Is Joe Lieberman toast because of Stevens?

[LiberalEsto]

If Sen. Ted Stevens resigns from the Senate, would that tip the balance enough so that the Democrats no longer need Independent Joementum to hang on to their thin majority?

Could this mean Lieberman will finally get his richly deserved kick in the butt?

If this is so,

:party: :toast: :woohoo: :applause: :rofl: :spray:

[book_worm]

1. Would the GOP governor be able to appoint an temporary successor until the election?

[LiberalEsto]

3. Good question

Anyone know?


On Edit: Stevens is running for re-election this November.

[Winterblues]

4. Considering there are only about ninty days left until the election

and it will be quite some time before this goes to trial, I doubt he will step down before he gets replaced by Begich through the election..

[LiberalEsto]

8. Begich already had an 8 point lead on July 17

according to the Rasmussen numbers.

Oh gosh, even if we won just two more Senate seat, Begich and one other,
we could finally boot Lieberman out of the Democratic Party.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. You are assuming that Stevens will be the Republican nominee

He still has to win his primary next month.

[book_worm]

12. Daily Kos has this information if it's helpful:

Adam B has found the relevant statute:

AS 15.25.110. Filling Vacancies By Party Petition.

If a candidate of a political party nominated at the primary election dies, withdraws, resigns, becomes disqualified from holding the office for which the candidate is nominated, or is certified as being incapacitated in the manner prescribed by this section after the primary election and 48 days or more before the general election, the vacancy may be filled by party petition. The central committee of any political party or any party district committee may certify as being incapacitated any candidate nominated by their respective party by presenting to the director a sworn statement made by a panel of three licensed physicians, not more than two of whom may be of the same political party, that the candidate is physically or mentally incapacitated to an extent that would in the panel's judgment prevent the candidate from active service during the term of office if elected. The director shall place the name of the person nominated by party petition on the general election ballot. The name of a candidate disqualified under this section may not appear on the general election ballot.

In other words, the party can replace Stevens if he withdraws within 48 days of the general election. That would be sometime mid-September. Only problem for the GOP -- they've got no one clean in the state. The Palin abuse-of-power scandal looms even larger today.

Update IV by kos: The 48-days date is September 17. Now looking into whether Stevens can be replaced by his party without his consent. It seems that would be hard to impossible, but much depends on what state law and GOP party bylaws say. Note that no replacement can happen before the primary since there isn't a nominee. In theory, one of Stevens' primary opponents might win, but the anti-Stevens vote is split among 2-3 candidates, and none of them are high profile.

Update V by kos: Here's the indictment (PDF). All seven counts are for false statements.


http://www.dailykos.com

[Winterblues]

15. Actually they have been throwing about Palin's name as a likely replacement

I think she said she probably wouldn't be interested but ??????

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I was just looking at that

It's AS 15.40.140 and .145. It appears that since we are so close to the primary (which is August 26), Governor Palin could appoint someone to fill in until the general election in November -- that is, assuming Ted steps down, which I doubt he will. Had a resignation come sooner, we would have had a special election. Our law was changed due to a citizens' referendum after Frank Murkowski appointed his daughter Lisa to fill his seat when he came back here to run for governor in 2002 before his Senate term was up.

[roguevalley]

13. he will brazen it out. he has no shame

[BrklynLiberal]

2. From your keyboard to the ears of whomever can make it happen.

[AwakeAtLast]

6. I'll give that thought K & R #5!

Let me join you - :party: :toast: :woohoo: :applause: :rofl: :spray:


:hi:

[BOSSHOG]

7. Us Evil Liberals in Mississippi are hoping to help the cause

by putting trent lott's seat in the (D) column this November. Right now the election is a toss up.

[robinlynne]

9. not to worry. if it isn't Alaska, there will be many other new D senators walking into the senate!

[mitchtv]

11. You are assuming some kind of shame

that's rich, ain't gonna happen

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. Not necessarily shame, but tactics -

as BlueInAk noted above, the Gov could appoint someone temporarily, who would then have an automatic leg up in the coming election if Stevens drops out of the race.

It would make sense tactically, but somehow I don't see Stevens being cooperative.