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.
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R-Alaska not Arkansas
"(CNN) — Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Arkansas, who was recently convicted on seven felony counts, said Tuesday he won’t ask President Bush to pardon him."
ummm.... Stevens is from Alaska – not Arkansas. Blame Alaska for him...
That's good, because I don't think Bush would give it to him!
Althought, the GOP seem to think that peeing on the courts is fine because they'll go through the motions of the court and wait for the pardon later!
there's a place for someone like Stevens--ITS CALLED PRISON!!!!!
Ted, you belong to JAIL now. Go there and get plenty of rest.
Riiiiigggghhhhttttttt..........
“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.
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Are we supposed to feel sorry for him or something?
Senator Stevens is from Alaska, fact check line one
Just in case anybody is curious, Ted Stevens in a Republican Senator from Alaska, not Arkansas.
C,mon, Stevens is 85 years old and a public servant for 40 years. He ain't goin' to jail. Now ask Barack Obama if he plans to pardon Bush.
You mean Alaska right? Come on you can at least proof read the first line!!!
Arkansas would never elect a felon like him!
He's from ALASKA!!! Hello........AR is Arkansas; AK is Alaska. Good grief.
Are you checking to see how many of us know he is R-Alaska?
Good, and maybe he wan't squack when he goes to jail either. Has the whole world gone crazy? What do we care about this FELON. He's Alaska's problem, not mine.
Bush will need his own Pardon,lets hope he doesnt get it.
Bush will not pardon him because Stevens has nothing to offer Bush.
Give the man a break. He signed up to trade power and influence for wealth, not prosecutions. He's a victim!
He's from Alaska
Stevens is from Alaska, not Arkansas.
He's like an old boxer that doesn't know when to get out of the ring.
My god man ... you're 85 years old and have been in the Senate for 40 years.
Step away with some dignity ... collect your pension.
Let the prestige of being a Senator go and we'll all forget about you and the sorry example you are setting.
CNN is a bunch of idiots. They see AK and they think "Arkansas." Morons. (ref: "R-Arkansas")
With $250,000.00 in "gifts" I'd be sleeping like a baby! (I guess until I got CAUGHT!) That's why he's NOT sleeping! Politics must change FOR THE PEOPLE!
Bush has to save his markers for the big criminals, like Cheney and Rove. He should keep one in his pocket for Palin also. Perhaps he can do one blanket pardon for the whole Republican Party.
That'll save us all some time.
"Uncle Pork Barrel Felon" needs to go directly to jail, forfeit his Senate pension and be stricken from the history books, as all villains are. Good riddance to yet another Republican crook!
Glad to see such excellence [not] in reporting from CNN.
That's whats wrong with America .... we're too interested in getting it fast rather than getting it correct!