Comments on: Governorship Fit for a King?

by: Anonymous

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:33:43 +0000

“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

by: Anonymous

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 04:59:01 +0000

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.

by: Kathy

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:02:19 +0000

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. ;)

by: OldCloverdale

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:53:35 +0000

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?

by: ALmod

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:20:58 +0000

Susan makes a good point. Then again, Riley had a lot less to overcome.

by: Susan

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:06:30 +0000

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.

by: Susan

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:05:06 +0000

oops, that should be fall 2003!

by: Dan

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:37:31 +0000

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.

by: Hmmmmmm

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:37:39 +0000

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.

by: ptclearer

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:46:50 +0000

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.