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The GOP caucuses for the Senate and the House are meeting today. The Senate caucus has already chosen Del Marsh (of Anniston) as its nominee for the top spot, Senate President pro tempore. Scott Beason (of Gardendale) has been tapped to be the caucus nominee for Chair of the powerful Rule Committee.
Marsh was a major player in the party’s fundraising for Campaign 2010. Beason’s support in the party has been noted in a previous post.
In the other chamber, al.com is reporting that Governor-elect Bentley is trying to work out a compromise between Mike Hubbard (Auburn) and Paul DeMarco (Homewood) for the role of House Speaker.
Some Republican legislators did not foresee that the leadership would be decided today. One House member told the Parlor this week that while the issue of who would be Speaker “will be the centerpiece of our discussion” today, “there is no indication that we are going to elect the caucus nominee” based on the info in the announcement about the meeting. The legislator added, “I hope we discuss strategy and meet our 10 to 15 new House members. I’m not convinced that it’s imperative that we have a vote on Thursday. If that’s a potential order of business, many of us will be surprised.”
Apparently then, many are surprised.
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Demarco has damaged himself with this. Question is why and who is pulling his strings?
There is really no substance to DeMarco. His only interest is in holding the office and passing bills that sound good, but do little. He’s ambitious (which is not always bad) and selfish. He runs from any issue with the slightest bit of controversy. Until he overcomes these flaws he will not earn the respect of his peers and will never be a leader.
DeMarco supported Bentley….Bentley and legislators like DeMarco et al wanted to stop the Oscar Harper of the Republican Party, Mike Hubbard….
That’s an asinine argument, AEA. At least make common sense. Bentley blessed the nomination of Hubbard.
Maybe you aren’t making the rational argument that Payne has been controlled by Boss Hubbert for years and that Payne was using DeMarco to try to divide the R party. The question is why DeMarco let it happen. I guess you don’t want to answer that truthfully.
This might not be the place to bring it up, but were all the Republican legislators accounted for? Who did and didn’t show up? Does anyone know?
I think all were present.
Carolyn the only reason he gave that blessing was that Mike “Oscar Harper” Hubbard denied Dr. Bentley the courtesy to name leaders in the House and Senate which every Democrat governor has done for years….what choice did he have……I have an e-mail that says Mike “Oscar Harper” Hubbard plans to marginalize Republicans legislators that supported Dr. Bentley in the run off.
“every Democrat governor has done for years”?
The only Democrat Governor in the last 24 years was the Felon Don Seigelman and he did not name the Speaker
Mike Hubbard and Paul DeMarco will be working together for the overall good and benefit of Alabamians for years to come. The sewer fiasco in Jefferson County has been tackled bravely and openly by DeMarco’s new law creating a Jefferson County Manager, which now law former bill drew unanimous bi-partisan support in the last State House & Senate Session and is now in effect…hiring of new Jefferson County Manager to be done no later than April 2011, nationwide search now started by new Jefferson County Commission. DeMarco’s integrity, honesty, and courteous style make him the natural choice for Speaker Pro Temp, and we should note that DeMarco stood aside at Governor-elect Bentley’s request in deference to Mike Hubbard’s hard work and success in helping to elect a Republican majority state legislature, both houses. Now Speaker-designate Hubbard has to step down as active Republican Party Chair and focus on solely being a good legislator. Past frictions must now end. The 2010 governatorial primary election is over. Anyone in the legislature hanging onto grudges regarding a defeated run off looser had either better get a life or expect to likely not be re-elected as the people hugely spoke with one voice on Nov. 2 the name and future governorship of Robert Bentley, not some has been the outgoing governor and others in the party tried to “annoint.” Gracious acceptance of the people’s will and broad legislative support for now Goveror-elect Robert Bentley, who has publicly endorsed DeMarco to be Speaker Pro Temp and of Speaker designate Mike Hubbard, who openly supported and voted for DeMarco to be Speaker Pro Temp are clean and honorable and should now be adhered by the majority of the just elected/re-elected Republican caucus of the Alabama Republican Party.
To be clear Mike Hubbard voted to uphold the public agreement between him, Governor-elect Bentley and Paul DeMarco whereby both posts, Speaker and Speaker Pro Temp would have been voted on by the Republican State House caucus as a package, as requested and suggested by Governor-elect Bentley.
Just to clarify the full public view facts of record. Actions by a Mobile area legislator and a St. Clair County legislator to the contrary reflect the “chip on the shoulder” mentality which has to either end now or become the disunion and dysfunctional future of the just elected Republican majority in the State House of Representatives. These two nay sayers are otherwise probably good men of a good heart and just need to learn to work with Governor elect Bentley, who their own home area constituents voted for heavily both in the run off and in the General Election.
Lightfoot and Snicklefritz looks like you saw the saw e-mail as I saying retribution would be carried out against legislators that supported Dr. Bentley….
Why don’t you go worry about your own party politics AEA, seems like y’all are the ones who need a little leadership renewal.
Carolyn AEA is a non-partisan organization supporting candidates from both parties. AEA supports candidates that support public education.
AEA is a non-partisan organization supporting candidates from both parties. AEA supports candidates that support public education.
AEA is a Labour Union, dedicated to the enrichment of it’s leaders.
Give. Me. A. Break.
After reading Paul Davis’ article on Mike Hubbard and AU, it looks like Paul DeMarco or another, may soon be Speaker after all….
Carolyn, want a list of Republicans in the legislator who have taken Republican money? Mike Ball that posts here is one to start….like I said non-partisan…..pro-education.
Yes. Please post it.
Lee,
Paul Davis is a “Black Helicopter” nut. No respected journalist, editor, or reader would believe a thing he said.
agree with Lightfoot and Snicklefritz, those with chips need to remove them from their shoulder now. It is time to move on. It is healthy for the party to have had multiple people interested in leadership posts. We should welcome that. Hubbard, DeMarco, Marsh and Beason are all strong republicans. It is unfortunate how some have tried to marginalize or degrade some seeking leadership or call into question their motives. But that all must be put behind us now.
Hubbard and DeMarco will work together for the party and state. Effective leadership requires maintaining coalitions. Hubbard will be a good speaker and work with the governor-elect.
self-described ReaganRepub, you are anything but one. you ignore the 11th commandment. I know DeMarco to be an effective legislator and principled conservative with a bright future. It appears you have an agenda you are pushing for selfish reasons.
Tim specifically where is Davis wrong? True or False Auburn is getting less for their broadcast fees than market value or even the two highest bidders? True or False Hubbards companies sold over $1 million in supplies to Republican candidates? True or False Hubbard helped to push a bill that exempted Auburn from competitive bid laws? Like I have said Hubbard is another Oscar Harper…
Carolyn, 6 current Republican members of the Senate directly and several others indirectly….received AEA money over the last few years….
I believe you, but I’d like to see the names. Hard for me to track those PAC to PAC transfers you know.
Del Marsh for one…Harri Anne another, Gerald Allen, Jimmy Holley…let you figure the other two….too be honest hard to say or I won’t say the indirect ones but look at Raby PAC’s to start
If you are so proud of your organization’s bipartisan and wholesome approach to AL politics, then why don’t you enlighten the rest of us to who you support and how much money you spent in the last election cycle. Unions – especially teachers unions operating in the shadows and then trying to pretend to be “for the children and motherhood and apple pie” is getting old.