote for who they'd like to have a beer with-others who they'd like take a bribe with

[d_b]

6. it better be because anchorage, fairbanks, and Juneau are still out

god I'm gonna be so fucking PISSED IF HE WINSSSS ARHRHRHHR

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. I'm with you

[old guy]

7. I wonder how many closet AIP sympathizers they have up there.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

8. Come on Alaska.

You're losing what little street cred you still have with the rest of the nation.

On a more serious note, I've noticed that in many states that votes from urban areas (read: where liberals live) seem to be processed at a slower rate than those in rural areas, simply because there are just a lot more voters in cities than in the countryside. Let's give this one a while longer before fretting too much.

[d_b]

10. GOD...

pray for us. Please let it be that.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

12. That's what happened in Virginia and North Carolina.

Here's hoping for a repeat.

[uppityperson]

9. In some areas The Church is the biggest voting bloc. It is hard to get libruls, those open minded

people, to gotv in some places. And you need to realize that Palin was an improvement the person who was there before her. Though she may find things more difficult now.

It is a state where people can have their own little kingdoms.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

13. Sen. Stevens has a huge amount of seniority

Even though he's a convicted felon, there's nothing the Senate can do to kick him out. Plus he's going to get a full retirement when he leaves.

From the Alaskan point of view (I only lived there a few years, but I know they are NOT crazy), with all his seniority Ted Stevens has been a senator who has brought a huge amount of money into the state -- a hundredfold the amount of taxes Alaskans pay to the Federal government. And even though his party is now the minority party in the senate, we didn't get a super-majority, so the Republicans are in a good position to make demands if the Dems want to accomplish anything in the next few years. If they vote Stevens out, Alaska ends up with two senators who have very little seniority, and hence no power to bring home the bacon.

Alaskans are independent and very practical. They will do what is right for them and as far as those of us who live Outside (they don't call it the "Lower 48"), "f*ck'em."

[NoGOPZone]

15. Better question. How is Seven Felony Stevens going to legislate from a jail cell? nt

[rcrush]

16. They said on CNN that he was the 'godfather' of Alaska

And that a lot of people in Alaska owe him favors.

[spinbaby]

17. The explanation I heard this morning

They know perfectly well he's a slimy crook, but voted for him thinking he'll be booted out of the Senate in a few weeks and then they'll get to vote for someone they really like.

[ProfessorGAC]

18. Because It's Alaska

Apologies to Alaskan DU'ers, but folks: Get control of that nonsense.
The Professor