Top 40 Most Influential Non-Elected Alabamians, Part 1
Who are the most influential, non-elected Alabamians in the realm of Alabama politics and policy?
Who can pick up the ball on an idea and move it down the field? Who are the movers and shakers that make things happen? Who has influence and wields it in the arena of politics and policy?
This earlier introduction explains a bit more about the process - including that the list will be in unranked tiers of ten except for the last ten which will be ranked.
#31 - #40 of the
Top 40 Most Influential Non-Elected Alabamians
(Alphabetical Order)
- John Anzalone - The Democratic pollster has done work with Alabama Democrats at all levels and prominent interest groups like the State Employees, trial lawyers, and even BCA, offering strategy on how to help with policy issues. Doesn’t help with this ranking, but he has more than a dozen members of Congress from other states among his clients. One contributor said, “If I were running a campaign, he would be my first call.”
- Ginger Avery-Buckner - Longtime Executive Director for one of the more powerful interest groups in the state, the Alabama Association for Justice, formerly the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, and is recognized nationally as one of the more experienced and effective state trial lawyer directors.
- Brett Blackledge - The Birmingham News Pulitzer Prize winner is shaking up Alabama politics. Clearly important, would rate higher if he better fit the criteria, but instead divided the panel of contributors on whether he belonged on this list.
- Randy Brinson - New-ish head of the Christian Coalition of Alabama flexed some muscle on behalf of Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign. He’s expected to be influential in Alabama, and has bi-partisan ties that could transform the CCA from the Giles era.
- Dan Ireland - Outgoing Executive Director of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP) and a leader among Baptists, influences some legislators.
- Bobby Lowder - Colonial Bank founder and president is a force to be reckoned with when he’s engaged on an issue, but his interest in state politics waxes and wanes. Though not involved like he was in the late 90s, Lowder is still keeping a toe in the political waters.
- Gary Palmer - A founder of the Alabama Policy Institute, he influences some individual legislators and is a staple of Alabama op-ed pages.
- Dax Swatek - He’s the top establishment GOP consultant in the state and has the ear of Governor Riley, state party chair Mike Hubbard, and others.
- Joe Turnham - The state Democratic Party Chair is only one of many at the reins of the ADP. Had a solid 2006 and may take one more stab at high office down the line.
- Sharon Wheeler - She’s the top staffer to the Democratic Senate Caucus and very active in politics and policy. “Runs the Senate,” says one GOP’er.
Part Two tomorrow.
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Dan Ireland, for good or ill, deserves a place on the list. And yet, his influence was not enough to prevent HB196 from passing the AL house last week.
Nyah.
Comment by Peter — March 10, 2008 @ 10:31 am
I wonder how Lowder would feel if people really thought he only had as much “influence” as Turnham?
Or anyone on this list, for that matter.
Interesting list so far, can’t wait to see who else shows up.
Comment by Straight Thinker — March 10, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
I can only assume that Jeremy Walker will be in the Top 10?
His association with the M^2 only enhances his ranking.
Comment by Al Czervik — March 10, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Why the obsession with this Jeremy Walker person? I keep seeing his name, but have no clue who he is. Also what is M^2 you keep talking about?
Comment by William Wyatt Wallace — March 10, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Wasn’t Jeremy Walker a defensive back at Auburn in the mid-1990’s?
Comment by Anonymous — March 10, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
Seriously?
I assumed people who frequented this site were both connected and in the know.
Clearly, I was wrong.
To not even know the M^2 is a most dangerous mistake.
Extremely secretive group in Montgomery yet extremely powerful.
Most people will not publicly admit it even exists.
Although not confirmed, it is believed that Walker was recruited to the group several years ago.
Not coincidentally, he has seen a meteoric rise in the Republican Party.
Comment by Al Czervik — March 10, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
Never heard of him in any Republican circles at all. Most be real secretive group if he is totally unknown to all the Republicans on this site.
Comment by Anonymous — March 10, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
I have heard of him and have seen him on TV regarding Republican matters. Must be like Jill Simpson has never been heard of in Republican circles also.
Comment by Anonymous — March 10, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
If you are ranking from 1-40, why are you placing the names in alphabetical order.
Comment by Anonymous — March 10, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
I am extremely unconnected. Can you give us a description of the M^2
Comment by William Wyatt Wallace — March 10, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Even Democratic Montgomery insiders know and respect Mr. Walker for what he has been able to accomplish in conservative circles. His influence would certainly qualify him for a ranking among the second tier.
Comment by Fo-fiver — March 10, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
Its always amusing that just because people access a website devoted to Alabama politics they assume they are either players in the political scene or know all the players.
Its the folks who manage to keep their names, influence, goals and connections out of the media who maintain the real control.
To that end, the M^2 is highly effective.
Comment by Al Czervik — March 10, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Since I have no idea what you’re talking about, can I at least get some confirmation that the shadowy group you’re referencing would be pronounced “M squared”?
Is this the Republican equivalent of the Hole in the Wall Gang?
Comment by notation question — March 10, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
What has Walker accomplished? You are still telling nothing of what the M^2 is. If you know something say it, if not we are only going to be able to assume you know nothing and just like throwing around names to make yourself sound smart.
I have never assumed I am a player or that I know all of the players. I admit I am rather unconnected, if I was so connected and knew everything I would not need a website like this to give me my news. Granted there have been a very few times I have known something before seeing it on here, but I make up for not being connected by relying on sites such as this to keep me somewhat informed of what is going on besides what makes the front page of the paper.
Comment by William Wyatt Wallace — March 10, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
This definitely looks like and interesting list and I can’t wait to see the rest of the names. I am a bit surprised that the chairman of the ADP was only listed in this group, but I guess I will have to see who the other 30 to see if I agree with his ranking or not.
Comment by Jordan — March 10, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
M2 is a marketing firm in Montgomery. Which begs the question . . . What does a PR firm with a former Auburn defensive back on the payroll have to do with politics?
Comment by Anonymous — March 10, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
Remember they are so secretive that only important big wigs know them….. probably involved in the grassy knoll back in 1963.
All jokes aside, I think the anon blogger was attempting to have some free promotion of an otherwise unknown business. Hey free marketing.
Comment by Anonymous — March 10, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
I hope the rest of the list provokes more discussion than some bizarre “conversation” about a non entity.
Comment by Straight Thinker — March 10, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
The M^2 referenced above is not a marketing firm… closer to a moderate-conservative ThinkTank.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Where will Brad Moody end up on the list?
Comment by SIW — March 10, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
Turnham has done a great job as state dem chair, but I think his placement is pretty accurate. He’s more an advisor than a power broker in his own right.
Comment by SamfordDem — March 10, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
Has anyone actually figured out who this Jeremy Walker person is? I’ve been in Montgomery for 15 years and have never heard of this guy in ANY political circles….democrat or republican.
Comment by Chris Edgar — March 10, 2008 @ 9:53 pm
Anonymous in #9,
The names are in tiers of ten, but unranked within those tiers (except for Top Ten). FWIW, the previous post of introduction to the list tried to make that clear, as did the third paragraph of this post.
Al Czervik,
I suppose I don’t mind if someone has a little fun with the rest of us, or engages in viral marketing, or whatever you are up to… but I do mind when one commenter posts under more than one name (even if one is “Anonymous”) to make it appear that more people are engaged in a topic than really are.
Part Two coming today…
Danny
Comment by Danny — March 11, 2008 @ 6:19 am
#22,
That’s not really an explanation.
Comment by Anonymous — March 11, 2008 @ 8:44 am
Danny,
I only post under Al Czervik b/c that is my God-given name. Sorry to threadjack your dungeons and dragons circle jerk. Please continue pulling each other’s puds.
Comment by Al Czervik — March 11, 2008 @ 9:12 am
I’d say you officially hit a nerve, Danny. (By the way, I’m a ninth level elfin wizard king).
Comment by Roy — March 11, 2008 @ 10:29 am
M^2 is very well connected; similar to a trade association on a slightly smaller scale and not focused on one area of influence. Most of its influence is focused within the judicial branch since its members(correctly or not) that it will have a greater influence in this state than the legislature.
There is an inner circle who are very active and a wider circle of supporters who provide mostly just financial support. They have been around since the mid-80’s but have grown in prominence since then.
Also, while they are mostly Republicans, they are not exclusively members of the GOP.
Comment by Goat Mountain — March 11, 2008 @ 11:02 am
Wow, God named Al. I got named by my parents.
Comment by Margaret — March 11, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
Funny, Roy and Margaret.
Not only did it hit a nerve, Roy, but his “God-given name” is that of a character from Caddyshack.
I guess, like Rodney Dangerfield who played him, he gets no respect.
Comment by Danny — March 11, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
Jeremy Walker is the Capital City Young Republicans Chairman. He should definitely be on the list somewhere…
Comment by BamaGOP — March 11, 2008 @ 1:37 pm
#29, probably somewhere between Jimmy Scott and Curt Brown.
Comment by Fo-fiver — March 11, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Jimmy Scott will clearly be in the Top 5 if the folks putting this together have actually left their clubhouse and done some real work.
Funny that he, too, is a founding member of the M^2.
Comment by Al Czervik — March 11, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
Jeremy’s a nice guy but he doesn’t belong anywhere near this list. He’s a Young Republican, which says it all.
Comment by Anonymous — March 13, 2008 @ 12:41 am