AP: Ted Stevens Has Lost Re-Election
The Associated Press has projected that GOP Senator and convicted felon Ted Stevens has lost re-election, with the final major batch of absentee ballots giving Democratic challenger Mark Begich an insurmountable lead.
The current vote count: Begich 150,728 votes, Stevens 147,004 votes. Begich's lead of 3,724 votes is greater than the roughly 2,500 outstanding ballots. By percentage, the 1.18% lead is beyond the 0.5% threshold that would have entitled Stevens to a state-funded recount.
Even if every last single outstanding ballot went to Stevens -- an unlikely scenario, to say the least -- he would still lose, and even if they broke for Stevens by a strong margin it would still likely be outside of the state-paid recount threshold.
Begich will be the first Democrat to represent deep-red Alaska at the federal level since Mike Gravel was defeated for re-election to the Senate in 1980. This also brings the Democrats to a total of 58 Senate seats, with the GOP-held Minnesota and Georgia seats still up for grabs.
Late Update: The Anchorage Daily News has now called the race for Begich.
Late Late Update: Here's something to think about, adding insult to injury: Today was Stevens' 85th birthday.
Woohoo!
November 18, 2008 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wouldn't a photo of the winner be more appropriate?
November 18, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well it goes well with the headline ("Stevens has lost," instead of "Begich has won"). I'm cool either way...
...Wooo!
November 18, 2008 9:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking the same thing. Poor Begich...won't have any old newspapers with 'Begich Wins!' headlines to show his grandkids.
November 18, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now if only the Show Me State would get off their ass and join the Union...
*tap.. tap.. Hello? Is this thing on??*
November 18, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, so far they have shown us nothin. Tey must use the pony express there
November 18, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ted the Crook can now go play with Joe the Plumber.
November 18, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
58 Senators!!!
2 to go!
Bring on Martin and Franken!!!
November 18, 2008 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
We can bring this one back because it's a CELEBRATION.
THIS
November 18, 2008 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS
November 18, 2008 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
EXCELLENT
November 18, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
NEWS
November 18, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
FOR
November 18, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
TOOBS! NOT A BIG TRUCK!
November 18, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
SARAH PALIN !!1ill!!!one!
November 18, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
SILLY BUT WHAT THE HELL
November 18, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
This hurts Martin's chances in Ga given the GOP's 60-seat boogeyman...
I wonder if Obama naming Max Cleland as Vets Affairs would help out Martin in that it would dredge up Chambliss' scandalous campaign he ran against Max in 2002.
November 18, 2008 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Max was already Vets Affairs chairman. I hear that appointment has Tammy Duckworth's name on it.
November 18, 2008 9:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps she will be named Senator from Illinois.
November 18, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
How soon before Palin calls to congratulate Begich?
November 18, 2008 9:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
When Wasilla freezes over??
November 18, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will she even?
November 18, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wonderul news! His arrogance matches that of Kwane Kilpatrick. How in the world you think you can receive a felony conviction and still win re-election is beyond me.
November 18, 2008 9:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, ever heard of Marion Barry?
November 19, 2008 12:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
God is telling Sarah Palin something...
November 18, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
God is telling Sarah Palin something...
Yeah. "Buy a couple gross of 'Mooseburger Helper', babe. You're going to be in the wilderness for some time to come".
November 18, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't underestimate Bible Spice. In 2010, the other US Senate seat in Alaska is up for election. The seat is currently held by Lisa Murkowski (R). Palin could run against her in the primary and oust her to become the Republican contender and who knows who the Dem will be. I mention this because that is what Palin did to Lisa's father. He was governor of Alaska and planned on running again and lo and behold Palin ran against him in the primary and beat him. She then went on to easily defeat the Dem. All this after Frank Murkowski (the former governor and father of Lisa) went out of his way to show Palin the ropes and help her network with many people in the party. I would love to be a fly on the wall when Karma comes calling for Sarah.
November 18, 2008 11:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
God just slammed that door shut on Sarah Palin. She is stuck in Alaska with the moose.
November 18, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't underestimate god though - the guy's known to be a real nutbuster...
November 18, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
The moose are stuck with Palin, I believe. Poor moose.
November 18, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, will no one think of the moose?!?
November 19, 2008 8:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I was thinking.
November 19, 2008 9:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
In a last-ditch effort, Palin calls on Begich to resign?
November 18, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given her hubris, it wouldn't surprise me at all. You betcha. Also.
November 18, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
BUT WHO WILL MIND THE TUBES?????
November 18, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
*bends elbows, raises palms skyward*
November 18, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, if only it were so easy to rid ourselves of Senator Stevens. I think you're all forgetting that he holds the trump card here:
"NO!"
November 18, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
"NO!"
November 18, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
On a day that Droopy Dog got a wrist slap for his egregious behavior, this is especially sweet.
November 18, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yipee!
If I had to choose between the two, I'd prefer Stevens losing over Franken winning. Getting rid of Coleman would be good but getting rid of Stevens is even better. Besides the fact that he is a complete idiot and corrupt to boot, this should throw a wrench into the Alaskan Republican Party and Sarah's plans for world domination.
Oh happy day!
November 18, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd be the opposite - getting Franken in the ol'boys club would be by choice of one over the other.
November 18, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shouldn't that be word domination?
November 19, 2008 3:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just noticed that it's Stevens' 85th birthday.
As the Beatles said, "We're gonna have a good time."
November 18, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now before you blow out the candles ... everyone who's a U.S. Senator one step forward. Not so fast Uncle Ted!
November 18, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also from the Beatles: "It's getting better all the time."
Joe who? On to Minnesota!
November 18, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why Senator Stevens, how nice of you to give US a present for your birthday!!!!
November 18, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now we just need the cops to raid his house and remove the massage chair and the other ill-gotten gains
November 18, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can hardly believe it. Uncle Ted's going back to Girdwood. The place will never be the same. Thank the Gods.
November 18, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Unless he goes to the federal penitentiary instead.
November 18, 2008 11:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well at least we got rid of one a@@H&le.
I can almost swallow keep Liebchin now that Ted is defeated. With the added bonus of no special election for Palin. Now just cross your fingers for Franken and Martin.
November 18, 2008 11:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a twofer! Stevens is sent back to Alaska, and Sarah has to stay there.
November 19, 2008 12:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Also from the Beatles:
"little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter.
little darling, it's seems like years since it's been clear.
here comes the sun, here comes the sun
(and I say)
it's alright!"
November 19, 2008 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
"... Bang! Bang! Maxwell's Silver hammer came down upon his head (doo-doo-doo-doo) Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer made sure that he was dead!"
(Goes well with my avitar.)
November 19, 2008 2:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
But now:
"... that Georgia's always on my my-my-my-my-my-my mind!"
November 19, 2008 2:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God!
November 19, 2008 1:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Birthday Ted.
November 19, 2008 3:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Birthday Ted Stevens!!!
November 19, 2008 5:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good news very early in the morning.
Sorry Moose. Congrtulations 48 lower states and Hawaii and the territories.
Happy Birthday Stevens. For all the gifts you recieved as a Senator for 40 years you gave us a present finally at 85.
Yay!!!
November 19, 2008 7:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Stevens gives us a gift of 58 as he turns 85. The symmetry is perfect! The series of tubes has many twists and turns but in the end leads to justice.
November 19, 2008 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God Palin won't be able to appoint herself as a Senator!
November 19, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
ted stevens ... GONE
November 19, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm speechless. I thought for certain that there would be a dirty and unscrupulous 2010 Palin election and that in 2012 the Republicans would try to portray her in the same light as Obama: young, junior Senator, has written a book . . .
Ew!
Soooooooooooooooo happy this is nipped in the bud.
November 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink