Campaign 2008

Norm Coleman calls on Sen. Ted Stevens to resign

by Patrick Condon, Associated Press

Inver Grove Heights, Minn. — (AP) - Sen. Norm Coleman says his Republican colleague Ted Stevens should resign from the U.S. Senate.

Stevens, of Alaska, was convicted on seven felony corruption charges Monday -- found guilty of accepting a bonanza of home renovations and fancy trimmings from an oil executive and then lying about it.

Coleman says Stevens "was tried by a jury of his peers and convicted." Coleman says that's the standard he's set before for colleagues.

Stevens said after the verdict he will remain in his race for re-election, and has no plans to resign.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has also called for Stevens to step down from office.

Coleman in July returned $20,000 that Stevens donated to his campaign. Minnesota Democrats say Coleman should also return $12,000 that Stevens donated to his campaign in 2002, but Coleman says that money has been spent.

Coleman is spending the day campaigning for re-election with Gov. Tim Pawlenty in the Twin Cities suburbs. He faces Democrat Al Franken and Independent Dean Barkley.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)