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One of the more interesting rumors rattling around in Democratic circles is that Lilly Ledbetter might run for AL-03 against Republican incumbent Mike Rogers in 2010. Interesting to think about, unlikely to happen, one reason being that she is over 70 years old. While several have heard the rumor, no one could tell the Parlor where it might have started.
Democrat Josh Segall challenged Rogers in 2008 and is said to be strongly considering another run. Another name in the mix on the Democratic side could be Calhoun County Commissioner Robert Downing.
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Why not president? She’s already passed a law, which is more than Obama ever did before getting elected.
You mean the same guy preemptively chastising mayors for his hard earned spending package for wasting money? Surely you aren’t calling him unqualified. You must be a racist AND a chauvinist (please note the sarcasm).
Back to District 3, gentlemen. What about Joe Turnham? He did well against Rogers the first time! While Segall ran a commendable campaign, Turnham would bring out the voters.
True. I assume that’s what Joe has been planning all along.
Brian, are you kidding? He didn’t raise the money he needed to the last time he ran and a quick look at the Alabama Dem’s financial reports shows that he still doesn’t know how to raise money. The Dems need a solid fundraiser to run in AL-03.
Always helps to have one of the most powerful trial lawyers in the state as your dad to raise money.
The problem with Bobby Segall’s son running against Mike Rogers is it neutralizes the bad hair issue.
Mike’s father was a fireman and his mom is still a home nurse. I thought little Segall attacking Mike as millionaire Mike was hilarious. I wonder if Segall paid a dollar of his Brown tuition.
Awesome on the hair comment Hogg. Really – I laughed out loud. I would counter that Mike’s hair issue only seems to be on the TOP of his head, not the whole face. Maybe that’s why Mike won.
#8, I love when Rogers’ staff gets on here. Maybe you can defend his vote for the bailout. or maybe explain why he voted for schip this time.
Lilly Ledbetter running for Congress would be a great thing. She gave a speech to a Democratic group in Lowndes County last night that got some more talk stirring.
so she gave a speech in lowndes county? well, hell, sign her up then…that’s congress material for sure…what a low bar we have set
Age might be an asset in her case. She could argue that she only wants to serve a couple of terms and that she won’t be one of those that hangs around DC for a half century. She certainly can say she knows what life’s like for everyday Alabamians.
#13 – “so she gave a speech in lowndes county? well, hell, sign her up then…that’s congress material for sure…what a low bar we have set”
Wow – What a low bar Mike “Do nothing” Rogers has set in 4 terms.
Lilly Ledbetter already has a bill in Congress named after her. Mike Rogers has never even put a bill in the hopper.
Whoever the D’s run for the district will have to have no illusions about last minute financial support from his national party and so, be an aggressive fund raiser.
Then there is redistricting to consider too, the 7th needs to be enlarged and so may nibble at metro Montgomery.
Ledbetter would make a great candidate or campaign speaker, particularly north of the Montgomery county line.
Doesn’t Ledbetter live in the Fourth, not the 3rd? If so, I think she could Aderholt a run, but it remains to be seen if she could make the adjustment from giving the same speech every time to a nearly two year congressional run that will touch on a bunch of issues
Good observation on CD 7 being reshaped after 2010 by redistricting. CD 3 is likely to get a lot less Democratic and CD 7 may trade Tuscaloosa for Montgomery.
Also wonder if Ledbetter could become a very important surrogate for the one Dem in Congress in this state who supported her, Artur Davis. He would need her against Folsom or potentially Kay Ivey.
Ledbetter is from Jacksonville which is in the 3rd.
You only have to live in a Congressional District for one day to qualify. Heck the guy who won CA-04 lived nowhere near the District. McClintock I think.
17.
Congressional Candidates in Alabama have been winning elections without running on any issues. What issue did Bobby Bright talk about? How he’s a conservative Democrat in name only?
You actually don’t have to live in the district for even a day, apparently. Just the state. I discovered this factoid in a discussion about Bobby Bright’s candidacy on this blog.
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That’s right, SamfordDem.
So, what could happen in CD3 – Earl Hilliard could run in the primary and confuse everyone in the bid to take Artur’s seat? Or Roy Moore could run as a Republican? What about John Patterson? Wouldn’t a former governor do well?
Lilly Ledbetter is not a serious candidate, nor do I think she has the desire to pursue this.
With his heightened name recognition and no Obama backlash to worry about, I think Segall defeats Rogers in 2010.
That said, watch out for Robert Downing. His name was brought up last time. Hailing from Rogers’ hometown of Anniston, Downing would neutralize Rogers’ base and perhaps even defeat him in Calhoun County. He has the connections, political acumen, and reputation to defeat Segall in the primary and then Mike in the general.
#23 – Robert who?
After thinking about it some more, I think it would be great if Ledbetter ran for AL-04 against Aderholt. Nobody else has even been mentioned.
Segall is the best candidate to take on Rogers in 2010. He knows the district inside and out and knows how to run a professional campaign. He did a lot better than Davis did his first time out. Segall knows the issues and has a vision for the district. He’s a fearless campaigner as a fundraiser and on the stump.
Lots of ifs on Segall..if the early polls are right, and Davis proves to be a strong nominee and draws a strong black turnout..if Obama is about 25 points more popular with white voters than in ‘08…if Segall doesn’t run out of money again..if ‘10 is not a Republican rebound..
Josh should look at a downballot statewide, maybe even AG. The word is that John Tyson is not running, and Dems need a strong candidate here.
#25 – Skipper is that you again.
James Anderson is running for AG, I hear, and I understand that he has Tyson’s backing. Does he have enough criminal experience to seal the deal?
Segall could have won the race outright in 08 had he gotten the support of the Sheriffs in the district. There was little focus on getting face time with the constituency in the eastern counties. Live and learn, I suppose.
Really? Tell us more Baudrillard. Who did he not get to support him? Where could he have picked up the votes?
JPO, I’m not in the business of second-guessing other people’s strategies, nor were my comments posted in that vein. I have only heard that if more time had been spent in Calhoun, Cleburne, Randolph, and Chambers, for example, he could have closed the deal. There is a difference in voiced support and support with sweat equity.
JPO and #29 – Those four counties were areas where Segall certainly needed more votes to pull off the win.
I certainly think that Segall ran an impressive race and ran circles around the Rogers circus campaign.
Segall did a lot to get his name out there in 08 and a run in 2010 will be met with a lot less resistance in terms of National support early. Expect this to be one of the top Dem chances for pickup if Segall runs.