by Evie Stone

Sarah Palin held her first Q&A session with reporters after a visit to a firehouse near Ground Zero today (she took one impromptu question earlier this week, but this was her first actual news conference). The Alaska Governor was asked about her support for embattled AK Sen. Ted Stevens, whose corruption trial began today. (CLARIFICATION: opening statements and first witnesses were scheduled for today; the jury was seated yesterday.) The AP writes:

The longest-serving Republican in the Senate faces seven counts of making false statements stemming from allegations that he concealed gifts on Senate financial documents. In spite of the charges, he is running for re-election to retain the seat he has held since 1968.

When a reporter asked Palin, Alaska's governor, if she supports the re-election of Stevens, she replied: "Ted Stevens' trial started a couple of days ago. We'll see where that goes."

Palin was also asked if the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were helping the fight against terrorists. Her answer:

"I think our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan will lead to further security for our nation. We can never again let them onto our soil."