Defiant Ted Stevens returns to Alaska
Hundreds at airport cheer the senator, who declares his innocence and vows to fight verdict, win reelection.
Reporting from Anchorage — Looking fatigued but jubilant, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens returned home Wednesday, vowing to fight his conviction on federal corruption charges, win reelection and save the state from the national economic crisis.
The Republican faces the last great fight of his life to hold onto his seat. Even his party's presidential and vice presidential nominees have called on him to resign. But Stevens remained defiant.
"I'm here to tell you that I am innocent of the charges that have been brought against me, and I will be vindicated," the Senate's longest-serving Republican told hundreds of cheering supporters at the airport. "And there is one thing you can count on: I will never stop fighting for the people of Alaska."
The crowd chanted, "We trust you, Ted!" and, "We need Ted!"
Stevens' wife, Catherine, fought back tears as loudspeakers played Journey's "Don't Stop Believing." The senator, 84, locked arms with Alaska's other U.S. senator, Lisa Murkowski, who urged the crowd to give him the "hero's welcome that he deserves."
"I have literally loved this state," Stevens said, showing an uncharacteristic trace of sentimentality. "Alaska is America's last link to the frontier sprit that makes our nation great."
Among those who have called on Stevens to resign are Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee; her running mate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona; and Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Senate's Republican leader.
A federal jury in Washington convicted Stevens on Monday of seven felony corruption charges stemming from his failure to report gifts and home remodeling work from a powerful oil services industry company. He is only the fifth sitting senator in U.S. history to be convicted of a felony.
State Republican leaders are hoping the veteran politician can win reelection despite his conviction. Then, if he were to resign or be expelled by fellow senators, the party could nominate a new candidate in a special election and almost certainly hold onto the seat.
GOP candidates generally have a substantial edge in the state. But Stevens has slipped badly in the polls this week against the Democratic challenger, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.
A new Rasmussen Reports poll conducted Tuesday showed Stevens trailing by 8 percentage points, 52%-44%. In early October, Stevens held a 1-point edge.
