I am going to ask an obvious question: Why do so many here expect a Stevens victory?

[Zynx]

Seriously, he was behind anyway, though not by much. This will not help him. I am willing to lay down some serious coin he is not in the Senate come next year.

[SharonRB]

1. I think he'll be in a jail cell.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. He couldn't run as mayor of Wasilla after this.

[WindRiverMan]

3. Because the saying in Alaska goes "Senator Stevens brings home the bacon!"

You see, for all of the talk of us Alaskans being "fiercly independent" you will never, ever, see a more government encumbered state in the union. The PFD, the military bases, the contractors who support the military, the longevity bonues, and the PORK. Stevens has a big record of bringing the money to the state,and quite honestly, Alaskans like that.

Mark Begich was the son of a U.S. Congressmen and a popular mayor. That is the only reason it is even competetive. I would not expect the polls to show Stevens drops more than 3-4 points. Seriously.