What is the issue?

[92bDad]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080729/...ens_indictment

I don't understand the problem.

Look, I am in sales, and I am always working to personalize my relationships with the contacts from the companies I am seeking business. If under my relationships, I can provide them with gifts, and they provide me with gifts, then it is simply being friends. If we can support each other in business decisions and it a win-win for both companies, then we are doing our job.

The way this is written, I see no wrong doing.

I believe they are trying to make it look as though some 'Special Favors' where done...but unless you can show me these 'Special Favors', then there is nothing.

Look, I equate this to my status as a dad and a Soccer Referee, with the status of my son and his run as a Soccer player. I have had the opportunity to referee his games.

Now folks get up in arms about seeing me on the field with him, but I find that I call a better game and that I am extremely fair to both teams in order to avoid giving the impression that I am partial to one side or the other.

I am willing to bet that the Honorable Senator is more than fair in his decisions and that he goes beyond the standard to ensure he is not doing a "Favor".

Why are people bent out of shape with this...then again, being the SENIOR Republican, it's as if the Democrats are going after him to try and discredit him and the Republican party.

When will they simply focus on the issues and being politicians who simply vote yes/no on bills?

[Kirobaito]

The answer is that it's because Ted Stevens is a politician, and a powerful one.

If these charges are true, it's a major problem. If you can't see that, then I really don't understand. This is nothing more than bribery. If he's guilty, of course.

"Look, I am in sales, and I am always working to personalize my relationships with the contacts from the companies I am seeking business. If under my relationships, I can provide them with gifts, and they provide me with gifts, then it is simply being friends. If we can support each other in business decisions and it a win-win for both companies, then we are doing our job."

... this is completely immaterial. Sure, that's fine in sales. But when one of the parties is not using his own money, but rather tax payer money, then it becomes an issue.

[chumdawg]

I am willing to bet that the Honorable Senator is more than fair in his decisions and that he goes beyond the standard to ensure he is not doing a "Favor".

I'm willing to bet that this viewpoint is incredibly naive.