Election News and Features
Gerald Herbert/AP
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska
Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska
Politicians Rid Themselves of Stevens Contributions
August 01, 2008 08:00 AM
Following the indictment of Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, many politicians are giving away the money he contributed to their campaigns.
30-Second Summary
At least four Republican senators “in tough re-election campaigns” have announced plans to part with financial contributions Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens made to their campaigns through his Northern Lights political action committee, according to MSNBC.
Much of the money is going to charity.
Stevens was recently charged with hiding gifts he received from an oil services company.
During this campaign cycle, he has contributed more than $340,000 to political candidates, including each Republican senator up for reelection in 2008.
Individuals donating money they received from Stevens include Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon and John Sununu of New Hampshire.
Sen. Pat Roberts, a member of the Senate Ethics committee, has also ordered that contributions he received from Stevens be donated to charity. Coincidentally, the ethics committee may end up investigating Stevens’s actions.
Many Republicans are in tough races this year, and parting with their “Stevens’ money” could be a sign to Stevens “that his support within the party may be slipping,” writes MSNBC.
Jim Wooten of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote, “Look, if Republicans sink further from control of the U.S. Senate, or if the Democrats gain a filibuster-proof majority, because a corrupt GOP senator is indicted, so be it.”
Nicolle Wallace, a senior adviser to presidential candidate John McCain said McCain believes in a “presumption of innocence” for Stevens, according to Reuters.
McCain has, however, decided to donate the money he received from Stevens as well.
Stevens is to appear in federal District Court in Washington, D.C., for arraignment on July 31.
Much of the money is going to charity.
Stevens was recently charged with hiding gifts he received from an oil services company.
During this campaign cycle, he has contributed more than $340,000 to political candidates, including each Republican senator up for reelection in 2008.
Individuals donating money they received from Stevens include Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon and John Sununu of New Hampshire.
Sen. Pat Roberts, a member of the Senate Ethics committee, has also ordered that contributions he received from Stevens be donated to charity. Coincidentally, the ethics committee may end up investigating Stevens’s actions.
Many Republicans are in tough races this year, and parting with their “Stevens’ money” could be a sign to Stevens “that his support within the party may be slipping,” writes MSNBC.
Jim Wooten of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote, “Look, if Republicans sink further from control of the U.S. Senate, or if the Democrats gain a filibuster-proof majority, because a corrupt GOP senator is indicted, so be it.”
Nicolle Wallace, a senior adviser to presidential candidate John McCain said McCain believes in a “presumption of innocence” for Stevens, according to Reuters.
McCain has, however, decided to donate the money he received from Stevens as well.
Stevens is to appear in federal District Court in Washington, D.C., for arraignment on July 31.
Headline Links: Politicians return financial contributions
Elizabeth Dole’s campaign was the first to announce plans to donate the $10,000 it received from Stevens to the Soc. of St. Andrew, a Christian ministry that helps to feed the hungry.
Source: MSNBC
Minn. Sen. Norm Coleman announced that he is giving away $20,000 in campaign contributions linked to Stevens to childhood cancer research. Coleman’s campaign manager, Cullen Sheehan, said Coleman “believes firmly in a presumption of innocence. But it is clear our political opponents will attempt to use this issue as a distraction.”
Source: Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune (AP)
Sen. John McCain’s campaign announced that he is planning to donate $5,000 he received from Stevens to the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Source: Fox News
Background: Stevens’ indictment
On July 29, 2008, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was indicted after a year-long investigation. The 84-year-old Republican senator was charged with concealing $250,000 worth of gifts from an oil services company, including renovation of his house.
Source: findingDulcinea
Opinion & Analysis: How Stevens’ indictment will affect the future
If accusations against Stevens prove to be true and Republicans lose ground in the Senate during the upcoming election, Jim Wooten of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says he will “cheerfully take exile to the wilderness.” Wooten explains, “I have no problem with taking campaign contributions in any sum from individuals, interest groups and industries seeking to influence government policies, so long as they’re promptly and fully disclosed.”
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Republican presidential contender John McCain called the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens a “sad reminder” that the “next president will face a tough task of rebuilding the public trust” in political leaders.
Source: Reuters
Related Topic: Stevens’ arraignment
When Stevens is arraigned, the hearing will likely be quick because “little generally happens beyond asking defendants to face their charges and enter a plea,” according to the Anchorage Daily News. Stevens will also go through the booking process, but it is not clear when that will take place.
Source: Anchorage Daily News
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