Here's my theory on the Stevens case:

[Ken Burch]

One of the biggest unanswered questions in my mind about the whole thing was, why

I think what went down in late October was a desperation Hail Mary pass thrown by Karl Rove.

1)Even before the verdict, Ted was behind in the polls. He had been all fall, with no significant movement in his direction.

2)Sarah Palin had been dragging the presidential ticket down since mid-September and the Couric interview, but had achieved goddess-like status among Alaska Republicans and the national far right.

My theory is this:

Rove pushed for the Justice Department to get Ted convicted BEFORE the election(what other reason would there have been for the rush?), so that he could be pushed out of the race. Then(he hoped)Our Little Sarah would bolt the ticket and take over the Senate nomination. As Rove saw it, this would might also save McCain, making the whole deal a "two-fer".

Problem was, they didn't count on Ted being stubborn and NOT getting the hell out of the race.

Anybody, that's what I think.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. Your theory is as good a anybody else's.

I don't know what to think. The whole thing is just so totally bizarre, especially with the judge's recent orders. I don't know whether to hope for justice department misfeasance or not, because what would that mean for the other pending investigations and prosecutions?

[madinmaryland]

2. I think the view about Rove may be correct. I'm not sure, though, of his

rationale. It could be either of the above, but I would think they would have known Ted was NOT going to resign or drop out. Also, wasn't it Ted who had pushed for a quick trial back in June or July when the indictments were announced? I thought Ted was the one driving for an early trial. I'm sure the Rove JD would have preferred a later trial, in order that Ted could still win his seat and then have Palin replace him.

I did hear an interesting bit on NPR a few minutes ago, about an independent counsel being ordered by AG Holder to look into the prosecution of this case and whether their was criminal misconduct by the former prosecutors. Like you something smells fishy, but not sure what it is.