U.S. Sen. Richard Burr says Sen. Ted Stevens' fate is up to the voters.
In an interview Tuesday, the Winston-Salem Republican said that the Alaska senator should not resign before his appeals are exhausted on seven felony counts of failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations.
"I think that Ted ought to be allowed whatever due process the court system provides him," Burr said.
He argued that the decision on whether Stevens should remain in the Senate should be left up to voters in Alaska, where Stevens is currently in a close race with Democrat Mark Begich.
"Clearly it's not advantageous to him while he's under appeal necessarily to (resign)," Burr said. "Prior to the appeal being heard, the voters of Alaska will decide and I htink ultimately the ball's in their court now."
Both Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have said that Stevens should resign.
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Re: Burr: Voters should decide on Stevens
So, the Republicans in the Senate tried to throw Idaho's Larry Craig (admittedly an irredeemable hypocrite) under the bus for being a closeted gay; but for Ted Stevens, convicted of seven felony counts of lying about receiving gifts (bribes), it is too hasty to suggest resignation. Gee, Senator Burr, you are such a softy.