Comments on: Artur Davis: Truths & Consequences

by: Pebblez

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:45:58 +0000

But the consequence for Davis is that some unlikely support that could have helped him move beyond his district’s safe seat may be committed to making sure that he stays there.

This statement from the preceeding post it a prime example of why we need campaign finance reform which includes public financing.

by: diogenes

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:27:24 +0000

The initial comment is interesting. But it seems to miss the fact that the lead the accusation that the Justice Department has brought political prosecutions has been taken by Republicans, including Thornburgh, McKay, Iglesias and Simpson. We are also about to hear from two very prominent Republican attorneys-general who have concluded the same thing; both cite the Siegelman case as the most obvious example so far of politically corrupt prosecutions. In sum, I think there is only one side that really has the interests of justice on its side and really believes that, it has no shortage of people from both parties. And then there is the other side, which consists of the same bloc of people who believe we invaded Iraq for WMDs… and found them.

by: Danny

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:16:51 +0000

“One quick question” in #5, that’s funny. I don’t know the answer. Makes me think of the get-it-done folks who have work meetings with no chairs so people have to stand and will finish the meeting quicker. I would agree that it sounds unusually short but I don’t know that it’s impossibly short. Especially if it was more of a quick check-in meeting, along the lines of ‘do folks have what they need to do their jobs?’

Mooncat, I intended no complaint in the post (and perhaps that’s not what you meant). Simply an observation. And Talmadge, I wasn’t saying Davis should not do what he did (or that he should), but was pointing out that this was not occuring in a vacuum.

by: Margaret

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:57:20 +0000

Hey mooncat,

Here’s the complaint: “Improbable supporters who saw a statesman are becoming detractors who see a partisan.” Anyway, I think Artur is pandering to the national Democrats. Maybe he hopes Hillary will give him the nod for VP. (Ok so that’s a bit far-fetched, but not as crazy and Dana Jill’s ever evolving and growing stories.)

by: MHG guy1

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:38:59 +0000

this is not about bca and davis. this is about him making a fool of himself and losing his character in an effort to further a partisan cause. he knows what he is saying is false and he doesn’t care as long as it scores points with certain democrats. pathetic.

by: blackdog

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:46:25 +0000

So now the white folks are after Artur? How odd because he is one of their favorite sons. Malcolm X or El Hajj Malik Shabazz referred to this kind of behavior the chickens coming home roost.

by: ptclearer

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:50:17 +0000

Artur Davis should be commended for taking a strong stand on the Siegelman case. I think in the long run this will help him politically because he is standing up for what he believes is right . . . and he will very likely be proven correct if the investigation continues. While there are many in the business community who do not like Siegelman, most will admit in private that the crime he was convicted of is absurd. Richard Scrushy served on the CON board under Hunt, Folsom, and Fob James, and he clearly abstained from votes concerning HealthSouth. Not many can claim with a straight face that Siegelman’s prosecution was not driven by politics. That said, most people also agree and recognize that there was real corruption under Siegelman’s leadership. I think what Artur Davis recognizes, and what the majority of people Alabama recognize, is that Siegelman made some bad decisions as Governor, but is not a personally corrupt person. He is the victim of an overzealous Justice Department who aggressively went after Democrats. He also was unfortunately got lumped with Richard Scrushy (another strategic move by the prosecutors), who many do feel is personally corrupt. Artur Davis stood up and said what many have felt for months concerning the Siegeman case but have been too timid to stick their neck out. Democrats will certainly reward him. And I don’t think business in the long run will punish him (some business leaders might even gain more respect for him. Most business leaders in the state do prefer Bob Riley to Don Siegelman. However, they also recognize that Siegelman did a lot for business while he was Governor, and they do not believe he lived a personally corrupt life, as Republican leaders and some prosecutors like to promote. A Republican real estate developer recently said to me, “I have known Don Siegelman for 20 years. And while he might be a political animal . . . he is the farthest thing from corrupt.” It is a tragedy that a good man like Don Siegelman know sits in jail. And Artur Davis will do nothing but help himself by standing up for what is right. I think, in the end, the 11th Circuit will reverse the decision, and Artur Davis will be viewed by the majority as being on the right side of this issue.

by: Talmadge East

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:06:47 +0000

Shouldn’t a politician speak from “heartfelt conviction” as you say you assume Rep. Davis is doing? If he is, then why would it matter if he loses business support. If that is the case them, “Let justice be done, tho the heavens fall.”

by: mooncat

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:24:41 +0000

So what is the basic complaint here? That the business community bought Artur Davis and now he’s not toeing their line?

by: Anonymous

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:30:33 +0000

Don Siegelman had strong business support in his 1998 run for governor. Look where it landed him. We all know that politics make strange bedfellows. That said, I find it very interesting that Riley would elevate this dispute (or sink to its level) by commenting on the Congressional hearing and personally attacking Artur Davis. Maybe he’s feeling the heat? Or maybe he wants to draw attention to the fact that the leading in-state crusader for Siegelman is a representative from the SEVENTH DISTRICT?