The Ted Stevens indictment causing GOP Turmoil in Alaska. Perfect time to help Begich

It's not every day that a top official in Bush Justice Department does a press conference to announce corruption charges against a long-serving Republican U.S. Senator.

So, now that Ted Stevens has been indicted -- on seven counts, we know he has to give up his leadership post on the Senate Commerce Committee. But, if he's convicted, will Anchorage change the name of the airport that Stevens had named for himself? And, for the record, Ted claims he's innocent (and he's saddened and disturbed by the whole thing. Okay?)

Before any airport re-naming decisions are required, politicos from D.C. to Alaska are trying to determine the implications of the indictment. Stevens has two challengers in the GOP primary scheduled for August 26th:

"Ted's prospects for winning the primary, they obviously just went up in smoke," said Anchorage pollster Marc Hellenthal. "It kind of opens up the Republican primary."

Hellenthal said developer David Cuddy would be the odds-on favorite for the Republican nomination but has run a lackluster campaign so far. He said the wild card is Alaska political newcomer Vic Vickers, owner of a Florida-based maritime company, who plans to spend $750,000 of his own money on winning the primary.

"If a guy is going to spend $750,000, you can't ignore him, and it's not like Dave (Cuddy) is a household name," Hellenthal said.

Vickers only moved to Alaska full time in January but has been coming to the state almost every year for the past 38 years. Vickers isn't well-known in Alaska politics but plans to start running TV ads Wednesday.

So, this has everything: there is an indicted incumbent. There is GOP turmoil. There's a contested GOP primary. There is a Republican Governor with her own on-going corruption scandal. There is a millionaire throwing money at the GOP primary.

And, then, there's Mark Begich. The Democratic mayor of Anchorage is poised to be the next Senator from Alaska. On this day, when the political landscape in Alaska shifted, show him some love over at ActBlue. Seriously, every contribution is helpful and will make a difference.

Turning Alaska blue...who thought it possible?