Republican senators are reluctant to take a firm stand to eject their colleague Ted Stevens from the GOP caucus before the outcome of his re-election race is determined.

Jim DeMint’s (R.-S.C.) calls to strip Stevens of his committee assignments and deprive him of participating in leadership elections have gained little support from the leaders of his party who have promised again and again they would take action to restore their party’s credibility.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has called on Stevens to resign after he was convicted of making false statements on his financial disclosure forms, but McConnell and others are refraining from making any commitment to oust Stevens until it's clear he will retain his seat in the next Congress.

Leader McConnell, did however, tell the Kentucky Herald-Leader if Stevens does not resign, "there is 100 percent certainty he would be expelled from the Senate."

DeMint wants the GOP to take action against Stevens now. He's demanding a behind-closed-doors vote on whether or not the Alaskan senator is welcome in their caucus next Tuesday morning.

Stevens is reported to be privately calling Republican senators to ask them to delay any judgment until his appeals process is completed, which could take years.

Like McConnell, other Republicans are willing to hold off until Stevens’s votes are counted before taking a position.

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R.-Ga.), deadlocked in his own contentious election recount and Sen. John Ensign (R.-Nev.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said in a Wednesday press conference they believed Stevens should be removed, but only if he wins his race. Continued...