September 09, 2009
When talk turns to politics in Alabama it usually leads to the Governor’s race. It does not matter if the Governor’s race is four years away, political gossip starts early as to who will run for Governor. In Alabama politics the Governor’s office is the brass ring. As each new race approaches it is talked about more than ever around coffee clubs and kitchen tables from Sand Mountain to the Wiregrass. It is comparable to college football being the king of all sports in Alabama.
This infatuation with the Governor’s office is borne out in voting history. In most states the Presidential race sees the largest voter turnout, but that is not the case in Alabama where historically we have voted heavier in gubernatorial years. However the turnout has gotten closer in the last few decades ever since Alabama became a two party state. The emergence of the Republican Party in Alabama since 1964 has caused us to be more like the national norm. However, in the 40 years prior, the largest turnout in Alabama was in the Democratic Primary for Governor.
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September 02, 2009
With Labor Day approaching it signifies that the long hot summer will soon be coming to an end. This Monday is Labor Day. It usually does not cool off much, but we Alabamians seem to think that Labor Day marks the end of summer. For those of us who are political junkies Labor Day also marks the beginning of the political season.
In political years most campaigns for the November general election kick off on Labor Day. This year, being an odd numbered year, is not an election year but next year is a biggie because 2010 is the year of the Governor’s race. This big year in Alabama politics happens every four years. Beginning in two weeks I will start a fifteen week series on the history of Alabama Governor’s races beginning with 1958 and covering the fifty-year history of gubernatorial contests. I hope that you will enjoy the series.
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August 29, 2009
Alabama, from the time that Reconstruction ended in 1876 until the Goldwater landslide of 1964, was a one party state. For those 90 years we were such a Democratic state that there was essentially no Republican Party in the state. During the entire 90 year span no Republican was elected Governor, or to any other constitutional office for that matter. We never had a Republican U.S. Senator or Congressman. Every major elected official was a Democrat. All of our races were decided in the Democratic Primary, so winning the Democratic Primary was tantamount to election.
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August 19, 2009
All 140 seats in the Alabama Legislature are up for election next year. The Governor’s race, U.S. Senate race and Congressional races are the marquee contests. However, the Legislature is probably the most important triumvirate of all three branches of state government because they divide up the money. Remember the old adage that those who have the gold make the rules. There is another old political saying that rings true especially in Alabama politics that all politics is local. The races for the Legislature and County Sheriff get the most local interest and spur turnout.
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August 12, 2009
Last week we handicapped the 2010 Governor’s Race. However, that will not be the only interesting race on the ballot in the upcoming election. We will have a smorgasbord buffet to choose from on the ballot next year. In addition to the Governor’s Race, we have all of the Constitutional offices up for grabs. All 140 legislative seats are on the ballot along with all 67 sheriffs. Richard Shelby’s Senate seat is up along with all seven of our congressional seats, one of which will be open due to Artur Davis’ departure to seek the governorship of the state.
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August 05, 2009
The prizefight for the brass ring of Alabama politics has begun. The Race for Governor is in full swing. The bell rang for the first round in June. That is officially when fundraising can begin. The law allows for all candidates in 2010 to start raising campaign money in June, one year prior to next year’s primaries.
There are eight announced candidates at this time. That is a lot less than most people expected given the fact that the Governor’s office is wide open. Incumbent Gov. Bob Riley is constitutionally prohibited from seeking a third term. There are six Republican candidates. Former postsecondary Chancellor Bradley Byrne, Former Chief Justice Roy Moore, Greenville businessman Tim James, State Treasurer Kay Ivey, State Representative Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa, and former ADECA Director Bill Johnson.
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July 29, 2009
One day, as I was having a long political discussion with one of the most knowledgeable masters and historians of Alabama political lore, the question arouse as to whether North Alabamians or South Alabamians were more politically involved. I espoused my belief that South Alabamians were without a doubt the most serious because they had held the power in the state legislature for most of the 20th century and most of our Governors also hailed from the region. Indeed, history reveals that from the origination of our 1901 Constitution through 1990, the Black Belt and South Alabama had produced most of our Governors. Barbour County produced six itself, including one who served four terms, and calls itself the “Home of Alabama Governors.”
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July 22, 2009
Those who inherit businesses from their parents are fortunate, especially if they enjoy that business or profession. The name and reputation of that inherited firm gives quite a head start to the beneficiary. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” The author of Proverbs, King Solomon, was indeed blessed by being the son of a great man. David was his father. Solomon was wise and rich but he was given quite the leg up with such a famous father.
The political business is no different than any other. In fact, it is probably more beneficial to have a father in politics than in any other arena if you want to go into politics. You need to simply look at our most recent past President to see the advantage. George H.W. Bush made it easier for his son George W. Bush. You may not have seen the end of this legacy. Son Jeb Bush, a popular two-term Governor of Florida, is waiting in the wings.
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July 15, 2009
Several of you after reading last week’s column took issue with President Obama’s appointment of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court for political reasons. As I mentioned last week, it is a political appointment and has always been a political appointment. It is the President’s prerogative to choose his nominee. We elected a liberal President of the United States. He is destined to pick a liberal for the Supreme Court.
Choices have been made for political reasons throughout our history. Obama’s choice of a Hispanic woman is an astute political decision. The largest growing segment of the electorate is Hispanic women. Sotomayor is a perfect political choice by Obama.
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July 08, 2009
Author Allen Drury wrote his famous allegorical novel “Advise and Consent” in 1959. It was one of the most successful and widely read books ever written about Washington and U.S. Senate politics. It remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 102 weeks and was later made into a Broadway play and then a movie.
The book surrounds the confirmation hearings of a liberal nominee for Secretary of State in the 1950’s. The title is based on Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the Senate the responsibility to advise the President on their nominee and the authority to consent to and approve or reject those nominees.
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