Anchorage Daily News

JUNEAU -- They are, by their own admissions, feisty and cranky, with tempers that underpin their reputations as old-school -- yet effective -- members of Congress. They have more than 70 years of service on Capitol Hill between them and aren't ready to call it quits.

But Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, 83, and Rep. Don Young, 74, have also found themselves under increasing national scrutiny while their Republican party -- which staunchly supports them -- tries to mount a comeback to regain majority status in Congress.

The two men are being pushed on legal and ethical grounds for various cozy relationships with influential businessmen.

Yet neither plans to soften the tone or approach that enabled them to direct millions of federal dollars to Alaska.

Both are seeking another term next year, undaunted by the growing scrutiny and with hopes the Republicans will be back in power.

"People don't understand; if you don't establish yourself as the biggest dog in the yard, you're going to be chased out," Young said. "No one has been able to do that to me."

Political analysts say Young -- Alaska's lone representative since a special election in 1973 -- may be the most vulnerable right now, but Stevens could be in for the toughest time yet in his political career heading toward the 2008 election.

LONG-SERVING SENATOR

Stevens is facing scrutiny from federal investigators for a home remodeling project, an investigation that dovetailed with a corruption investigation into state officials.

Meanwhile, his son Ben, a former Alaska Senate president, was one of six state lawmakers who had their offices raided by the FBI last year. He has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing.

Ted Stevens, a former prosecutor, said his attorneys have advised him not to discuss the investigation.

However, Stevens did say that he's not taking the investigation lightly, especially if it gains momentum.

"The worst thing about this investigation is that it does change your life in terms of employment potential," said Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history who was appointed in 1968. "It doesn't matter what anyone says, it does shake you up. If this is still hanging around a year from November, it could cause me some trouble."

But so far, Stevens seems to be thriving on the setbacks. He was recently credited for helping broker a compromise on the Senate's energy bill.

"I think all this has increased my focus on doing my job," he said. "I'm working to get this concept out of my mind that someone is trying to make something illegal out of all this. That's what's really disturbing."

'EARMARKS ARE GOOD'

Meanwhile, criticisms launched at Young have come piecemeal over the last several years. He was connected to the scandal surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff when one of his former aides pleaded guilty to accepting gifts in exchange for official acts on the lobbyist's behalf.

He has also taken heat for earmarks, money awarded for specific projects. Young most notably gained national attention for securing $200 million for a bridge project linking the southeast Alaska community of Ketchikan to its airport on Gravina, a nearby island, which became known as the "Bridge to Nowhere."

More recently, Young -- the former chairman of the House Transportation Committee -- is taking heat for directing money to a Florida road project study. The money was not sought by the district's Republican congressman but would benefit a major contributor to Young's campaign.

"When you are chairman of a committee, you represent the whole nation; you don't represent one district, which is in my case is one state," Young said. "Earmarks are good for the country and good for the people you represent.

"That is the role of a congressman. If you can't get money for your district, you shouldn't be in Congress," he said.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put Young on notice that it will provide logistical and financial support to a strong party challenger. So far, his only challenger is Diane Benson, whom Young defeated for re-election in 2006.

"They are welcome to try," Young said. "I know that I'm the one they would like to eliminate. It doesn't bother me as long as I run a good campaign and do what's right for this state."

The first punch has already been thrown. The Democratic committee recently launched a radio ad criticizing Young's commitment to providing benefits to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Committee spokesman Fernando Cuevas says the party nationally believes the old guard needs to step down, especially in Alaska where one current and three former state lawmakers face federal bribery and extortion charges.

"People are tired of seeing politicians in this light, from the state legislature to this," Cuevas said. "People are tired of the spin. That style is done. You are seeing politicians at a different standard."

DEMOCRATS SMELL BLOOD

Alaska Republican Party chairman Randy Ruedrich is not worried about the fate of his party's two warhorses. He said enough Alaskans will remember how Stevens and Young have helped the state grow, and not just the major cities, but the rural areas as well.

"Their work is what made good drinking water available to our rural system," Ruedrich said.

"They made life in many villages and small towns 20th century living rather than a honey bucket world," he said of the plastic buckets still used by some Alaskans without running water in their homes.

Ruedrich said he welcomes a challenge from Democrats who couldn't unseat U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who was appointed by her father to his seat when Frank Murkowski was elected governor in 2004.

But even as Democrats start to smell blood, political analysts say none of the troubles for Stevens or Young is enough to knock them off their perch just yet.

"Those two have been drilling for oil in Washington for a long time and they struck it rich," said David King, political science professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"They are making sure they bring home the bacon to Alaska," he said. "Ideology and style don't matter as much as bringing money back home. That culture in Washington hasn't changed much at all."

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