# Is Ted Stevens toast? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 21, 2008, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851 "2008-10-21T03:17:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/181 "2008-11-05T22:09:08Z")
If any of the 18 Republican Senators up for reelection in 2010 (Brownback in Kansas is retiring) vote against expelling Stevens, they’re gonna get nailed to the wall by their constituents. It wouldn’t surprise me if Republicans were more desperate to convince Stevens to retire than Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/182 "2008-11-05T22:46:32Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I don’t know how often \ ***sitting** senators run for governor (or vice versa) but it’s pretty common for a _ **former** _ governor to run (witness Virginia’s election with 2 former govs running for senate). Yes, but that’s different - they were term-limited out. Warner would probably still be governor if Virginia allowed him to serve two consecutive terms. Palin isn’t term-limited out as far as I know. I think it’s considered a shoe-in that Stevens will get jail time. I consider most politicians quite shameless, but the idea that he’d continue to “serve” while in jail or attempt to return after his release… I just don’t see that happening even if his colleagues did somehow let him off the hook. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/183 "2008-11-05T23:48:25Z")
It just occurred to me that W can pardon him. [Will he?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=491444) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/184 "2008-11-13T01:34:18Z")
[Begich leads Stevens by 3 votes!](http://ap.peninsulaclarion.com/pstories/state/ak/20081112/355263969.shtml) > [@](#): > > Democrat Mark Begich has taken a 3-vote lead in his effort to unseat 40-year Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, who was convicted of felony charges in a federal trial last month. > > Begich began Wednesday down more than 3,200 votes, but closed the gap as officials resumed counting early and absentee ballots. > > Neither side expected to be able to claim victory Wednesday. By late afternoon, officials had counted more than 44,000 of the roughly 90,000 outstanding ballots. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/185 "2008-11-13T02:00:32Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > [Begich leads Stevens by 3 votes!](http://ap.peninsulaclarion.com/pstories/state/ak/20081112/355263969.shtml) Why in the world does it take eight days to _start_ counting the early and absentee ballots? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/186 "2008-11-13T02:19:50Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Why in the world does it take eight days to _start_ counting the early and absentee ballots? Wouldn’t want to rush into things too quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/187 "2008-11-13T02:24:05Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Why in the world does it take eight days to _start_ counting the early and absentee ballots? The counters had to qualify for a work release program. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/188 "2008-11-13T02:44:44Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > It just occurred to me that W can pardon him. > > [Will he?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=491444) Doesn’t he have to wait for sentencing before he pardons him? It seems logical. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/189 "2008-11-13T02:45:47Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Why in the world does it take eight days to _start_ counting the early and absentee ballots? State statute. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/190 "2008-11-13T02:49:25Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Doesn’t he have to wait for sentencing before he pardons him? It seems logical. Ford didn’t even wait for Nixon to be **indicted.** ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/191 "2008-11-13T12:54:11Z")
The lead is widening. Stevens is down 814 votes now. They are attempting to get them counted by noon today. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/192 "2008-11-13T14:53:00Z")
Amazing. Nate Silver predicted this back on the [7th](http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/11/uncounted-votes-may-push-begich-past.html). ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/193 "2008-11-13T14:58:27Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > Amazing. Nate Silver predicted this back on the [7th](http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/11/uncounted-votes-may-push-begich-past.html). I predict that Nate Silver has a VERY financially comfortable decade or so in front of him. EVERY network, cable and broadcast, is going to be clamoring for him to sign with them before 2010. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/194 "2008-11-13T15:12:29Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I predict that Nate Silver has a VERY financially comfortable decade or so in front of him. EVERY network, cable and broadcast, is going to be clamoring for him to sign with them before 2010. Well, it might seem like that, but let’s see the math before we make any firm predictions. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/195 "2008-11-13T15:34:04Z")
Even if Begich comes out on top, Stevens likely will demand a recount and this process will drag on for who knows how much longer. We haven’t heard the last of Ted Stevens (shakes gnarled fist)! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/196 "2008-11-13T15:59:19Z")
Just think if he wins and goes to jail, Palin may appoint herself. I listened to her answer when she was asked about the possibility. It seems to be ,no, well maybe ,well it is possible if god wants it and opens the door. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/197 "2008-11-13T16:01:35Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Just think if he wins and goes to jail, Palin may appoint herself. I listened to her answer when she was asked about the possibility. It seems to be ,no, well maybe ,well it is possible if god wants it and opens the door. Also. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/198 "2008-11-13T16:22:00Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Just think if he wins and goes to jail, Palin may appoint herself. For the twelve billionth time: PALIN CANNOT APPOINT HERSELF. There has to be a special election, ever since Gov. Frank Murkowski appointed his daughter to the Senate. Stop saying she’ll appoint herself. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/199 "2008-11-13T16:27:55Z")
> [@lee](#): > > The lead is widening. Stevens is down 814 votes now. They are attempting to get them counted by noon today. Not possible. By state statute, it will be next week before all votes are counted. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851/200 "2008-11-13T16:29:39Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Not possible. By state statute, it will be next week before all votes are counted. In Alaska, they’re doing the impossible, then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ted-stevens-toast/468851.md?page=11)