Blog Buzz: Ted Stevens Indicted, Hiring/Firing Scandal at the Department of Justice, and Vice Presidential Choices Narrow

Our daily look at stories and topics lighting up the Internets:

Drilled in Alaska

Ted Stevens has been indicted after a long-running investigation into business dealings and political corruption in Alaska. It may be good news for Stevens's eccentric "very-late-out-of-the-gate" challenger in the Republican primary, Vic Vickers, but, bloggers agree, it is not good news for the GOP. Conservatives also say that McCain should "unload" on Stevens and stress that Stevens must resign if a Republican is going to stay in his seat.

Scandalizing the DOJ

A recent report says Department of Justice officials under Alberto Gonzales used the alleged homosexuality and political leanings of employees to make hiring and firing decisions. Bloggers are amused by the fact that DOJ officials developed Internet search techniques to vet potential employees and by the deafening silence from Fox News on the report.

Veepstakes: McCain versus O-Kaine?

Each candidate has reportedly narrowed his Veep shortlist, and Tim Kaine's star is rising fast—could it be a Harvard/Heartland connection? Reaction to the notion ranges from a "terrible choice," to "solid." For the GOP ticket, bloggers are noting that evangelicals aren't keen on Romney, and The Fix's Chris Cillizza makes a case for former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman. Tell us whom you think Obama and McCain should select.

—Gretchen Hannes and Johannah Cornblatt