Ted Stevens Defeated in Alaska

The AP officially called the Alaska Senate race for Democrat Mark Begich, spelling an ignominious end to the career of Ted Stevens (on the day of his 85th birthday, no less). The Anchorage Daily News looks back at Stevens' career, which is the longest of a Republican in American history. In fact, Stevens was there at the beginning, leading the charge to make Alaska a state. His penchant for earmarking made him a popular target, but he was "a social moderate and results-oriented compromiser with friends among Democrats." Stevens was, writes the Daily News, "the hard-working politician who wrote the laws shaping modern Alaska." In 2000, the Alaska Legislature proclaimed him "Alaskan of the Century." After being convicted of corruption this year, it seems unlikely that he will be so lucky in the 21st.