Indicted, Disgraced Ted Stevens: Alaska Loves Me!

TPMMuckraker points out that yesterday in a debate, primary challenger Vic Vickers asked Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) about the federal indictment he is facing on seven criminal counts. Stevens angrily responded that his Alaskan constituents don’t care about the investigation:

As I’ve traveled around Alaska, you know, I haven’t had that question asked to me by anyone but a newsperson. And now you join that rank. Uh, the Alaskans I’ve talked to said “Ted, we believe in ya’,” “Ted, I’m gonna give ya’ a prayer,” “Ted, we’ll see you through this,” uh, “We know, we know (emphasis) that you’re innocent ’cause you said you’re innocent.”

However, earlier this week, Alaskans calling into Alaska Talk Radio repeatedly asked Stevens about the corruption charges. He angrily refused to say whether he would accept a presidential pardon or why he won’t disclose the source of his legal fees, and at one point, seemed to challenge a caller to come and fight him.