Posted by My email inbox tells me that a number of people on both sides of the aisle are taking note of Artur Davis this week expanding his gubernatorial campaign team by two political strategists, Joey Ceci and David Mowery. From opposite ends of the state, both have experience with conservative electorates, and each was at the helm of a winning Democratic Congressional campaign in 2008 (with freshman Blue Dogs Parker Griffith and Bobby Bright, respectively).
From Davis’ release:
Both Joey and David have a proven track record of winning hard-fought races in parts of our state that have been trending Republican. They are also experts in fending off the Republican attack machine that gears up every two years. Joey has an extensive knowledge of North Alabama politics and has managed the campaigns of both U.S. Congressman Bud Cramer and U.S. Congressman Parker Griffith. He has also run a number of winning local campaigns in the Tennessee Valley. David has spent his career winning elections in the Wiregrass and South Alabama, where he most recently managed Congressman Bobby Bright’s race – turning the 2nd Congressional District from red to blue. He also ran Mayor Todd Strange’s winning race in a nonpartisan election in Montgomery. Joey Ceci and David Mowery give us a powerful one-two punch in two regions that may hold the key to the 2010 governor’s race.
Mowery was interviewed last week in National Journal here.
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Wow, he has Mowery. If we can get that Mallory guy everyone talks about to sign on, then it is a sure shot.
this is not a surprise. artur will try and walk the tight rope of rallying the democrat base plus trying to convince everyone else that he basically shares Republican party values. that is what these two consultants do. it is a conflict in many ways but bright and parker were able to do it. however, they had help in one big area….OBAMA was on the ballot and that drove huge numbers of minorities that voted a straight ticket democrat ballot. Thus parker and griffith did not have to cater to the base and instead could concentrate on seeming more conservative to other voters. How Artur deals with this I don’t know…Obama is not on the ballot come 2010. Will he be coming to Alabama to rally voters for Artur – or is that dangerous? Or, will the minority vote simply be there on its own due to Artur’s race?
These consultants basically wrap a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I would give them a little more credit than that, 2010. These are quality consultants and Davis is smart to hire them.
Plus, in 2008, Mowery didn’t wrap a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He wrapped an idiot in sheep’s clothing. Bobby is not a Bright man, and Mowery Inc. adeptly kept that secret from the electorate.
Davis keeps making news. Wonder what Byrne is up to.
I’ve heard Mowry’s been telling people he’ll be the campaign manager before the end of the year.
2010, I would not be surprised to see Obama come down to rally for his old classmate, Artur. It is part of that train of thought that has Davis raking in more money than any other gubernatorial candidate in the history of this state. Of course, much of that depends on where Obama’s poll numbers are as the 2010 elections roll around, or how soon the primary field clears for Davis.
Both of these guys are quality hires. They know how to win in conservative districts, and Davis is not overlooking the fact that he has to appeal to voters in those districts. Pethaps that strategy overcomes the bsence of Obama on the ticket. And as far as Mowery (or Mallory) is concerned, I suspect this confirms just how high his star is rising.
Smart of Davis. Who’s Byrne got?
Crazy Chester – keep crazy where it should be. Mowery just started his own firm so he doesn’t have to be anyone’s manager. And I heard that from the horse’s mouth.
I think Byrne may try to get that Mallory guy, since Artur picked up Mowery.
Davis may raise money on the back of Obama, but surely he isn’t dumb enough to allow Barack to step one foot across the Alabama state line?
2010,
“These consultants basically wrap a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
What are you talking about? Have you taken a look at Bright’s voting record or paid any attention to the influence the Blue Dogs have exerted in the Health Care debate? And if you’ve met Bobby, I doubt you’d describe him that way…or as an idiot either.
As for Artur, if you’re disregarding these moves as meaningless, I’d take another look…I’ve had to. Anzalone, his pollster, is without a doubt the best in the business and we’re fortunate to have held on to his services here in Alabama. Ceci, well, his work really needs no mention…the results speak for themselves…the recent SD7 election notwithstanding. And Mowery, or Mallory if you prefer, is the most sought after campaign manager in Alabama right now…party affiliation aside. Just ask Bobby, Todd and the line of eager candidates leaving messages on his voicemail. And now we’ll get to see how well he plays with others and also whether or not his magical touch is ready for the Big List.
Look, there is such a thing as a conservative Democrat. Yes, there is a larger picture a team-oriented Republican can worry about, but if you want some conservative representation with a seat at the table in 2009, we’ve got it about as good as it will get with both Bright and Griffith. Say what you will, but they are not liberal agenda enablers.
Are you really a conservative or are you simply a Republican? There is a difference, you know? If you’re simply promoting Republican strategy and talking points, that’s fine, but let’s not for an instant pretend that your commentary is objective…and there are more appropriate venues.
Also, your mention on the post above about how disgusting it is for an official to dole out money before an election is absolutely the most disconnected comment in the history of political blogging. That’s how it’s worked since the beginning of time. If there were no rewards for being in leadership or putting in extra effort, then no one would do it. And it’s a bi-partisan affliction as well, so please keep the windage on your moral compass to yourself.
Why on Earth do you torture yourself so?
So let’s see what Byrne’s next move will be. It’s pretty much a given that Windom will be heavily involved…he already is as I see it, which is titanic. He’s the best Republican fundraiser around and by that distinction, he’s quite possibly the best all-around. But who else rounds out the team? And who will be the campaign chief? It was pretty easy to package Riley given the climate in 02’ and 06’…especially since he could afford his own hairspray, Don was halfway in shackles and Lucy barely raised fifteen cents. But 2010 is a different year, and Artur is making some pretty smooth moves.
Essentially, I’m no longer certain that “Vote for me because I’m white” is all the Republican candidate will need. But I could be wrong.
So shoot, move, and communicate…
reading that last post made me nauseous. i didn’t describe bright as an idiot – that was another blogger. also, if you think blue dogs are truly conservative – go over to panama city and talk to the hundreds of protesters allen boyd just faced over his cap and trade vote. and a true conservative would not be so happy with the leadership in the house (including the chairman appointed by the speaker) that they would vote to empower that vision, that direction, that leadership.
And in terms of “community grants” doled out by reps, I noted it was a bi partisan game and just because that is the way the system works does not mean it smells good. especially when state reps get the money automatically – they don’t even do any sincere legislative “paperwork” or send it through committee.
And in terms of Byrne’s campaign – I am sure he will make wise decisions. There will also be many, many differences to point out besides black and white.
a few random thoughts…Davis benefits from being left with a conservative rural Democrat who won’t threaten his appeal to blacks or suburban progressives. He won’t have to move left and when he moves right his opponent won’t hit him for it with the base.
It will be interesting to see if the R’s start hitting Davis more aggressively now that Davis is such a big favorite to win the nomination. His votes on the budget and the stimulus drew no fire from them at all. Bet that silence goes away.
Byrne needs to step up. He has not been terribly visible in the last month and his campaign seems to be slow getting organized. James is moving around and you wonder if the Moore vote will eventually break his way.
I agree with the last post that James is ahead of every campaign on organization. Granted, he was able to fund a campaign operation with his own money for the last year. Also, Davis has made some good moves recently in terms of getting organized. Are the others moving too slow??? I don’t know…..we do have almost a year until the primary after all.