Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
& Home of Lawn Mower Repair

September 30, 2006

Will Money Tell the Tale?

Filed under: AL Senate, AL House, Campaign & Election — Danny @ 11:17 pm

According to a review of campaign finance reports by the Associated Press, Democratic candidates for the state House and Senate are raising more campaign funds than their Republican counterparts by greater than a 2 to 1 margin.

… Democrats have raised more than $14.4 million in their effort to retain control of the 105-member House and 35-member Senate, compared to about $6.5 million raised by Republican candidates.

The survey found contributors mostly favor incumbent lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation. In contested races involving current lawmakers, the incumbent had raised more than the challenger in all but one race, House District 65 in southwest Alabama, where Democratic Party challenger Marc Keahey had raised about $70,000 to about $55,000 for incumbent Rep. Nick Williams, R-McIntosh.

This is not good news for the Republican hopes to take either chamber from the Democrats. As Dan at Between the Links noted after the primaries, the candidates with more money tend to win.

Saturday 9/30/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Filed under: Daily News Digest — G @ 7:42 am

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115960820886330.xml&coll=2 – More drug plan choices ahead for Alabama’s Medicare beneficiaries.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115960840986330.xml&coll=2 – Baxley reaches out to state workers in emotional meeting.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115960837486330.xml&coll=2 – This article provides an updated glossary of the some of the most active PACs in Alabama.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/115960795286330.xml&coll=2The Birmingham News weighs in on the state’s $20 billion unfunded liability for health costs for current and future government retirees.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060930/riley.shtml - Riley defends his membership in all-white Masonic lodge.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060930/black.shtml - Black Democrats set closed meeting for today.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060930/NEWS/609300390/1001 - The Montgomery Advertiser details speculation that today’s meeting of Black Democrats may result in defections from State Democratic Party.

 http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060930/NEWS02/609300371/1009 - State’s natural gas customers may see lower prices this winter.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060930/NEWS/609300352/1007/NEWS02 -   Advocates, state await hearing date in suit over waiting lists for community based services for people with mental retardation.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-0930-0-6i29w0056.htm -   Editorial considers Bush’s visit, the Iraq war, and what Alabama could do with a fraction of its cost.

Family Hug or Headache?

Filed under: Campaign & Election, Party Politics — Danny @ 12:37 am

This “black Democrat family meeting” later today potentially has “party headache” written all over it. However, when the invitations were sent in the aftermath of Patricia Todd securing the Democratic Party nomination for HD 54 Representative (against the wishes of “family meeting” organizer Joe Reed), emotions were higher than they are now.

Look for the group to consider whether or not they will endorse Democrat John Tyson in the Attorney General’s race.

September 29, 2006

New Poll #’s Coming

Filed under: Campaign & Election, AL Executive Branch — Danny @ 11:58 pm

I hear that results of an independent poll will be coming out (probably this weekend) that show Folsom ahead of Strange, perhaps at or beyond the margin of error.

Cullman County Conflict

Filed under: Local Politics — Danny @ 3:42 pm

If the conflict of a small town newspaper versus a small town mayor interests you, then there is a somewhat curious story in Hanceville, Alabama (population 2,947 in 2002). Some of the details include the editor/publisher being forcibly removed from a city council meeting, a lawsuit for $1 million, a countersuit, plus a side of religious interest (the paper lists God as its owner).

Maybe the headlines below from the nearby Cullman Times over the months are enough, but if not, jump in anywhere (they are listed in reverse chronological order):

Too bad the paper involved does not appear to be online.

Rights and Wrongs

Filed under: National Politics — Danny @ 3:31 pm

I can’t say it any better than Birmingham Blues, Between the Links, or Alablawg already have.

Friday Fun: Google Trends

Filed under: Friday Fun — Danny @ 7:47 am

Google Trends lets you compare search volumes for multiple terms.

I have never in my memory seen a team take every snap of a quarter like Auburn did in the third quarter last night.

Comparing the number of searches for Tuberville and Spurrier… I guess Tuberville doesn’t get the respect.

tuberville     spurrier

Tuberville v Spurrier

Friday 9/29/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Filed under: Daily News Digest — G @ 6:34 am

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1159521566220230.xml&coll=2 – Bush visits state, raises campaign funds for Riley.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1159522240220230.xml&coll=2 – Baxley supporters rally in downtown Birmingham while Bush visits.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1159522260220230.xml&coll=2 – Pressure builds for resignation of Rep. Yvonne Kennedy (D-Mobile) as president of Bishop State Community College following arrest of two college employees.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1159521550220490.xml&coll=3 – Sen. Pat Lindsey (D-Butler) leads opponent in fund raising.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1159521314220410.xml&coll=1The Huntsville Times coments on recent bipartisan endorsements of state’s public employee group.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060929/OPINION01/609280359/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertiser, citing reports that local lobbyist had created 13 new PACs, renews call to ban PAC-to-PAC transfers.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/060929a.shtml - The Decatur Daily calls for Legislature to increase funding for legal defense for indigent citizens.

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

Study says education makes big difference in Alabama

By Steve Ivey
Star Staff Writer

09-29-2006

College graduates in Alabama earn nearly double what workers with no higher education earn.

They’re also more likely to find work, volunteer their time, vote, and report good health.

(more…)

September 28, 2006

Want to Make $1000?

Filed under: National Politics — Danny @ 4:49 pm

Want to make $1000 and help connect elected U.S. legislators to their constituents? The Sunlight Network is offering $1000 to anyone who can persuade a member of Congress to sign the Punch Clock Agreement and put his or her daily schedule online. Seven legislators so far have agreed.

Scanlon Legend Grows

Filed under: Misc. AL Politics, National Politics — Danny @ 9:07 am

Michael ScanlonI know that convicted lobbyist and former Riley aide Michael Scanlon has an …umm… unusual sense of propriety: he used what he called the “wackos” of the Christian right for his own personal and political gain, he and his partner Jack Abramoff defrauded Indian tribes of $80 million plus, and after the two managed to shut down a tribal casino on behalf of other gambling interests/clients, they tried to recruit that tribe as a client whose gambling interests they could revive.

But here’s a new one for us. In one case, their “client was the Tigua tribe of Southwest Texas” and they “were so brazen as to charge $4.2 million while al­­­so on retainer with a rival Louisiana-based tribe, the Coushattas, and pursuing the express aim of shutting the Tiguas’ casino down.” (Emphasis in original.)

Wow… take $4.2 million from one client’s gambling interest while pursuing for another client the aim of shutting that first client down.

That’s pretty audacious.

Cobb Ad: Let Her Shine

Filed under: Campaign & Election, AL Judicial Branch — Danny @ 8:48 am

FYI: a second Cobb ad.

Thoughts, anyone?

Also see:
Cobb Ad: Only

Cobb Ad: Only

Filed under: Campaign & Election, AL Judicial Branch — Danny @ 8:39 am

FYI: here is an ad from Democratic Candidate for Chief Justice, Sue Bell Cobb.

In it, she names things that set her apart from her opponent, Republican Drayton Nabers.

As an aside, do state Republicans use YouTube? I’ve not seen any of their ads there.

Also see:
Cobb Ad: Let Her Shine

Matthews: Bring It On

Filed under: Campaign & Election, Misc. AL Politics — Danny @ 8:10 am

Joe Reed, Frank Matthews has got you covered.

Frank Matthews copied me on some email intended for Rick Sellers saying that he (Matthews) would debate Rick Sellers any place, any time - presumably including on the air on Matthews’ radio show.

Republican consultant Rick Sellers challenged Joe Reed, the vice chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party and founder of the Alabama Democratic Conference, to “a debate about which party should control the Legislature in 2007.”

I’d watch.

Thursday 9/28/2006 DAILY NEWS DIGEST

Filed under: Daily News Digest — G @ 6:23 am

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115943581345510.xml&coll=2 – Bush unlikely to be visible to general public during visit today.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115943596545510.xml&coll=2 – Democrats outspend GOP in effort to make case against Riley.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115943583045510.xml&coll=2 – Parties may have reached settlement in one issue in long running higher ed desegregation suit.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115943594445510.xml&coll=2 – Postcards suggest Siegelman as write-in candidate for governor.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/115943586245510.xml&coll=2 – Riley pledges to continue efforts to create “world class” school system if re-elected.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/115943519645860.xml&coll=3 – Defeat of 4-mill tax renewal stuns Escambia school officials.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/115943496445860.xml&coll=3Press-Register calls for legislature to approve Barron’s predatory loan proposals and to go further and reduce high interest rates.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060928/NEWS02/609280330/1009 - Baxley proposes tax break for state’s National Guard members.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060928/OPINION01/609270383/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertiser likes proposal to create trust fund to address unfunded liability for future employee health costs.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/060928a.shtml - The Decatur Daily calls for court to grant motion to allow new trials for Siegelman and Scrushy.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-0928-editorial-6i27t0744.htm - The Anniston Star asks if the state’s education budget ’surplus’ would best be spent in education.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-0928-editorial-6i27t1007.htm - The Anniston Star suggests that political reasons are why Alabama is dragging its feet when it comes to restoring voting rights to people with felony records.

September 27, 2006

GA Christian Coalition Breaks Away

Filed under: Misc. AL Politics, National Politics, Faith & Politics — Danny @ 3:25 pm

Like Noah and his neighbors, Georgia’s Christian Coalition and the national organization are waving goodbye with no plans to see one another again.

This is the fourth state group to leave the national Christian Coalition. Alabama’s group jumped or was pushed last month.

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