Six Dem Senators Reach Across Aisle
The Birmingham News reports that six Democratic state Senators - McClain, Means, Holley, Butler, Poole, and Preuitt - have offered to form a Senate coalition with other Senators in a coalition that could take control of the Senate from the Barron-led Democrats. If joined by the 12 Republicans, that would be enough to form an 18-vote majority for purposes of setting the Senate rules and selecting a President Pro Tem.
Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, a Barron ally, blasted the six Democratic senators for not waiting to talk with fellow Democratic senators and Democratic Lt. Gov.-elect Jim Folsom Jr. about organizing the Senate.
Based on what I heard yesterday, and the comment above from Sen. Bedford, I believe that many of the other Senate Democrats may have been caught off-guard by the announcement.
Do not expect this to be the last word. Barron will not roll over on this. (Just ask Gerald Dial.)
“The organizational session is 2½ months away and the process will ebb and flow, but we will be meeting and talking with senators to make sure that we have a strong Democratic majority,” Barron said in a written statement.
Who will control the Senate is the Capitol question.
Sounds familiar. Wasn’t this already done in the U.S. Senate?
Comment by The Alabama Moderate — November 9, 2006 @ 9:38 pm
Boy, I hate to be slow, but I’ll confess I just don’t know what you mean.
Comment by Danny — November 10, 2006 @ 9:15 am