There’s something about this Seattle Times article on embattled Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens, that just seems to capsulize the problem with the Military-Industrial-Congressional complex. It should be required reading in civics classes. Let’s start with the fact that the Democrats are, through a combination of fear and indebtedness, unwilling to even comment on Steven’s travails.
The potential demise of Sen. Ted Stevens’ long career amid a federal investigation into alleged public corruption has provoked mixed emotions in D.C., and nearly complete silence among Democrats…
…The Democratic National Committee, which gleefully blasted former Republican Rep. Duke Cunningham, of California, when he was first linked to bribery allegations, did not issue a statement about Stevens.
On Capitol Hill, no one will say much publicly about Stevens and the impact of the investigation. Staffers for [Sen. Patty] Murray, who in the past have touted her good relations with Stevens, declined to comment.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, epitomized the Democrats’ response when he casually told the newspaper Roll Call, “Many investigations go nowhere,” and declined to criticize Stevens or ask him to step aside from his committee chairmanships.
Ted Stevens is a different kind of Republican. He’s an appropriator, and he is more than willing to work across the aisle to get deals done. His best friend in the Senate is probably fellow World War Two veteran Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. Despite Alaska’s conservative nature, Sen. Stevens is rated 60th (or 9th least conservative Republican) by Progressive Punch.
Stevens is known for his blustery, sometimes combative demeanor in public.
But behind the scenes, he’s acted as a dealmaker in an increasingly fractious Senate, orchestrating compromises and pushing legislation through committee.
Stevens’ work on the Appropriations Committee, pushing earmarks to fund his projects and backing those of other senators, may help explain why Democrats aren’t celebrating his potential fall.
Democratic colleagues on the committee, including Sens. Reid; Murray; Dick Durbin, of Illinois; and Dianne Feinstein, of California, have allowed many of Stevens’ earmarks in recent years.
In return, he’s supported projects for their districts, said Steve Ellis of Taxpayers for Common Sense.
“Stevens has a lot of chits out there,” Ellis said. “When appropriators are attacked, they circle the wagons.”
