In Alaska, GOP Algebra Is Now Calculus

Stevens indictment throws primary picture into chaos

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2008 4:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – Ted Stevens’ indictment radically changes the landscape in Alaska’s US Senate race, Chris Cillizza writes in the Washington Post. The octogenarian is one of six candidates in the Aug. 26 GOP primary, and it's too late to remove him from the running. The party's best-case scenario would be for Stevens to win and then step aside.

If a challenger prevails, Cillizza speculates, the GOP "seem likely to be stuck with a second tier (at best) candidate” against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo notes the timing is unexpected; analysts expected Stevens’ son to be indicted first. And a local pollster tells the Anchorage Daily News: "Ted's prospects for winning the primary, they obviously just went up in smoke."

U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, walks through the U.S. Capitol after a vote, July 31, 2007. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, listens to the Senate Republican leaders news conference. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Anchorage's Democratic Mayor Mark Begich. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

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In Alaska, GOP Algebra Is Now Calculus

Stevens indictment throws primary picture into chaos

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Alaska GOP Calls for Senate Race Do-Over

Palin, party leader say Stevens would have won without felony raps

Stevens Yields the Floor a Last Time

Alaska Republican closes 'privileged' 40-year tenure

Stevens Concedes, Won't Seek Recount

Longest-serving GOP senator makes no mention of corruption conviction

GOP Delays Vote to Oust Stevens

GOP senators wait for race to be decided

Begich Leads Stevens by 814 Votes in Alaska

Democrat takes first lead; another 40,000 votes to be counted

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In Alaska, GOP Algebra Is Now Calculus

Stevens indictment throws primary picture into chaos

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Alaska • Senate • Ted Stevens • indictment • Senate committees

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Alaska GOP Calls for Senate Race Do-Over

Palin, party leader say Stevens would have won without felony raps

Stevens Yields the Floor a Last Time

Alaska Republican closes 'privileged' 40-year tenure

Stevens Concedes, Won't Seek Recount

Longest-serving GOP senator makes no mention of corruption conviction

GOP Delays Vote to Oust Stevens

GOP senators wait for race to be decided

Begich Leads Stevens by 814 Votes in Alaska

Democrat takes first lead; another 40,000 votes to be counted

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Newser By Users

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