AP Calls It For Begich

by hilzoy

In the Alaska Senate race, Mark Begich now leads Ted Stevens by 3724 votes. The AP has called the race for Begich:

"Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, marking the downfall of a Washington political power and Alaska icon who couldn't survive a conviction on federal corruption charges. His defeat to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats closer to a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority.

Stevens' ouster on his 85th birthday marks an abrupt realignment in Alaska politics and will alter the power structure in the Senate, where he has served since the days of the Johnson administration while holding seats on some of the most influential committees in Congress."

There are apparently a few overseas absentee ballots left to count, and the Anchorage Daily News says we should expect a recount. But it looks as though the Senate will remain free of convicted felons for the time being.

Comments

[now_what]

Who can come up with the best justification for opposing a recount in Minnesota and defending one in Alaska?

[ed]

"Who can come up with the best justification for opposing a recount in Minnesota and defending one in Alaska?"

The crazy differences in the margins: too big to trigger a mandatory recount in Alaska, well close enough to require one in Minnesota.

What do I win?

[Gary Farber]

"What do I win?"

Try getting it unbackwards first.

[Nell]

Who opposes a recount in Minnesota?

[Nell]

It's a lift to see the back of Ted Stevens.

[Gary Farber]

"Who opposes a recount in Minnesota?"

The Coleman campaign, of course.

[Gary Farber]

Details. Coleman has sued to stop the recount. Sound familiar?

Today.

[Bernard Yomtov]

Gary,

Thanks for the link. I hope the Duluth News Tribune is not in charge of the recount. From the story:

During the recount, elections officials will examine all ballots cast on Nov. 4 and absentee ballots cast before then, placing each in one of four piles:

-- For Republican Coleman.

-- For Democrat Franken.

-- For another candidate or when officials could not determine the voter's pick.

-- Ballots challenged by the Coleman campaign.

-- Ballots challenged by the Franken campaign.

[Terragone]

I wonder if there will be an Alaska recount. Maybe, but so far the vote margin is greater than 1%. And apparently Stevens would have to pay for it.

I wonder if he thinks it is in his interest, given that even if he were to win, he would be a pariah in his former caucus, with no committee seats. Won't be much fun.

On the other hand, I could see outside donors ponying up funds on the oft (but unlikely) chance the outcome would change. Then Republicans would hold the seat, even assuming Stevens were expelled. And you-know-who might covet it.

[wonkie]

You-know-who can covet all she likes,but can't appoint herself or her spouse. She says that she isn't that egoistical.

Which was a shot at the other Republican Seantor from Alaska whose seat she may covet and might seek by way of a primary challege.

[publius]

no "Senator Palin" is the best part of this

[MeDrewNotYou]

But it looks as though the Senate will remain free of convicted felons for the time being.

Yes. Free of convicted felons. (Insert your favorite crooked politician joke here.)

[Gary Farber]

The worst lack all convictions, while the best are full of passionate intensity.