CNN

Alaskans need much better representatives than Stevens AND Palin. I hope some people out there who have intelligence and political ambitions will give it a shot. Any credible candidate could certainly jump over the bar that these types have set.....in a heartbeat.

Look at it as a win-win situation. The DOJ gets cleaned up, but Stevens is still gone. It makes one wonder, how many more things will come back to haunt the Bush Administration . . . ?

"I know the agony...." I doubt that unless she has been charged with Federal Felony, that we are not aware of.
I could have sworn when running as VP that Sarah called for Stevens to resign. Now she is all for Stevens, to the point of wanting Beigh to resign, and hold a special election.
Sarah The guilty verdict wsa set aside due to procedure issues. He was not found "not Guilty"

Sarah, dear, can you say "flip-flop"?

Better yet, why doesn't she resign and give him a chance for a special election!

Flip. Flop. Flip. Flop. As long as she's in the spotlight she doesn't care what comes out of her mouth. She's amazing, in a bad way.

Does thi swoman forget that she wanted nothing to do with Stevens when she was running????? I hope he runs against her!

I wonder whatr kind of deal AG struck with repulicans so he can be nominated. Steven is guilty of crimes no question about it and he is getting off the hook because of slobby prosecutor. If it is me or yo, we will be TRIED. Shame on the AG. As for Sarah Palin when will those reporters stop printing her nonesnse and illogical thinking. The woman can't pass a high school diploma" Remember Couric interview"

Why are these two "has-beens" even in the news? ... Because neither of them can come to grips that We, The People didn't want them in their respective offices.

Sarah... Ted.... go away... please... I beg you! ... PLEASE! PLEASE!!

You both lost...

So..last year Palin wanted him to step down...but NOW she is on his side?!?!?!

Once again, Palin plays both sides of an issue to get herself publicity!

I wonder what the governor of Hawaii thinks about all this?

Ms. Palin has no principles. She supports whatever advances her personal agenda. The fact that she wants to invalidate a legal and fair election frightens me. What she is suggesting is completely undemocratic.

Anyone here from Alaska? Is Palin doing any actual work? or is she spending all her time trying to get media attention? (Which she says she hates.)

I think you mean you can't put this behind him, because it gives you another moment in the spotlight.........

I think he is just as guilty as Blogoyavich, why does he get a free pass, because he's republican. So what else is new,they get pardoned for their wrong doing. Or some other illegal legal manuver

Stevens has demonstrated his corruption. His supporters in Alaska undoubtably benefitted from his corruption. By extension, they too are corrupt.

"There's no way he can just 'put this behind him' as some have suggested he should," Palin said.

Actually, I believe that your were one of those weren't you Gun Tot'n Sarah? In fact, didn't you suggest that Began step down so Stevens could run again. Now, you wouldn't want him running until he has had time to heal would you?

Why don't you just stick to shooting wolves, exploiting families and defending us from Russia.

Now Palin supports Stevens? Stevens was prosecuted by a Republican controlled Justice Department. Now Obama's Justice Department is setting the record straight on the procedures used. Just another case in point of how out of control Bush's Justice Department was.

He cannot put it behind him because he did wrong. He got away because of a technicality and some body who dropped the ball might pay dearly for so doing. He is a good man gone bad and Gov. Palin is not without tendencies which are also suspect.

If McCain won the election Stevens would probably be going to jail.

If you feel that bad sarah palin give him the governorship so you can concentrate on your family.

It sounds to me like he's really not as innocent as he proclaims. Tossing a case on prosecutor mishandling does not automatically make Sen Stevens innocent.

Gov. Palin and others seem to forget Ted Stevens was found GUILTY. He got very lucky that his CONVICTION is being dismissed on a technicality from incompetent handling by Bush's DOJ. The delusional & hypocritical excuses on this nonsense are getting really absurd.

Of course Palin would sympathize: she received big kickbacks from that stadium deal, right?

I predict that this is one of the many leftover messes that this administration will clean up.

As you may have noticed, no one on the "right" (FOX News and the Republican water carriers and Rush)has admitted the Bush's DOJ did anything wrong. Heaven forbid that they might have to throw a kudo to a Democrat for doing the right thing-that would smack of bipartisanship. They would rather go down with the ship before admitting any wrongdoing.

Why can't he? Palin "Just put" her abuse of power issue behind her.

Umm...It's not "his seat". I know it seems like it since Senators like him have been being re-elected over and over again for decades, but at no point was it "his seat". It is and has always been Alaska's seat and Alaska already chose their Senator, back in November...remember Sarah? Oh wait...you were busy throwing Stevens under the bus at the time.

Of course he cannot put it behind him....she was throwing him under the bus.

Didn't she endorse him before she condemned him, which is of course just before her current support of him. Her political morals are like reeds in the wind.

Give me a freaking break!!! The man obviously did something wrong. Plus, he should have gone back to private employment long ago. Hopefully the good people of Alaska will see the benefit of having him out of the Senate.

well, I guess what needs to happen is for him to be retried and have the conviction become legal and then he can go to jail. He was found guilt once and he will be found guilt again because the evidence will be the same. Why don't folks let this go so he won't have to spend the rest of his years in court.... or jail

She may not run for Governor next time allowing Stevens to run.

The man was not exonerated. The Bush Justice Department blew it. Guilty people walk every day when the legal system fails to meet its obligations; like any common street thug whose arresting officer failed to read him his rights, Stevens is benefiting from the fundamental integrity of the system. No-one should be surprised, in any case, that the Bush Justice Department lacked a basic understanding of the law or a basic willingness to enforce it appropriately.

WOW...she really likes her red herrings eh? He didn't lose the election because he was convicted, HE LOST THE ELECTION BECAUSE OF THE FACTS THAT SUPPORTED THE CONVICTION. Only the GOP's "base" warriors up there still voted for him because they didn't care how corrupt he was or appeared to be...the rest of the people didn't want anything to do with even the appearance of corruption. NOTHING the court has done here changes ANY of the FACTS.

Gawd, he was such a curmudgeon, I'm sure the Senate is glad to be rid of him (remember his tantrum over that stupid bridge earmark?)

Stevens gets off on the thinnest of technicalities and, suddenly, the woman who couldn't distance herself enough from him during the campaign is concerned for his well being? How predictably transparent.
I so hope she wins the 2012 GOP Presidential nomination. Then perhaps she could name Glenn Beck as her running mate. Obama has enough to worry about without having to face a serious chalenge for his second term.

One less incumbent....... it's a start.

One has to wonder if this huge of a prosecutorial blunder, involving a republican senator and a republican justice department, wasn't the "plan" all along. The facts still speak for themselves regardless of whether he was "convicted" or not.

Nor should he put it behind him. The seat was stolen by the Democrats with political timing that begs for answers. It doesn't matter that Republicans supposedly initiated the investgation, what matters is that all of it was thrown out and now the prosecutors are under investigation.
The people of Alaska should demand a new election. Stevens would win hands down.

Let's let this be about the hypocrisy of the freaking government prosecution who WRONGFULLY accused a United States Senator, lied, convicted him, and made all of Alaska reconsider their faith in the man. And where was the media during all of this? Aren't they supposed to uncover these types of things? No. Just call them part of the prosecution... if it's a right wing senator, who cares whether he's guilty or whether it's justice?

What a hypocrite! Sarah Palin called for Ted Stevens to step down, in hopes of running for his Senate seat. Now she is kissing up to him. YOU HYPOCRITE!!!

The man is guilty of taking bribes regardless of the improper handling of the case

Pardon me if I shed no tears for Stevens discomfort ...

He's guilty ... period

I've tired of these elected people who think it is their personal fiefdoom to stay in office forever.

Stevens is 87 years old. It is WAY past time for him to retire from the Senate. Give someone else a chance for goodness sake. He'll be able to support himself. Stevens won't suffer financially.

The citizens of the United States are better served by fresh blood in the Senate.

There, I said it

This man is well past retirement age, he has made plenty of money and gotten plenty of perks, he has lived his life, he should be happy and satisfied with all of this. This is the price you pay when you opt for a career in politics. One small slip can affect your career. I do not feel sorry for him one bit.

Yeah she jumped right back on that bandwagon! At least Orrin Hatch defended him right to the end. Sarah just gave up on him..... Now she loves and respects him again – isn't that just peachy.

I think Sarah is trying to block out the damaging statements made by her daughter's ex-boyfriend. She is trying to sound intelligent - I said TRYING.

Does this dismissal of conviction change the fact that Ted Stevens failed "to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars of "freebies" from an oilfield services company on Senate ethics forms?" No it doesn't. He is still one of those old-school, pay-to-play politicians. He deserves to be in jail.

The only reason why Palin would like for Steven's to challenge his seat is because she would like to have his backing when she plans to run in 2012, otherwise she wouldn't care.

Perhaps she and the Republican Justice Dept. conspired these trumpt up charges just to get Stevens out of the way, then she could have run in his place against the Democrat.

Many Americans felt that he was guilty because most of us believe in our Justice system, but now we see that if they'll hold Kangaroo court for a Senator, just think what they'll do to regular people.

Yes, Regular people have been wrongly convicted because the prosecution didn't follow the rules.

Can any of you read? The man is innocent. Shame on all of you for still implying that he did anything wrong. There should be a new election.

I think Sarah is using a Freudian Slip when she says Stevens "can't just put it behind him." I think SHE is the one that can't put the fact that she LOST THE ELECTION behind HER.

I don't know if it is just me, but when Sarah Palin speak it's like she has ZERO creditability, no relevance whatsoever. She certainly did not speak to his character months ago. She presents herself as such an political opportunist who just can't seem to fool anybody.

Let us not forget that Palin was the first one in the fall that said Stevens should resign after he was convicted during his trial. Now she is trumpeting how wonderful he is??? I guess just another way that Republicans flip flop all over issues but think the American people will forget about it.

Also just b/c the prosecution bungled the case and you are set free, does not mean that you were innocent of the crimes you committed. OJ anyone? Maybe Stevens can play golf with OJ now and laugh about how they got away thanks to some inept prosecutors.

who cares? Everyone knows he is guilty...but he has been doing it for forever...not like they can get anyone to turn over on him. Palin called for his resignation when it was convenient...now she is hailing him a hero.

Republican U.S. Attorney Generals Alberto Gonzalez and Michael Mukassey over saw this case as Republican Justice Department lawyers trashed a Republican Senator Ted Stevens. Democratic Attorney General Eric Holder with only two months on the job had to clean it up the mess.

Could it be that Ms. Palin is already missing the numerous "porkulous earmarks" that Uncle Ted took back to Alaska? Or could it be that she fears a competition from him after she bashed him in November? She also said that "even if he wins, he should step aside". This is just another attempt to keep her name in the news cycle.

Now would the DOJ under Bush/Gonzales ever let a democratic lawmaker off the hook? NO WAY! This is precisely why our country deserves a Justice Department free from politics

Uh, who the heck made Palin a spokesman for Stevens? Talk about wading into a subject she has no authority to speak on.

Sarah,

Quit standing so close to the microwave when you make popcorn. I don't think the radiation is good for you. You're starting to forget things... Things like... hmmm saaaaay... You're the one that asked him to step down!

How did Alaska elect this lady to any kind of position???

There was too much going on there for him to not be guilty of some of the shenanigans.

Maybe Ted isnt like Sarah. She sure cant put it behind her that she lost the election. And she surely will never put it behind her when she looses the 2010 primary. I dont think the republicans will have a chance when the torture things comes out that the republicans did and that they are going try and blackmail the president. The president is way to sharp for the republicans he will never let that happen. I sure glad I no longer am a republican that I dont have to vote for a republican in the primarys.

Why do we care what this woman thinks????

Well Sara you thought he was guilty and asked him to resign and now you are saying he can not put this behind him. No he can not with people like you.

Right, like this was a fair decision. Wonder how he bought his way out of it...

by no means was the trial of Stevens 'fair' and 'unbiased'. By rights the prosecutors should now be prosecuted. It was an absolute horrid way to execute justice.

However, the mistrial of Stevens and the less then moral way it was conducted, does not in any way, shape or form change the fact that he lied. As such, his impeachment, and being brought to trial for his actions WAS appropriate. The only issue at hand is why the prosecutors crossed so many immoral lines in dealing out justice.

He's guilty, but horrid trial. As such, the charges must be stricken. But just like with OJ...he still did it!

Hi Sarah!

The University of Alaska, Southeast in Juneau (no need for airfare on the taxpayer dime!) is holding registration through April 20, 2009.

Sign up for a course in political science.

Yes, let's put it behind us and focus on prosecuting the real thief – the Governor of AK for stealing from the state treasury! Getting per diem for working out of her house?! Oh, please!

He is 85 years old and need to retire any way. There are too many old sentor anyway with old ideas ESPECIALLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. It is sad, but what is done is done and he needs to retire and move on.

It doesn't change the fact that Ted Stevens did this stuff illegally. Boy, when the GOP finds a crack in anything they exploit it to high heaven!

Sara, Sara, you just can not believe you are not the VP. Everyday this week you have been in the news – could it be becasue the President of the US approving rate is over the top. Sara you are not prime time and you need to give it a rest. Everybody is really tired of seeing, hearing, and reading about you and your family. Please get a clue and disappear!

I hope the 85 year old former senator takes Palin's job.

palin needs to keep her ignorant mouth shut on this one. the man is still guilty, the case was just dropped. i thnk he needs to be retried and if found innocent then he can start complaining. for now the world sees him asbeing found guilty. . he is still a crook and palin should clean up her own back taxes before she spouts unfairness from anyone's actions.

Well Sarah, can you still Russia from your house?

Palin's right that he can't just put this behind him. Because anyone that can think rationally realizes that he was found guilty and is getting off on a technicality. In the eyes of the law he is innocent. In the eyes of the people that may not be the case.

It took alot of integrity for Eric Holder to right this wrong perpetrated on a Republican (by a Republican Justice Department.)

So anyone who holds a government seat who are put there by the
people can steal, cheat, lie can be pardoned!!!!!! The prisons are
full of people who have done the same things that Stevens has done
but yet the judge lets Stevens walk free. Just shows what a sinful
world we truly are living in!!!

The hypocrisy
Sarah – You called for him to resign during the election, What now??

Palin now you are going to be his supporter? First you told him to step down now you want a special election to let him re-seek his job? I think you are quite the hypocrite you are the type of person who jumps onto the popular bus when that is the thing to do but you certainly won't hesitate to push that person off if you think it would affect you. Shame on you and you call yourself a Christian...