Stevens convicted - what will happen next?

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) was been convicted by a jury yesterday on seven counts of trying to hide more than $250,000 in free home renovations and other gifts that he received from a wealthy oil contractor. Stevens has asked his Senate colleagues to stand by him as he appeals the convictions, but its likely he'll be expelled from the Senate, even if he's reelected. However, considering the conviction, it seems pretty unlikely that he'll win his closely contested race with Mark Begich.

And, there's a scenario that Sarah Palin could actually end up in the U.S. Senate. If Obama wins the presidency, and Stevens wins relection and gets expelled from the Senate, there would be a run-off election, which Palin, if she's not vice president, would certainly be very tempted to run in. You got all that? *Smirk*

It's unlikely to happen, though.

As for Stevens, I'm not shedding any tears - another corrupt Republican, and soon-to-be-ex-Senator, at least if the Senate has the political courage to do the right thing. And that's not a given - traditionally and historically, senators are very, very reluctant to discipline their own. Only time will tell.