December 15, 2004
There is probably no living Alabama politician who loves the political arena as much as Don Siegelman. He has spent his entire life in public office. After his paper thin, photo finish loss to Bob Riley in 2002, it was assumed that "the Don" was rearing to go for a rematch against Riley in 2006. Siegelman set up shop in his favorite campaign headquarters at the Sheriff's Association Building within the shadow of the Capitol dome. This was his roost during the 1990's while he was out of office for four years from 1990-1994 and also during his four years as Lt. Governor, 1995-1998. He sets up shop in a back office and campaigns tirelessly. If you drove by at any hour of the night into the wee hours of the morning, you would see the lights burning. Don was writing or-e-mailing friends and supporters. You could safely say that politics and the pursuit of public office has been and continue to be his life. The only sign of contentment and peace you could see on his face was when he was Governor. It was his lifelong dream, the culmination of his quest since his college days as Student Body President at the University of Alabama.
December 07, 2004
The Republicans have strengthened their power in Washington with the Bush reelection victory. They have the Presidency, the Senate, and the House, and some say the Supreme Court.
What does this November victory at the polls translate to in terms of public policy over the next four years? The Republican gain of four Senate seats gives them a 55-45 majority, better than the current 51-49 divide, however, short of the magic 60 votes to be filibuster proof. The Democrats and Republicans will still fight over Judge nominees. During Bush's first term, Democrats successfully blocked 10 of his judicial nominees to U.S. Appeals Courts. This battle of the Courts will continue to be the most contentious partisan struggle. It is expected that as many as four of the nine United States Supreme Court seats will be open for appointment by the President. However, they must all be confirmed by the Senate. It is in these Court confirmation wars that the course of America's policy on social issues will be waged. The issue of abortion and gay marriage will ultimately be determined by the federal courts.
December 02, 2004
One of the most profound stories which unfolded from the results of the November national election was the pick up of four seats in the United States Senate for the Republicans. Currently the makeup is 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and one Independent who votes with the Democrats. This razor thin margin basically reflects the close ideological divide in the country. It is a formula for legislative gridlock. However, when the new Senate convenes in January, the margin will have some cushion - it will be 55 Republicans and 45 Democrats.
November 25, 2004
One of the most dramatic changes in Alabama's political history has occurred over the last 20 years with the Alabama Supreme Court moving from all Democrat to all Republican.
As the dust settles from the General Election, the Republicans have made it unanimous. Before November the GOP had eight out of nine on the high court. This election brings it to nine out of nine. The last Democratic Supreme Court Justice, Douglas Johnstone from Mobile, retired.
November 18, 2004
It's Alabama vs. Auburn weekend in Alabama. It is the fiercest of college football rivalries. It is the game of the year. It is a state civil war that divides friends and even families. It is bragging rights for the entire year. The loser has to live with his boasting next door neighbor for 364 days. It seems that one must choose a side no matter if you despise college football and could care less who wins. Newcomers to our state are bewildered on this Fall day each year. They cannot comprehend the madness that surrounds this epic war. It is truly that - a war. It is the game of the year!
November 11, 2004
The one clear fact derived from last Tuesday's election is that Alabama is deeply embedded as a Republican state when it comes to Presidential politics. In fact, the South is now the cornerstone of the national Republican Party in Presidential races. The "Solid South" is what the GOP builds around to start any national race. A Republican can bank on the South as they venture out to the battleground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
November 03, 2004
Since this column is written before Tuesday's electoral outcome, I do not know the election results. Therefore, I cannot comment on the Presidential or statewide elections. However, there is one result I feel confident in predicting. It's a safe bet that our Senior Senator, Richard Shelby, won reelection to his fourth term in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
October 27, 2004
As the November national election day approaches this Tuesday, a good many of you are saying thank goodness. Politics has always been a vicious business, but this year may take the cake. It seems that the party divide and acrimony have reached a zenith peak or should we say a new low. The partisan divide is deep and bitter. The ads are slanderous to the point of being comical. The middle of the road independent swing voters are the battle ground and they have truly been bombarded.
October 20, 2004
Exactly forty years ago in 1964 Alabama became a Republican state as far as national politics are concerned. The 1964 election was the pivotal turning point when on that November day in 1964 the deep south states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina voted for Barry Goldwater and never looked back. It was the race issue that won them over. Goldwater and the Republican party captured the race issue and never let go of it. For this reason, the South which was known as the "Solid South" for more than six decades because they were solidly Democratic are today known as the "Solid South" because they are solidly Republican. In less than two weeks on election night when the national networks show the colored map on the television, the entire South will be colored Republican. The Presidential candidates ignore us during the campaign because it is a foregone conclusion that we will vote Republican. In this same way the Presidential candidates ignored us for the first 60 years of the 20th Century because it was a foregone conclusion that we were going to vote democratic.
October 13, 2004
The November election is fast approaching. The Presidential race seems to be the center of all political attention. However, we do have some state races this year. The highlight of our state races will be for the three seats on the State Supreme Court. Currently eight-out-of-nine of our State Justices are Republican. The only Democrat on the high court, Douglas Johnstone, is retiring. Another Justice, Gorman Houston, a Republican, is retiring. Running for Houston's open seat is Republican, Mike Bolin of Jefferson County, and John Rochester, a Democrat Circuit Judge from Ashland. Seeking Johnstone's seat is Democrat Roger Monroe and Republican Patti Smith. Bolin and Smith won their Republican primary victory's with large pluralities in Jefferson and Shelby counties and lots of business money. The Business Council will be pouring even more money into their campaign coffers. It's expected that the plaintiff lawyers will support Democrats Rochester and Monroe. Tom Parker is the Roy Moore backed Republican candidate for the third seat. He defeated fellow Republican incumbent, Jean Brown, in the June 1st GOP Primary. Parker was the candidate of Moore's Christian Coalition, and the trial lawyers in June. He will be tough to beat. His Democratic opponent is Mobilian, Robert Smith. All three Republicans are favored to win. If that happens, that will make the Supreme Court all Republican - nine-out-of-nine.