So Many Republican Hypocrites, So Little Time

August 29, 2008 | SEND TO A FRIEND | GET EARLY NOTICE OF THE HOTW

Alaskan Republicans voting for Ted Stevens

Welcome back to the BuzzFlash GOP Hypocrite of the Week.

Your U.S. Senator is under indictment. He has shown signs of a lack of understanding of the 21st Century. And he's been around for a long time, and is older than John McCain by 13 years.

So you have a primary with a chance to substitute someone else in your party to run in a tight battle in November. And what do you do?

Republicans in Alaska had their chance on August 26, and what do you think happened? Yep, Sen. Ted Stevens, 84, seemingly clueless, and under indictment got 63 percent of the vote against six opponents. Now, with six opponents, there was a shot that Stevens would still win with less than 50 percent of the vote. But 63 percent of those who voted Republican would rather have Ted Stevens for 6 more years than someone – anyone – else.

Let's go over the reason not to vote for Ted Stevens:

-- Stevens was indicted in July on seven counts of falsely reporting gifts. The charges relate to renovations to his home and to more than $250,000 worth of gifts he has allegedly received from VECO Corporation. In the process, the IRS and the FBI both raided Stevens' home in Alaska.

-- The Justice Department is also looking into whether federal funds that Stevens steered to the Alaska SeaLife Center may have enriched a former aide. At issue is about $700,000 of nearly $4 million directed to the National Park Service. Again, there isn't even an indictment, but the circumstances don't bode well.

-- While serving as the chair for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Stevens referred to the Internet as "a series of tubes." While that's not illegal, the rant showed a tremendous lack of knowledge on the subject matter where you are in charge.

Yes, Stevens has been your Senator since Christmas Eve 1968, which has been more than 80% of your state's existence. And given the low turnover in Alaskan politics, clearly you don't just kick out someone for the heck of it.

And yes, Stevens has brought back a lot of money to your state for "worthy" projects such as the Bridge to Nowhere. And you could even argue that while the Republicans were in charge, Stevens' seniority was a great asset.

But the Democrats are in control of the Senate, and given that Stevens turns 85 on November 18, it's fair to say the Republicans won't gain control of the Senate in Stevens' lifetime.

While Alaskans have been grateful for Stevens bringing in that money, the charges stemming from the indictment, if true, paint a picture of someone we might not trust with money.

The general election voters have a good shot at doing -- what the Republicans in Alaska who voted for Stevens -- couldn't do: vote Stevens out in November. Stevens faces a tough battle with Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, son of former U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, who was killed in a mysterious plane crash in 1972.

You had a shot at putting democracy and even party ahead of corruption, and you failed. So we proudly give to the 63% of Republicans who voted for Ted Stevens this week the GOP Hypocrite of the Week award.

Remember our motto: So many Republican hypocrites, so little time.

Catch up with you soon.