Frank Murkowski
What Stevens' Indictment Means for Obama (and Democrats)
Ted Stevens, the beleaguered 85-year-old Republican Senator from Alaska, has been indicted on seven counts of making false statements, according to news reports. A Justice Department press conference is set to begin in a few minutes.
This obviously complicates his re-election bid, which has been on shaky ground since his home was raided by the F.B.I. and the I.R.S. a year ago–part of an ongoing investigation into Stevens' ties to an oil executive who has been implicated in bribing several Alaska politicians. Stevens is facing a challenge from Mark Begich, the former mayor of Anchorage, who has pulled ahead in some recent polls–a rare feat for a Democrat in one of the reddest states in the country. read more »
