Even Stevens

And you thought we were done talking about the culture of corruption. What a difference an indictment makes. A few key thoughts on Ted Stevens:

-- First, is this story mostly about AK, GOPers or the Senate? The answer: Yes. Charges of corruption seem to pop up every week in AK, the latest being Palin's alleged abuse of power. But as a seven-count indictment hits the longest-serving Senate GOPer, his colleagues, especially those in his party, fall under the microscope. This also helps bolster the Obama camp's claim that they can make a play for AK's 3 EV's.

-- At press time, McCain was still awful quiet about one of his favorite GOP punching bags. Sure, it shows the difficult "team player v. maverick" tightrope he's walking this year. But was it more about McCain or the Senate? Even Dems were quiet, expressing solemn "condolensces" to their "good friend". Reid declared 7/29 a "sad day for the him, and us." For a Congress hovering near single-digit approval ratings, is buddying up to an indicted colleague help show they're in tune?

-- It's also hard to miss the irony, here: AKans loved Uncle Ted because he brought home the money, be it a road to somewhere or bridge to nowhere. Meanwhile, it seems, Stevens befriended VECO for much the same reason. It remains to be seen where the road they built leads him.