January 26, 2005
While the Presidential race raged last year the Alabama political pot was boiling and getting ready to stew in 2006. The '06 campaigns are on the horizon and the early jockeying has begun.
January 19, 2005
Alabama’s most masterful politician, George Wallace, would confide in some of his closest cronies sage bits of his political genius. Joe Azbell was a close follower of Wallace and related a theory that Wallace lived by in politics. The theory being that once you get an enemy or hated person or entity, you run against that enemy and beat up on it constantly. During the 1960s Wallace made his boogieman the issue of segregation. Unquestionably his vicious attacks on integration caused racial turmoil throughout Alabama and the entire nation. He was considered the most ardent race baiter in America. However, when this boogieman ran its course, Wallace found another enemy: the Alabama Power Company. In the 1970s Wallace focused his venom toward the Power Company and fought and cursed it at every turn. The Power Company paid a heavy price at the hands of Wallace.
January 12, 2005
The defeat of Amendment 2 on last year’s ballot was a victory for Roy Moore over Bob Riley. Riley adamantly urged approval of the amendment that he proposed and put on the ballot. Riley declared that the amendment was simply a constitutional overhaul to take provisions supporting segregated schools and the poll tax out of our antiquated constitution. The Roy Moore followers successfully sent out the message that the benign amendment was a tax increase. The chief opponent to the proposal was Moore’s lieutenant, Justice-elect Tom Parker. Parker continues to be Moore’s spokesman. It was an amazing victory, especially because the opponents basically spent no money to successfully defeat the measure. It was like a silent drumbeat that resonated throughout the state, that “it’s another tax increase.” The rank and file conservatives don’t trust Riley. They think everything he has anything to do with is a hidden tax increase. They believe he is a Judas. It shows how deep a gash he cut on himself with his ill fated 2003 tax proposal. It is a scar that will not heal.
January 05, 2005
As the New Year begins a few additional observations from last year as a follow-up to last week’s year-end review. The most significant political event was the indictment and escape from conviction by former Governor Don Siegelman. The final script may not yet be written on Siegelman’s problems. A grand jury is still out in Montgomery.
December 29, 2004
The year 2004 has been an interesting year for Republican Governor Bob Riley. There is no question that he has worked hard to resurrect his base after destroying it in 2003 with his tax proposal. Governor Riley has campaigned all over the state, primarily in Republican Party meetings, and has only been surpassed by Lt. Governor Lucy Baxley in his efforts to press the flesh and cut ribbons. It appears that both have their eye on the 2006 Governors race.
December 22, 2004
I was saddened by the recent passing of former First Lady Helen Hunt. She was a real lady. During my tenure in the Legislature I never met a more wonderful first lady of Alabama.
I know that her husband, former Governor Guy Hunt, is deeply saddened by the early death of Mrs. Helen at age 70. You could tell by the way they looked at each other that Guy and Helen Hunt adored one another. They were childhood sweethearts in rural Holly Pond in Cullman County. They were lifetime companions who were totally devoted to each other.
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.