Senate Sketches # 1025

NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years. These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and therefore a link to the publication is not available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.

Senate Sketches # 1025

By

Senator Hank Sanders

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My mother used to say, “I’m at my best when things get bad.” We had to be at our best in organizing the Alabama Senate because we kept having “things get bad” moments.

It was the day after the November 7^th election when the first “things get bad” moment sprung upon us. The day started well in spite of our friend and fellow legislator Senator Gary Tanner losing his re-election bid. Still we had 23 Democrats to just 12 Republicans. It was not just probable but likely that Democrats would organize the Senate in spite of the great powers of the Governor’s Office.

We were meeting with Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. about getting all Democrats together when the first “things get bad” moment rocked us. Six Democrats, at a mid-afternoon press conference, had just announced their intentions to join the 12 Republicans to organize the Alabama State Senate. In a 35-member body, 18 makes a majority. We were caught completely off guard because two of the six Democrats had been with us the last eight years. We set a conference call of the Senate Democratic Caucus for the next day to rally the troops. We had to be at our best to hold the remaining 17 Democrats together.

We defined the terrible adverse impacts if the “Bipartisan Coalition” organized the Senate. We shared our vision and plans for victory. We tried to define the issues for the public. Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom, Jr. continued trying to unite all 23 Democrats, but the six dissident Democrats refused to meet ever.

The next “things get bad” moment came in the late afternoon on December 7, with an announcement that 12 Republicans and 6 Democrats had unanimously decided to elect Senator Jim Preuitt as President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate. Our chances for victory were diminished, but we kept hope alive because we were at our best.

We had avoided selecting a Senate President Pro Tem candidate. Senator Lowell Barron, Pro Tem for the last eight years, had indicated that he would step aside when it helped us to organize. It was now time and he stepped aside.

Several loyal Democrats began negotiating with Republicans to form a different Bipartisan Coalition. I was never under any illusion that Republicans Senators would organize with loyal Democrats in the Senate. I felt Republicans were using dissident Democrats to up the ante. I also felt that would be positive. And up the ante it did.

Another “things get bad” moment came when we heard that another loyal Democratic senator had “jumped to the other side.” This was a huge loss because it was unexpected and increased the 18-17 deficit to 19-16. We had to be at our best to prevent others from jumping on the Coalition bandwagon.

The common wisdom said we could not keep the 16 remaining Senators together. We defied the common wisdom. We bided our time. We knew that if we persuaded anyone to come back too early, the power of the Governor’s Office would entice someone else to jump. Our goal was to just keep it close until the last moment.

Another “things get bad” moment occurred when the Bipartisan Coalition decided the following: (1) the Education Budget Committee, to be chaired by an African American, would have more Republican than Democratic members; (2) key bills impacting our legal system would not go to the Judiciary Committee to be chaired by an African American; (3) Republicans would Chair nine of the 12 most important committees; and (4) who would chair what committee. We still avoided deciding who would chair what committee in order to be flexible.

It soon became clear that the last “things get bad” moment was a blessing in disguise: (1) there were now no major positions left to entice any of our 16; (2) the two African Americans would hold chairmanships in name only: and (3) others became involved. Dr. Paul Hubbert of AEA (the Alabama Education Association), repeatedly stated that he was “staying out of the organizational struggle except as it affected education.” Education was now being adversely affected big time and Dr. Hubbert became involved, bringing all his skills, power and resources.

We waited until the Saturday before organizing on Tuesday to make a strong move. Still we moved too early because Governor Riley, Senator Preuitt and others found out what we had done and undid it. It was another “things get bad” moment.

We waited until 11 o’clock Monday night to commence our final move. It was concluded on Tuesday morning at something to 11 o’clock with the Senate Organizational Session scheduled for 12 noon.

Within a half hour after the Senate Session commenced, the Senate Democratic Caucus prevailed by 18-17 votes. We were at our best when things were bad. Now we have to be at our best to truly serve our people.

Now on to the Daily Diary.

Saturday – I began the day with an 8:00 a.m. prayer breakfast where I talked with Dr. Margaret Hardy and other leaders before traveling to Montgomery for the Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC) Board meeting. I talked with several ANSC leaders from around the state as well as the following: Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College; Majority Leader Senator Zeb Little; and Senator Myron Penn, Chair or the Senate Black Caucus. I returned to Selma to work into the night.

Sunday – I did Radio Sunday School, Radio Education and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School before handling several conference calls. I also talked with the following: Dr. Fannie McKenzie, Dallas County School Superintendent, about education; Senator Vivian Davis Figures; John and Carol P. Zippert of Greene County; and others. I went to dinner with a group of community activists and worked deep into the night.

Monday – I began the day with an 8 a.m. conference call. I also talked with the following: Senator Zeb Little; Senator Myron Penn; and Senator Quinton Ross. I traveled to Marion to speak at a King Birthday Celebration Program and talked with several Perry County leaders including Perry County School Superintendent John Heard and Councilman Spencer Hogue. I returned to Selma to handle several matters before traveling to Montgomery for two meetings and a Senate Democratic Caucus Dinner. I talked with various leaders including Lieutenant Governor Jim Folsom; Businessman Milton McGregor; Senator Majority Leader Zeb Little; Senator Pat Lindsey; Senator Wendell Mitchell; and Senator Ted Little; and others. I returned to Selma.

Tuesday – I was back in Montgomery by 6:30 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. meeting. I talked to several leaders including Senator Bobby Singleton and Dr. Paul Hubbert. I attended a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting and a Senate Session. I participated with the Committee on Assignments to appoint all Committee Chairs and members. I also talked to many Senators and other leaders including: Dr. Walter Hill of Tuskegee University; Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College; former Supreme Court Justice Ralph Cook; Ginger Avery Buckner of the Alabama Trial Lawyers; and lobbyist Tom Coker. I returned to Selma to work into the night.

Wednesday – I had breakfast with Dr. Mitchell and Rita Lett of Wallace Community College to discuss a Unity Breakfast and other matters. I talked to the following: Senator Myron Penn; Frank Kummel of Lowndes County; Senator Quinton Ross; Senator Phil Poole; Lowndes County Administrator Jackie Thomas; Representative Richard Lindsey; Joyce Bigbee and Norris Greene of the Legislative fiscal Office; Deborah Anthony of the Legislative Reference Service; Sharon Calhoun and Vickie Simmons of the Senate staff; Josephine Curtis of Selma; and Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem. I did the radio program Law Lessons; facilitated several meetings and worked into the night.

Thursday – I was in Birmingham by 8:30 a.m. for a meeting with leaders of the Alabama Trial Lawyers. I met with Senate Black Caucus members by conference call. I returned to Selma to visit the sick. I talked with many senators and others trying to resolve critical problems. I traveled to Greene County where I talked to several leaders including Sheriff Isom Thomas and Greene County Board members Lester Brown and Morris Hardy. At a School Board meeting, I shared our success in organizing the Senate including the fact that I would continue as Chair of the Senate Committee handling the $6 billion Alabama Education Budget. I returned to Selma.

Friday – I began writing Sketches at 6:40 a.m. and talked to the following: Sharon Calhoun of Montgomery; Perry County Commissioner Fairest Cureton; Selma Businessman Frank Chestnut; Pro Tem Chief of Staff Charley Grimsley; Senator Quinton Ross; Ralph Paige of the Federation who is in the hospital in Atlanta; Congressman Artur Davis; Rita Lett of Wallace Community College; Reverend James Jackson of Brown Chapel AME Church; Sharon Wheeler of Montgomery; and others. I traveled to Mobile for the Figures Legacy Foundation Ball where I talked with numerous leaders including the following: Senator Vivian Davis Figures; former Supreme Court Justice John England; former Alabama State Senator Gary Tanner; my former law partner Carlos Williams; and Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem. I returned to Selma at 2:00 a.m.

EPILOGUE – When people ask me how we overcame the great odds to win, I try to explain. I know, however, there is no explanation because we had help from a higher force that works in impetuous ways. That means we have a higher duty.