I am hearing now from a solid source that ALFA has declined to endorse any candidate for Governor or Lt. Governor.

In 2002, the ALFA endorsed Republicans Bob Riley for Governor and Bill Armistead for Lt. Governor, but not this year. Lingering hard feelings over Riley’s Amendment One tax proposal in 2003 likely cost him the endorsement, and he will not need it.

However, I understand that Luther Strange has been working ALFA hard for the endorsement, and it must be a disappointment to his campaign not to receive it. While ALFA typically leans toward the GOP and its candidates, they appear to be hedging their bets in the close Lt. Governor’s race this year.

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Sue Bell Cobb has an ad that responds to Nabers’ ad…

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Are you a little surprised that groups like Alfa, the Alabama Forestry Association, and the Organization Formerly Known As The Christian Coalition are not lining up in fierce opposition to Amendment Two, a.k.a. the 10-Mill Bill?

I expected to see angry, organized opposition to Amendment Two, but so far it has not happened.

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I don’t have anything to add to what has already been said in the blogosphere regarding last night’s debates. (Confession: they are yet unseen on my Tivo.) Wade on Birmingham and Jeff at Politics in Alabama were live blogging the gubernatorial debate (Jeff also did lt. gov. and AG race debates). Red State Diaries, Between the Links (Gov, Lt. Gov, AG), and Flashpoint (Gov, Lt. Gov, AG) all weighed in.

The consensus?

• Riley won big and looked good.
• In the debate for the lt. governor’s race, two believed Strange won, and two believed Folsom and Strange were a draw.
• In the debate of Attorney General candidates, with one exception the blogs’ consensus was that John Tyson, Jr. won though someone has made a concerted effort to hit the blogs with comments to convince us otherwise (for example, here, here, here, and here,).

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162289806296080.xml&coll=2 - Candidates tout differences in gubernatorial debate.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162289948296080.xml&coll=2 - Strange, Folsom speak to different relationships with governor in their debate.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162290033296080.xml&coll=2 - King, Tyson argue over experience.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162289907296080.xml&coll=2 - Federal judge sets December hearing on objections to settlement of long-running higher ed desegregation suit.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162289845296080.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News announces endorsements for state’s appellate courts, gives nod to Nabers in race for Chief Justice.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1162290085296120.xml&coll=3 - Group receives federal funds to build affordable housing for Katrina victims in Bayou la Batre.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162289862296120.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register criticizes Cato report giving Riley an F in fiscal policy.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162289813295930.xml&coll=1 - The Huntsville Times recommends reelection of Sue Schmitz in House District 6 and Randy Hinshaw in House District 21.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310355/1007/NEWS02 - Riley and Baxley both plan to spend last days of campaign on the road.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/APN/610301450 - Secretary of State’s office owes about 24 counties reimbursement for equipment purchases made to implement HAVA.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/APN/610301266 - Nabers says he is not participating in Exxon appeal case.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/APN/610301376 - Proponents pushing 10 mill measure for education.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310305/1012/editorial1 - The Tuscaloosa News endorses Chapman in race for Secretary of State.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310306/1012/editorial1- The Tuscaloosa News endorses Ivey for State Treasurer, Shaw for State Auditor, Sparks for Agriculture Commissioner, and Rice and Parker for PSC seats.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061031a.shtml -The Decatur Daily endorses Ivey in race for State Treasurer.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061031b.shtml - The Decatur Daily endorses Shaw in race for State Auditor.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061031c.shtml - The Decatur Daily endorses Sparks for Agriculture Commissioner.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS/610310340/1050/OPINION - The Gadsden Times calls for further improvement in state’s open records law.

http://www.thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8043f392ee71bff7 - Plant closure could have “devastating” impact on Stevenson.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/NEWS02/610310341/1009 - House District 88 pits veteran legislator against activist who espouses “Southern ideals.”

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/OPINION01/610300344/1012/OPINION - The Montgomery Advertiser urges voters to approve local home rule.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1031-editorial-6j30u2753.htm - The Anniston Star say Alabama is a “no-party state.”

FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:

State & Region News

Education officials say Amendment 2 is necessary to improve school funding

MONTGOMERY — State education officials Monday argued for the passage of Amendment 2, saying the legislation on next week’s ballot is needed to bring fairness and equity to funding for state schools.

“We know citizens understand the value of paying for something that’s important for them,” Alabama schools Superintendent Joe Morton said at a press conference Monday afternoon. “They understand the value of national defense, the value of police protection, the value of fire protection, and they understand the value of paying for schools. And that’s what Amendment 2 does.”

(more…)

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Blogger is being Blogger which means it’s being a pain. Blogger wouldn’t update the blog yesterday, and then it finally threw up three copies of the Sunday Daily News Digest.

Won’t let me do much of anything. This post may make it up since it is an email update, and G’s Daily News Digest made it in this morning as an email update.  So far I have been unable to remove the extra copies of Sunday’s Daily News Digest.

I have been trying to put off changing blogging platforms until after the election. I don’t have time as it is to blog about all the things I’d like before the election, much less doing it on a platform I am less familiar with, and not even to mention finding time to convert everything to a new platform and work out the hiccups and headaches along the way.

The Political Parlor forum is working fine. Would love to see you there.

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162203647259860.xml&coll=2 - Medicare Part D recipients to have more options next year.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162203487259860.xml&coll=2 - Debate for major constitutional offices scheduled for tonight.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162203528259860.xml&coll=2 - Campaigns plan to flood television airways between now and election day.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162203418259860.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News endorses Tyson in AG race, Chapman in race for Secretary of State, Ivey for State Treasurer, Shaw for State Auditor, and Sparks for Agriculture Commissioner.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1162203621259960.xml&coll=3 - “The Political Skinny,” the Press-Register’s weekly roundup from Mobile, Montgomery and Washington.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162203689259960.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register offers endorsements in the Supreme Court races, gives nod to Nabers in Chief Justice race.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162203456259830.xml&coll=1 - The Huntsville Times endorses King for AG, Chapman for Secretary of State, Ivey for State Treasurer, Sparks for Agriculture Commissioner, and Parks for PSC, Place 2.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061030a.shtml - The Decatur Daily endorses Tyson in race for AG.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061030b.shtml - The Decatur Daily endorses Worley in race for Secretary of State.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/610300301/1050/OPINION - The Gadsden Times endorses the reelection of Craig Ford in House District 28 and Jack Page in House District 29.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/610300334/1007/NEWS02 - Article profiles the race for State Senate District 21.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/610300313/1012/editorial1- The Tuscaloosa News endorses Tyson in race for AG.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/610300314/1012/editorial1 - The Tuscaloosa News offers endorsements in the Supreme Court races, gives nod to Cobb as Chief Justice.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/610300305/1015/OPINIONS01 - TimesDaily recommends reelection of Sparks in race for Agriculture Commissioner.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1030-0-6j29×1949.htm - The Annistor Star endorise John Tyson Jr. for Attorney General.

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/116211773036710.xml&coll=2 - Major gubernatorial candidates each offering different tax cut strategies.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211764936710.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News endorses Riley in race for governor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211759736710.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News endorses Strange in race for lt. governor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211806636710.xml&coll=2 - With the governor’s race all but decided, UAB professor identifies four other constitutional races that he deems “really worth watching.”

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211776436710.xml&coll=2 - Commentary by Gerald Johnson - “We need more idiots to act like citizens.”

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/116211730336680.xml&coll=3 - Folsom, Strange in final days of bitter race.

http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/116211705436680.xml&coll=3 - All GOP Supreme Court tagged as “activist” in campaign.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211761436680.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register endorses Riley in race for governor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211759536680.xml&coll=3 - Commentary by Hill Carmichael calls for new legislature to reform Alabama’s constitution.

http://www.al.com/opinion/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211777436680.xml&coll=3 - Press-Register endorses Strange in race for lt. governor.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/116211691237040.xml&coll=1 - Article details race for lt. governor.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211697737040.xml&coll=1 - Commentary paints the 1901 Constitution as the gobblin that haunts Alabama.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/116211717437040.xml&coll=1 - The Huntsville Times endorses Bob Riley in race for governor.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061029/baxley.shtml - Baxley sees uphill battle, sexism in fight against Riley.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061029/riley.shtml - Riley continues campaign push in spite of huge lead in polls.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061029/mail.shtml - Candidates in House District 4 race trade negative mass mailings.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061029/gop.shtml - Political pundits doubt that GOP can take control of legislature.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061029a.shtml - The Decatur Daily endorses Riley in race for governor.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/editorials/061029b.shtml - The Decatur Daily endorses Folsom in race for lt. governor.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/NEWS01/610290307/1007/NEWS05 - NOW takes stand on state’s issues.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/NEWS02/610290325/1009 - With little campaigning, outcomes of races in Courts of Civl and Criminal Appeals may hinge on political party affiliation.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/OPINION01/610290302/1012/OPINION - Montgomery Advertiser endorses Riley in race for governor.

http://www.dothaneagle.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DEA%2FMGArticle%2FDEA_… - Article profiles race for House District 85.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/APP/610281500 - Wesley Clark endorses Baxley in governor’s race.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/NEWS/610290333/1012/editorial1 - The Tuscaloosa News endorses Riley in governor’s race.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/NEWS/610290334/1012/editorial1 - The Tuscaloosa News endorses Folsom in race for lt. governor.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/NEWS/610290335/1013/EDITORIAL2 - “Alabama Exposure,” Dana Beyerle’s weekly political roundup for the NYTimes regional papers.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061029/NEWS/610290319/1015/OPINIONS01- TimesDaily endorses Cobb in race for Chief Justice.

http://www.cullmantimes.com/homepage/local_story_301224900.html?keyword=leadpicturestory - State Sen. Zeb Little (D-Cullman) says suit to remove him, three other Democrats, from November ballot  is “outrageous.”

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-columns-1029-bdaviscol-6j28v4100.htm - Bob Davis of The Anniston Star offers 13 questions he would ask in tomorrow night’s debate of major party candidates for governor, lt. governor, and attorney general.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-insight-1029-0-6j28v4023.htm - A piece from The Baltimore Sun is reprinted in The Anniston Star and asks, “Health care: Is it for all?”

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162027182127180.xml&coll=2 - Article profiles advertisement strategy and its effectiveness in this year’s state campaigns.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162026935127180.xml&coll=2 - Former U.S. Attorney General Ashcroft endorses Strange for lt. governor during campaign visit.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162027092127180.xml&coll=2 - Baxley campaigns on promises to end annual property tax reappraisals

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162026957127180.xml&coll=2 - Folsom says he won’t be a rubber stamp for governor if elected lt. governor, vows to maintain his independence.

http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1162027475127180.xml&coll=2 - Friday’s meeting discusses progress in improving access to public records, plans for modifications of state’s open records law.

http://www.al.com/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162027291127180.xml&coll=2 - The Birmingham News comments on state’s recent rise in infant deaths, calls for legislative action to address problem.

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1162027197127160.xml&coll=1 - Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) campaigning hard despite little effort from challenger.

http://www.al.com/opinion/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1162027140127160.xml&coll=1 - The Huntsville Times endorses Folsom in race for lt. governor.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/NEWS/610280305/1137/NEWS - APT to air debate of contenders for state’s top constitutional offices Monday evening.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/NEWS02/610280340/1009 - State’s voter registrars say court’s ruling did not resolve issues of voting by former felons.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AL_LEGISLATURE_AD_ALOL… - Challenger says ads by Rep. DuWayne Bridges (R-Valley) claiming that he opposed Bible literacy course untrue.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/NEWS01/610280329/1007 - Candidates in State Senate District 30 race swap accusations.

http://www.dothaneagle.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=DEA%2FMG… - The Dothan Eagle examines current campaign season, says that mudslingers “insult voters’ intelligence.”

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061027/APN/610272646 - Alabama’s prison system joins Habitat partnership.

http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061028/NEWS/610280322/1015/OPINIONS01 - Times Daily endorses Parker in race for PSC seat.

http://www.cullmantimes.com/local/local_story_301020701.html - Judge in appeals court race vows to review all campaign material following reports of inaccurate information.

http://www.cullmantimes.com/local/local_story_301015805.html - Sen. Zab Little considering legal action against state GOP over material he considers “borderline libelous.”

http://www.times-journal.com/report.lasso?wcd=6313 - Favorable ruling for plaintiffs in case seeking to remove Democratic nominees could cause election “chaos.”

http://www.times-journal.com/report.lasso?wcd=6314 - DeKalb County still awaiting reimbursement from Worley for expenditures under HAVA.

http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2006/as-editorials-1028-0-6j28a1259.htm - The Anniston Star endorses Jim Folsom, Jr. for Lt. Governor.

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Republican Terri Willingham Thomas is running against Democrat Jim McFerrin for Place 3 of the Court of Civil Appeals.

The Huntsville Times has endorsed Jim McFerrin over Terri Willingham Thomas.

The Decatur Daily has endorsed Jim McFerrin over Terri Willingham Thomas.

But Judge Terri Willingham Thomas is claiming on the front page of her campaign web site that these papers have endorsed her. Like Troy King, she is touting endorsements on her web page that may have been for some other election, but not actually for the election that is coming up.

In addition to her other campaign troubles, she appears to be a judge whose campaign is (at best) deceptively careless or (at worst) deceiving on more than one matter.

Thanks to an anonymous commenter.

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I love a good story.

The race for Probate Judge Place 1 in Jefferson County between Republican former state representative Mark Gaines and Democrat Alan King started interesting and is getting more so. (Here is a good introduction to the story from Bob Archibald of The Birmingham News.) Gaines is the incumbent after being appointed by Riley to finish an uncompleted term, and King is Probate Judge in Place 2.

If King had been unopposed for re-election to Place 2, he would have supervised the election for Place 1. Unsaid in Archibald’s article is the suspicion that an opponent was arranged for King in Place 2 “so King would be busy” and to ensure that King would be unable to supervise the Place 1 election. That prompted King to make a late decision to run for Place 1 instead, and he reportedly is doing well.

I’m told that Joey Sanders is handling the campaign for Gaines. (He also handled Gary White’s failed but “brutal campaign” against Jim Carns for Jefferson County Commissioner.) I also hear he has been working on one of his “famous rough mailings” to go out against King, but that at least one prominent local official has declined to appear in a picture with Gaines for the brochure.

Like Archibald said, the race “jumps out and says ‘watch me.’”

I hear Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale is running ads encouraging people to vote straight Republican to clean up “dishonesty and corruption in the county.” The “straight Republican” part is understandable but Democratic candidates are hot about the other. I’m told one Democratic Party judge called Hale to say that Hale should pull the ads immediately or he would fund a counter.

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You may remember Terri Willingham Thomas, the Republican Candidate for Alabama Court of Civil Appeals with family ties to white supremacist groups (whose beliefs she has never repudiated).

She is in the news again, this time for proclaiming on her web site and for claiming in a campaign brochure that she serves as a member of the board of the Children’s First Foundation. In actuality, she resigned from the position a year ago.

Oops.

Her opponent, Democrat Jim McFerrin, wants her to “clarify [the] error on her campaign materials by sending a letter explaining the mistake to everyone who received it.” An understandable request. If she won’t repudiate the beliefs of white supremacist groups that her family has been a part of, good luck with the other.

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A reminder: today is the last day to register to vote in time to vote in the Nov. 7 election.

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Some discussions do a little better in the format over at the new forum rather than in the comments for a post that will soon scroll off the front page.

It is not the highest profile race out there, but some are watching it closely.

The Question of the Day over in the forum:

What is your take on the race between Democrat Susan Parker and Republican Perry Hooper, Jr. for the Public Service Commission?

You can find that and more in the forum.

See you there.

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