Posted by Keeping an ear to the ground on the race for president of the Public Service Commission…
I continue to hear that Twinkle Cavanaugh, former state GOP chair and Gov. Riley’s Deputy Chief of Staff, will run for the position.
I also hear that Republican incumbent Jim Sullivan has given thought to running again, though he has announced that he will retire. The word is that rumored GOP candidates for the position like Cavanaugh and George Wallace, Jr. are not to his liking. The speculation from this vantage point is that after his big decision to step down after 25 years in the position, he may be experiencing a little “buyer’s remorse” that causes him to wonder if he has made the right decision, but I would be surprised if he actually reversed his decision.
Former Lt. Governor Lucy Baxley has announced her candidacy on the Democratic side.
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In years past a nickname like Sonny or Bubba could get you 8% bounce in an election, but I am not sure even Alabama voters are ready for a Twinkle.
It’s time for Sullivan to go. He’s had his chance to innovate and bring creative ideas to the Commission. However, he essentially chose to just go with the flow. Time for some fresh, experienced blood down on the PSC.
Interesting that Jim Sullivan would not be favorable to George Wallace, Jr. Sullivan spent his time since 1983 on the PSC as an advocate for Alabama Power Company, support that appears to be well-rewarded. George Wallace, Jr. served as an advocate for the common citizen, and the Utilities repaid him by loading up support for Strange Luther in the 2006 Lt Governor’s race when George was outspent 5-1 and still only lost narrowly.
By the way, Twinkle Cavanaugh is a fine person who would serve well. However, I would hope that she would stand aside in favor of George Wallace Jr. Otherwise, Twinkle would serve well. She has served dynamically in the Riley Administration and effectively as State GOP Chair.
Brent B., some fresh blood like one of your hopeful clients?
John- Luther is a great guy. He won with a LOT of peoples’ support because he is a quality individual. George ran and George got beat. He’s not entitled to any public office any more than anybody else. If he was an incumbent with a solid, defendable record, I’d agree that any primary opponent ought to “stand down,” but he’s not, and Twinkle has every right to run for that seat as anybody.
You need to put your chafed feelings aside over George’s loss and stop the grousing and implicit aspersions. You’re a better person than that.
Dear Unnamed Scorpius,
George had a tremendous record on the PSC. To imply that his record was not dependable is a low blow.
As to Strange, he made wild and unfounded attacks on George in his TV ads, even trying to call him a liberal (that’s right–calling George Wallace a liberal!). He won because he had HUGE money from big business.
I voted for Strange Luther in the General election, but all the BCA’s horses and all Alabama Power’s men could not elect Strange in the November election. No doubt, George would have walked away with the November election.
I would like to say that you are better than your unnamed attacks ono George (and you may well be), but I don’t know who you are. My name and website are listed.
John Killian
http://www.johnkillian.blogspot.com
Twinkle has an awful lot of nasty comments on the record as GOP chair, and she wasn’t even too effective (does anyone really think she deserves any credit for Bob Riley’s re-election?). I think she’s got too much baggage to be running for office.
John:
You are right about one thing. The Power Company is no fan of George III.
Potestatem obscuri lateris nescis
J- You took my words out of context.
I said, “If he was an incumbent with a solid, defendable record, I’d agree that any primary opponent ought to “stand down,” but he’s not…”
I guess I didn’t put it the right way. Maybe I should have said, “If he was THE incumbent with a solid…, but he’s not…”
My point being: he’s not the incumbent PSC Prez. I did not mean for you to misinterpret that as “he’s not” a candidate with a solid, defensible record. I have no problems with GW Jr’s service.
As for Luther’s election, GW Jr. was supposed to be the prohibitive favorite primarily because of his name recognition and who his parents were. This turned out to be a disasterous presumption for his campaign and supporters.
Luther was very successful in raising enough money to frame himself and his opponent. I think its partaking of sour vintage to bemoan Luther’s victory.
Ironically, as good as Luther’s primary campaign was, his general election strategy was either poorly executed or just plain lame. Folsom framed himself and Luther exactly as he should have to win that race. There is no guarantee that Wallace would have won in the general had he been the nominee.
Again, you can fault Luther for following the winning advice of his campaign team to capture the nomination (massive fundraising and defining GW Jr.), but you can’t convince anybody who has known him that he’s some shady, empty man worthy of contempt.
Wallace was no friend of the consumer. He was only a friend of the consumer durig the lat year or so when he wanted to run dor LT. Gov. Check his votes! Also, all the PSC employess hate him and Mark Montiel tells him what to do over there.
It will end up being Baxley vs. Cavanaugh, with Lucy winning it close in the end.
Lucy winning?!!
Surely you jest. She needs to stay focused on rehab and keep her stress level down. She is not healthy enough to run another statewide campaign and the voters aren’t going to elect someone in her fragile, tenuous state to a four year term for anything.
All she’s doing is clearing the field on the Dem side for a GOP win. Thanks now for the sure-fire victory. We love you, Lucy!
Yeah, no way the voters of this state would ever vote for someone in a wheelchair.
Mr. Scorpius,
People I know, who know Mr. Strange all vouch that he is a fine man. Remember, I voted for him in the Fall and George himself endorsed him. Nonetheless, his primary campaign against George was almost completely a media effort with two prongs:
1) Strange was a tall man who played basketball
2) George is a liberal.
Big business ponied up for Strange in a powerful way. Remember, the BCA types did not want a man who challenged Alabama Power Company. Had George won the primary, he would have certainly defeated Folsom and would be the prohibitive favorite today for Governor in 2010. In my opinion, the GOP lost a great opportunity to connect with grassroots voters who would have come over in a flood for George Wallace Jr.
And to Willy, I have spent enough time around the PSC offices to know that most of them loved George. George had no airs and always had a concern for the common employee.
Word around Montgomery in Republican circles is Luther Strange is getting lobbied hard to run against Troy “flak jacket” King in the primary. I think that is a good idea, but King may run for Governor. I dont think King will be re-elected as AG much less get a promotion. Luther would be a Attorney General. He actually knows the law, what a concept for an Attorney General.