Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was indicted yesterday for allegedly receiving gifts from the now-defunct Veco oil company.

A federal grand jury in the District accused Stevens of concealing on financial disclosure statements lucrative gifts from the now-defunct oil company Veco and its top executives, including a Viking gas grill, a tool cabinet and a wraparound deck. At one point, Veco employees and contractors jacked up the senator's mountainside house on stilts and added a new first floor, with two bedrooms and a bathroom, the indictment says.

Stevens was an embarassment before he was indicted. Now he's an embarassment and a huge liability. He should be defeated in the upcoming GOP Alaska primary. If not, the Democrats will be one seat closer to their 60-vote goal in the Senate.