Ted Stevens, Alaska’s Senior Republican Senator and a president pro-tempore emeritus of the Senate has been indictedon corruption charges relating to his failure to disclose a gift from VESCO, an Alaska-based oil services firm that came in the form of significant work done on his home.
While Stevens is, of course, innocent until proven guilty, he has a duty to the people of Alaska and the Republican party to resign his seat, at least until he is cleared of all criminal charges. While this would likely mark the end of his Senate career, even if found innocent (Stevens is 85, and would not be able to seek his seat again until he is 91), he must recognize that the situation he has put himself in is unacceptable.
Stevens needs to step aside, allow Gov. Palin to appoint someone, likely Vic Vickers, to fill his seat and attempt to defend it in the upcoming general election.
