Segall in AL-03
Seems to be a poorly kept secret that Democratic attorney Joshua Segall is gearing up to challenge Republican incumbent Mike Rogers in Alabama’s Third Congressional District next year.
November 30, 2007
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It will be an uphill battle, but Segall will certainly have a shot at the seat if he runs a good campaign. Rogers has not been a particularly dynamic voice for the third district in Washington. He seems to be a rubber stamp for the Republicans even when it is at the expense of his own district. That sort of inflexibility does not serve the people very well (and now that Republicans are in the minority, his ineffectiveness has become even more apparent). I imagine Segall will run a campaign focused on working with both parties to build consensus and get something done. If the climate proves right, this seat might just be ripe for the taking. I know there were many seats in ‘06 that the pundits did not believe could go Democrat and then they did.
Comment by ptclearer — November 30, 2007 @ 11:05 am
I live in Roger’s district. I first reaction is “who?”.
Second thought, is that maybe this will shake things up. Office holders need to work to get elected and reelected.
Wish Mrs. Frank Ross Stewart was still around, she always made for interesting debates and roundtables.
Comment by walt moffett — November 30, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Segall is the son of well known attorney and recent Alabama State Bar president Bobby Segall. Josh is young, but is considered smart and politically savvy. He went to Alabama law school and clerked for a federal judge in Montgomery, and is not practicing law there. While he does not have as strong of a base in the Auburn area, he is well-known in Montgomery and has good connections to Democratic donors across the state.
Comment by ptclearer — November 30, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
excuse the typo . . . he is NOW practicing law in Montgomery.
Comment by ptclearer — November 30, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
I did some poking around and found out most of the above, including a favorable article in ALFA’s magazine.
However, he needs to do something for people in the Northern half of the District to care enough to know his name.
Comment by walt moffett — November 30, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Segall = ACLU candidate. No chance to win and a waste of Daddy’s money.
Comment by Lyn Johnson — November 30, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Rogers will be tough to beat. He has earned a reputation of being quite visible in the District and available to voters.
Comment by Susan — November 30, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
What a waste of space. Segall can campaign 24/7 for the next 11 months. Does he support Hillary, Obama or Edwards? None of them will sell in Alabama an neither will he.
Comment by Carey — November 30, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
Rogers, like Jo Boner, Backus and the rest of the Reugnantcans, poses the same problem for potential opponents: What has he done to deserve to be voted out?
Not much. Brings home the bacon, vote against abortions, taxes and illegal immigrants.
Wins walking away.
Comment by Anonymous — December 1, 2007 @ 12:51 am
if he wants to do some good, let him volunteer for the peace corp and/or work to get jobs in rural Alabama. Then, when he’s done something, he can offer himself for public service. His district needs more than youth and inexperience.
Comment by Anonymous — December 1, 2007 @ 6:43 am
Good grief, people! Rogers has done nothing to deserve being booted out? Voting consistently against children’s health care, just to avoid upsetting Emperor George is more than enough, but certainly isn’t all there is. Just like Bonner, Bachus, Aderholt, and Everett, he is a puppet for the Connecticut Cowboy.
Godspeed Josh!
Comment by Norm in Atmore — December 1, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
Sometimes, better to vote for the devil you know than the one you don’t.
However, Norm in Atmore, I’m sure you can tell a better reason to vote for Rogers’ opposition.
Comment by walt moffett — December 1, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Its people like Norm in Atmore that make me guffaw and curse the Democrat Party at the same time.
What an absolute Liberal shill.
I bet you can’t wait to get up every morning to read the daily talking points from Moveon.org, huh, Normy?
Get a clue, fella. Vote against children’s health care?!
Your idiotic Liberal do-nothings in Congress sank any assistance for the “children” when they pushed for an indefensible, un-passable bill that was 100% politics and 0% health care policy for children.
Take a look at the polls. the American people despise your Congressional leadership and now know that they were sold a rotten batch of eggs in the 2006 elections.
The Dems are bereft of any ideas that are either helpful or productive for America. We’re simply treated to the worn-out, fatuous knee-jerk “Surrender in Iraq” diatribes.
Please keep it up— the GOP will have the majorities in both houses back in another cycle or two after y’all implode under the weight of your twit-ery.
Comment by Scorpius — December 1, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
Also looks like Greg Pierce has thrown in on this race according to his web site.
He ran in 2006 as a Democrat and gained 38% of the vote. Hat tip to Left Space for the lead.
Comment by walt moffett — December 1, 2007 @ 10:07 pm
Wow, Scorpius, you got a little heated there. but just wondering…..those Republicans in both the House and the Senate who voted FOR the SCHIP reauthorization and expansion…are they now hated and despised? And remember that the measure has passed both times in both the House and the Senate with a bipartisan majority. Unfortunately, folks like Rogers puts blind allegieance to Bush ahead of the needs of people in their districts, and efforts to override the Bush veto failed.
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 8:46 am
Well spoken, Anonymous. It seems obvious that the Democratic leadership (a phrase you might want to get used to, by the way) has brought many issues to the floor of the Congress, only to have them blocked by a filibustering GOP or vetoed by the Obstructionist-in- Chief. To blame the Dems for a do-nothing session is rather like murdering one’s parents and then appealing for mercy on the basis that one is an orphan. Just part of the Karl Rove “Big Lie” theory of government.
Comment by Norm in Atmore — December 2, 2007 @ 8:57 am
From the last two comments, I gather constitutional amendments to end the filibuster and presidential veto should be a part of a AL-03 candidates platform.
I believe Anonymous in #9, had a more viable platform with the addition of “strong on national defense”, lots of defense related jobs in the district.
Comment by walt moffett — December 2, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Not sure if Walt’s comment is tongue in cheek or meant literally, but I would oppose changing the Constitution for anything short of the preservation of the Union. No, the solution to a misuse of power is, as it has always been, to vote the misusers out of power. The genius of our system is that, if people thoughtfully vote their own interests, the interest of the nation is served. Majority rules, but with respect for the rights of the minority. (Misquoted from somebody a helluva lot smarter than you or me)
Comment by Norm in Atmore — December 2, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Norm in Atmore, humor is in the mind of the beholder.
Now, how much of a Blue Dog will a successful Democratic Party candidate need to be in the Third District? How much air will he leave between himself and the Party’s Presidential candidate?
Comment by walt moffett — December 2, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Again assuming the question really wants an answer, I believe that a successful candidate for any of the GOP held seats will have to be a moderate Democrat, if not downright conservative-leaning. I’m old enough to remember some mighty fine liberal Republicans and some very honorable conservative Democrats. They do exist. If Clinton, Obama, or Edwards is nominated, I think the Congressional candidate would have to keep some distance, but he could run with Richardson or Biden pretty comfortably. In my opinion, all politics really is local, and there are issues on which I believe the incumbents have represented the White House, rather than their constituents.
Comment by Norm in Atmore — December 2, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Thanks for your answer, Norm in Atmore. Like you I can remember Scoop Jackson, Nelson Rockefeller, Stennis, Johnson, Ruckelhaus etc.
Of course, all politics are local as Tip O’Neil said. Anyone who forgets that gets unelected if not defenestrated.
Appreciate your comments and analysis.
Comment by walt moffett — December 2, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Right back at you, Walt. Rational discourse is helpful except when discussing Alabama - Auburn or (for me) Florida State - Miami. Some things of course are more important than politics.
Comment by Norm in Atmore — December 2, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Go Josh!!!
Comment by Loretta Nall — February 5, 2008 @ 8:18 am