Smith Picks Up Endorsement
Republican state Senator Harri Anne Smith held two press conferences today, in Dothan at 11 and in Montgomery at 2, to announce that Giles Building and Loan President John Giles had endorsed her candidacy for AL-02.
Giles is more famous for the ten years he headed the Christian Coalition of Alabama, and he served on the staffs of two governors (Hunt and James).
Smith said in a prepared statement that she was “very happy to be receiving a key endorsement today, one I am proud of for a number of reasons.” She added:
First of all, he has always worked to protect the sanctity of life.
Second, he has been my friend in many political battles, fighting against taxes and waste.
And third he has always stood for what is right for Alabama by fighting against the expansion of gambling in our state.
In his endorsement, Giles said that Smith was “unequivocally qualified, electable, and proven, tried and tested on tough issues.”
Edit: All in all, judging from what I have read in email and comments, seems best to strike through this bit below.
“Good Morning Montgomery” on ABC’s Montgomery affiliate announced this morning that Emory Folmar had endorsed Smith. Her campaign would welcome the endorsement but at this writing does not know of any official endorsement from the former Montgomery mayor.
Update: One reader who is more connected than most of us says that Emory Folmar is not endorsing anyone.
Odd… that one outlet would have it and others would not.
(R) Jeff Sessions (1-19)
(D) Vivian Figures (33-1)
(D) Artur Davis (1-49)
(R) Mike Hubbard (13-1)
(?) David Bronner (OFF)
I believe - if he has not yet done so - that Folmar will endorse Smith. If he endorses in this race it will definitely be Harri Anne. He is not fond of Love (Folmar was a supporter of Love foe Bob McKee) and though I think he personally likes Grimes he is not close to David.
Comment by Anonymous — May 7, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Emory has been on the host committees for both Love (12/6 event) and for Smith (4/17 event).
Comment by Pachyderm — May 7, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
“Good Morning Montgomery” is not a news program, its a low-budget early morning call-in show that airs from 5 to 7 a.m. A couple of former morning deejay types sit on a cardboard set and yuck it up on camera while taking listener calls.
One of the hosts, Alva Lambert, does impersonations of politicians, including Emory, on the show. Someone probably heard him joking around and took it seriously.
If “Good Morning Montgomery” is the best source people can find to quote for political news, then the 2nd Congressional District race is going to be long, tedious and painful for those who visit this blog.
Comment by Get a better source — May 7, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
I am not familiar with the show. Though the title sounds all official-y and newsy in a “Good Morning America” kind of way.
Note to self… Strike “Good Morning Montgomery” from list of reputable news outlets.
Thanks!
Comment by Danny — May 7, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
Exactly what does Giles Building and Loans do. Sounds like a one man office and he is President and janitor.
Comment by Willie — May 7, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
[…] John Giles has endorsed Senator Harri Anne Smith in her run for Congress. […]
Pingback by Is this a good thing? — May 7, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
I thought Folmar endorsed Grimes. It was emory who encouraged Grimes to run against Perry Hooper.
Comment by Alabama History Geek — May 7, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
If Good Morning Montgomery endorsed anyone, it would be only because Jim Lane got a kickback. Hagler is just an old radio hack making a way. Alva? well? There is a reason why the FTC recommends abolishing all CON Boards in the USA. Assuming CON’s are complex economic issues, what qualifications does a Jones Grad of 20 years ago have direct any State agency, save for maybe the Front End Alignment of the State Motor Pool
Comment by Publius — May 7, 2008 @ 11:08 pm
The Good Morning Montgomery show would be more appropriately named Two Stupid Wiggers. To their credit, the hacks do sometimes state a disclaimer that the show is for entertainment purposes. But then they often proceed to pay tribute to their God of Marxism by promoting diversity, tolerance and globalization. Too much of the time those two hacks over-apologize for being born white. Good job in striking those two hacks from the list of credible sources.
Comment by Good Morning Montgomery is a Perversity — May 8, 2008 @ 3:49 am
Lambert has two notable accomplishments as a lawyer. First, he defended Hagler’s son in two dozen criminal cases in Houston County. Second, he came in fourth in a 4-man race for a seat on an Alabama court of appeals.
Comment by HackWatch — May 8, 2008 @ 5:57 am
The world should know that Harri Anne Smith was successful in defeating the gambling forces in Houston County and sending them packing. The religious minority has prevailed and silenced the Country Crossing Casino crowd. That is why John Giles endorsed her.
Comment by Big Al — May 8, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Big Al - you are funny. Smith SUPPORTS GAMBLING that is why she supported the lottery and the electronic bingo in her district (please visit the often viewed press conference she held on that subject). The savings and loan guy who endorsed her yesterday was a bit of a joke.
Comment by LOL — May 8, 2008 @ 11:59 am
Big Al,
Might you be referencing the smae John Giles who takes MS Choctaw Indian Cash by the Brinks truck-load and then tells all the snake handlers and tamburine shakers he is defeating big, bad evil gambling in the form of Milton McGregor and the Poarch Creek Indians?
Wonder why as director the Alabama Christian Coalition he steadfastly refused to open his financial records and name donors of a tax exempt group?
I’d be embarrassed to have the endorsement of John Giles. Too bad our great state is chock full of the snake handlers and tamburine shakers led around by the nose in the name of “christian conservative values” aka “MS Choctaw Casino/Abramoff/Scanlon payola.”
Comment by Al Czervik — May 8, 2008 @ 12:57 pm