Ted Stevens indicted on seven counts

Good News for Mark Begich:

The "bridge to nowhere man" was indicted today on seven felony counts of concealing more than a quarter of a million dollars in house renovations and gifts from a powerful oil contractor that lobbied him for government aid. Stevens, 84, is the first sitting U.S. senator to face federal indictment since 1993.

The contractor in the case, VECO, normally builds oil processing equipment and pipelines, but its employees helped do the work on Stevens' home which included a new first floor, garage, wraparound deck, plumbing and electrical wiring. He's also accused of accepting from VECO a Viking gas grill, furniture and tools, and of failing to report swapping an old Ford for a new Land Rover to be driven by one of his children.

Stevens was already facing a tough re-election battle against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, who has been leading him in recent polls. Move another Senate seat into the Democratic column for 2008. Welcome aboard, Alaska!