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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Ted Stevens is a senator from Alaska not Arkansas.
I guess my question is who's going to pardon George Bush??
The Republican party must clean house if it wants to be considered in the future by anyone.
Stevens was found guilty on all counts and needs to be removed!
If he had worked for private industry he would long be gone.
If his memory is as bad as he pretends, he has no place in the senate either.
If he had any honor he would resign. The man has no shame whether he is from Alaska or Arkansas! Ha!
CNN WAKE UP – DON'T ACT LIKE A CHUMP LOCAL RAG'S WEBSITE.
CHECK THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
ARKANSAS
-AND-
ALASKA
Yeah, there are lots of "A"s in both names. And a "K" and...
It's disgraceful that a major new outlet not only makes a mistake – the mistake goes uncorrected for hours...
Shame on you CNN!
Careful checks need to be in place before things like this are published.
stevens should, just like that one dude right before clinton left office(had to do something with eric holder too)
Though I do think he should resign his job.. I don't think his crimes warrant prison time. Since when has accepting gifts been considered a crime? This is just a crime against his office, it creates a conflict of interests... he shouldn't have to do any jail time for it.
Bush will pardon him anyways, guaranteed. The old man should resign.
Sure he won't ask for a pardon. But I'll bet you a nickel Bush will do it
without his asking.
What a shame. All the felons in jail must be preparing to get a senate seat as soon as their manager can get them out of jail.
AK stands for Alaska, not Arkansas.
To the point, Sen. Stevens is a crook. The man makes so much money that he could not account for over $250 grand in gifts and rennovations to his house? This is what is wrong with the country. I do not care how old Stevens is...if Joe Blow is held accountable for taxation, then so should he. GUILTY is the verdict. Do not feel sorry for him. He is a pompous, arrogant man who should do the only respectable thing he can...resign his seat, should he actually win. Oh...and rename the Anchorage airport too.
Get it together CNN.
He had better not. Bush will need a pardon from President Obama and I hope that the New President puts Bush, Chaney, Condi, Rummy and others UP UNDER THE JAIL! For all of the murders overseas and here in the United States of America. All of the stealing and cheating but of course the lies told and believed by the people was even worse.
Good ridance crook of crooks
WHA WHA WHA!!!! Haven't had a nights sleep in 4 months? AWWW Poor Stevens. Convicted felon, still in the senate, and even if he is thrown out of the senate, he will still draw his pension. I have no sympathy for him. He deserves no pardon. Instead of pardoning power-hungry, money-grubbing politicians, maybe Bush should pardon people like the 2 border patrol agents. Stevens deserves jail. They should take his home too, and sell it, add the money to the coffers for the bailout.
He does not need to "seek" a pardon but Bush is well aware of the case and he will pardon him, if for no other reason than to say it would be excessively punitive to put an 85 year old in prison.
I think he should resign.
you were not going to be pardoned anyway. Stay where you belong and we throw away the key!
Why will you torture someone who is 85 yrs old? The man said he has not had good sleep God knows when. If Stevens was your grand father how will you feel? Anyway Grand pa just hang in there.
FAIL! Stevens is from Alaska. Not Arkansas.
Your story is incorrect. Ted Stevens is a senator from Alaska, not Arkansas.
As if Steven's has any say in the matter who gets pardoned from Bush...it wouldn't surprise me to see Bush pardon him, he been very good at pardoning all manner of folks and giving some, unwarranted medals!!!
What a relief come next year to see the back of this motley crew....so sick of seeing these people.
Just give up that seat – we Dems want it, ok?
Senator Stevens might not seek a pardon, but I'd give you 100 – 1 odds that he'd kiss Bush if offered one. He does not want to go to jail.