Photo by Sen. Ted Stevens

Senator Ted Stevens, 84, was found guilty of corruption charges yesterday — seven felony counts!! At least when he commits to something, he really goes for it. Stevens is currently the first U.S. Senator to face criminal charges in 15 years for concealing financial disclosure statements for gifts from oil companies. Here’s what Stevens had to say about the verdict:

I am obviously disappointed in the verdict but not surprised given the repeated instances of prosecutorial misconduct in this case.  The prosecutors had to report themselves to the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility during the trial for ethical violations.  Exculpatory evidence was hidden from my lawyers.  A witness was kept from us and then sent back to Alaska.  The Government lawyers allowed evidence to be introduced that they knew was false.  I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have.

I am innocent.  This verdict is the result of the unconscionable manner in which the Justice Department lawyers conducted this trial.  I ask that Alaskans and my Senate colleagues stand with me as I pursue my rights.  I remain a candidate for the United States Senate.

So, Republicans running for office are trying to distance himself or herself as much as possible, from one of the most senior members of Congress. Presidential Candidate John McCain is calling for Stevens to step down. As Yael T. Abouhalkah from the Kansas City Star says, Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin has thrown Stevens under the bus. “The verdict shines a light on the corrupting influence of the big oil service company that was allowed to control too much of our state,” Palin said in a statement today. “That control was part of the culture of corruption I was elected to fight. And that fight must always move forward regardless of party or seniority or even past service.” You may remember that the Alaska Senator and the governor of the state have/had a solid relationship. She headed a 527 Group in 2003 to re-elect Ted.

Stevens is still running to be re-elected this November against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. According to a Real Clear Politics poll conducted earlier this month, Begich was up by half a percent. A Rassmussen poll conducted around the same time has Stevens up by one point. The results in this contentious race could be a cog in the wheel to get the Democrats to 60 seats in the Senate, a goal that would give likely President Barack Obama a mandate.