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Opinion: Convicted, defeated, Alaska’s Sen. Ted Stevens yields the floor after 40 years

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Alaska’s long-serving raker-in of federal money narrowly lost his bid for a seventh term in the U.S. Senate this week, after losing his bid to defend himself against seven federal felony corruption counts in a trial this fall.

So today the 85-year-old Ted Stevens made his farewell speech to the exclusive club of 100 where he has served since 1968. (Watch video below.) He sounded mildly defiant, saying he was sure his name would be eventually cleared and that God would give him a new way to serve.

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He said his motto had always been: ‘To hell with politics. Just do what’s right for Alaska.’ He said he would pray for the success of his successor, Democratic Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

And Stevens asked God to bless Gov. Sarah Palin, President George W. Bush and every member of the Senate. (No mention of the House.)

He got a standing ovation. See news video below.

-- Andrew Malcolm

But you don’t have to be 85 to register here for cellphone alerts on each new Ticket item.

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