Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
& Home of Lawn Mower Repair

I am pleased to announce that four legislators have agreed to be guest-bloggers here at the Political Parlor during the 2008 legislative session. Sen. Rusty Glover (R - Mobile), Sen. Parker Griffith (D - Huntsville), Rep. Chris England (D - Tuscaloosa), and Rep. Cam Ward (R - Alabaster) have agreed to offer their perspectives on the ins and outs of the legislative session this year.

Many readers know that Rep. Ward started blogging here during last year’s legislative session, and I very much look forward to reading the offerings of our new guests in Legislative Dispatch (the 2008 name for the section of the blog that was previously called Posts from the Legislature). Legislative Dispatch has a modestly improved new look also, if I say so myself.

I hope you will welcome our new bloggers warmly. I very much appreciate their willingness to give us an inside take on this year’s legislative session. Barring any glitches in getting our guests up to speed on the mechanics of posting, we should expect to hear from them next week, perhaps sooner.

The legislative session starts next week.

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Rep. Sue Schmitz (D -Toney) was arrested today in the continuing fallout from the two-year college scandal.

The charges accuse Schmitz of setting up a bogus job with a two-year college program and receiving a salary for more than three years for work she never did with the Community Intensive Treatment for Youth Skills Training Consortium, or CITY program.

Should we be inclined to believe that this is related to Roy Johnson’s plea deal? The rumor mill has suggested that it will get worse before it gets better.

Update: The indictment is here in a pdf file.

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Related Articles:

• More on Johnson Plea Deal
• Roy Johnson to Cooperate in Probe

Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright will end months of speculation by announcing that he is running for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District as a Democrat, a source close to Washington circles told the Parlor. The source added that the announcement may come as soon as Feb. 5.

A Democratic insider confirmed for the Parlor that Bright will run as a Democrat but believed it more likely that the announcement would come after the Feb. 5 primaries to maximize news exposure.

Bright had previously said that he was “95% sure he would run” for the seat, but he has not announced in which party’s primary he would run. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had hoped Bright would run for the seat as a Democrat, and his entry into the Democratic primary race will likely clear the field of serious challengers.

The district clearly leans Republican. Bright’s dilemma was that he had to choose between an easier path to the nomination (as a Democrat) with a more difficult general election and a more difficult path to the nomination (as a Republican) with an easier general election if he could secure the Republican nomination.

On that point, most Democrats and Republicans that I know have questioned his ability to land the Republican nomination. The doubts expressed about his potential candidacy as a Republican were simple: why would Republican voters support him over candidates with solid GOP credentials already in the race? And why would Democratic voters support his run as a Republican over another Democratic candidate? Most observers heard here agreed that running as a Democrat was his most viable option.

His delay in deciding may be related to a number of considerations (which have largely been articulated here previously). He may be trying to establish that he is conservative enough that he could have run as a Republican in hopes of attracting some crossover votes he’ll need in the general election, he may be wanting to hear what increasing promises (in terms of campaign help) may be made from Democratic interests eager to woo their most promising candidate into the race as a Democrat, and he probably was genuinely trying figure a way to win the Republican nomination for easier election (and re-election).

Announced candidates for the AL-02 seat include Republicans Jay Love, John Martin, Craig Schmidtke, Harri Anne Smith, and David Woods. (See the AL-02 Big List.) Republican David Grimes had said early he would run but there is speculation that he may drop out.

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Related Articles:

• Bobby Bright's Marathon Party Dance
• AL-02: Bobby Bright is Running as a...
• Bright Confirms Serious Interest in AL-02 Race
• Bright Tops Dems AL-02 Wish List
• Can a Dem Win AL-02?

When you vote on Tuesday in the primary, you can disqualify your ballot. Here’s how.

Thanks to reader Don.

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Brewton Standard asks “New statehouse or schools?”

The Tuskegee News Headlines its editorial of tne junior college scandal, “Johnson’s bubble has rightfully burst”. Take away quote, “He’s going to lose it all for a mess of pottage.”

The Selma Times-Journal says “Questions raised by ABI probe”. Related article on the facts of the case.

Eclectic Observer asks “Will Alabama’s black voters support Obama?”

(more…)

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Birmingham News - Support for Obama growing among Alabama’s Black voters.

Birmingham News - Bill Clinton, Huckabee, and McCain all to make Alabama campaign stops on Saturday.

Birmingham News - Following action by appeals court, Alabama plans execution of death row inmate this evening; opponents of capital punishment seek stay from US Supreme Court.

Birmingham News - Governor says state must increase efforts if economic surge is to be maintained.

Birmingham News - Union membership increases in Alabama and nationally.

Birmingham News - The Birmingham News cautions that citizens should not get “too excited” over recent survey showing wide support for proosed ban of PAC-to-PAC transfers.

Huntsville Times - With legislative session days away, Madison County delegation holds public forum to hear citizens’ concerns.

Tuscaloosa News - State Board of Education member denies asking former chancellor for help in finding jobs for relatives.

Anniston Star - The Anniston Star discusses actions by legislators to expand capital punishment crimes in state, sees Alabama as “going against the trend” in capital punishment.  

Gadsden Times - The Gadsden Times says state should evaluate its capital punishment laws and processes.

Montgomery Advertiser - Alabama supporters of Clinton and Obama look at swaying Edwards supporters into their camps.

Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser reminds us that in spite of strong victory by Black candidate in white majority district, “race remains a major issue in state.”

Daily Home - The Daily Home says that proposed moratorium on death penalty “makes sense.”
(more…)

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1902: Tallulah Bankhead, star of stage, screen, and radio in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, is born in Huntsville. The daughter of U.S.Congressman William B. Bankhead, Tallulah was most famous for her flamboyant lifestyle, throaty voice, and stage role in The Little Foxes (1939) and her part in the film Lifeboat (1943). [There is some question of the exact birthdate; this is the most generally accepted.]

Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History

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Clearly, Democrat James Fields had a good evening and Republican Wayne Willingham did not last night as James Fields brought home the historic win in the House District 12 special election that many expected would be a GOP pickup. Who else had a good night last night? A bad night?

Good Night

1. Alabama Democratic Party - The state party was intimately involved, had an organizer in the district, and fought hard for a seat that many Republicans thought was unquestionably going to be a GOP pickup.
2. Grassroots politics - Fields won two races (primary and general) while being outspent in both. (Caveat: The final financial tally is not in on the general election.) He refused to do any automated phone calls and turned down some offers of outside-the-district help. He accepted AEA’s offers to help with three mailouts but wouldn’t accept more. The state party’s participation involved building the grassroots, e.g., knocking on doors and local events. Voter turnout is especially key in special elections, and Fields turned out more than enough.
3. AEA polling - Sources told me that AEA quit polling on Wednesday because the lead they were showing for Fields was so large it appeared insurmountable. Even hopeful Dems doubted, and Republicans generally scoffed that Fields was that far ahead, especially as Alfa’s automated polling showed the race to be competitive.
4. Artur Davis in 2010 - You can be sure that Artur Davis is taking notice that skin color was not a determining factor in a district that is over 98% white. One district is not the whole state, but this was just not any district. To the same point and to a lesser degree, you can add Barack Obama’s Tuesday hopes to the list.

Bad Night

1. Alfa - Clearly. The political heavyweight has been strongly behind a couple of losing campaigns that most observers thought were winnable (this one and Randy McKinney’s GOP primary loss to Trip Pittman in SD 32). Plus, Alfa’s polling numbers at the end had this as a race that Wayne Willingham could win, when in fact it was not remotely close.
2. Bob Riley, Mike Hubbard, and the GOP plan to take the legislature by 2010 - Most Republicans I talked to believed firmly that this was going to be a GOP pickup. Some would even guarantee it. The blowout loss is not a good start to the ambitious plan. Our Chauncey Sparks examined the importance of the race in that context here.
3. Racial politics - Willingham didn’t hit that issue hard, but Fields’ victory in a 98% white district is a hopeful sign that we are moving forward on the issue.
4. Chris Brown - One Dem described the GOP campaign consultant as a “GOP wunderkind” and “rising star” who has won big races (most recently Trip Pittman’s Senate victory in SD 32 that startled so many) but yesterday’s loss has got to be a disappointment to him.

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Congressman Robert Aderholt and former state GOP chair Marty Connors will speak at a rally for presidential candidate Mitt Romney this Friday in Tuscaloosa. The rally is from 3 to 5 at the Jemison-Van de Graff Mansion on Greensboro Avenue and will feature a video address from Romney.

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The News Courier Limestone county will be mailing out new voter ID cards with new polling places to all voters. Also the paper reports over 1000 new voters have been registered.

Enterprise Ledger Coffee County Commission is mulling a plan to sell landfill methane.

Troy Messenger reports two board of education incumbents will seek re-election.

Gadsden Times reports the Clinton campaign is working in the area.

(more…)

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Birmingham News - McCain plans Saturday campaign visit to Alabama.

Birmingham News - UA System comes under congressional scrutiny as endowment approaches $1 billion.

Birmingham News - Democratic nominee James Fields becomes first Black to win House District 12.

Birmingham News - Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma) to again push moratorium on death penalty.

Mobile Press-Register - Proposal to add Medicaid to economic stimulus proposal could help Alabama’s fiscal crisis.

Mobile Press-Register - Press-Register argues that administrators at postsecondary system colleges should not enjoy the same job protections as teachers.

Decatur Daily - State may lose federal funds for truck inspections unless state statute is changed.

Times Daily - The Times Daily says state should look to comprehensive tax reform and constitutional reform to address crisis in funding for education.

Montgomery Advertiser - Alabama’s House congressional delegation vote for economic stimulus package.

Montgomery Advertiser - Obama supporters believe polling methods used in Alabama are flawed, predict win on Tuesday.

Montgomery Advertiser - State’s Autism Task Force recommends service improvement.

Senate Sketches - “Senate Sketches,” the weekly column by Sen. Hank Sanders (D-Selma) for his constituents.

Opelika-Auburn News - The Opelika-Auburn News argues that with budget crisis looming, that it’s “time for Alabama legislators to earn those raises.”
(more…)

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1956: With the Montgomery Bus Boycott about to enter its third month, segregationists bomb the home of boycott spokesman Martin Luther King Jr. The home sustained moderate damage, but no one was injured. The young minister addressed the large crowd that gathered after the blast, declaring, “I want it to be known the length and breadth of this land that if I am stopped this movement will not stop.”

1958: Actress, Brett Butler, was born in Montgomery

1966: Alabama experiences its coldest ever recorded temperature of -27°F at New Market in Madison County. The average low temperature during January for nearby Huntsville is around 29°.

Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History

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Early returns are encouraging for Democrat James Fields in the House District 12 special election.

Our man in the field reports that with 10 boxes in (out of 30+), it’s James Fields (D) at 1211 votes and Wayne Willingham (R) at 894.

Update: People on both sides of the aisle tell me it’s going to be a Fields win.

Update (8:05 pm): All quarters agree, Fields wins. One GOP’er said, “Fields won by a significant margin.” Another called it “a landslide.”

Update (8:57 pm): With 32 of 38 boxes counted, the power went out. Totals at that point, according to our man in the field, were Fields at 3021 votes (59.3%), Willingham 2070 votes (40.7%). The final may be slow coming depending on how long the power stays out.

Republican Party Statement on House District 12

HD12 Special Democratic Party Press Release

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Related Articles:

• The Most Important Legislative Special Election in the History of Alabama
• Thinking About HD 12
• HD 12 Race Near End
• HD 12 Looks Close

A friend had suggested to me that the Parlor Political Index would be interesting if you could see it on a map.

So here it is… the darker the color the higher the PPI figure for a county. The gradations can be hard to discern, so if you are really interested in comparing two counties, you might prefer to refer to the actual numbers.

You may click on the map to see a larger version of it.

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Related Articles:

• One PPI Review
• Introducing the Parlor Political Index
• Introducing PPI

Republican Presidential candidate John McCain will appear at the downtown Sheraton in Birmingham Saturday at 1:30 pm.

Does his resurgent campaign have legs? It’s all very interesting…

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In local political news, The Clanton Advertiser reports Alan Akins has resigned from the County Commission. His is the third resignation from the Commission, since it elected in 2004. The Daily Sentinel presents an article about candidates for local office. The Brewton Standard provides an explanation of what we will be voting for on February 5. There is also article where Escambia county officials encourage residents to lobby the legislature to change the taxes paid by Exxon Mobile. The Selma Times-Journal encourages voters to study the candidates carefully and “look behind the rhetoric”.

(more…)

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Birmingham News - Mental health advocates, historical preservationists closely watch possible sale of Bryce Hospital property.

Birmingham News - Alabama home foreclosures up by 82%.

Mobile Press-Register - State Supreme Court reverses earlier decisions, opens door for plaintiffs to seek damages for exposure to toxic chemicals.

Huntsville Times - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards cancels Alabama visit.

Huntsville Times - The Huntsville Times contends that in light of current fiscal situation, legislature should delay any discussion of new State House.

Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News says state need tax reform, not gambling revenue.

Tuscaloosa News - “Alabama Exposure,” Dana Beyerle’s weekly political roundup for the readers of the NYTimes regional papers.

Gadsden Times - The Gadsden Times reviews recent survey that shows strong legislative support for ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers.

Montgomery Advertiser - Commentary by state superintendent of education reviews efforts at reducing state’s high school drop-out rate.

News link - Romney announces Alabama leadership team.
(more…)

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The broadest and most striking storyline about tomorrow’s special election between James Fields (D) and Wayne Willingham (R) is whether or not a black man can win an election in an almost entirely white district.  While this is the most obvious element to the race for some, it is not the most interesting or immediately politically important.  Fields already bested two white opponents in a primary and the general election against Willingham, a county commissioner, is thought to be a toss up.  I’ll let others wax eloquent about what the contest means about race relations and any other concerns of societal import.

What I am going to address (and what most people who visit the Parlor want to read about) is politics.

The larger results of this race will need little interpreting after a winner is declared Tuesday night.  Either Republicans have started their march toward legislative majorities in 2010 or Democrats will have again thwarted Republican hopes and expectations and look poised to hold the Alabama legislature into the next decade.  While this one election will not determine which party controls the statehouse when the new legislature convenes in 2011, it doesn’t feel like hyperbole to say this is the most important legislative special election in the history of Alabama.

(more…)

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Catching up on a story that the Parlor has been watching with interest…

Birmingham News last week:

A three-judge federal panel has ruled that Gov. Bob Riley needed Justice Department approval before naming a replacement to the Jefferson County Commission, but the judges did not immediately remove the governor’s appointee.

Riley has lost a similar case in Mobile, pending appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear Riley’s appeal on the Mobile case in March.

Riley’s appointee to the Jefferson County seat, George Bowman, must step down Feb. 5, the day of the special election, unless Riley appeals. If Riley appeals and Bowman does not win the special election, Jefferson County could have two county commissioners filling one seat until the appeal is heard. (There are our two trains going down two tracks.)

Candidates for the Feb. 5 special election are Birmingham City Councilman William Bell along with

Orville Ifill, former Jefferson County Commission public information officer; George Bowman, who was appointed in December by Gov. Bob Riley to fill the seat vacated by Larry Langford, now the Birmingham mayor; Fred “Coach” Plump of Fairfield, a retired Birmingham firefighter; Kamau Afrika, a political consultant; and real estate agent and former state Rep. Eric Major.

Edward Still is an attorney for the plaintiff in the case that brought the ruling, and he has related court documents available here and here.

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Related Articles:

• Two Trains Going Down Two Tracks
• New JeffCo Commissioner a Democrat
• Riley Invites JeffCo Legal Challenge

I pointed last week to a mailout that Wayne Willingham, Republican candidate in the HD 12 special election tomorrow, sent out last week. Over the weekend I find that James Fields, the Democratic candidate in tomorrow’s special election, has a TV spot available on YouTube and a radio spot also available online. (I have not been able to find anything similar for Willingham.)

Also, our Small Town Political Gazette (Thanks, Walt) on Sunday picked up three links to stories about the election in yesterday’s Cullman Times.

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Related Articles:

• HD 12 Polls Differ Greatly
• HD 12 Looks Close

Catching up on some news from last week…

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management is proposing new standards for allowable water pollution that will lower the risk of getting cancer from Alabama’s waterways.

As of now, ADEM allows businesses and other polluters to put known carcinogens into waterways at levels that would be expected to result in one case of cancer per 100,000 people.

Most states, including most of Alabama’s neighbors, allow these substances only at levels that would be expected to cause one case of cancer in 1 million people.

ADEM is proposing that Alabama adhere to the standard of cleaner water that most states already follow. You may weigh in on this as ADEM is soliciting your input.

The new rules won’t guard every Alabamian against cancer. But the rules will offer Alabamians more protection than they have now. That’s a very good thing.

Alabamians who prefer lower cancer risks for themselves and their families should let ADEM know.

This link has an email address where you may submit comments in advance of a March 19 public hearing. If this is important to you, to your family, I urge you to let ADEM know.

More reading here and here.

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Related Articles:

• ADEM, Our Water, and Our Health
• Alabama Water: Questions and Cancers

The Selma Times-Journal interviews local politicos about the campaigns of Clinton and Obama.

Daphne Bulletin reports on a pay raise for Daphne city officials.

Enterprise Ledger reminds farmers that they must file for gasoline tax refunds by March 31.

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Birmingham News - Obama draws over 11,000 to campaign at UAB.

Birmingham News - AP survey shows 89% of lawmakers say they support ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers.

Birmingham News - Dr. Randy Brinson of Redeem the Vote and Alabama’s Christian Coalition argues that “Christians must push green issues.”

Birmingham News - Sen. Roger Bedford (D-Russellville), chairman of senate budget-writing committee, calls proposal to cut Medicaid programs a “train wreck that will be devastating to the health of our people and our economy.”

Mobile Press-Register - “The Political Skinny,” a weekly political roundup from Mobile, Montgomery and Washington for readers of the Press-Register.

Montgomery Advertiser - Birmingham psychiatrist seeking GOP presidential nomination.

Montgomery Advertiser - Profile of retiring educator Rep. Betty Carol Graham (D-Alexander City).

Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser cautions that legislators must not use budget cuts in retaliation to reforms in postsecondary education system.

Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News urges public to support proposed limits on carcinogens in state’s waterways.

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1846: Montgomery is selected as capital of Alabama by the state legislature on the 16th ballot. Montgomery won the final vote largely because of promises of city leaders to provide $75,000 for a new capitol and the emerging prominence of the Black Belt region of the state.

Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History

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NOTE:  As of 10:30 a.m. (EST), al.com has not updated today’s editions of The Birmingham News, Press-Register or The Huntsville Times due to technical difficulties.  Readers may wish to check that site later in the day  for articles that might be of interest.

Cullman Times - House District 12 to elect new representative Tuesday.

Gadsden Times - RSA chief says recession could hurt state.

Gadsden Times -  The Gadsden Times sees continuing corruption probe of postsecondary school system as evidence that state may need to create a separate oversight board for those institutions.

Montgomery Advertiser - Huckabee draws large crowd in Birmingham.

Montgomery Advertiser - Business groups support bill to small businesses and their employees a tax break for health insurance.

Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser endorses McCain in GOP presidential primary.

Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser endorses Clinton in Democratic presidential primary.

Anniston Star - The Anniston Star reviews the priorities of northeast Alabama legislators.

Anniston Star - The Anniston Star provides a list of do’s and don’ts for the 2008 legislative session.

Decatur Daily - The Decatur Daily contends that other officials should be worried about the guilty plea of former chancellor.

Tuscaloosa News - AP survey shows that support is growing among legislators for new State House.

Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News calls guilty plea by former chancellor “a sad end to great promise.”

Tuscaloosa News - Tommy Stevenson discusses GOP chair’s plan to gain control of legislature in 2010 elections.
(more…)

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The Cullman Times editorializes about the House District 12 election and provides two articles about it.

Times Daily interviews a candidate for mayor of Tuscumbia while The Selma Times-Journal covers both who has announced for office in Selma and how to get on Selma’s ballot.

The effects of possible budget cuts at the state and federal level are discussed at the Dothan Eagle, Daily Mountain Eagle and Times Daily.

(more…)

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1840: The Alabama legislature passes a joint resolution accepting the disputed boundary line with Georgia. In recognizing the line marked by a Georgia commission in 1826, the legislature stated that “a fixed and known line between this State and Georgia, is of far higher consequence to us, than the acquisition of an inconsiderable portion of territory.”

Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History

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Plans for the future are discussed in The Post, The Greenville Advocate, Cullman Times and Shelby County Reporter.

The mechanics of voting are covered in articles by the Eufaula Tribune, Madison Record and The Daily Sentinel.

The Greenville Advocate writes about the work leading up to the next session of the Legislature.

Tuskegee News and The Messenger inform us of local constitutional amendments that will be on the upcoming election.

(more…)

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Birmingham News - U.S. Transportation Secretary supports Riley’s toll-road plans.

Birmingham News - Scrushy, Siegelman face uphill battle.

Birmingham News - Riley says he will seek budget cuts, plans no new revenue for either Education Trust Fund or General Fund.

Mobile Press-Register - Shortage of teachers may challenge state’s proposed pre-K.

Huntsville Times - The Huntsville Times sees budget requests at a time of declining revenue as “political exercises.”

Opelika-Auburn News - The Opelika-Auburn News suggests that other officials are involved in community college corruption, and that guilty plea by former chancellor is “tip of the iceberg.”

Anniston Star - The Anniston Star says that the state must make sure that nothing like the Roy Johnson scandal is allowed to happen again in state government.

Decatur Daily - Focus of corruption probe of community college system now turns to state board members.

Decatur Daily - Lawmakers may consider measure to require that driver’s exam be given in English only.

Decatur Daily - The Decatur Daily contends that the Senate Ethics Committee “cannot afford to drop charges against Sen. Charles Bishop.”

Tuscaloosa News - Voters in Mobile and Baldwin counties to vote next Tuesday in presidential primaries.

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1839: Alabama’s first state prison is established by legislative act. In 1842, at the Wetumpka State Penitentiary, the state’s first inmate began serving time for harboring a runaway slave. The first female was incarcerated in 1850 for murder.

1931: Actor, Dean Jones, was born in Decatur

1944: Activist, Angela Davis, was born in Birmingham.

1983: University of Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant dies suddenly from a heart attack.
Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History Wikipedia

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