AK-Rasmussen: Begich leads Sen. Stevens by 8

[Tender Branson]

Begich - 52
Stevens - 44

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/state_toplines/alaska/toplines_alaska_senate_election_october_28_2008

[Ronnie]

Good riddance

[Sam Spade]

I hope that this is enough of a lead, given the history of Alaska polling.

[Lief]

Only +8? What a disgusting state.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

Didn't Stevens just get convicted of a felony?  Is he even eligible to vote for himself?

[Verily]

Didn't Stevens just get convicted of a felony?  Is he even eligible to vote for himself?

He's on appeal, so I think he's still eligible. I'm also not sure if Alaska bars felons from voting; it's not a Southern state where removing the right from felons was once used as a racial wedge issue and then never abolished.

[So the Heroes Fall]

That's it? Wow. At least it's enough.

[Lunar]

Didn't Stevens just get convicted of a felony?  Is he even eligible to vote for himself?

He's on appeal, so I think he's still eligible. I'm also not sure if Alaska bars felons from voting; it's not a Southern state where removing the right from felons was once used as a racial wedge issue and then never abolished.

No, Alaska forbids convicted felons from voting.

[So the Heroes Fall]

Didn't Stevens just get convicted of a felony?  Is he even eligible to vote for himself?

He's on appeal, so I think he's still eligible. I'm also not sure if Alaska bars felons from voting; it's not a Southern state where removing the right from felons was once used as a racial wedge issue and then never abolished.

No, Alaska forbids convicted felons from voting.

So then Stevens is not eligible to vote for himself?

[Lunar]

Didn't Stevens just get convicted of a felony?  Is he even eligible to vote for himself?

He's on appeal, so I think he's still eligible. I'm also not sure if Alaska bars felons from voting; it's not a Southern state where removing the right from felons was once used as a racial wedge issue and then never abolished.

No, Alaska forbids convicted felons from voting.

So then Stevens is not eligible to vote for himself?

Depending how Alaskan law treats appeals.  Also, I don't think bureaucracy can move can fast enough to forbid him.  If you commit a felony on November 3rd, pay bail, and vote on November 4th, I think your vote will count (but not sure).  He could have also voted absentee already.

It's not a crime for felons to TRY to vote, even if they are ineligible.  So Stevens has no obligation to not to try.  The felony thing probably most hurts voters registering or re-registering to vote.

[Nutmeg]

Only +8? What a disgusting state.

From the poll:

6. Is Ted Stevens more ethical, less ethical, or about as ethical as most politicians?
15% More ethical
31% Less ethical
52% About as ethical
2% Not sure

[Aizen]

Alaska = Joke state. To feel good about this race I wanted Begich to haev a 6 point lead... so it's barely enough for me right now.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

Depending how Alaskan law treats appeals.  Also, I don't think bureaucracy can move can fast enough to forbid him.  If you commit a felony on November 3rd, pay bail, and vote on November 4th, I think your vote will count (but not sure).  He could have also voted absentee already.

It's not a crime for felons to TRY to vote, even if they are ineligible.  So Stevens has no obligation to not to try.  The felony thing probably most hurts voters registering or re-registering to vote.

At least here, they do a sweep of felony convictions every month.  He'll probably be able to vote for himself (although technically he shouldn't be able to -- I checked AK law), but unless he wins the appeal, it'll be his last election.

"lol."

[Vasall des Midas]

Only +8? What a disgusting state.

From the poll:

6. Is Ted Stevens more ethical, less ethical, or about as ethical as most politicians?
15% More ethical
31% Less ethical
52% About as ethical
2% Not sure

[perdedor]

Only +8? What a disgusting state.

^^^^

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

Umm... wow.

[cinyc]

Didn't Stevens just get convicted of a felony?  Is he even eligible to vote for himself?

Yes, according to the Alaska Department of Law (which was asked for its opinion). (Anchorage Daily News link here.)  The reason?  Senator Stevens hasn't been sentenced yet.  Although previously a novel issue in Alaska, this is the rule in Washington, Oregon and California.