Charges Against Former Sen. Ted Stevens To Be Dropped

In the wake of the conviction of former GOP Governor Ted Stevens of Alaska, the Justice Department intends to reverse the charges. However, retaking the Senate seat is a whole different story.

For those that have kept track of the 2008 United States Presidential Elections, one should have already known about the conviction case of then GOP Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska. This did have an effect on the then campaign run of Senator John McCain of Arizona, the former GOP rival that ran up against current United States President Barack Obama. Stevens was convicted on corruption charges. A hard guilty verdict was slapped upon Stevens. Despite that, Stevens did vow to run for re-election. However, Stevens had ended up losing the re-election bid to newcomer Mark P. Begich, a Democrat. Before assuming the mantle of the newly elected senator from Alaska, Begich was the mayor of Anchorage. However, the Justice Department is seeking to overturn the conviction of Stevens. This is due to prosecutors withholding evidence from Steven’s defense lawyers. Now, the heat is on the prosecutors. “I have determined that it is in the interest of justice to dismiss the indictment and not proceed with a new trial,” according to Attorney General Eric Holder. Holder is the new AG. He was tapped to lead the Justice Department by Obama. One should ask: Does Stevens still have a political future? While the charges are being overturned, getting back the US Senate seat is a completely different story. In short, the Justice Department has done a completely 180 degree turn. However, the Justice Department is under new leadership as for 2009. On the Washington Post article, staff writer Del Wilber has a Q and A session. He offered a chance for those to ask him questions. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the VP running-mate to McCain, also weighed in on the overturning of Stevens’ verdict. Overall, the charges against Stevens will be reversed. However, there is the question: What will Stevens’ future let alone political future be? The Q & A session by Wilber of the Washington Post does give possibilities of what can possibly happen afterward.