Stevens says he won't seek pardon from Bush
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/18/art.stevens1.gi.jpg caption="Stevens is not seeking a pardon."](CNN) - Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, who was recently convicted on seven felony counts, said Tuesday he won’t ask President Bush to pardon him.
“No, no, no,” Stevens responded emphatically when asked if he would seek a pardon.
The embattled senator, who turned 85 Tuesday, spoke briefly to reporters as he entered a meeting of Senate Republicans who were to decide whether he would be allowed to remain a member of their conference.
“I wouldn’t wish what I’m going through on anyone, my worst enemy,” Stevens said in some of his first public comments about his ordeal since he was convicted last month of failing to report more than $250,000 worth of gifts from an Alaskan oil services company which renovated his house.
“Look, I haven’t had a night’s sleep in almost four months. I went home even during the trial. I came to the Senate the night after the trial. So, I’ve been living like three different lives so it’s hard to even answer your questions but I’m doing my best,” he said.
Election officials are still counting outstanding ballots to determine if Stevens will win re-election. His Democratic rival, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, is currently leading by a slim margin.
Republican senators put off their decision about Stevens’ standing in the GOP conference until after its determined if he’ll be re-elected.
I bet the horrid old crook uses his age to get out of serving even a single day.
And I bet the crooked old Republicans of the Senate decide that, if he loses the count to Begich, they won't bother expelling him since he'll only be there for the lame duck session.
His behavior was a CRIME. Seven crimes (actually much more, but seven convictions). Eighty-five or not, he should go to prison, and he should be expelled.
I am horrified by the way the criminals of the Bush Administration are going to be allowed to go scot-free by a combination of Republican cowardice, Bush's pardon power, and Obama's desire to heal. Lieberman should have been kicked to the curb, but he wasn't – because Obama said forgive. And Cheney, Bush, and the torturers all should go to federal prison the rest of their lives, and they won't.
Heal, my patoot. What would REALLY heal this country are convictions and imprisonments, so that future Republican administrations know that their criminal behavior in office WILL BE PUNISHED.
He is just acting like a true republican.
If you all don't want Stevens pardoned, you better hope Bush doesn't get advice on selling pardons from Clinton!
I hope he has a physician by his side at all times. He is really old for this stuff.
I'm thinking of moving to AK, where anyone can become a politician, the salary is good (tho not as good as Wall Street, where you get paid for sinking a co.), and the perks are incredible. Then when you get caught with the perks, the president can wipe it all away. What a racket.
Stevens losses his seat ! ROFL!
TED STEVENS should be locked up .
He mis-used the trust of the Alaskan people for many decades.
Lock him up, and throw the key away.
NO PARDEN FOR TED STEVENS....
sorry mr. stevens but you brought this nightmare on yourself.
AND he got beat for his Senate seat. Tough week Ted.
Bye bye.
Stevens Quote: “I wouldn’t wish what I’m going through on anyone, my worst enemy,”
I wonder what his position was during the Clinton impeachment proceedings.
Right, and it does not snow in Alaska!
So what he can't sleep... Give him about a dozen Lunesta.
This guy is a new Alaska dirtbag...
Good, do the right thing, serve your time just like any other criminal.