Republicans Reject Embattled Senator’s Cash

By Kleinheider Posted on July 31, 2008 at 7:27 am

Lamar Alexander, however, does not seem to be among them:

Stevens faces seven felony charges for concealing $250,000 in gifts from an oil services company. He has said he is innocent and is seeking a seventh full term.

While Republicans say Stevens should be presumed innocent, the GOP — including McConnell — is eager not to be linked to the embattled senator.

Sens. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), John Sununu (R-N.H.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) all said they would donate thousands of dollars linked to Stevens. Ex-Agriculture Secretary and -Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns (R), the favorite for that state’s open Senate seat, is also donating the money he received from the PAC.

“It sends a signal that [McConnell] is disassociating himself from him,” a senior GOP aide said.

Sen. John Ensign (Nev.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, declined to endorse Stevens in his reelection bid and during his GOP primary, where he faces six challengers — two of them well-funded — on Aug. 26.

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