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I have heard competing observations about how Troy King’s latest adventures will affect any gubernatorial aspirations he may have, and I would be interested to hear any other thoughts on that.
One argument is that King has put politics over justice and the rule of law, shown himself to operate in a personal and vindictive manner, has broken the 11th commandment about not attacking another Republican (Robby Owens), and has been at least gently chided by the Governor. (Riley: “Given an option of playing the debate out in public or allowing the people in the debate to get together in a room, close the door and work it out, sure, I think the latter would be more advisable.”)
The other side is that in Alabama, you can’t be “too death penalty.” King will show himself to be tough on crime, and that he has been attacked by those who are soft on crime. He will have sympathetic victims’ families to appear on his behalf. All of these things will help him more than any of this will hurt him, goes the argument.
I have heard both of these things, and I would be interested to know what any readers thought.
To further muddy the discussion, we must acknowledge that the Robby Owens saga is not the only mark on King’s record. On the other hand, we should acknowledge that the next election is enough years away that some of these blemishes on King’s record may not carry the weight then that they do now.
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I am of two minds. One is that its three years to an election and this particular issue will not make or break him. Two is that each of the 41 District Attorneys are well known and elected in their circuits (much better known than Troy King in that circuit) and they didn’t get elected by being “soft on crime” so he may be taking aim at the wrong target. Plus he is giving each of them great reasons to lambast him for 3 years.
I think the real problem is that when you add this on all of his other problems it may add up enough to hurt him seriously
Doc:
Troy King is brilliant!
If 70% of the general population of Alabama support the death penalty. What percent of Alabama’s Republicans support the death penalty. Troy King may become Governor.
Three years is an awfully long time–for good or ill. But as for Reagan’s 11th commandment, Robbie Owens was the one who threw down that gauntlet when he publicly endorses Tyson in the 2006 election.
I want our leaders to set an example worthy of their highest offices. Or has honor become passe in this day and age? A man needs that above all – without it, he is nothing. Now most politicians are neither honest nor virtuous, but we need to do the best we can.
Support for ethics panel fumbled
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com:/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070904/OPINION01/709040302/1012/OPINION
Ethics staff says cases ignored by AG
http://www.al.com:/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1188203805121730.xml&coll=2
Hatfields and McCoys?
http://www.al.com:/opinion/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1188721491211350.xml&coll=2
Ethics dispute
http://www.timesdaily.com:/article/20070901/NEWS/709010304/1015/OPINIONS
Troy King allows room for unethical practices to persist
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/NEWS/701160305/1012/editorial1
A disturbing argument
http://www.annistonstar.com/opinion/2007/as-editorials-0907-editorial-7i06t4941.htm
DAs will be looking for any chance to snare King. A careful review of his campaign finance report could get King in trouble. There are other issues too so if he’s not careful he may have 41 people inspecting his every move and second guessing him. Not smart to alienate DAs.
One other thing, since Troy will argue his position before a Judge who will impose a new sentence, look for the Judge to nail King to the wall on the death penalty issue. That will smart worse than any DAs press oncference!
I think King will make a fine city court judge somewhere.
While he does have some appeal to the mean streak in the electorate, he has not displayed any of the Bubba vibe a lot of folks look for in a Governor. He actually looks like he was born in a three piece suit.
The current AG/DA war of words will resolve since both sides need each other. But, he has made enemies of folks who have strong local bases and long memories.
His political missteps and lack of words/deeds/thought sync will return to haunt him but a lot could happen over the next three years,
In one of the articles I read, King promised the family that he would get the death penalty. Oh, really. Does King forget that he will have to argue this before a judge? And this judge will be in Shelby County and has no obligation to anything other than to do justice. He will not be impressed by a grandstanding AG. King tried that stunt in from of Judge Bush and got his head handed to him. The same thing will happen hear. This is all a tempest in a tea pot with an insecure politican attempting to get attention. It will once again backfire. Some how, the people’s agenda always gets left behind by these petty politicians.
Troy King has hurt himself dearly. Old Prosecutor’s Comment about about individual DA’s being well known and generally well respected in their districts could not be more true. These men have been reelected again and again and they have a proven record of fighting crime. An endorsement from some DA’s might not win you an election, but 41 DA’s doing everthing in their power to defeat you can hurt a campaign severely. For an AG seeking the governorship, you would think DA’s would be his core group of supporters. Rather, they will be working tirelessly to discredit and expose his work as AG. I do not think the DA’s will forget this encounter. Time will not heal the disappointment they feel for their “leader.” Owens did not murder these men, he convicted them. Troy King indeed picked the wrong target for his tirade.
Furthermore, Troy King has hurt himself with a large group of educated Alabamians. People can argue that is not how you win elections in Alabama, that Alabama is about the “people” and not the elite. Well we are not in the 1960’s anymore and this is not George Wallace. A few quick examples: Fob James getting destroyed by Don Siegelman in 1998. The main reason: people were embarrassed by Fob James’ behavior. They thought he was a poor representative of the state who had poor judgment. Another, more recent example, is Judge Roy Moore. He tried a populist and dogmatic approach. While it may have garnered him support throughout Alabama and even nationwide, when it came for running for governor, the people of Alabama were not willing to tolerate him. Alabamiams are more savvy in their voting than people give them credit. Tory King may have riled up a few, but he has turned off many more.
Troy King has also turned off the Republican establishment and donor class. Governor Riley is trying to distance himself and is wishing he had never met Troy King. The state party is downplaying the clash between King and Owens’ as a “policy debate” that has not gotten personal. Others are noting that Owens himself his a Republican. Most donors are wary of Troy King and don’t see him as dependable. He will always be able to raise some money while in the office of AG . . . but he is not capable of raising the millions necessary to compete for Governor.
Finally, Troy King NEVER was going to be elected Governor. At least not in 2010. This, however, put the nail in the coffin. He has proven himself immature and overly opportunistic. He has hardened and expanded any negative views that existed towards him in the past. He has also highlighted his lack of experience as a prosecutor, and the fact that he was put in the AG’s office for political reasons (not based on his experience or expertise).
Troy King would have been smart to embrace the DA’s. To go above and beyond to ingratiate himself and gain their support. He needed their political clout and the credibility of their experience. Instead he picked a fight. And Troy King exposed himself as a manipulative and unbalanced person.
I’ve said it before, and I still stand by it. This episode by Troy King will go down as one of the worst political blunders in Alabama history. Troy King will NEVER win statewide office again in Alabama.
I would expect that in a matter of days major newspapers in this state will begin demanding Troy King’s resignation. Look for that. His political career is unraveling due to his blatant mistakes, not political issues.
Although Troy could make some noise, I doubt he could win the nomination from the Republican Party if running against people like Bradley Byrne, Mike Hubbard, or even Kay Ivey.
oops, that should be fall 2003!
I apllogize, i’m working on a wireless connection that is fading in and out. My first comment apparently was not posted which was that a lot of people were declaring Bib Riley’s political career over the the fall of 2003.
Susan makes a good point. Then again, Riley had a lot less to overcome.
I vote split ticket every election but haven’t voted for King … and I doubt that will change.
Isn’t it true that King has never tried a case before a jury?
Susan, Bob Riley has been a good, competent governor who hasn’t repeatedly made an ass of himself in the press. For people who opposed Amendment One, his subsequent performance overcame their displeasure. Those who supported it admired his courage. I don’t think Troy has any of that going for him. Of course, he could try to get Roy Moore to oppose him in the primary. ;)
Say what you will about King’s missteps on other issues; his stance in standing up to the DA’s supporting a triple murderer was admirable and is why he is very popular amoung Victim’s goups and law enforcement. The DA who betrayed the victim’s in this case by trying to remove a criminal who has been convicted of murdering 3 Alabamians was wrong. I saw King speak at a VOCAL rally this afternoon and he got a standing ovation. I have no idea how this will affect him politically, but I believe what the DA did was shameful and I am proud that King stood up to him and refused to back down.
“I’ve said it before, and I still stand by it. This episode by Troy King will go down as one of the worst political blunders in Alabama history. Troy King will NEVER win statewide office again in Alabama.”
Comment by ptclearer