Stevens silent during arraignment

From Justice Producer Terry Frieden

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A somber Sen. Ted Stevens spoke not a single word during his arraignment proceedings, nor on his way in or out of the federal courthouse.

It was Stevens' famed defense counsel Brendan Sullivan who entered the pro-forma not guilty plea on the 84-year old senator's behalf - even as the two were standing shoulder-to-shoulder before the judge.

Sullivan was the powerful attorney who memorably complained during the Iran-Contra hearings that he was "not a potted plant" and should be allowed to speak on behalf of his client Col. Oliver North.

This time, once again the center of official Washington's attention, Sullivan got to do all the talking, and the Alaska Republican was the "potted plant."