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Midas could have had much with his one wish that Dionysus would grant him, but his greedy wish that everything he touch turn to gold was not wise or foresighted. His touch killed his daugher, and he would have starved had he not been able to have his wish undone.
Republican Senators this month were on the verge of organizing with the Senate majority (including a small group of dissident Democrats) for the first time in the history of the state. But their wish for an Education Budget Committee that had more Republicans than Democrats may not have been wise or foresighted. Political heavyweight Paul Hubbert of AEA originally planted himself on the sidelines for the Senate organizational struggle, but in a Senate where Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 2 to 1, the Republican wish for more of their own on the Education Committee brought Hubbert off the bench and into the conflict – along with “all his skills, power and resources” according to Hank Sanders’ Senate Sketches this week.
For example, we learn yesterday from Phillip Rawls of AP that AEA gave Sen. Phil Poole (D – Moundville) a $10,000 campaign contribution the day before the Senate’s organizing session began. Election law allows candidates to raise money for 120 days after an election if they have unpaid bills. (Poole’s financial report through the end of 2006 is due on Jan. 31.)
One day later, the coalition of Republicans and dissident Democrats fell one vote short of forming a majority. Sen. Phil Poole (D – Moundville) had previously indicated he would vote for the coalition but voted with the 18-17 Democratic majority that elected Hinton Mitchem (D – Union Grove) as Senate President pro tem. Republican Senators barely missed out on a majority coalition that would have made state history.
Many factors went into the organization of the Senate. The Republicans’ plan that brought Hubbert off the sidelines and into the game was a key. Like Midas, the Republicans could have had something great but would have been wise to ask for less than they did.
This is a slightly re-written version of the first hurriedly written post. I hope this is an improvement.
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Legislative Dispatch
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2010 Big List
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2010 House Elections
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Putting Hank’s column, the contribution, and Poole’s switch together – whew, sure looks like “quid pro quo” to me.
No kidding. Now we know that Poole’s word is worth $10,000–not to his district, but straight into his own pocket. Poole doesn’t have to report this contribution until Jan 2007, but if he has no campaign debt, I say he should be charged with a violation of the campaign finance laws.
oops, Poole doesn’t have to report this until his 2007 annual report–jue on Jan 31 2008.
Look at Poole’s pre-election report. He had just repaid himself a $10,000 loan. He had no debt and a positive cash balance.
The report goes into the file, the unlawful donation is made, the next report is in a year and that is the name of that tune.
It was insanity to expect Poole to vote with the Rs. He screwed Windom when it really counted and the stakes were not as high here.
Senate Rs can’t count votes to 18.