Via Roll Call we hear that disgraced Senator Ted Stevens is pleading with his senate colleagues. As with Larry Craig, the Republicans are turning their backs.
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is reportedly calling his Republican colleagues in the hope of shoring up support before an expected vote Tuesday on whether to expel him from the Conference because of his seven felony convictions.
Although it was unclear how many lawmakers Stevens has reached out to, GOP aides said he has been making calls urging his colleagues to withhold judgement until the appeals process is exhausted. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has proposed expelling him from the Conference and stripping him of his committee assignments, and a vote on that proposal could occur Tuesday.
Even if Stevens survives through next week, he is widely expected to be eventually expelled from the Senate, with leaders from both parties saying proceedings to remove him would take place at an undetermined time.
Rank-and-file Republicans have also begun to turn their backs on Stevens, the longest-serving member of the GOP. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), during an interview on MSNBC Thursday afternoon, echoed a statement he made Wednesday in which he said he would vote for any motion to remove Stevens.
Of course this may all be rendered academic by Tuesday when Mark Begich is declared the winner in Alaska's Senate race. But left with no options, Stevens may decide not to appeal the election results and demand a recount (that the Republican party would most likely have to pay for), turning his focus instead to avoiding jail time. Stevens faces up to 35 years for his recent conviction.
