October 5, 2022 - GOP Poised for Congressional Gains on Election Day
For over 100 years, political history has revealed without deviation that when a Democrat wins the presidency in a presidential year, that in the following mid-term congressional elections two years later that Republicans make gains in the U.S. House of Representatives. That truism has become more pronounced in the last few decades.
This history will be repeated in the upcoming November 8 General Election. Every indication and polling suggest that the GOP gains in this year’s General Election will be significant.
In talking with people in the know in Washington, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that there will be major Republican gains in Congress. This prognosis is not only anticipated by Republican strategists but is even being acknowledged by Democrats on the Hill and throughout the nation. Moreover, even the liberal mainstream media is cognizant of this GOP sweep on the horizon.
Currently, the Democrats have a very slim 221 to 214 majority in the U.S. House. For some reason, probably because the tea leaves indicate a GOP takeover of the House, there is an inordinate number of Democratic congressmen retiring this year. This makes the pick-ups for the GOP more sustainable. Incumbency and seniority are omnipotent in Congress. Therefore, the likelihood of the GOP taking over the majority is enhanced by these retiring Democrats.
The conservative estimate by most experts is that there will be a 30 to 36 seat swing to the Republicans in November. If that estimate is accurate that would change the House from a 221 to 214 current Democratic majority to a Republican majority of 250 to 185.
This solid Republican majority would change the philosophical tilt in the national arena. In today’s polarized, toxic, partisan environment both parties’ members of Congress vote lockstep along party lines. You may as well have a robot voting their congressional voting machines. It would be more efficient and economical. You would not have to have millions for congressional staffs or offices, which costs millions per congressman and their only duties anyway were to work to insure the congressman’s reelection every two years.
The early prognostication of a 30 to 36 seat pickup in Congress by Republicans has been tempered somewhat with the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This issue is not a winner for the GOP. Most Independent, a good many Republican, and almost all Democratic female voters are pro-choice. The striking illustration of this pro-choice leaning was revealed earlier this year when voters in ruby red Republican Kansas voted 60-40 against outlawing abortion in their state. This issue along with the Democratic socialist bailout money may have tempered the anticipated GOP congressional landslide.
However, Democratic President Joe Biden’s approval ratings are abysmal. He is at historical low polling approvals, especially among all important Independent voters. The primary reason for Biden’s demise and the obvious elephant in the room is the out of control economic inflation rate on consumer spending in the country. It is approaching a 10% level. This is devastating politically for Biden and the Democrats. Americans vote their pocketbook, especially in congressional elections.
Another detriment to Democrats is Biden’s first year decision to completely disregard immigration laws and create carte blanche open southern borders for every undocumented immigrant to invade the country and offer them all of the welfare and government privileges and services of state tax dollars. This open door infringement does not sit well with Republicans or Independents and probably not with some minority Democrats.
The liberal social agenda of House Democrats regarding LGBTQ issues appear over the top to most mainstream Christian Americans. If truth were known, even Eastern religions are not comfortable with these overt favorable treatment towards social mores. My observations of Southern African American people are that they are very Christian oriented and are Bible reading and do not adhere to this agenda either.
This congruence of economic, social and deficit spending is dovetailing into a devastating mid-term congressional wipeout for Democrats. This tsunami will probably spill over into the U.S. Senate, also.
The Senate is 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, dead even. Republicans could win a majority in the upper chamber. It will be close. The key senate battles will be in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and our neighboring state of Georgia.
We will see in less than five weeks.
September 28, 2022 - New Fiscal Year Begins, Teachers and State Employees Looking Good
The new state fiscal year begins October 1, and the two state budgets are flush. Both the General Fund and the State Special Education Budgets will be the largest in state history.
The General Fund Budget is a record breaking $2.7 billion. It increases the revenue to mental health and prisons. Medicaid continues to be a money eating monster. State employees are getting a 4% cost of living raise. This is the third time in recent history that state workers have gotten a back-to-back pay raise. In addition, retired state employees will get a bonus. State Senator Greg Albritton (R-Escambia) and Representative Steve Clouse (R-Ozark) the budget chairmen deserve accolades.
Veteran Alabama State Employees Association executive director, Mac McArthur deserves a lot of credit for state employees getting a 4% pay increase this year and 2% last year. Ole Mac has put together four raises in five years for his folks.
Alabama Education Association (“AEA”) head, Amy Marlowe, and her chief lobbyist ally, Ashley McLain, deserve kudos for garnering a 4% teacher pay raise. Once again, the AEA has become a power to be reckoned with on Goat Hill.
The legislature passed a record breaking $8.17 billion Education Budget. The historic spending plan increases education funding by about $502 million over the current year. It drew praise from all corners of education for its increases, which includes teachers’ salaries and workforce development. There will be more money for classroom materials, the hiring of technology coordinators and reading coaches and $20 million to implement the K-5 math instruction bill.
The budget includes a 4% raise for teachers and lump-sum bonuses for retirees. There is also about a $33 million bonus to increase teacher longevity. Other states have been giving similar salary adjustments. One of the budget allotments that has gotten the most accolades is the increase from $700 to $900 per classroom in supply money.
The story that has been building the past several years is the resurgence of the AEA as a power player on Goat Hill. The fruits of their labor emerged immensely during the regular session. It is apparent that AEA was instrumental in crafting the Education Budget with the 4% pay increase for teachers and the money that is going into the classroom. You would have thought that Dr. Paul Hubbert was still sitting in the gallery directing legislators votes with a thumbs up or a thumbs down. They have built AEA into a power to be reckoned with at the Statehouse.
The new leadership of Marlowe/McLain have reorganized by acknowledging that Alabama. and especially the Alabama Legislature. is very Republican. They understand the rule that “money is the mother’s milk of politics,” and “you win more bees with honey.”
The AEA has generously donated to House Republicans like nobody’s business and no other Special Interest entity. It is no longer taboo or heresy for a Republican legislator or State Senator to accept teacher union money. They have made $10,000 to $15,000 contributions to House members on both sides of the aisle. In reviewing campaign disclosure statements, AEA is the only entity writing checks that large. Checks to senator’s coffers are $25,000 or more.
AEA lobbyists, especially Ashley McLain, have earned the friendship and respect of the Republican House members and Senators. She and her team have gone out to their districts all over the state and gotten to know them and their families. They have connected the legislator with key educators in their hometowns who are respected centers of influence and can orchestrate a field or army of teachers to work the districts for their legislative friends. This footwork and shoe leather coupled with large campaign checks hits home with legislators of both parties.
The telling blow that resonated and echoed off the walls of the Statehouse was the defeat of the so-called School Choice Bill. Senator Del Marsh made it his final mission to place state education dollars into private, parochial and charter schools. His school choice was given a stinging defeat by none other than the AEA. Folks, make no doubt about it, the AEA is back in Alabama politics.
See you next week.
September 21, 2022 - Board of Education
School board members are some of the most selfless public servants in Alabama. This accolade goes to the Alabama State Board of Education, and more specifically local school board members. These members are tasked with a very important mission but receive very little compensation for their time and efforts. They are indeed public servants.
The Alabama State Board of Education is a nine member body that sets public education policy for K-12 schools. The governor is an ex-officio member of the board and the remaining eight members are elected to four-year terms from single member districts of approximately equal population. There is no limit to the number of terms a school board member may serve. The seats are partisan driven. Currently, our state school board has six Republican members and two Democratic members.
Given the fact that members are elected, rather than appointed, it is somewhat surprising that our current eight members are so well-qualified and suited to be state school board members.
Dr. Wayne Reynolds, who represents District 8, best exemplifies this statement. He has a doctorate in education and has spent over four decades as an education administrator. He is retired and brings his experience and wisdom to the table. In his early years, Wayne was a decorated Vietnam War Veteran. He and his wife Carol reside in the Limestone/Madison area. Wayne is a Republican and was re-elected to his second four-year term earlier this year.
Marie Manning has just been elected to District 6, which is a Republican district. She will begin her first term in January. Prior to her recent election to the state school board, Marie served as Vice President of the St. Clair County Board of Education. During her stellar career in education, Marie was as a classroom teacher, vice-principal, principal and superintendent.
Dr. Yvette Richardson represents District 4 and is a resident of Montgomery. Yvette is a Democrat and was re-elected to another four-year term in the Democratic Primary. She has a doctorate degree from the University of Alabama and has had a distinguished career in education.
Tracie West is a Republican member of the board from District 2. She was re-elected to a second four-year term in the Republican Primary. She hails from Auburn and, as would be expected from this area, is well-qualified and versed in education knowledge and policy. Prior to being elected to the state school board, Tracie served as a member of the Auburn City Schools Board of Education, including serving as president of that board.
There are four members up for re-election in 2024, Jackie Ziegler, Stephanie Bell, Tonya Chestnut, and Belinda McRae, provided all four decide to seek another term.
Jackie Ziegler of Mobile is a Republican board member and represents District 1. She was first elected in 2016, and is an experienced and successful educator. She is a graduate of the University of South Alabama. She was a classroom teacher, then longtime principal in the Mobile County School System. She is married to State Auditor Jim Ziegler.
Stephanie Bell, who represents District 3, is by far the most veteran member of the board having first been elected in 1994 and re-elected to eight consecutive terms. At the end of her current term, she will have served over 30 years. She is a stellar member, an asset to the board, and hopefully will run again. Stephanie is a lifelong resident of Montgomery as is her husband.
Dr. Tonya Chestnut, a native of Selma, is a Democrat and represents District 5. She has a doctorate in education and is the former Dean of Alabama State University College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Belinda McRae of Hamilton is the Republican board member for District 7. She is in her first term. Belinda taught English and art for 25 years in the Marion County School System and served on the Marion County Board of Education before being elected to the State School Board.
Choosing the State Superintendent is probably the most important task of the Alabama State School Board and the Board made an excellent choice when they selected Dr. Eric Mackey as Alabama State Superintendent of Education. Dr. Mackey is a former school superintendent and former Executive Director of the State School Superintendents Association.
Most of our former governors did not take their ex-officio role as seriously as Governor Kay Ivey. Governor Ivey has been a very active and dutiful member of the Alabama State School Board.
In closing, allow me to not only give accolades to the state school board, but also a tip of the hat to all local school board members.
See you next week.
September 14, 2022 - The Decibel Level Story
Those of us who served a long time in the legislature have a lot of stories. I served 16 years from 1982 to 1998 from my home county of Pike. I chose not to run again in 1998. However, I missed the comradery and friendships of other legislators who became lifelong friends.
It was apparent that those of us who hailed from smaller towns and rural counties knew our constituents better and were better known by our constituents than those from urban areas.
Our name identification was exponentially higher than our big city colleagues for obvious reasons. Our folks usually knew us. They knew everything about us. They knew when you went to work, when you walked, when and where you ate and what ballgame you attended. In essence, they knew how to find you. It was a full-time job for a small town legislator. The big city boys could simply come to Montgomery and vote and go home to anonymity. We small town legislators were expected to go to every fish fry, barbeque, dinner on the grounds, preacher’s anniversary, homecoming and ballgame in our county.
My availability was exacerbated by the fact that my mama’s and daddy’s families had been residents of my county for a long time. Many of my constituents had watched me grow up and a good many were kin to me.
When I got elected at age 30, my phone started ringing and it never stopped the entire 16 years. I still get constituent calls today after being out of office 20 years. We had no resident congressman, so I got all of his calls. If a pressing matter was being discussed on the national scene, people called me because they did not distinguish a difference between a state legislator or a national legislator. In fact, they would see me on the street and ask me why I was not in Washington. Most of the congressional calls I got, however, were for lost Social Security checks. In fact, most of the calls I got were not related to my job as a state legislator. There were calls that pertained to why someone’s garbage had not been picked up, a neighbor’s dog was barking all night, a road needed paving, roadside litter was not being picked up or state workers are lazy and do not work. In my first few years, a trend set in that was especially irritating – some folks thought that since you were a state politician you could get them out of jail.
As you know, Saturday night is a honkytonking, drinking night. Every drunk that got put in jail for drunken behavior would invariably call my house and ask me to get him out. I finally refused to answer the phone on Saturday night after 8 p.m. Years later, I was so glad to vote for the legislation that mandated that every drunk driver had to stay in jail for 24 hours.
However, prior to that decision, I got an interesting call one Saturday night around 7:00 p.m. It was from a gentleman my parents’ age who was from a large family in the northern part of my county. I could tell he was in a bar because I could hear music in the background. I thought here we go, he’s wanting to get either bailed out or his garbage had not been picked up on time. He began slowly, he was wasn’t quite drunk, but he was on his way because he was slurring his words. He began, “You know Steve, I’ve known you all your life and we all voted for you up here, and I’ve known your mama and daddy all my life, we all went to school together….well Steve, I’m out here at the Holiday Inn bar trying to have a quiet drink and all these young people out here are playing this music too loud…..when you get back to Montgomery will you please pass a Bill requiring bars to lower the decibel level for music in certain establishments?”
Bless his heart, at least he was asking me for something that pertained to my job.
See you next week.
September 7, 2022 - Buck’s Pocket
For decades, losing political candidates in Alabama have been exiled to “Buck’s Pocket.” It is uncertain when or how the colloquialism began, but political insiders have used this terminology for at least 60 years. Alabama author, the late Winston Groom, wrote a colorful allegorical novel about Alabama politics in the 1960s and referred to a defeated gubernatorial candidate having to go to Buck’s Pocket. Most observers credit Big Jim Folsom with creating the term. He would refer to the pilgrimage and ultimate arrival of his opponents to the political purgatory reserved for losing gubernatorial candidates.
Which brings me to another contention surrounding Buck’s Pocket. Many ague that Buck’s Pocket is reserved for losing candidates in the governor’s race. Others say Buck’s Pocket is the proverbial graveyard for all losing candidates in Alabama.
One thing that Winston Groom clarified is that once you are sent to Buck’s Pocket, you eat poke salad for every meal. It is not certain whether Big Jim or Groom began the poke salad myth. Once you are sent to Buck’s Pocket, Groom suggested you were relegated to the rural resting place forever. However, history has proven that a good many defeated Alabama politicians have risen from the grave and left Buck’s Pocket to live another day.
Most folks do not know that there really is a Buck’s Pocket. Big Jim was the first gubernatorial aspirant to hail from North Alabama in the twentieth century. He was the first one to campaign extensively in rural North Alabama, often one-on-one on county roads. One day while stumping in the remote Sand Mountain area of Dekalb County, he wound up in an area he referred to as Buck’s Pocket. It was a beautiful and pristine area, but it was sure enough back in the woods. Big Jim, who loved the country and loved country folks, was said to say, “I love the country, but I sure wouldn’t want to be sent to Buck’s Pocket to live.”
Buck’s Pocket is no longer a mythical place. If you are traveling up the interstate past Gadsden, on the way to Chattanooga, you will see it. There is a Buck’s Pocket State Park in Dekalb County, thanks to Big Jim. So next time you hear an old timer refer to a defeated candidate as going to Buck’s Pocket, you will know what they are talking about.
After the primary runoffs, Auburn City Councilman Jay Hovey was declared the winner of the State Senate District 27 race. He won the senate seat by one vote. Folks, the old saying that one vote makes a difference is not just an adage. It is nearly impossible to defeat an incumbent state senator, especially one who has served two terms and amassed an enormous war chest. Jay Hovey was outspent by the incumbent Tom Whatley $1.2 million to $96,000 – an unbelievable more than 12-1 advantage. The district includes Lee, Tallapoosa and Russell counties. However, most of the votes are in Lee County. Hovey ran like a scalded dog through Auburn and Lee County. Obviously, he and his wife, Anna, are well thought of in Auburn, Opelika and Lee County. Home folks know you best. He will make a good senator for that important part of the state.
Elmore County Circuit Judge Bill Lewis is a bright star on the judicial political horizon. Judge Lewis has been on the bench six years. His Circuit includes Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties. Judge Bill Lewis could wind up on the State Supreme Court one day if he not plucked earlier for a federal district judge spot by a Republican president. He is 43 and sharp.
The state Democratic Party has elected Randy Kelley, a Huntsville minister, as Chairman, and Tabitha Isner, a Montgomery political activist, as Vice-Chairman. They were the choices of the five decade king of Democratic politics, Joe Reed.
The Alabama Republican Party right-wing hierarchy has passed a resolution asking the legislature to have a closed private primary. It is doubtful that the legislature will give credence to the group’s wishes. It would disenfranchise over half of the Republican leaning voters in the state and shoot the Republican Party in the foot. It would also discriminate against black voters in the state and, if passed, would never withstand Justice Department approval under the Voting Rights Act.
See you next week.
August 31, 2022 - Alabama is a Big Front Porch
This is the final version of a three week series of stories that illustrate that Alabama is a Big Front Porch.
James E. “Big Jim” Folsom was one of our few two-term governors. In the old days, governors could not succeed themselves. Therefore, Big Jim was first governor in 1946-1950. He waited out four years and came back and won a second term in 1954, and stayed through 1958.
Big Jim was still a young man when he was first elected in 1948. He and his wife, Jamelle, had their firstborn child, James E. Folsom, Jr., in 1949 while Big Jim was governor. Therefore, Jim Folsom, Jr., who some folks refer to as “Little Jim,” was literally born in the Governor’s mansion.
Big Jim hired a man to be the Governor’s mansion butler and overseer of the mansion on Perry Street. The gentleman’s name was Dave Perry. He looked the part. Dave Perry was a tall, handsome, distinguished gentleman with a beautiful baritone voice.
Dave Perry practically raised Jim Folsom, Jr. He took him to school every day, taught him to ride a bike and taught him to swim in the pool Big Jim had built behind the mansion shaped like the State of Alabama. I’ve wondered over the years that the reason Jim Folsom, Jr. has such a rich southern Black Belt drawl is because he grew up listening to Dave Perry, who had that same melodious drawl.
Jim Folsom, Jr. went back to Cullman when his daddy left office but Dave Perry stayed on as the master butler at the Governor’s mansion. He stayed through different governors, including all of the Wallace years as Governor.
Guess what happens? Forty years after Dave Perry became the Governor’s mansion butler, Jim Folsom, Jr. became governor. Dave Perry’s boy had come home. It was like old home week.
Jim Folsom, Jr. was my favorite governor to serve with during my entire legislative career. He was the only one who was close to my age. We were friends. I was friends with his wife, Marsha Guthrie from Cullman, while at the University of Alabama. She was a student leader. So, Jim and Marsha were truly friends of mine and still are.
During legislative sessions and even during the rest of the year, occasionally Jim would invite his closest legislative friends and political buddies to join him in the “Library,” a backroom in the center part of the mansion. We would talk politics in the same room that his daddy held court in 40 years earlier. Guess who would join us sometimes? Mr. Dave Perry would tell us Big Jim stories we had never heard. Dave passed away a few years ago in his hometown of Montgomery. He was an Alabama legend.
The Alabama Front Porch narrative appears to be poised to transcend to a new generation of Alabamians. My lifetime friend, Bill Blount of Montgomery, recently shared this story of what goes around comes around in Alabama.
The 1954 Governor’s race was between “Big Jim” Folsom and Baldwin County State Senator Jimmy Faulkner. Senator Faulkner had been the Mayor of Bay Minette and owned several southwest Alabama newspapers. Big Jim beat Faulkner handily to win his second term as governor. The other two contestants in that governor’s race, whose progeny makeup our “Big Porch,” were State Senator Bruce Henderson from Wilcox County and State Senator Karl Harrison from Shelby County.
At that time the President of the Alabama Young Democrats was Frank Long, who was openly for Folsom and would later become legal advisor to Folsom and an integral part of his Cabinet. Faulkner made a big deal about Frank Long’s allegiance to Folsom and refused to attend all Democratic events.
Fast forward to today. Marshall Long, a Montgomery attorney who serves as an administrative assistant for the state senate now, is Frank Long’s grandson. Marshall is married to Caroline Camp, who happens to be Jimmy Faulkner’s great granddaughter. Further, Marshall’s brother, Frank of Birmingham, dates Nickie Reese who is the great granddaughter of Bruce Henderson the aforementioned candidate from Wilcox County.
Lastly, the Long brothers grew up with Bill Blount’s sons, Wilson and Jesse Blount. Their great uncle was Karl Harrison from Columbiana in Shelby County, who was also a candidate. Matter of fact, Jess’s middle name is Harrison.
Kathryn Tucker Wyndham would enjoy this generational transition. She would simply smile and agree that her adage lives on – Alabama is indeed a Big Front Porch.
See you next week.
August 24, 2022 - Special Alabamians
Under the title “Alabama is a Big Front Porch,” made famous by the legendary Alabama storyteller, Kathryn Tucker Wyndham, I will continue to share some personal political stories with you this week.
As many of you know, I have been friends with our iconic, senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby, for close to four decades. History will reveal Senator Shelby as Alabama’s greatest U.S. Senator and folks, that is saying a mouth full because we have had some great ones. We have had a cadre of great Senators including Lister Hill, John Sparkman, John Bankhead, and Howell Heflin along with Shelby. As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Shelby has brought untold hundreds of millions of dollars home to Alabama. It would take a book or volumes of books to tell the story of Shelby’s prowess at bringing home the bacon to his beloved state. He is completing 36 years in the Senate this year.
Two of my favorite Alabamians and loyal friends are former Congressman and now University of South Alabama President, Jo Bonner and one of the finest ladies in the state, Dora James of Opelika. I visit with each of these two friends almost weekly. They graciously read the column and give me feedback.
Jo Bonner epitomizes the adage of being a true southern gentleman. He is admired and beloved all over the state, more than he can imagine.
Dora James epitomizes a true southern lady. She is admired and revered in Lee County. She is a true philanthropist and modest, kind and genuinely sweet person. About seven years ago, she hosted book signings for me at Auburn University and in Opelika that attracted several hundred folks at each, not because of me but because of her.
Speaking of memorable book signing events, the people of Jasper and Walker County hosted a large event at which Congressman Robert Aderholt was gracious enough to travel down from Washington to introduce me. Over the years, I have enjoyed a special closeness and connection to the folks in Jasper/Walker County, who read my column in The Daily Mountain Eagle. They have a rich political heritage with the Bankheads, Carl Elliott, Tom Bevill, and others.
To show how old I am getting and how long I have been writing this column, it seems that every state senator I know says, “Please do not write something bad about me because my mama reads your column religiously every week and has for decades.”
Speaking of books, I had the opportunity to meet and visit with the legendary author of To Kill A Mockingbird, Nelle Harper Lee. Folks in Monroeville, who knew her well from their generation, called her “Nelle.” Even though she had an apartment in New York that she purchased when her book came out in the 1960’s, Nelle Harper Lee lived her entire life in Monroeville. She lived with her sister, Alice, who was a good bit older than Nelle. I am told that Alice was the first female lawyer in Alabama. She was one of the most prominent lawyers in Monroeville and lived to be over 100. Alice and Nelle were neither married.
Nelle Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, is one of the five most read and purchased books in history. I am told by Monroeville old timers that it is a total allegory. It is simply a story of Harper Lee growing up in Monroeville. All the characters are real, even Boo Radley.
One day a few years ago, Harper Lee sent word to me that she enjoyed and read my column, weekly, in the Monroe Journal and would like to meet me. I journeyed to Monroeville, and we exchanged greetings and she gave me a signed copy of her book. I thanked her and told her that it was bought and read by quite a few more people than mine. She was a person of very few words and renowned for her privacy and reclusiveness. The only thing she said to me, substantively, was, “You are taller than you look like in your picture.”
I thanked her for her time and the visit and book. When I got back into my car, I called my older daughter, who is a lawyer in Birmingham, and said, “I know when I die you are going to just pile up my books and throw them away, but there is one you might want to save.”
We will continue with more stories next week.
August 17, 2022 - Legendary Alabamians
The longer I continue to write about Alabama politics, the more I realize that Alabama really is a “Big Front Porch” – a saying made famous by our legendary Alabama storyteller, Kathryn Tucker Wyndham.
I have been involved in the world of Alabama politics for 60 years. I have been writing this column for over 18 years and that is longer than I served in the legislature. I am sometimes asked whether I liked being in the Alabama political arena or writing about it better. The answer is easy. Writing is better. It is more fun to be able to throw stones than to have stones thrown at you.
I am also asked at social or political events around the state what are some of your favorite political memories. Indeed, I have been blessed to have met and known some of Alabama’s best known political and literary figures and some of them well.
I began paging in the Alabama Legislature at age 12, and met Governor George Wallace when he was in his first term as governor. Ironically, 20 years later I was elected to the legislature and Wallace was again governor for his fourth and final term. My legislative district included Pike, Barbour and Dale Counties so I represented Wallace in his home county of Barbour. Wallace loved the fact that I was now his representative. He would have me visit with him often in the governor’s office and he would tell me political stories and maxims. He told me a lot of inside stories about the Civil Rights era, as well as pre-Civil Rights, some of which I have shared with you and some I will share later.
One of my favorite friends in Alabama politics was the late Senator Howell Heflin. Heflin was a very straightlaced gentleman. His daddy was a Methodist minister. He was truly a great man and one of the wittiest and best storytellers I ever knew. He was a real Alabama hero and legend. He was a decorated World War II veteran, one of Alabama’s best lawyers, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and our U.S. Senator for 18 years. Most people who knew him well in Alabama and Washington simply referred to him as “Judge.”
I wrote a glowing column about “Judge”. He appreciated the column. It really was like a eulogy. He liked to call me “Tree,” a nickname I acquired in college. After the column came out, he started getting calls from all over the state. He called to thank me. I told him, “Judge I’m in about 60 papers and about 30-40 of the papers send me copies of the paper and why don’t I gather those up and bring them to you and read what title they gave to your column.” He said, “Would you do that, Tree?” I said, “Yes, I would enjoy a visit.”
He had retired from the Senate and was back home in Tuscumbia. I drove to Tuscumbia for the day. Got there for breakfast and stayed all day. We perused the papers I had brought him, and I headed home. Ole Judge died a few weeks later and I traveled back up to the Shoals for his funeral. I was proud when the preacher used some excerpts from my column for Judge’s eulogy.
There was a throng of people at Judge’s funeral, including quite a few famous and powerful members of the U.S. Senate. I do not think that the Florence airport had ever seen that many private jets. I had already had my goodbye with Judge and the line was very long to greet “Mrs. Mikie,” Judge’s wife and Tom his son. Judge’s wife was from a prominent North Alabama family, the Carmichaels, thus he had coined her nickname “Mikie.” As I was leaving, I heard someone shout my name, “Tree, wait.” It was Tom Heflin, the only child of Judge and Mikie. Tom is a lawyer and a fraternity brother of mine from the University of Alabama. He said, “I want to tell you something. When we went into daddy’s bedroom the other morning and found him passed away, beside his bed was a large desk, and on the desk were all the papers you brought him the other day. He had read them just before he went to bed.” It made me feel very good. It is one of the most rewarding memories of my column writing days.
I will continue with more stories next week.
August 10, 2022 - Jim Oakley
A legend in Alabama newspaper, educational, and political lore, Jim Oakley of Centreville, turned 87 last month.
Jim is known statewide as the legendary owner, publisher, and editor of the Centreville Press newspaper. However, he has also been intertwined with Alabama politics for over six decades. If you only counted Jim Oakley, Jr.’s service to his city, Centreville, and his county, Bibb, he would be an icon. In addition, when you add his 33 years as an assistant dean and head of placement services at the University of Alabama, it qualifies him in my book and a good many Alabamians minds, as one of our state’s institutional legends.
Jim Oakley grew up in the newspaper business. Around 1915, his grandfather bought two local papers and combined them into the Centreville Press. His father, Jim Oakley, Sr., eventually took over the paper having been groomed for the job. Jim, Jr. always planned to follow his father. He went to the University of Alabama and of course majored in journalism. He met and married his wife, Shirley Ann Naramore of Prattville, at the University and after graduation he came back home to Centreville to run the family newspaper.
Governor Wallace appointed Oakley to the Alabama Commission of Higher Education (ACHE) where he served as chairman for 14 years. It was in this role when Kay Ivey was hired as executive director of ACHE. The person Kay Ivey looked to for help in her first campaign for state Treasurer was Jim Oakley. He has been her go to person for Bibb County for all her campaigns for Treasurer, Lieutenant Governor and Governor, including this last race this year.
Jim sold the Centreville Press in 1985, but continued to write his marvelous column. Less than two months later Joab Thomas, President of the University of Alabama and a longtime friend, called to ask Jim what he was planning on doing. Oakley replied, “I thought I would take up fishing.” Thomas told him he had been thinking that if he could find someone who had worked in the real world and really knew the newspaper business to come and teach students, it would be an asset to the journalism department.
That began a career at the University of Alabama that would last 33 years. He started off teaching journalism, then became the Director of Freshman Orientation of all University of Alabama students and culminated with being Head of Placement Services for the College of Communications. He helped hundreds of Alabama graduates find their first jobs in communications, TV, radio, digital and print media. Many are famous and most point to Jim Oakley as their mentor.
The post where he had the most impact was as Director of Freshman Orientation. He greeted and made to feel at home thousands of freshman students. He welcomed each and every one of them as though he was their grandfather. He amazingly remembered them all by name and where they were from and their parents’ names.
I will never forget the day I first met Jim. I knew who he was. He was legendary. He knew me from the legislature. I was taking my younger daughter to register and move into the famous Tutwiler dormitory. There was Jim waiting in the parking lot greeting every student. He gave me a warm handshake and hugged Allyson and made her feel at home. He looked after her like a grandfather for the next four years. Another young lady from Enterprise named Katie Boyd arrived that same day to move into Tutwiler. Jim took her under his wing the same way; she has just been elected as our next U.S. Senator. The first person she sought in Bibb County, when she began her race, was Jim Oakley. There are a thousand more stories like those of Katie and Allyson. Jim loved and cared for each of them like they were his own.
He has three children of his own, Mike, Bill and Melanie Kay. His oldest son, Mike Oakley, is the Mayor of Centreville as was his grandfather Jim Oakley, Sr.
For over 60 years now, all candidates for major statewide offices have come to Bibb County to kiss the ring of Jim Oakley and cultivate his friendship and support. Oakley has been friends and confidantes to every governor, including George Wallace and Kay Ivey. He has been close friends with many of our U.S. Senators, especially Jim Allen and Richard Shelby. He has mentored and helped almost every state representative and state senator, who have represented Bibb County over the years. His current Bibb County Senator, April Weaver, is one of his favorites.
Jim Oakley has a lot of friends in Alabama.
See you next week.
August 3, 2022 - Big Jim’s Show in 1962 Governor’s Race
The 1962 Governor’s Race was between George Wallace, James “Big Jim” Folsom, and newcomer Ryan DeGraffenreid, a state senator from Tuscaloosa. Television had become the new medium. Therefore, Wallace, Folsom, and DeGraffenreid had all bought 30-minute, live television shows the night before the election.
George Wallace came on first at 7:00 p.m. He did pretty well, not great, but he did not hurt himself.
Ryan DeGraffenreid came on at 7:30 p.m. He was magnificent. He helped himself immensely. He was telegenic and took to television like a duck to water. He was a hit and picked up some votes.
Big Jim came on last at 8:00 p.m. That was probably too late for Big Jim. They had him sitting on a sofa that was too small for him. His knees jutted up almost to his chest. Television advisors will tell you to look squarely into the camera. Obviously, the last thing Big Jim had been told before he went on the air was to look right into the camera. He hunkered down like he was staring a hole in the viewer the way he stared at the camera. Unfortunately, the advisor had forgotten to tell Big Jim to comb his hair. He had a wayward strand of hair hanging right down in his face.
His first words portended what was to come. His speech was slurred, and he was clearly drunk. After his opening statement of about four minutes, even though I was only 11, I could tell Big Jim seemed impaired. I walked back to my mama’s bedroom door where she was reading and I said, “Mama, you need to come in the living room and see Big Jim on TV. I believe he is drunk.” She walked in, glanced at him and assured me that was just Big Jim’s personality. She said he was putting on a show for the television audience. I think she was taking up for him because she was for him. So, I settled back in for the remainder of the show.
Big Jim had several children, so they were going to have him introduce his children one-by-one. Little Jim came out first and he did pretty well with him, “This is my little boy, Jim.” Although he did tousle his hair pretty badly. The second son, Jack, came out and Big Jim said, “This is my boy...” He stammered around trying to think of his name. Finally, he blurted out, “Boy what is your name?” The television folks dropped the idea of trying to introduce the rest of Big Jim’s family after that.
They let him start talking again. He was weaving back and forth. The long strand of hair was hanging right over his nose. He was now pontificating on the virtues of progressivism, free textbooks and Farm-to-Market roads. I called mama in again to view the spectacle. She stood there for a full two minutes with her mouth open and finally said, “Son, I believe you’re right. Big Jim is drunk.”
He finished by getting mad at George Wallace and calling him a cuckoo bird for trying to steal his platform. He waved his arms wildly for three solid minutes on statewide television mimicking a cuckoo bird.
Folks around the state had heard tales and rumors about Big Jim’s drinking for years. They had dismissed it as political talk. However, seeing Big Jim live and drunk on statewide television was an eyeopener. He never recovered. He failed to make the runoff the next day. Wallace led the ticket and DeGraffenreid edged Big Jim out of the runoff. Wallace beat DeGraffenreid in the runoff.
Later, Big Jim said Wallace’s people drugged him. This story is not likely. Big Jim had pretty much succumbed to alcohol by this time in his life. The night Big Jim came on television drunk was the end of his political career but it was a heck of a show.
Some old time political observers contend Big Jim would have won that 1962 race had he not come on television drunk the night before the election. I disagree. George Wallace was going to win that year because he had captured the race issue and exploited and demagogued it to get to the governor’s office, which he aspired to more than life itself. Big Jim would have finished second but Wallace would have pounded Big Jim in the runoff. Big Jim was soft on the race issue. He was a true progressive.
See you next week.