McCain calls on senator to step down

Posted: 10.28.2008 at 12:27 PM

Republican senator convicted of lying about receiving gifts from oil contractor

US Senator of Alaska Ted Stevens with daughter Beth (l) and wife Catherine (r) leaving federal court in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- John McCain is calling on Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens to step down in the aftermath of his convictions in a federal corruption case.

He says the longtime Republican lawmaker "has broken his trust with the people." Stevens was convicted Monday of lying about free home renovations and other gifts from an oil contractor. The 84-year-old Stevens is up for re-election next week.

McCain and Stevens often clashed over so-called "earmarks," appropriations inserted into bills by senators seeking to fund home-state projects. McCain has opposed earmarks - and cited them as a source of political corruption. Stevens has proudly pointed to the billions of dollars in such spending he's gotten for Alaska.

McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has not called for Stevens to quit. She has only said she's sure that Stevens "will do what's right for the people of Alaska."