Anchorage Daily News

"What is it with you people up there?" a former professor of mine called to ask.

She was disgusted by the corruption trials, the jailed legislators, the crooked business leaders, Gov. Sarah Palin's ignorance of public affairs -- but above all, the possibility Alaskans would re-elect Sen. Ted Stevens.

"I mean," she said dismissively "he has been convicted of seven felonies."

Apparently my retired professor is unaware Ted Stevens insists he's innocent, and after his trial he became the Senate lexicographer, redefining the common meaning not only of "convicted" but "friend," "own," "loan" and "gift."

Stevens contends he was naive, too trusting of a buddy, Veco's Bill Allen, who proved a crook.

This is an 84-year-old lawyer, 40 years a veteran of the Senate, serving up the maiden-led-astray defense.

My professor, who lives in North Carolina, makes me feel I'm in a state that's part West Virginia -- hillbilly heaven, where the governor is Daisy Mae -- and part Louisiana -- where political corruption is so pervasive as to be habitual.

Meanwhile, from his seat on the Daily Show, Jon Stewart portrays us as dimwits who serenely reveal our doofyness to his reporters, and from her perch on the New York Times op-ed page, columnist Maureen Dowd suggests we are not only empty-headed but, worse, badly dressed, trolling the isles of Wal-Mart clad in tattoos and sweats -- the fashion nightmare that killed the late couture critic Mr. Blackwell.

Ted Stevens, win or lose, will wind up with less than half the vote in the Senate race. The count continues. Nevertheless, as of Friday morning, more than 131,000 Alaskans supported him on Nov. 4, fully aware a jury found him guilty of failing to disclose more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations.

Why did Alaskans vote for him?

• They say, "I know the real Ted Stevens." That is, I met Ted 20, 30, 40, even 50 years ago and I'm certain he's not a crook. Never mind a D.C. jury, I'm with Ted. We don't give a damn how they do it Outside.

• Brand. A large segment of the Alaska electorate cannot tolerate the Democratic brand. They think the Democrats will raise their taxes, take away their guns, lock up their land, so they always vote GOP. Better an incompetent -- or crooked -- Republican than a smart Democrat.

• Seniority. Alaska has a small population but enjoys exceptional influence in Congress, Take away our seniority, what do we have? Less federal spending, less control over federal bureaucrats.

• The unseen injury. Some people think offenses against the political system are not real crimes. "If you get poked in the eye," says my friend Marty Orbuch, "you know that's a crime, but where's the damage when a politician fails to acknowledge gifts or fails to fill out paperwork? You can't see it."

• Transactional politics. When considering candidates for federal office, Alaskans are often enough transactional. The Alaskans provide votes, the elected officials reciprocate with federal dollars. As long as the dollars flow, who cares how the politicians behave. You could put Ted Stevens in shackles on Devil's Island and these voters would stand by him if he somehow delivered.

That's my best guess why so many of "you people up there" voted Ted. I'm also guessing that if my former Duke University professor sees this column, a voice on the phone will demand, "Stop making excuses up there!"

Michael Carey is the former editorial page editor of the Anchorage Daily News. He can be reached at mcarey@adn.com

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