Instead of facing punishment today from his fellow GOP Senators, Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska got an 85th birthday present, as his critics held off on forcing a vote to expel Stevens from the Republican Conference.

The move by Sen. Jim DeMint to hold off on the vote is only a temporary victory for Stevens, as fellow GOP Senators wait to see how his re-election bid fares in Alaska.

"After talking with many of my colleagues, it's clear there are sufficient votes to pass the resolution regarding Senator Stevens," DeMint said in a written statement.

"The question now is timing. Some who support the resolution believe we should address this after the results of his election are confirmed in Alaska," said DeMint.

So, Stevens will get to wait until Thursday to see if he's going to be rolled down the Senate steps like an empty barrel.

Stevens is in limbo because of his conviction in October on seven felony counts of corruption for failing to list $250,000 in gifts on his Senate disclosure forms.

The move came as Alaska elections officials were to continue counting votes today in the Stevens race.  The GOP Senator trails his Democratic challenger by just over 1,000 votes.

Now, we wait to see what happens to Sen. Joe Lieberman.