Posted by Two internal party Beltway decisions could have major impacts on Alabama politics over the next election cycles.
Spencer Bachus and Artur Davis have talked of running statewide, with Davis’ flirtations coming as recent as the past few days. But both congressmen are aiming for key committee assignments in the 110th Congress that could significantly alter their future plans.
Bachus, who for years was viewed as an automatic candidate should a Senate seat open up, wants to be the top Republican on the House Banking Committee. Even with Republicans in the minority currently (but by no means permanently) if Bachus can snag the ranking member position, he’d be a virtual lock to chair the full committee should the GOP take back the House. However, if he is outdueled for the ranking member slot, an open Senate seat might be too tempting to pass up with his leadership track seemingly stymied in the House.
Artur Davis does not have the seniority Bachus has which means a chairmanship is out of the question. But Davis would like to land a seat on one of the “A” committees such as Ways and Means. While Davis currently sits on Financial Services and Budget, neither have quite the cachet or juice as Ways and Means. If Davis can indeed land a slot on Ways and Means, not only would he be in the catbird seat in terms of fundraising, but also his star would further ascend inside the House. Gaining a toehold on an “A” committee like Ways and Means might be such a plum that Davis would be loathe to gamble on a risky statewide bid in 2008 or beyond.
Ambition is a funny thing and can make politicians act in what would appear to be a less than rational way. But if these members get the committee slots they want, count them as much less likely to be on a statewide ballot any time soon.
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As a constituent of Spencer Bachus, I don’t recommend him.
FWIW, my perspective is that Bachus is more conservative now than he was earlier in his tenure as a representative.
[...] The Democratic Steering Committee has selected Alabama’s Artur Davis to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Davis had hoped to land a plum position like this one, and Chauncey Sparks had already looked at the impact such an appointment might have on Alabama politics. [...]