Carter and Sparks Address Bama Delegation
Notes from the Democratic National Convention…
The Wednesday morning breakfast meeting featured former president Jimmy Carter addressing the combined Alabama and Georgia delegations.
Carter spoke of his admiration and respect for Obama, and told of how moved he has been during an Obama speech.
On the matter of whether the Democrats would be divided this election, Carter says, “I’m the world’s expert on divided parties. In 1976, I won the nomination, but the GOP was completely divided. They left the convention with delegates still divided between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.” Carter went on to win the presidency by defeating incumbent Gerald Ford.
In 1980, the Democrats had a tough primary fight, and Ted Kennedy memorably declined to shake Carter’s hand on the dais after Carter won the nomination. “I lost because the Democrats didn’t support me. I’m not complaining. I’ve had a good life since then.”
“But I am an expert on divided parties. I have seen it from both sides.” He went on to predict that by the end of the convention, “We’ll have a totally united party.”
“My first wish, above all, is that Obama will win the presidency. But my 2nd wish, is that Obama carries Georgia.”
Afterward Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks addressed the Alabama delegation, saying that Obama will not turn his back on rural America while McCain has unequivocally said he does not support agriculture subsidies in any form. “Agriculture subsidies are not for the farmers, they are for the consumers. It’s no accident that our country has the safest and most economical food supply in the world. I don’t want other countries putting food on our tables like they put gas in our car.”
Sparks became quite animated, fired up even, on how Democrats are the party that cares about veterans, Americans without adequate health care, and Americans in poverty.
His rousing speech led state Democratic Party chair Joe Turnham to tell the breakfast crowd, “Let’s get him on the [convention] platform.”
For what it’s worth, Sparks has clearly lost some of his trademark, rural, Southern accent, though we suspect that in front of the right group he could find it.
Davis may be great in D.C. but he is not great in Alabama. If he ran for Governor and got past the primary the GOP would sweep the table. In a past poll only 53% of Alabamians said they would feel comfortable electing a black man. I would expect this poll to drop even lower. In the past exit polls are always higher than the actual results show when there is an African-American candidate. He is nearly middle-aged and not married. He has the handshake of a floppy fish. Who cares if he has two Harvard degrees, the people of Alabama surly don’t. He was the first to support Obama outside of Illinois. He gave Obama’s nomination speech at the convention. The majority of Alabama voters will not be pleased with his far-left politics. Rarely has he ever done anything to help out the impoverished black belt. He needs to give up all hope of being Governor. Save the Democratic Party the embarrassment and stay in Congress or get an appointment in an Obama Administration, if there ever is one. Alabama does not an out of touched elitist as their next Governor.
Any hope for the Democratic Party lies with a strong populist candidate who is in touch with the cares and concerns of people of Alabama. Sparks or Folsom are both strong Democratic contenders that could easily win outside of the primary. Both have won in Cullman County that is evidence enough. I still think Sparks could have strongly contested Sessions for his Senate seat. Both have done well all across the state and both are humble leaders.
To steal a line from Sen. Clinton, “No Way, No How, No Davis!!!”
Comment by Troy College Dem — August 31, 2008 @ 12:31 am
Carter did not lose because the Dems were divided. He lost because he was the worst president of the 20th Century (and that’s saying a lot, considering how disasterous LBJ’s term was). The man was a pathetic, lily-livered micro-manager.
Comment by Scorpius — August 31, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
The “Loser” Carter is an embarrassment to the office of the President of the U.S. and a shame on the history of the United States. Even the Great state of Georgia wishes he would shut up and go back to building wood frame shacks in third world countries.
Ron Sparks has no more class than “No Class” Jimmy.
Comment by Annonymous — August 31, 2008 @ 11:31 pm
Speaking of class… classy comment in #3… How many Nobel Prizes on your shelf?
A lot of things could be said about Carter, but “no class?” Come on…
Comment by John — September 1, 2008 @ 1:00 am
Comment #3, I saw Carter get a standing ovation from the Georgia delegation last week, so not everyone in the great state of Georgia agrees with what you have said about them.
Trying to figure why I didn’t just remove the comment. Seems to be ad hominem insults that add nothing constructive to the conversation.
Comment by Danny — September 1, 2008 @ 2:05 am