Probe could permanently alter Alaska politics

[Blue_In_AK]

From tonight's local teevee news: http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6874751

by Bill McAllister
Wednesday, August 1, 2007

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The FBI's public corruption probe, which expanded Monday to include a search of Sen. Ted Stevens' home, appears to have the potential to go on for years. So what will Alaska's political culture look like at the end of it? Is the state already changing because of it?

As a group, Alaska politicians have never been under so much national scrutiny. While state residents once didn't care how they, Alaska politicians, did it Outside, it seems as though the time has come to start caring.

<snip>

"It seems to me the federal government's message is clear: ‘We're here to put Ted Stevens in jail.' I don't think you can read any of this any other way. There's not going to be some apology if they get this wrong. I mean, this is a very serious matter. It's as serious as it gets," Carey said.

<snip>

Channel 2 News sampled public opinion today at the Midtown post office, where there were mixed feelings about the expansion of the FBI investigation to Stevens' home.

<snip>

Ernest Thomas said he thinks more scandals are forthcoming.

"I'm terribly embarrassed over the actions of our congressional delegation in Washington, with some of their past antics, and I think the tip of the iceberg is starting to be exposed. I'd like to see it all resolved and the image of the state of Alaska restored," Thomas said.

<snip>

Last night in a KTUU.com poll question, we asked if Sen. Stevens should heed the call by outside groups to step down from committees in the Senate. We had 883 people respond and nearly 2 out of 3 said yes, Stevens should surrender his committee assignments. The poll is unscientific, of course, but it could be that Alaskans are viewing events differently than they would have a few years ago.

<snip>

[bridgit]

1. good...

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. second

[snowbear]

3. Yay!!

Last night in a KTUU.com poll question, we asked if Sen. Stevens should heed the call by outside groups to step down from committees in the Senate. We had 883 people respond and nearly 2 out of 3 said yes, Stevens should surrender his committee assignments.

Great job with that poll last night DU!

Tonight's question:

How would you characterize media coverage of the widening political corruption investigations into Alaska politicians?

Fair
Unfair
No opinion

I'd have to say that the local network has been VERY fair since they've been reporting on Steven's demise non-stop since the story broke, and they haven't been easy on the old fart at all!

[saltpoint]

4. Keep up the good work, Blue_in_AK. I don't think any of us will

miss any of those GOP scoundrels from Alaska.

Ted and Lisa especially.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. I've set my sights on the inimitable Don Young...

...one of the scummiest representatives in the entire House, IMO. Not saying that I'm not more than happy to see Ted and Lisa with their troubles, but when they hand the indictment to Don Young, I'm going to be flying high. Despite his personal corruption, Ted (arguably, of course) has done some good things for Alaska. I can't think of one worthwhile thing Don Young has done down there in his entire 35 years. Alaskans had the right instinct in 1972 when they elected a man who had already been missing and presumed dead for a month or so (Nick Begich) over Don. Wally Hickel should never have appointed him, and he should never have been elected. He is a total embarassment.

[saltpoint]

6. I'm totally on board with ya on ol' Don Young.

I wish Don Young had left us this spring and Don Ho were still with us.

He's from Hawaii but he'd be a hell of a lot better representative than Don Young.

You nailed it.

And I'm keeping my eye peeled to the headlines out of Alaska this summer!