Another lawmaker in hot water

[ProfessorAlan]

Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) indicted on 7 counts. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080729/ap_on_go_co/stevens_indictment)

The article reports that the state's only US House member is also being investigated.

[Gravity]

Don't you just sometimes wish we could clear all of them out and start over? As I used to say back in my poker-playing days, time for a fresh deck. ...sigh...

[righter1]

I've seen sketchy stuff on this all afternoon, haven't had a chance to read the whole thing.

But, I agree with you, John... Time to throw a BUNCH of them out! (There's a few good ones there, but there in the vast minority!)

[DrRita]

I think we're gonna get a chance yet to clean house. I am soooooo sick of slick politics and shady finances I could barf. I say go after them all!!

[Xenia]

I agree... fresh deck! They all forget who they are working for...

[ProfessorAlan]

From an editorial in the 7/30 Wall Street Journal (a conservative, pro-Republican editorial board):

Mr. Stevens deserves the presumption of innocence, but his indictment only underscores how much the GOP lost its way in its final years running Congress through 2006. The 84-year-old Senator was the king of Approporiations, legendary for ensuring spending earmarks for his state. The pork made him popular at home, but it also undermined the GOP's fiscal credibility--most notoriously with his Bridge to Nowhere. If the criminal charges are proven in court, Mr. Stevens also crossed the line to using his power for personal enrichment.
[...]
Mr. Stevens could also do his party a favor by dropping his re-election bid, which is now a very long shot ... Some political hygeine would seem to be in order.

[Xenia]

Tee hee hee... "political hygeine". I like it!