Posted by Paul Hamrick, the one time chief of staff to former Democratic Governor Don Siegelman, has been hired to do communications work for the Republican Senate majority caucus.
Email from Sen. Jabo Waggoner yesterday was the first notice most caucus members received of the “strange hire” (in the words of one).
Gentlemen-
I wanted to inform all of you that I have hired Paul Hamrick to be the PR/Communications Consultant for the Caucus. Paul has agreed to a contract beginning on March 1, 2011 and ending June 1, 2012. I am including in this email Paul’s contact information. He will be available to us collectively and individually so please feel free to call upon him with whatever you are needing at this level. Please call me or email me if you have any questions.[contact info removed]
Thanks -
Jabo
Hamrick was acquitted of racketeering, conspiracy and fraud charges in the same 2006 trial that convicted Siegelman and Healthsouth CEO Richard Scrushy.
This “would be the major story of the party right now,” one loyalist tells the Political Parlor, “if Jay Love hadn’t been surprised today and the Riley folks are going around crying in their beer [about Love losing the party chairmanship to Bill Armistead this morning].”
This has become a major brouhaha among Republican state senators because the hiring had not been discussed with them beforehand and because some of them consider Hamrick “the nemesis, the other side,” as one GOP’er put it. “We got someone from the Christian right to run the party and a left-wing Democrat to run the Senate caucus.”
Update: A Senate insider tells the Parlor that the email as it went out had a typo and that the contract is to run until June 30, 2011, not June 1, 2012.
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Per the Del Marsh comment that Hamrick “wasn’t convicted of anything”: Hamrick HAS admitted to taking a $25,000 “gift” while a state employee (source – US court documents). That’s illegal – it’s what Ray Crosby is currently awaiting trial for. So Hamrick should never be hired for any job in state government.
Hamrick’s “decision” doesn’t change the fact Jabbo apparently was ready to hire the guy despite the numerous objections and questions. Looks like Jabbo gotta go..huh?
I think all the Repubs that are up in arms about this story are just feeling a little butt-hurt. Your friends obviously think a Democrat can do a better job than you. Let the in-fighting begin and continue on for the next four unproductive years.
@Matt: very disturbing that Jabo doesn’t seem to “get it.” Even Dems voted to turn out their own and place confidence in Republicans. What part of Nov. 2nd does he (& a couple of others) not understand??
Outside Observer… ain’t gonna happen.
@Danny: I’ve posted way too many times on this particular topic already, but before I tie a bow on it, I want you to know that I think you’ve done a terrific service for your readers and for Alabama voters.
Had you not posted this story, it would likely have stayed under the radar until too late. Also, because Matt Murphy picked it up and had Hamrick on his show, even more people know about it. You two have alerted Alabamians to some inside information that we’d have never known.
Best of all, your story roused enough interest and outrage that, from my perspective, a really big, time-wasting and embarrassing disaster was averted.
Thank you for your journalistic integrity and for your efforts.
The rescinding of this deal is the first concrete prrof that maybe things HAVE changed on Goat Hill.
From now on the Paul Hamricks and Joe Perkins and the other Usual Demo Suspects may NOT be involved in the new GOP government. And that would be an excellent thing.
Ditto Woody!
Good work, Danny and Matt!
Thanks also to those grassroots folks who contributed to making Hamrick’s tenure brief!
There is a pic of Del with possibly the guys from Alabama power……………http://plixi.com/p/73626783
it is with a hog not a goat
You mean a Mule don’t you Craig?
I second Woody’s remarks…Doc’s and Murphy did a great job on this. Talbot @ the Press-Register got in on it too and says he’s gotten a boatload of angry calls. I would guess emanating from Montgomery way.
If you don’t want the people upset then quit acting like BAU fellas.
We’re watching.
All of us.
And you don’t get a pass this time.
Everybody needs to calm down and give the man a chance. I understand he is very smart. Jabo must have his reasons, although he should explain them. Every one would have to agree he has the experience. Political parties are clouding our judgement.
Here is an email I received.
Subject: CONGRATS — We did it! Paul Hamrick has resigned!
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:10:25 -0600
Dear Board Members,
I have to share some exciting news. After my email to you about the hiring of Democrat Paul Hamrick, many of you contacted
your legislators and Jabo Waggoner, who personally hired Paul Hamrick!
Today Jabo Waggoner spoke at the RW of the South meeting and announced that Hemrick has resigned! Pressure on our
legislators worked! I can’t express my excitement of how many of you have said that our Republicans who act like Democrats will
get called out. You did it and success is ours!
Thank you all for your concern about our Alabama Republican Party and your passion about ethics and good government! I’m
so proud of you!!
No, political parties are not clouding our judgment Gayle.
Seven counts of bribery (despite the outcome) might be though.
Paul Hamrick was not the only choice, no one believes that, but he was the chosen one.
And did anyone notice Hamrick praising M. Hubbard, Jabo and the likes for the 2010 election victories on Matt Murphy this am??? (Like they single handedly orchestrated that winning turn out?) I am sick of this as, I am a true conservative who walked door to door for conservative candidates often fighting the Mike Hubbard crowd who were protecting RINOs. NEWSFLASH to them all: The whole country flipped this past year due to people being sick of big, power hungry government. You, (party heads) had nothing to do with it! Jabo needs to go! Also, why is Steve French still in the picture with Jabo??? ummm. . . That is a question that should be investigated as well. One truth Hamrick spoke that I do believe. He said “I have been working with Republicans the past 8 years.” I am quite sure that is the truth, no doubt.
4Truth,
Congrats on going door to door for candidates. I would love know which candidates and what lists were used.
@4Truth,
With regard to Hamrick’s radio comments about his relationships with Republicans, fear not. Those were nothing more than “suck-up” efforts hoping for another shot at working for RINO’s like Jabo.
Fortunately, we have a majority of principled, conservative Republicans who understand why they were elected and what it’ll take to stay in office.
Ignore the minutia, stay the course, keep the faith and speak out.
Unfortunately, the Republicans won the majority and did not prepare themselves to govern going into this upcoming session. They are making some of the same early-on mistakes that were made in neighboring states when Republicans first took over. It’s too bad they did not look at those states and learn from them. They will get their act together, let’s just hope it doesn’t take two or three years to do so.
And i’ve been beat to death.
the hog pic came from someone who works in the department of major donors
@ AMG,
A list not donated by my party and the candidates that beat out the RINO’s are the ones I walked for. It paid off. :)
Should be a good start next week now that we have replaced a few RINO’s and they all know we are all watching? We need to obviously replace a few more? Did someone say Jabo must go? I concur and soon, before he gives Langfords’ buddy Steve French, too much power?
The Legislative Watchdog Group is holding a rally of Tea Party groups and concerned citizens on the Statehouse steps on March 1 from 11-12. Scott Beason and Paul Demarco will be speaking along with Don Casey on Agenda 21.
We need to let the Legislators know that we are listening and watching what they do.
Info here: http://rainydaypatriots.ning.com/events/winter-welcome-back-rally
Face Book: Alabama Legislative Watchdogs
Good call, 4Truth. You are so right about Steve French and Jabo. And Del Marsh, too. French never misses an opportunity to be by their side, and he’s been working closely with them. Now that French’s ties to Langford aren’t paying off for him any more, he’s looking in other directions. You should keep a close eye on him. I wouldn’t be surprised if French was involved in this Hamrick mess. Hamrick’s done work for French in the past and they are said to be very close. Oh what a tangled web they weave…
Richard,
Yes, French was involved for sure! How did these guys get in charge? I will tell you. . .They took the ‘peoples’ votes and turned the election into an ‘oportunity’ for themselves by calling meetings two days after elections to ‘make sure’ they were large and in charge. And they are now actually arrogant enough to think people voted for this or them??? People voted AGAINST the democrats but not neccessarily for good ole boy Republicans. Mike Hubbard actually secured his leadership role early on as party chair and buying votes with our donated money? (secured kickbacks as well for his printing company?) Still waiting on those ‘ethic violations’ to hit the news??? It’s ok, this election we had to weed out the liberals and only got a few RINO’s. Next election we can get the rest. French was a Riley, Hubbard, Jabo boy that got squashed, thank God, although Jabo ‘owes’ him so much he will not go away. I am for anyone who is running against Jabo and Hubbard. I knew they would show themselves true to their character but not so early in the game? The session has not even started?(besides that fake one, of course) Chickens are coming in to roost early. Verdict is still out on Marsh? Thank God for Armistead, I think I see real hope and change! I just hope the likes of Jabo do not destroy what faith and integrity may still be lurking, however small, within our party? This is our chance to shine and show the people we are worthy of their trust since we really won by default. This was not a good start. :(
4Truth, you’re about as fake as they come. I’m sure everyone here is taking your every word as gospel. That last diatribe was not a good post :( i mean who even makes those symbols, what are you 13? Give the computer back to your mommy.
Nice try,
Yes, I am young, is there an age limit to posting? But I do know the meaning of ‘fake’ and that does not even make sense or belong in this dialogue? Unless you are referring to RINO legislators? No one takes my word for anything, facts are facts. You are simply angry at the exposure so you insult me personally in an immature manner. No harm done, we do not all have to agree, but it makes my weekend to know I hit a nerve, ugh? I hope you have a better day.
I thought French lost in the Primary to a Lowell Barron plant. Lowell was the big Democrat in the Senate. So how does 4Truth put French on the other side?
JD, my guess would be because French played both sides (or tried to), although he was solidly in the Republican camp, of course. But French is close to a lot of Democrats just like he’s close with Del and Jabo. French is very close to Roger Bedford, for example. French also has done business with a number of Democrats, like Larry Langford for example.
Did anyone happen to notice that Waggoner’s e-mail opens with “Gentlemen” instead of “Senators”? It could have just as easily read “White men” and that would be more accurate. I assume Hamrick wrote that e-mail. Alabama is now ruled by white men. Not one woman in the Senate majority. Just 22 white men ruling the giant plantation that is Alabama. So much for representative government, huh? I just noticed that and was surprised that no one seemed to have pointed that out yet. And does anyone know if Harri Anne Smith wanted to Caucus with the GOP or if she chose not to? I think I remember reading somewhere she wanted to, but Del Marsh didn’t want her to, so they told her no.