Pennsylvania ? Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Tuesday that Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska has “broken his trust with the people” and should resign now that he has been convicted in a federal corruption case.

McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, said Stevens should “step aside” but did not call for him to drop out of Tuesday’s race for re-election. Her comments to CNBC left unclear whether she thinks Stevens should remain in the Senate while he appeals the case against him.

A jury on Monday found Stevens, 84, guilty on seven counts of trying to hide more than $250,000 in free home renovations and other gifts that he received from a wealthy oil contractor. He has asked his Senate colleagues as well as Alaska’s voters to stand by him as he appeals the convictions.

Palin, who had supported Stevens during his long career in Alaska politics, told CNBC that Stevens should do “the right thing.”