Alaska Senator Republican Ted Stevens, convicted of seven felonies, is being persistently pressurized by fellow Republicans to step down from the Senate. John McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, have wasted no time in separating their campaign from the “corruption and insider dealing that has become so pervasive in the nation's capital.”

McCain is reported to have said: “It is clear that Senator Stevens has broken his trust with the people and that he should now step down. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will be spurred by these events to redouble their efforts to end this kind of corruption once and for all.”

A Washington jury convicted the 84-year-old Stevens, on Monday of failing to report thousands of dollars in freebies, including renovations that doubled the size of his home. He faces a maximum 35 years in prison, although he is likely to get far less.

Legal scholars said that Stevens can seek a pardon from Bush before he nears sentencing. Bush also can delay court proceedings, such as sentencing, and commute sentences. But the White House has refused to comment on this because Stevens’ legal case had not concluded. 

While Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has also called for the veteran Alaskan lawmaker to resign, Stevens has vowed to appeal the felony convictions and press on with his re-election campaign. The famously stubborn Senator is not giving up, and is rather asking supporters in Alaska and the Senate to stand by him as he appeals his conviction.

Even though the odds of a convicted felon winning reelection seem long, polls have showed the lead held by the Democratic candidate, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, to be dwindling. The race had narrowed to a near-deadlock by the time Stevens was convicted Monday.