Mitchell said Alaskans refer to Stevens as "Uncle Ted, " but it's not because they find him warm and cuddly.

NPR: 'Uncle Ted' Stevens: Alaska's Gruff, Tough Advocate

Some, like his Uncle Ted and cousins Kathleen and Patrick, are doing it in the traditional family way through politics.

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They say that Mr Kennedy, like his uncle Ted, is interested only in protecting the view from the family compound at Hyannis Port.

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Even Uncle Ted's constituents were embarrassed by the news: eight days after his conviction he lost his bid for a seventh term in the Senate.

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He's telling Alaskans, who have a deep reservoir of affection for him - they call him Uncle Ted - you know, he's telling them, watch the trials.

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"I would suspect that it's because of his position as a sort of an avuncular authority figure, your old Uncle Ted, who's sort of a gruff guy who cares about you, but he doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve about it, " Mitchell said.

NPR: 'Uncle Ted' Stevens: Alaska's Gruff, Tough Advocate