November 4, 2026 - Negative Ads Work and Always Have
Beginning with the Republican primary earlier this year, I have never heard as many of you complain about negative ads.
Over the years many of you have lamented to me and said,
“I am so tired of seeing all negative ads with candidates lambasting each other in political campaigns. Why don’t candidates say what they are going to do when they are elected, rather than bashing their opponent mercilessly?”
People also suggest that campaigns are more negative today than in bygone years. Allow me to answer the question in the reverse order.
Criticizing and slandering your opponent is not new. It was actually more vicious and incendiary in earlier American political life, and much more personal. First, there were no television cameras or hidden studios where third-party political ad gurus brewed disingenuous ads. Folks in the old days would have to meet their opponents face-to-face at political forums, rallies, and debates. They would trade barbs and insults right in the face of each other.
In early American political history, there were instances of fisticuffs and even a duel where opponents were shot. Nothing was off limits, not even peoples’ wives and children. What they did to Andrew Jackson’s wife Rachel was so bad, it eventually caused the poor lady to withdraw and die from depression.
At least today, it seems inappropriate and out of bounds to attack a candidate’s family members. Also, in the old days it seemed you could say things about your opponent without there being any semblance of truth to the accusations. Today there are laws requiring that any attack on the opposition must have a semblance or scintilla of truth. Therefore, it was worse in past decades than today, if you can believe that.
To the main point asked, why do these campaign media gurus use negative ads. It is a simple answer, they work. If they did not work, they would not use them. Polling reveals that negative ads change the trajectory and standing of candidates dramatically and instantaneously. There is a direct correlation to a candidate’s polling numbers before and after being hit by a negative ad. Much more so than a soft, pretty ad advocating that you vote for someone because they are a competent person that would be the ideal elected public servant. These gurus know this fact because today’s polling is very accurate, and they can read the polls and they react, and design ads based on polling.
In Alabama political history the most brilliant and unquestionably accomplished politician was one, George C. Wallace. In Wallace’s early years of “politiken” for his first terms as governor, polling was in its infancy and was not as scientifically accurate. However, George Wallace was born to be a political genius and a political animal. He had a God given ability to remember names and he knew what people wanted to hear. He inherently could read the political tea leaves. He did not need polling.
I would visit often with Wallace in his last term. I was a freshman legislator and actually represented his home county of Barbour. He would call me down from the House floor to visit with him in the Governor’s office. He would reminisce about past political forays and governor’s races. He would tell me a lot of inside stories that I will probably never share. However, allow me to share this sage political admonition he imparted to me one day.
Wallace looked me squarely in the eyes and told me that more people vote against someone than for someone. He further elaborated, “you have got to find a boogeyman to run against.” He lived and breathed this belief and strategy. He ran on the race issue and segregation for decades. He rode that horse as long as he could. However, when Black Alabamians were given the right to vote in 1965 and soon after constituted 25% of the Democratic Primary electorate, Wallace instantly changed his stripes and went down Dexter Avenue to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s church and had a conversion experience and begged forgiveness for exploiting the race issue. The Black voters forgave Wallace and elected him governor that last term in 1982. I never said Wallace was a statesman. He was a true, natural politician, and, yes, a demagogue. Whatever it took to get elected was Wallace’s modus operandi.
These political gurus of today know the George Wallace adage of finding a boogeyman to run against remains true. In this election year, that is why you are seeing countless negative ads on television, because they work.
See you next week.
October 28, 2026 - Will Alabamians Help Socialists Take Control of Congress?
One of the country’s most important and closely contested congressional races is right here at home. Control of the United States House of Representatives and the powerful Speaker’s gavel could very well come down to this single seat in southeast Alabama.
Republican Rhett Marques is running against incumbent Democrat Congressman Shomari Figures in Alabama’s Second Congressional District. This race is unique because Figures only pretended to move to the district after he won his Democrat primary. He and his wife own a million-dollar home and a “consulting” business in Maryland, as well as a mansion in Mobile, which is about 100 miles outside of this district. In fact, Figures’ wife will not even be voting for him next week – she voted absentee in a different congressional district.
That has not stopped untold millions in national Democraticcash from flooding into Figures’ war-chest. Nancy and Paul Pelosi have been big supporters of Figures. In addition, every far-left donor from California to New York is funneling money to him.
Why is that? It is because Figures is the darling of the socialist wing of the Democratic Party. He is a protégée of Joe Biden. They need his seat to guarantee the House majority goes their way and they know Figures will be a sure vote with AOC.
Figures was on the Biden-Harris transition team and is a loyal lackey for leftwing special interests who want to defund the police, abolish prisons, and open our borders. He was a top staffer in Biden’s Department of Justice when they let dangerous criminals flood back onto America’s streets and declined to crack down on the worst illegal immigration crisis in history.
His voting record would make even the most outwardly socialist Democrat blush. Figures supported using taxpayer funds on radical gender surgeries for minors and expensive handouts for illegal immigrants. He voted for the largest tax increase on Alabama families ever, while voting against the Stop Insider Trading Act, the Farm Bill, and pay increases for our troops.
Figures’ tale is like the classic communist truism – socialism for thee, riches for me. The hypocrisy and self-dealing is what Alabamians hate most about slick swamp politicians.
He had the chance in his time in Congress to put Alabamians first. But instead, Figures voted against commonsense, nonpartisan projects for his own district. In one annual funding bill alone, he opposed $40 million in infrastructure and first responder investments for Alabama’s District 2. In another major piece of legislation, Figures voted against $65 million in rural healthcare funding for the district.
It’s no wonder the associations representing Alabama farmers, manufacturers, small businesses, and rural electric cooperatives have backed Rhett Marques in this critical race.
Marques is a small business owner from Coffee County, who has the strong endorsement of Alabama’s most effective elected official, U.S. Senator Katie Britt. Katie is a resident of Alabama’s Second Congressional District and knows first-hand the area’s needs, priorities, and values.
A question will be answered on November 3. Will Alabamians send more common sense to DC or give socialists control of the House right here in our backyard?
Y’all vote next week.
See you next week.
October 21, 2022 - General Election Is Just Around the Corner
Our 2026 General Election is in less than two weeks. With it being a midterm election year, the turnout will more than likely be 33% to 36%.
In Alabama, historically this has been our big election year. We, and only 13 other states, hold our major elections in non-presidential years. This is referred to in old Alabama political circles as our gubernatorial year. Indeed, we do elect our governor and all our constitutional officeholders this year. More importantly, we elect all our state legislators on November 3. All 35 State Senate seats and all 105 House seats are on the ballot. Our state constitution vests great powers to the legislative branch.
The Governor’s race is the “biggie” next week. The 140 legislative races are not as glamorous and go under the radar screen, but they are especially important. Legislative races have become analogous to Congressional races where an incumbent is essentially improbable to defeat. Forty years ago, the typical House Seat cost $50,000 to $60,000; today, it costs $400,000. Forty years ago, a State Senate Seat could be won with $150,000 to $200,000; today, it is close to $1 million. Most of the special interest money goes to State House and Senate races. They know where their bread is buttered. Legislative incumbency has become so pronounced that an amazing 80% of the legislature has run unopposed this year.
Alabama is a ruby red Republican state. All 23 of Alabama’s statewide offices are held by a Republican. We have not elected a Democratic Governor in 30 years, and that was an anomaly.
Those of us who observe state politics closely, have put a circle around the 2018 Governor’s race. Kay Ivey was running for a first elective-term eight years ago against a formidable Democratic challenger, Walt Maddox. The Tuscaloosa Mayor Maddox was the perfect Democratic candidate. He was not perceived as a wild-eyed liberal. He had been, and continues to be, a great Mayor of the Druid City. He ran a flawless, well-funded campaign. He got every vote that could be gotten. Maddox, the Democrat, got 40%. Kay Ivey, the Republican, got 60%. Therefore, the standard was set that in a hotly contested statewide race, especially for Governor or U.S. Senate, the Republican will win 60/40. That has been the threshold.
The threshold was confirmed six years ago when Doug Jones was pitted against Tommy Tuberville in the U.S. Senate race. Jones was an incumbent who had won a fluke, ultra-anomaly, special election against embattled extremist, Roy Moore. Jonesthen went to Washington and for two and half years, proceeded to stake out a position as being one of the most liberal Democratic Senators in the U.S. Senate. His voting record mirrored Socialist Bernie Sanders. The nation looked on in amazement that one of the reddest and conservative Republican states in America had a socialist Democrat in one of their Senate seats. It was as though Alabama had relinquished one of our Senate seats to California.
Jones parlayed his liberal record into becoming the hero of liberal Democratic donors throughout the nation. He raised and spent $24 million of national liberal Democratic money in the 2020 Senate race. Despite being outspent four to one, Coach Tuberville beat Jones 60/40. Thus, the threshold of 40% had been totally confirmed.
The rematch between Coach Tommy Tuberville and liberal Doug Jones has been resurrected in this year’s Governor’s race.
Folks, we are a Republican enclave, but we are not on a total distant island to the rest of the country. If you are only a casual observer of politics, and only have a cursory view of polling, there is a Democratic tidal wave heading into next Tuesday’s election.
The numbers on Trump and his administration are devasting. The Democrats will more than likely take the U.S. House of Representatives and could take the Senate. This tsunami will have an effect here in Alabama. The race for Governor will be closer than ever expected. The Democrats and Doug Jones will shatter the 40% threshold.
Tuberville more than likely will prevail, but there could be a loss of five to six safe Republican legislative seats in the urban purple-changing counties like Madison and maybe even Jefferson.
Alabama Republicans are extremely interested in the Jefferson County Commission Race. Popular incumbent, Jimmie Stephens, is pitted against an extreme radical Democrat in this race.
The Republicans are putting an emphasis on reelectingconservative Republican, Jefferson County CommissionChairman, Jimmie Stephens, so that they will continue to have a three to two advantage in the state’s most populous county.
See you next week.
October 14, 2026 - History Portends Democrats Take the U.S. House This Year
This is a midterm election year in the United States. Most states elect their Governors and Legislators in the same year as the President. In fact, 34 of the 50 U.S. States elect their Governors for four-year terms during Presidential elections, while Vermont and New Hampshire elect governors to two-year terms in both midterm and Presidential election years. Therefore, we in Alabama and 13 other states, mostly southern states, hold our big contests for governor, all statewide constitutional offices, and all 140 legislative seats in what the nation refers to as midterm or off-year election years.
We, in Alabama, refer to this year as our gubernatorial year. In past decades, we would have a good Governor’s race every four years. Because the Governor of Alabama was precluded from running, but for one term, succession was prohibited by law. It has now been changed. That is why Kay Ivey has been governor for 10 years.
As late as 60 years ago, there were more votes cast in the Democratic Primary for Governor than for President. The highest percentage turnout for any race in Alabama’s history was in 1966 when Lurleen Wallace won the Governor’s race over eight prominent, male opponents without a runoff. Kay Ivey’s first experience in politics was working in Lurleen Wallce’s 1966 election.
Midterm elections historically generate lower voter turnout than presidential elections. While presidential elections have turnouts of 50 to 60 percent, only about 40 percent of those eligible to vote go to the polls in midterm elections.
All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, and 33 of the 100 Seats in the U.S Senate are up this year.Republicans have a slight majority in the Senate, and very slight, some say razor thin, majority in the U.S. House.
Most pundits, and indeed history says, that the Democrats will garner control of the U.S. House this year. Historically, midterm elections often see the President’s party lose seats in Congress and also see the president’s opposite party opponents gain seats in one or both houses of Congress. The losses endured are consequential and unquestionable according to history. A look back over the past 60 years illustrates this historic narrative.
In 1966 the Democrats lost 47 seats under Democrat Lyndon Johnson. In 1970, Republicans lost 12 seats under Republican Richard Nixon. In 1974, Republicans lost 48 seats under Republican Gerald Ford. In 1978, Democrats lost 15 seats under Democrat Jimmy Carter. In 1982, Republicans lost 26 seats under Republican Ronald Reagan. In 1990, Republicans lost eight seats under Republican President George H.W. Bush. In 1994, Democrats lost a whopping 54 seats under Democrat Bill Clinton. In 2006, Republicans lost 33 seats under Republican George W. Bush. In 2010, Democrats sustained an amazing loss of 63 seats under Democratic President Barack Obama. In 2018, Republicans lost 41 seats under Republican President Donald Trump. In 2022, Democrats lost 9 seats under Democrat Joe Biden.
Therefore, historically, the odds are stacked against the Republicans not losing seats in congress. However, Republican hopes have been buoyed by the Supreme Court’s dismantling of the Voting Rights Act. The Southern States, which all have Republican majority legislatures, have redrawn their congressional districts to enhance Republican strength in the House from the south. The Southern states will probably swing 10 to 12 seats from Democrat to Republican in the south.
We, in Alabama, are expected to swap one seat from Democrat to Republican. Currently, we have five Republican seats, and two Democrats. In a Special Session earlier this year, our Republican Legislature redrew Congressional lines intended to change our make up to six Republicans and one lone Democrat.
The district affected is the new Second District, which is reflective of the old traditionally Republican Second District. The composition of Congressional District 2 essentially ties Montgomery into the Wiregrass. Montgomery County is a very Democratic County and the Wiregrass is a very Republican venue.
The combatants in this race are Republican Rhett Marques and Democrat Shomari Figures. Congressman Figures is the quasi-incumbent. His residence is in Mobile. On the drawing board in Washington all political analysis says this is a Republican district and that the Republican should win 55 to 45. However, my belief is that it is closer than that. I see Marques and Republicans winning the seat, but at about 52 to 48. The Democratic turnout in Montgomery will be high, especially with a backlash anger over the collapse of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
We will soon see, in less than three weeks, on November 3.
See you next week.
October 7, 2026 - The Small Town Advantage
While a student at the University of Alabama I had the opportunity to intern with the Dean of Students, Dr. Joab Thomas. A few years later Dr. Thomas became President of the University, and I was elected to the legislature. He invited my wife and I to sit with him at an Alabama football game. We had just had our first daughter, and she seemed to us quite precocious. As Dr. Thomas and I were discussing my newborn,the topic of her early education came up. I somewhat lamented the fact she might not be able to compete academically as well in college because she would be raised in a small town and not have the advantages or competition that a larger city school might offer.
Dr. Thomas, who himself was from the small town of Russellville, was a Harvard educated botanist and had done quite well academically. However, he shed an interesting light on the difference in growing up in a small city, as opposed to a large one. He said a person from a small place who has leadership talents can develop them better than someone from a large place. It is much easier in a small town to be class president, captain of the football team, homecoming queen, and be the big fish. It allows someone to develop confidence and leadership abilities that may far exceed the slight advantage from their academic development. That small town person grows up expecting to be the leader. They expect to be governor or president.
Dr. Thomas suggested that I look around and do some research on the success of those raised in small towns. Since I knew politics, I took the Alabama political arena and much to my amazement Joab was right. Individuals from small towns dominated Alabama politics and the Governor’s office.
A look at the past 80 years tells the story. Big Jim Folsom grew up in Elba and lived his adult life in Cullman. George Wallace was from the small hamlet of Clio in Barbour County, and his wife Lurleen was from the small town of Northport in Tuscaloosa County. Albert Brewer was from the mid-size city of Decatur, but still no metropolis. John Patterson’s home was Phenix City, but he was born in a Tallapoosa County crossroadscalled Goldville. Fob James was from the small east Alabama valley town of Lanett. Guy Hunt was from the village of Holly Pond in Cullman County. Jim Folsom Jr. is from the city of Cullman, like his father. Former governor, Bob Riley, is from the small Clay County town of Ashland. Dr. Robert Bentley was born and raised in the small town of Columbiana in Shelby County. Kay Ivey was born and raised in rural Wilcox County and went to school in Camden.
The only city governor of Alabama in the last 80 years has been Don Siegelman, who is from Mobile. Therefore, during the last 80 years that is 10 to 1 small town governors over big city. However, if you count Big Jim’s two terms, George Wallace’s four terms, Fob James’s two terms, Guy Hunt’s two terms, Bob Riley’s two terms, and Kay Ivey’s two terms, that will make it 19 to 1. By the way, if Tommy Tuberville wins the Governor’s race this year, he is from a small town in Arkansas.
This small town dominance does not end with Alabama governors. A cursory look at the presidents over the past 80 years reveals that our U.S. Presidents were small town boys.
Harry Truman was from Independence, Missouri. Dwight Eisenhower was from a small town in Kansas. Lyndon Johnson was from a small town in east Texas. Richard Nixon was from a small town in California. Jimmy Carter was from the small hamlet of Plains, Georgia. Ronald Reagan was from a small town in Illinois. George Bush, Sr. is from a small place in Connecticut and his son, George W. Bush, calls Crawford, Texas home. Bill Clinton was from the small town of Hope, Arkansas. Although he was born in mid-size Scranton, Pennsylvania, Joe Biden grew up in a small down in Delaware.
Only three of our presidents over the last 80 years have been from big cities. John F. Kennedy was from a big city. Boston was his home. Donald Trump is from New York City. Obama grew up in Japan and Hawaii, and went to the Senate from Chicago, so let’s give him to the big city of Chicago.
Dr. Thomas was right in his assessment of success inherent in politics and growing up in a small town. He said if you think it is true in politics you should read the almanac of success in business because it is just as dominate with small town folks.
See you next week.
September 30, 2026 - Jamie “Red” Etheredge – An Outstanding Alabamian
Jamie “Red” Etheredge turned 94 years old on June 15. He has been one of the most outstanding and kindhearted leaders our state has seen this century.
Red Etheredge was born on June 15, 1932, in Marengo County. His distinctive Black Belt diction accentuates his Marengo County roots. He has been very successful in both business and government.
Red founded “Red E Mix” Concrete Company in Greenville in 1961. He was the owner and President for 24 years and then sold the business to a large conglomerate. After selling his concrete business in 1985, he became a franchisee of Wendy’s for 15 years. He was, for 20 years, a homebuilder in Greenville, and served as President of the Home Builders Association. In 1968, Red Etheredge was elected Mayor of the City of Greenville. He served 15 years as the Mayor of the Camellia City.
Red served in both administrations of Governor’s George Wallace and Jim Folsom Jr. He headed the Alabama Development office from 1983-1987 in the Wallace Administration. He was an Administrative Assistant to Jim Folsom Jr. from 1992-1994. I first got to know Red during his years as Mayor of Greenville and the head of Industrial Development for Governor Wallace. I was a State Legislator from Troy and had associated him with being from and intrinsically tied to Greenville.
In 2016, I was on a book signing tour around the state with my book, “Of Goats and Governors – Six Decades of ColorfulAlabama Political Stories.” While at an event at the Jacksonville City Library, I looked up and the first person I saw was Red Etheredge. I was confused because I had always associated Red with Greenville. I said, “Red, what are you doing up here in Jacksonville?” He said, “I live here.”
The second person there was my longtime friend Glen Browder. Glen is my former colleague in the Alabama House of Representatives. He came to the House with me in 1982. Glen later was elected Secretary of State of Alabama and then went to Congress. He was a political science professor at Jacksonville State and has one of the most brilliant political minds I have ever seen. He also has been a resident of Jacksonville and Calhoun County for over 50 years. So, I asked Glen about Red’stransition to Jacksonville. Glen explained that Red had not only moved to Jacksonville but had become one of the pillars of the community, and that if he wanted to, he could become Mayor of Jacksonville. Folks in Jacksonville generally consider Red to be the premier civic leader of their city.
Red’s move to Jacksonville was through his love for Jacksonville State University. He has been a member of the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees for over 30 years. He has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Jacksonville State. Many refer to him as Mr. Jacksonville State. He and his lovely wife, Donna, have a beautiful home across the street from the Jacksonville campus. They attend every academic, social, and athletic event at the University. It is the center of their life. They are members and attend the First Methodist Church of Jacksonville. He is a past Chairman of the Industrial Development Board of Jacksonville.
Red is an avid horseman. He raises, trains, and still rides Tennessee Walking Horses. Indeed, he is a past President of the National Tennessee Walking Horse Association.
Red Etheredge has had an illustrious career, which would be the envy of many. The list of Boards includes past President of the Alabama Concrete Industries Association, past President of the National Santa Gertrudis Cattle Association, a past Board of Directors member of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association.These are in addition to being a past President of the National Walking Horse Association and past Chairman of Board of Trustees of Jacksonville State University.
Jamie “Red” Etheredge is a great Alabamian.
See you next week.
September 23, 2026 - Spencer Bachus
Congressman Spencer Bachus served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Jefferson County for 22 years. He was an outstanding Congressman from his very Republican District from 1983 – 2015. His 6th Congressional District was made up of the upscale suburban enclaves of Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Hoover, Homewood, and Gardendale as well as the affluent surrounding counties of Shelby and St. Clair and the silk-stocking Highway 280 communities. It was and still is one of the highest income and most Republican districts in the nation.
Spencer was born in Birmingham in December of 1947. He grew up in and has spent his entire life in the district he represented in Congress for over two decades. He finished high school at an over the mountain high school and then he went to Auburn University where he graduated in 1969. He then went to the University of Alabama Law School, graduated from law School in 1972, and soon thereafter began practicing law in Birmingham.
While at the University of Alabama Law School Spencer was awarded the Somerville Law Prize for Excellence in research and writing. The head of the selection committee, who presented him with the award was Professor Cohen. Spencer told me that he visited with Professor John Cohen. Spencer, like every Auburn alumnus I know, loves Auburn University.
Besides practicing law prior to going to Congress in 1993, Spencer served in the Alabama National Guard and was an officer. He was elected to the Alabama legislature the same year I was in 1982. We served together for four years. He was a very effective, diligent, and conservative legislator. In 1986 he was elected to the Alabama State School Board from a district similarly paralleling his 6th Congressional District. In 1991, he became Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party serving in that position until his campaign and election to Congress in 1992.
Spencer Bachus was a stellar Congressman. He knew his district and served them well. For several decades prior to Spencer’s election to Congress our senior members of Congress had been laying the stakes and working on building a northern beltline around Jefferson County. It had already been called the I-22 corridor. The powerful and legendary 4th District Congressman Tom Bevill had done some heavy lifting and gotten the project started. However, it was Spencer Bachus who got it completed and this gives him a living legacy in the annals of Alabama political accomplishments. This major I-22 corridor in Jefferson County has been properly named the “Spencer Bachus Highway”.
As a member of Congress representing Alabama’s 6thCongressional District for 22 years, Bachus was the Dean of Alabama’s House delegation and has been a champion of the construction of I-22. Alabama Department of Transportation Director John Cooper said, “There’s no doubt Congressman Bachus championing I-22 accelerated its completion.”
This I-22 corridor is a 202-mile-long interstate highway serving as a connection between Birmingham and Memphis, Tennessee. It is a vital economic expansion for Jefferson County which will reduce costly congestion and enhance motorist safety. It is only fitting and proper that the I-22 Jefferson County beltline isnamed the Spencer Bachus Highway.
When Spencer first went to Congress in 1992 there were four major national bank holding companies headquartered in Birmingham. Therefore, it was important if not imperative that the Congressman from the Birmingham area strive to get a seat on the House Banking Committee. Spencer accomplished this feat in his first term. The Banking Committee eventually became the House Financial Services Committee. Spencer served on this committee his entire 22 years in Congress. He served as ranking member for four years, then he was Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee his final four years in the U.S. Congress.
Therefore, it is only perfect and fitting that Spencer be given a seat on the prestigious Export-Import Bank of the United States. He has just been appointed to another three-year term on his distinguished panel.
September 16, 2026 - Bill Baxley and 16th Street Baptist Church Prosecution Story
The horrendous 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, where four innocent little black girls were murdered, was one of the most horrendous and unconscionable events to occur in Alabama. These little girls were innocently attending Sunday School at their church and were killed only because of the color of their skin.
This horrific bombing shocked the nation and touched the souls of all Americans, especially white southerners, who became more retrospective after that date.
One of those young, white Southerners was a 22-year-old law student at the University of Alabama named Bill Baxley. He was watching the news at his fraternity house that day when it came on television as a special report. He was so upset and sickened that he could not eat for two days. He vowed that one day he would do all within his power to right this horrific wrong.
Baxley was about to become a lawyer, and return to Dothan topractice law in his daddy, Keener Baxley’s courtroom. As ayoung law student or even a young lawyer, he assumed the most he could contribute would be as an errand boy or assistant to theprosecutors. Baxley was willing to spend a year as an understudy to help bring these Klansmen-thugs to justice. Litte did he know that a few years later, he would be elected Attorney General of Alabama and would be in the prime position to fulfill his vow.
This week marks the 63rd anniversary of one of the worst tragedies in Alabama history. On the Sunday morning of September 15, 1963, four Klansmen bombed the former 16thStreet Baptist church in downtown Birmingham. The historic church was the center for the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham and Alabama. The scenes where Bull Connor released dogs and firehoses on peaceful Civil Rights marchers was flashed across the national news nightly. If you look closely at the footage of these terrible scenes, which are still played today on file for historic purposes, you can tell that most of the demonstrators who are beaten, bitten by dogs, or blown 50 yards in the air by powerful bursts from firehoses, are young people. Older African Americans were working six days a week and could not participate.
These visions captured by the news media on television were more devasting to the white segregationist than Dr. Martin Luther King’s impassioned letter from a Birmingham jail. Those scenes were the impetus for the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Bill.
However, the tragic bombing of the church on a quiet, reverent Sunday morning, was the final nail in the coffin for the fight to defeat Civil Rights for all Americans.
Between that day, September 15, 1963, and that same time 10 years later, Baxley, indeed, graduated law school at Alabama, went home to Dothan, became District Attorney at age 24, and was elected Attorney General four years later in 1970 at age 28.
He served eight years as Attorney General of Alabama, 1970-1978, ran second for Governor in 1978, came back to be elected Lt. Governor in 1982, and ran second, again, for Governor in 1986.
Bill Baxley is considered to be the best prosecutorial Attorney General in Alabama modern history. His progressive prosecutorial skills and accomplishments are unparallel.
The first day that he became Attorney General, he wrote down the names of the four little girls who were killed at the 16thStreet Baptist Church bombing and looked at their names every day. He started work immediately and assigned his top investigators to the case. He set his sights on the Klansmen, who the FBI had assisted him in determining had done the cowardly, unfathomable act. He prosecuted and sent to prison for life the primary culprit in the act, Robert Chambliss. Baxley’sprosecution and conviction of Chambliss by an all-white jury came three years into his first term as Attorney General in 1973.
Bill Baxley’s prosecution of the Klansman Chambliss is the highlight of his stellar and legendary career as Alabama Attorney General.
I recently filmed a four-part, three-hour series with Baxley on my television show, “Alabama Politics,” which can be viewed on YouTube. In part three, Baxley discusses and reveals the complete, inside detailed story of all the events and stories surrounding the prosecution of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. It culminates with the illumination that the legendary, remarkable, iconic Civil Rights hero, Fred Gray, was instrumental in the prosecution. Mr. Gray, who represented Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, still practices law in Macon County at age 96.
See you next week.
September 9, 2026 - Political Reassurances and Revelations in 2026
The more things change, the more they stay the same, is a very succinct adage, especially when it comes to politics. Faces and places and races change in politics, but one thing that stays the same is, the candidate who has the most money for campaign advertising and vote gathering, nine times out of ten wins.
Name identification is the most important factor when voters select a candidate. Money buys name identification, and name identification equates into votes. Thus, there is no truer adage in politics than money is the mother’s milk of politics. This reassurance was upheld in the recently completed GOP Primary election in June. The person who won every main race, including U.S. Senate, Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General, raised and spent the most money.
The new phenomenon in American politics is the national Club for Growth. This very organized Political Action Committee (PAC) is made up of money of the wealthiest multimillionaireand billionaire conservatives in the country. They are a darkmoney, mega-dollar PAC that have gained control of the Republican elections in Republican states in America. They have certainly become the big boy on the block in the Heart of Dixie. They elected our next U.S. Senator, Barry Moore, as well as our next Lt. Governor, John Wahl.
Another separate right-wing, dark money group from out of state bankrolled and elected our next state Attorney General, Katherine Robertson. In addition, the Club for Growth also endorsed and supported her in her candidacy. Both Wahl and Robertson were complete unknowns, politically. Both, not only had never run for statewide office, neither had run for any office. This tells you that money can buy any office and usually does. That is a fact.
The revelation here is that the money that elected Barry Moore, John Wahl, and Katherine Robertson came from unknownsources and contributors from out of Alabama. The bottom line is that Alabama voters do not know or care where candidates’ money comes from or whether a candidate has any qualifications. Unidentified dark money, right wing organizations can buy elections.
This is probably true in other states as well, lest we cast dispersions on our own state. We are not that unique. Probably more conservative than most states, but not that unique. This revelation tells me that if a candidate comes to me and asked how to get elected to a major statewide office, my advice would be to simply raise a barrel full of money, and it does not matter where it comes from as long as you have it to spend. It could come from the drug cartel in Mexico or the mafia in New York. It does not matter. Under our lax federal and state campaign laws that do not require certain political groups to identify who contributes to their PACs. People do not care. Voters select candidates based on their appearance and rhetoric. Those dark money, mega right-wing donors from out of state will continue to dominate Republican state primaries in Republican states.
Again, lest we cast dispersions on the mega-dollar out-of-state national Club for Growth. Similar left wing dark money PACs exist and dominate in Democratic states. Although no group has as deep of pockets as the right-wing Republican Club for Growth, there are more left-wing dark money groups nationally and they have more money for left wing Democratic congressional and Presidential candidates. Lots of the left-wingDemocratic money is fueled by acknowledged socialists That is why the liberal socialist candidates are emerging victoriously in our liberal urban cities and states.
The reassurance is that money is the mother’s milk of politics, always has been and always will be. If you do not have the money, do not put your name on the ballot.
The revelation is that it does not matter how you get the money, or where it comes from, whether it is out of state or clandestinely garnered. Voters do not care.
See you next week.
September 2, 2027 - The Club for Growth is the King of Alabama and American Politics
Over a year ago on July 4, 2025, I was attending the famous Fourth of July Political Gala in DeKalb County known as the Ledbetter-Livingston Henagar Potato Festival. This event is the last vestige of “ole timey” political events left in Alabama politics. The parade and good eating extravaganza in Henagar in DeKalb County is a must go to event for aspiring, statewide politicians. Indeed, with this being the kickoff to the 2026 election cycle, all statewide Republican candidates were in attendance along with their entourages.
The event is put on by the most powerful political person in the state, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, who hosts the event in his home county. His cohost is Senator Steve Livingston of Scottsboro, who is the Majority Leader in the State Senate and represents DeKalb County in the Senate.
A group of us gathered at a table. Ledbetter, Livingston, and about six others were sitting around the table and the topic of who the top contenders for all of the upcoming state races came up. We went over how the horses would line up for open races.We briefly discussed Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Agriculture Commissioner. Then, the big question wasposed of who the person would be to fill the Seat of Senator Tommy Tuberville, as Tuberville had already announced that he was leaving Washington to run for Governor. We all knew the Senate race would be the premier prize on the 2026 ballot, andwould overshadow all the other races. The question was posed, and they all looked at me and Ledbetter.
The Speaker spoke first, and said succinctly exactly what I was thinking and was going to say. He said, “That race ain’t going to be decided in Alabama. It is already been decided in Washington.” We both knew that the Club for Growth had decided that their Congressman Barry Moore was going to be the next Senator from the Heart of Dixie.
The rich boy Club for Growth owns Republican politics in Republican states in America. It is simple; money is the mother’s milk of politics in America. Always has been and always will be.
My February 18th column was entitled “Trump Endorsement Makes Barry Moore Prohibitive Favorite in U.S. Senate Race.” I wrote at the beginning of the race, it looked like a two-man contest between Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and District 2 Congressman Barry Moore. However, with the endorsement of Congressman Barry Moore by President Donald Trump, coupled with Moore receiving the endorsement and total support of the deep-pocketed, dark money, Right Wing, Republican Club for Growth, this solidified Moore as a prohibitive favorite.
It is no coincidence that the Trump endorsement and Club for Growth endorsement came to Moore on the same date. Trump and the Club are on the same team.
The Club for Growth has become the most powerful force in Republican states in America. They are a quiet, dark money, right-wing organization made up of multi-millionaire and billionaire contributors. They want very restrained government spending and back very conservative-proven candidates who have very conservative credentials.
At one time, when the Club was becoming established as the behemoth in Republican politics, they and Trump were at odds on some races. However, they seemed to coalesce into one solidly aligned team last year, when they primarily financed Trump’s 2024 reelection bid. This Trump and Club for Growth tandem is impossible to beat in any Republican state.
In the Republican Primary, Barry Moore raised and spent over $30 million. The vast majority of that came from the Club for Growth and its surrounding secret PACs. In comparison, his primary runoff opponent Jared Hudson had $3 million. Money is the mother’s milk of politics. Money buys media. Media appearances equate into votes.
In the past decade, since their creation, the Club has progressed from a big dollar contributor to being a mega dollar contributor as well as a very sophisticated campaign organization.
These billionaires have gotten serious about owning American politics. They are the new phenomenon in the nation’s political landscape.
As we enter the traditional Labor Day Holiday, which historically has been the beginning of the political season in American politics, the Club for Growth is the omnipotent power on the stage, especially in the Heart of Dixie.
Happy Labor Day.
See you next week.