Senate Throws Good-Bye Party For Ted Stevens, Gives Convicted Felon A Standing Ovation
Senate Throws Good-Bye Party For Ted Stevens, Gives Convicted Felon A Standing Ovation
Today, Ted Stevens — Alaska’s defeated Republican senator and a convicted felon — was granted time on the Senate floor to deliver his farewell speech. Stevens said that he still can’t believe that he’s “privileged to speak on the floor of the United States Senate.” He also added that he “doesn’t have a rear-view mirror. I look only forward, and I still see the day when I can remove the cloud that currently surrounds me.”
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) then took the floor and said farewell to his “distinguished colleague.” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who had previously called for Stevens’s resignation, recalled the longest-serving Republican’s “extraordinary accomplishments.” Watch it:
Matt Yglesias writes: “I cannot believe that (a) Ted Stevens got a standing ovation from his fellow senators, and (b) Harry Reid is now delivering an ode to him. I mean, the man’s a criminal. Senatorial courtesy is a really bizarre institution.”
Full list of senators speaking on behalf of Stevens today: Harry Reid (D-NV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kay-Baily Hutchison (R-TX), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Larry Craig (R-ID), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thad Cochran (R-MS). John Warner (R-VA) also praised Stevens in advance of the Alaskan senator’s farewell address.
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(Stevens) also added that he “doesn’t have a rear-view mirror. I look only forward
Sounds like a Republican. Nothing to be gained from learning lessons of the past.
Apparently, history has a liberal bias, too.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:53 amSenator Steven, I salute you.
No, I’m not hiding my other 4 fingers; this is your salute.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:53 amIf proof ever existed that this country is in dire need of strong, viable, progressive 3rd party political movement — this video is it.
Just saying . . .
November 20th, 2008 at 11:55 amSenatorial courtesy is a really bizarre institution.
It wasn’t courtesy, it was bravo for not getting caught for so many years.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:56 amWTF? A standing ovation for convicts?
ONLY IN AMERIKA!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:56 am“…remove the cloud that currently surrounds me.”
That’ll happen when you’re dead, you corrupt old buzzard.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:57 amI look only forward, and I still see the day when I can remove the cloud that currently surrounds me.
ted is planning on a much longer than average lifespan.
November 20th, 2008 at 11:58 amThe thing I don’t understand is this.
If I’m not mistaken, convicted felons are not allowed to vote.
So how is it that ted could have retained his seat and continue voting in the Senate ?
F@CK YOU EX-SENATOR STEVENS! AND THE REST OF YOU IDIOTS GET BACK TO WORK!!!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:59 am“…remove the cloud that currently surrounds me.”
There’s no cloud, Teddy. You just need cataract surgery.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:01 pmMake sure you disclose that going away gift, pal!!!
November 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pmIt’s the senates kiss on the lips…..the kiss of death.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:04 pmRelax guys. This is a classy thing to do, after all Sen. Stevens had served for 40 years in the senate. Yes, he has been convicted. Yes, he may has done some other things too. But the man also had done a lot of good work. Let the justice system deal with him. For now, we should thank him for his service to the nation. The senators are being civil and showing some class.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:06 pmHarry Reid (D-NV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Pat Roberts (R-KS).
Once a traitor, always a traitor.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:06 pmHarry Reid (D-NV)
Hmmm…Do I smell a “worst Majority Leader”?
November 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pmSenate Throws Good-Bye Party For Ted Stevens, Gives Convicted Felon A Standing Ovation…
….well after all, he did accomplice SEVEN FELONY CONVICTIONS…of course they applauded him…
….it must of been some sort of record amount of felonies for a Senator.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pmMake no mistake folks. These people ALWAYS protect their own – ALWAYS. These people do not like you, they do not work for you, they do not care about you. All they care about is their ‘club’ and their ability to shelter each other from the awful, pedestrian ‘little people’ (you and me). This one example should serve to remind that we have a ruling class and we have the rest of us.
A standing ovation for a covicted felon? WTF?
November 20th, 2008 at 12:10 pmAn ode to Stevens delivered by Lieberman?
Take Joe down the “tubes” with you, Ted.
PEACE
November 20th, 2008 at 12:12 pmYou know, this is actually helpful when trying to understand how the Senate Democrats could possibly return Joe Lieberman to the Chair of Homeland Security.
After all, they gave Joe the benefit of the doubt when they gave him the Chair of Homeland Security two years ago. Then, Lieberman did nothing with the seat and went on to viciously attack the party that put him in the Chair.
And now, they’re repeating the same action by re-appointing Holy Joe and expecting a different result, and then they give a corrupt and convicted Senator a standing ovation.
Conclusion: Our U.S. Senate is nucking futs.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pmJoeBridgeman Says:
The cantankerous senior senator is a has been, crooked as they come self-serving gasbag from a state that costs American taxpayers much more than it recieves. He may have had some accomplishments several decades ago, but his way-too-long time in the Senate has made him into a HUGE part of what’s wrong with government. He had become the poster boy for warrantless earmarks and his divisive persona on the Hill will not be missed. If the Senators want to pay homage to this criminal let them do it on their own time and with their own money.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:19 pmSteven has to go get treatment for the arm he broke patting himself on the back.
Before sites like this these jerks carried on like this with no repercussions. They are finding out now that we know what they’re doing and don’t like it. And every year as younger people start voting more people will be wise to them. They better start phasing out all this back slapping before they’re all gone.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:22 pmWhy is it that Alaskan politicians always seem to be corrupt? Is it the clean air up there? Is it the lack of smog? What is it about Alaska that makes them crooked?
November 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pmPuppets in Washington are nothing but a complete sham, a side-show, a distraction.
Ask John Perkins, he has the answers.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pmStratRat Says:
What is it about Alaska that makes them crooked?
_____________
Prolly the social isolation from the rest of humanity and the resultant inbreeding…
November 20th, 2008 at 12:25 pmI am outraged!
November 20th, 2008 at 12:25 pmThis is all they think they need to do when the country is sinking fast is to praise a criminal!
(Stevens) also added that he “doesn’t have a rear-view mirror.
____________
A shame ’bout that.
Now how will he know who his new boy friend behind bars actually is?
November 20th, 2008 at 12:28 pmStanding ovation for that Felon is like showing up in the soup line with a tuxedo on. I thought Felons went to prison.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:29 pmThey are all thinking “There but for the grace of God go I”.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:30 pmWhen do I get my 10 minutes to speak about Ex.-Senator Ted Stevens? Hell, I really could get it done in five minutes.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:31 pmThis should have been a private party. Airing this makes America look like the Land of No Accountability.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:32 pmJoeBridgeman; If the Senate had any class, they would have stood with their backs turned to Stevens.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:39 pmAiring this makes America look like the Land of No Accountability.
Good point. But it is the truth, however. Just ask Joe Lieberman.
Where’s the change we can believe in?
November 20th, 2008 at 12:40 pmThey are mostly right-wing Republicans. It’s their nature.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:42 pmYeah, just Stevens and his cellmate.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:42 pmSarah Palin sent an e-mail to Stevens:
Hi Ted : ”
November 20th, 2008 at 12:49 pmI saw your ‘Good Bye’ party on tv. I was happy for my Alaska’s buddy, but you know Ted:” I like my ‘Good Buy’ party better’.
it is criminal organization and should be prosecuted under RICO laws.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:51 pmI am disgusted.
So you don’t think this is different than the way republicans have treated democrats in recent history, really.
We wanted a return to civility, this represents that. Stephens is one that everyone agrees has to go, he will do no jail time but he is gone. No need to act like republicans in this instance.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:53 pmYou had your going away party. Now, GO AWAY and take Sarah Palin with you.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:53 pmIt’s really, really (no kidding) time to start rethinking this political “class” we have created.
They are completely oblivious to the real world.
We need to start with much stricter term limits and stricter ethics.
Saluting a convicted felon is unacceptable. I don’t care how many years he’s served.
November 20th, 2008 at 12:53 pmmostly OT, but somewhat related… and i can’t sit long, but wanted to throw this out…
remember the stories about the Big 3 execs flying their private jets?
ed schultz has a very interesting take on the story, something i totally missed – TP too, it seems…
his concern is that, for these execs, time is money, and all the complications of flying regular airlines could have made for problems…
AND, now THAT is the story, instead of helping the WORKERS and the industry…
where was this concern, those questions, when the bankers and oil execs came to congress? eh???
and i was then wondering about those dems who brought it up at the hearings – are any of them of the BLUE DOG variety? southern states?
that combined with ABC first covering the story, points to another hit on the working class… MY take…
November 20th, 2008 at 12:59 pmIt’s easy to be gracious to somebody who is already going down, no ifs ands or buts about it. Now that he’s toast, they can applaud him all they want and it doesn’t make a real difference to anything.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:04 pmHe’s just a criminal amongst criminals. That’s why he got a standing ovation. The entire system is corrupt. Can’t wait to see what the war criminal idiot will get on his way out.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:09 pmFred says:
So you don’t think this is different than the way republicans have treated democrats in recent history, really.
That’s absurd. A standing ovation is an honor. They’re honoring someone who abused and soiled the office of U.S. Senator.
The guy shouldn’t even be there! Give him the bum’s rush, not a standing ovation!
November 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pmIt would be more appropo to have a standing ovation as he enters prison. Other Congressmen and women will not learn from his transgression and get caught also. Hell there are still some under investigation
November 20th, 2008 at 1:11 pmBenedict Arnold holds nothing on these old boys. Kissing the ass of a true traitor. It’s perfectly politician.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:16 pmWhy do we support these likes of these men? The founders would have tarred and feathered the creep before dragging him through the streets.
This is exactly why we need to start replacing these dinosaurs. No one pays a price for anything there.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:17 pmYou right Katy, nobody asked that of the investment bankers. The southern staters seem intent on protecting the factories that hire lower waged workers in their states and not about the welfare of the country.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:18 pmWell, on the auto bailout I’m just amazed a politician can get away with attacking an American industry for providing family-supporting wages and benefits.
That’s our Congress.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:19 pmThis, even more than the Lieberman non-punishment, is definitive of the “Elite Club” atmosphere and culture of the Senate. Total BS. Hooray!
November 20th, 2008 at 1:31 pmI don’t like the guy and wouldn’t have voted for him but someone did and he was in the senate legitimatly.
He was a criminal and so the justice system will take care of him, allowing the senate to not dirty thier hands with him.
As a progressive you should be able to honor someone’s service to the senate even if you are diametrically opposed to thier views…….just sayin, otherwise you are behaving like the republicans including stevens have in the last 30 years.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:36 pmHey Ted: Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Go directly to jail. BTW happy 85th birthday.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pmFred sez:
you should be able to honor someone’s service to the senate even if you are diametrically opposed to thier views…….just sayin, otherwise you are behaving like the republicans including stevens have in the last 30 years. (my emphasis)
Get this straight: This. is. not. about. his. views. That’s not what I wrote and a disingenuous argument from you.
It is about the fact that Ted Stevens is a crook. A convicted crook. Convicted of accepting gifts from special and powerful interests that he championed.
He disgraced the office of US Senator. Therefore, I maintain, he does not deserve a standing ovation from other Senators and they should not waste hours praising him.
Really, it looks like they think it’s unfair for a Senator to be held to account for graft. It looks terrible. But, instead, you think I’m the bad guy! Whoa!
November 20th, 2008 at 1:51 pmI never said that……..
I’m just sayin that slash and burn politics are the republicans pervue not ours….
November 20th, 2008 at 1:59 pmThe Senate is resembling a cult more and more every day.
That’s why President Obama ran for the presidency, so he could escape without the cultists realising it.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:01 pmTed Stevens a true example of Democracy for 40 years he has proven GREED IS GOOD, as those who stood beside him did and are doing the same. Now we see the list of names of those not yet caught. Our current Govenment is infested with many Ted Stevens as they see him as their hero. It’s not a Republican or Democrat thing as it includes all. A Law Maker who stands up for the people is treated coldly, but a criminal Law Maker is hailed. If that doesn’t tell you something is wrong with America nothing will.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:53 pmI can see that the diplomatic thing to do was to give him a nice send-off. But this is so overblown considering that little, pesky, conviction !!!!!!!
And how many tax dollars are being spent to keep the chambers open for this ?
November 20th, 2008 at 2:54 pmHey, I’ll throw him a going away party with cake. Anything, as long as it gets him out the door forever.
And some of y’all in here are being a little over the top. All he did was let an oil industry company spruce up his house all fancy-like. Yes, it’s illegal. It’s good that he got convicted for it. It’s great that he won’t be a Senator any more. But it’s not like he eats babies and gave the U.S’ nuclear codes to the Taliban, like some of you are making it sound.
What’s more important is that one more giant pork-monger is not going to be there any more. We’re making progress here.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:34 pmOh, come one, Bruce. What Ted Stevens did is serious and I’m glad they busted him. If anyone else, D or R, are doing this, then bust them!
The fact is that a truly functioning democracy demands some basic integrity from officeholders. If they’re taking kickbacks from the industry’s they’re advocating for then it perverts and undermines the whole system greatly.
(Now, it’s entirely possible this is all about “ovation inflation.” And, FWIW, I also grumble at shows or plays when a standing ovation is given for mediocre performances. But for a corrupt performance?? Ugh!)
November 20th, 2008 at 3:48 pmI was watching/listening [ mostly listening] on cspan at work and when i heard the applause i thought it was the Dems clapping as they were leading the crook out of the senate in handcuffs…Now that would deserve a standing ovation!
November 20th, 2008 at 4:11 pmSomebody throw me a life ring. Drowning in a sea of cynicism.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:26 pmBoy, does Robert Byrd look bad. It looked like Ted came over to give him a hug.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:46 pmGood riddance.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:08 pmMapleStreet Says:
I can see that the diplomatic thing to do was to give him a nice send-off. But this is so overblown considering that little, pesky, conviction !!!!!!!
And how many tax dollars are being spent to keep the chambers open for this ?
I’d venture a guess of not a whole lot. A better question to ask is how much taxpayer money will be wasted when Republicans stonewall in auto industry bailout talks? You know these jackals will want to pad their pocketbooks for the “War on Christmas” to give added “bonuses” to themselves and whom they deem worthy of their bank accounts.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:08 pmstateofthedivision Says:
Boy, does Robert Byrd look bad. It looked like Ted came over to give him a hug.
Well they both built many bridges in their time in the Senate together…even the real deals. Now Ted has to go walk on his own “Bridge to Nowhere”.
Then again, I’m sure we can look forward to the 10,000th establishment in West Virginia being named in honor of Sen. Byrd anytime now.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:18 pmEvery single one of these lying bastards need to be replaced. Some of them already have been, but I don’t hold out much hope. Enough with the collegiality. How about some legality, some accountability?
November 20th, 2008 at 9:21 pm