Not all the votes are counted in the absurdly tight Begich-Stevens matchup in Alaska, but it looks like even if Stevens does go back to the Senate, he might get kicked out of his own party.

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) is calling for the motion to eject Stevens from the caucus, a move that would strip him of his committee assignments and the ability to vote in Senate GOP decisions like leadership elections.

But Stevens would still be a U.S. Senator with the ability to vote on the floor, as it would require a two-thirds vote of the whole chamber to expel him, just in case it turns out he was re-elected — though an expulsion vote is quite possible, too.

Steve Benen says:

I can’t speak to DeMint’s motivations, but I have to admit, it’s reassuring to know there’s at least one conservative lawmaker who finds it embarrassing to have a convicted felon serving in the Senate Republican caucus.

Yeah.