Alabama congressman Spencer Bachus of the firmly Republican 6th District says it's too "early" to say who he would support among Republicans for 2012, but he's impressed with Sarah Palin.
The 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Nominee and former governor of Alaska energized fans Monday night at Colonial Brookwood Village, where she signed copies of her new book Going Rogue. A thousand people gathered to meet Palin and receive signed copies of the book.
Many had "Palin 2012" caps and shirts.
Again, "it's early," Rep. Bachus says.
"But let me say this, she has been exposed to more hostile scrutiny than any other political figure in the last ten years. She's held up well. She's a fighter. I wouldn't discount her. I think that would be a serious mistake," Bachus told me on Good Day Alabama this morning. Watch the video here.
Bachus says Palin is indeed "a part of the future" of the Republican Party. The Republican says her views and values play well with the party faithful.
Rick Journey
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Forums and Straw Poll in Springville
The Campaign for Liberty and Rainy Day Patriots will be hosting a U.S. Congressional Forum and Straw Poll on November 5, 2009. On November 9, 2009 we will be hosting the Gubernatorial Forum and Straw Poll. The time will be at 7:00 for both events and will take place at Mathew's Manor in Springville, Alabama .
Below is the status of the attendees for both forums:
November 5th – U.S. Congressional Forum and Straw Poll
Mr. Spencer Bachus (R)
Dr. Stan Cooke (R)
Mr. Michael Early (I)
Mr. Paul Lambert (R)
November 10th – Gubernatorial Forum and Straw Poll
Mr. Robert Bentley (R)
Mr. Bradley Byrne (R)
Mr. Artur Davis (D)
Mrs. Kay Ivey (R)
Mr. Tim James (R)
Mr. Bill Johnson (R)
Mr. Roy Moore (R)
Mr. Ron Sparks (D)
Below is the status of the attendees for both forums:
November 5th – U.S. Congressional Forum and Straw Poll
Mr. Spencer Bachus (R)
Dr. Stan Cooke (R)
Mr. Michael Early (I)
Mr. Paul Lambert (R)
November 10th – Gubernatorial Forum and Straw Poll
Mr. Robert Bentley (R)
Mr. Bradley Byrne (R)
Mr. Artur Davis (D)
Mrs. Kay Ivey (R)
Mr. Tim James (R)
Mr. Bill Johnson (R)
Mr. Roy Moore (R)
Mr. Ron Sparks (D)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Has "King Richard" Lost His Mojo?
Richard Arrington says he wants new talent and younger players.
He calls the latest version of his old organization the New Jefferson County Citizens Coalition.
When the dust settled Tuesday night, the "new" Coalition made little impact in council races.
Only three of the group's candidates were still standing at the end of the night. Incumbent Maxine Herring Parker received broad support and many endorsements. The Coalition backing arguably made little difference.
Same story for newcomer Jay Roberson, now in a runoff with Ernestine Williams. Did the Coalition put him in that spot? Maybe, but maybe not.
Then there is Sheila Tyson, who forced Council President Carole Smitherman into a runoff. Tyson received Coalition backing, but former mayoral candidate Patrick Cooper offered support, too.
Arrington told FOX6 News reporter Alan Collins last night "we really want to be a player and we want to have some influence... we won't quit, but we'll have a whole lot more enthusiasm if we do fairly well."
Enthusiasm may be a little bit low today.
It wasn't an easy rollout for this "new" Coalition. Endorsed candidates in Districts 1, 2, 5 and 9 couldn't make a runoff. Gerri Robinson couldn't unseat incumbent Steven Hoyt, despite backing by Arrington and Mayor Larry Langford.
The track record wasn't much better in school board results.
Arrington talks of a "time for change" in City Hall, yet his group took its knocks for backing District 1 incumbent Joel Montgomery, who finished an embarassing third.
John Archibald of the Birmingham News called that endorsement "same-ol', same-ol' politics of the past."
Arrington says the Coalition is trying to build with younger people.
Last night, as he saw disappointing voter turnout and no doubt, disappointing results, Arrington said the group would have to "wait and see" about its future.
Rick Journey
He calls the latest version of his old organization the New Jefferson County Citizens Coalition.
When the dust settled Tuesday night, the "new" Coalition made little impact in council races.
Only three of the group's candidates were still standing at the end of the night. Incumbent Maxine Herring Parker received broad support and many endorsements. The Coalition backing arguably made little difference.
Same story for newcomer Jay Roberson, now in a runoff with Ernestine Williams. Did the Coalition put him in that spot? Maybe, but maybe not.
Then there is Sheila Tyson, who forced Council President Carole Smitherman into a runoff. Tyson received Coalition backing, but former mayoral candidate Patrick Cooper offered support, too.
Arrington told FOX6 News reporter Alan Collins last night "we really want to be a player and we want to have some influence... we won't quit, but we'll have a whole lot more enthusiasm if we do fairly well."
Enthusiasm may be a little bit low today.
It wasn't an easy rollout for this "new" Coalition. Endorsed candidates in Districts 1, 2, 5 and 9 couldn't make a runoff. Gerri Robinson couldn't unseat incumbent Steven Hoyt, despite backing by Arrington and Mayor Larry Langford.
The track record wasn't much better in school board results.
Arrington talks of a "time for change" in City Hall, yet his group took its knocks for backing District 1 incumbent Joel Montgomery, who finished an embarassing third.
John Archibald of the Birmingham News called that endorsement "same-ol', same-ol' politics of the past."
Arrington says the Coalition is trying to build with younger people.
Last night, as he saw disappointing voter turnout and no doubt, disappointing results, Arrington said the group would have to "wait and see" about its future.
Rick Journey
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lawmakers Now Point to Smitherman
Up to the Senate now...
Those words from Rep. Patricia Todd on her Twitter page set the stage for a political drama on the 7th floor of the Statehouse this week.
On a less-than-inspiring 17-15 vote, Jefferson county's occupational tax measure advances to the Alabama Senate where President Pro Tem Rodger Smitherman wants to make changes (read here).
"We can make it better," Sen. Smitherman tells me.
The issue for Smitherman is language that calls for the public to decide in a 2012 referendum whether the county should "phase out" the .45% tax over 5 years. Smitherman says it should be phased-down, not out.
Smitherman contends a phased removal of the tax would only put the county in the same place it is today, but he faces opposition for the proposal among Jefferson county Republicans in the Senate.
"If he does, he loses me and (Steve) French," Senate Minority Leader Jabo Waggoner tells me this morning.
But the plot thickens.
Smitherman makes no secret of his plan to seek support from out-of-county lawmakers to push his proposal through. While Rep. John Rogers urged those out-of-Jefferson- lawmakers to "not interfere" in the House, Smitherman may be trying to build out-of-county support for his rival measure in the Senate.
"I'll try to get as many votes as I can," Smitherman says, acknowledging it could cost him support from delegation members.
If that's the case, what will Senate Republicans do?
Options could include killing the measure by filibuster or allowing it to pass without their vote and returning the bill to House members.
Rep. Jack Williams, the only Republican to support the House measure, warns Smitherman's proposal is "not what we agreed on."
"If he forces a change, it will not pass the House of Representatives," Williams warns, "if he kills it, it is all on him."
House sponsor Rep. Rogers says Smitherman does not have the votes and cautions "anything to change anything... he kills the whole package."
As far as accountability measures, Smitherman says he has not yet decided what to do with a bill to force the county to hire a county manager and comptroller. Smitherman says he feels "real good" about the manager, but believes a comptroller only adds another layer on the county government.
Let the games begin in the Senate.
Rick Journey
Those words from Rep. Patricia Todd on her Twitter page set the stage for a political drama on the 7th floor of the Statehouse this week.
On a less-than-inspiring 17-15 vote, Jefferson county's occupational tax measure advances to the Alabama Senate where President Pro Tem Rodger Smitherman wants to make changes (read here).
"We can make it better," Sen. Smitherman tells me.
The issue for Smitherman is language that calls for the public to decide in a 2012 referendum whether the county should "phase out" the .45% tax over 5 years. Smitherman says it should be phased-down, not out.
Smitherman contends a phased removal of the tax would only put the county in the same place it is today, but he faces opposition for the proposal among Jefferson county Republicans in the Senate.
"If he does, he loses me and (Steve) French," Senate Minority Leader Jabo Waggoner tells me this morning.
But the plot thickens.
Smitherman makes no secret of his plan to seek support from out-of-county lawmakers to push his proposal through. While Rep. John Rogers urged those out-of-Jefferson- lawmakers to "not interfere" in the House, Smitherman may be trying to build out-of-county support for his rival measure in the Senate.
"I'll try to get as many votes as I can," Smitherman says, acknowledging it could cost him support from delegation members.
If that's the case, what will Senate Republicans do?
Options could include killing the measure by filibuster or allowing it to pass without their vote and returning the bill to House members.
Rep. Jack Williams, the only Republican to support the House measure, warns Smitherman's proposal is "not what we agreed on."
"If he forces a change, it will not pass the House of Representatives," Williams warns, "if he kills it, it is all on him."
House sponsor Rep. Rogers says Smitherman does not have the votes and cautions "anything to change anything... he kills the whole package."
As far as accountability measures, Smitherman says he has not yet decided what to do with a bill to force the county to hire a county manager and comptroller. Smitherman says he feels "real good" about the manager, but believes a comptroller only adds another layer on the county government.
Let the games begin in the Senate.
Rick Journey
The Republican Who Voted "Yes"
Rep. Jack Williams feels like he did the "right thing."
The Vestavia Hills Republican was the only "yes" vote from the GOP on the occupational tax measure today.
Rep. Williams saw "plenty of stunned faces" in the House chamber when the initial vote was 15-14 against. A quick motion to reconsider gave the measure a 17-15 victory.
Williams defends his vote. He says he mostly heard from his constituents that "something's gotta be done...we'll get a county manager out of this."
But Williams offers a warning to any senator, particularly Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D).
If Smitherman proposes a phase-down, rather than phase-out referendum on the tax "it will not pass the House of Representatives," Williams says.
Rick Journey
The Vestavia Hills Republican was the only "yes" vote from the GOP on the occupational tax measure today.
Rep. Williams saw "plenty of stunned faces" in the House chamber when the initial vote was 15-14 against. A quick motion to reconsider gave the measure a 17-15 victory.
Williams defends his vote. He says he mostly heard from his constituents that "something's gotta be done...we'll get a county manager out of this."
But Williams offers a warning to any senator, particularly Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D).
If Smitherman proposes a phase-down, rather than phase-out referendum on the tax "it will not pass the House of Representatives," Williams says.
Rick Journey
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Davs vs Sparks: Heating Up
For days, the Democrats in Alabama's race for governor have been trading criticisms.
Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks attacked U.S. Rep. Artur Davis' plan to lower the state's high school drop out rate (read here), calling it an effort he has supported for years (read here).
Sparks claims Davis is out of touch on education funding.
Davis launched his own "out of touch" charge today -- a web commercial attacking Sparks claim at last week's BCA retreat concerning unemployment. Watch here.
Watch for the commissioner to unveil what his team is hyping as an "innovative campaign" later this morning here.
Rick Journey
Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks attacked U.S. Rep. Artur Davis' plan to lower the state's high school drop out rate (read here), calling it an effort he has supported for years (read here).
Sparks claims Davis is out of touch on education funding.
Davis launched his own "out of touch" charge today -- a web commercial attacking Sparks claim at last week's BCA retreat concerning unemployment. Watch here.
Watch for the commissioner to unveil what his team is hyping as an "innovative campaign" later this morning here.
Rick Journey
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
JeffCo's Sheriff Talks Tough with Commission
Jefferson county sheriff Mike Hale apparently likes old Kurt Russell movies.
For two days now, Hale has warned an additional $4-million cut in his department would lead to an Escape from New York or Escape from LA scenario.
Need a reminder? Watch this clip on YouTube.
On the Good Day Alabama set this morning just before a live interview, Hale smiled when I asked if he would be quoting Kurt Russell's Tombstone next in his ongoing tug-of-war with commissioners.
I'll be your huckleberry, Bettye Fine....
Hale has found an easy verbal target in commissioners in his battle over the budget crisis.
When told county attorney Jim Priester wished he would be a "team player," Hale snapped "I wish the commission would be team players with law enforcement."
Watch the full interview here.
Hale says he "does not apologize" for his stand on public safety and says his current protests are just that.... a public safety issue.
Facing a legal setback Tuesday and a very real potential for losing an additional $4-million in his budget, Hale has turned to the governor's office. Tuesday he requested funds from the state. If that's not possible, he says, he wants Gov. Bob Riley to deputize members of the Alabama National Guard.
Without the state help and with more cuts, Hale warns deputies will leave the streets and courthouse security will disappear, creating ultimately a shutdown of the court proceedings.
The Guard is deployed in natural disasters, so Hale reasons troops can be deployed in the "unnatural disaster" taking place in Jefferson county.
Previous requests for a loan or bailout for the county's budget crisis have been turned down. The governor's office says legally, it can not be done. Still, the governor's staff has been looking into the possibility of law enforcement staff supplemented by state troopers or the national guard.
Hale will check back with the governor's office today. The governor's phone number is likely on speed dial for many county leaders these days. Jefferson county lawmakers are now waiting for action from Riley after giving majority-backing to a rewritten occupational tax. A statement from Riley spokesman Jeff Emerson says the governor is looking over the legislation and ensuring it has support before calling a special session.
Even that part of the story brings a puzzling look from Sheriff Hale. Commissioner Collins questions the legality of the legislative proposal as the county burns... figuratively.
"Arrogance," Hale says.
Heaven help the commission if Hale's budget frustrations lead to him watching Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" movies.
Rick Journey
For two days now, Hale has warned an additional $4-million cut in his department would lead to an Escape from New York or Escape from LA scenario.
Need a reminder? Watch this clip on YouTube.
On the Good Day Alabama set this morning just before a live interview, Hale smiled when I asked if he would be quoting Kurt Russell's Tombstone next in his ongoing tug-of-war with commissioners.
I'll be your huckleberry, Bettye Fine....
Hale has found an easy verbal target in commissioners in his battle over the budget crisis.
When told county attorney Jim Priester wished he would be a "team player," Hale snapped "I wish the commission would be team players with law enforcement."
Watch the full interview here.
Hale says he "does not apologize" for his stand on public safety and says his current protests are just that.... a public safety issue.
Facing a legal setback Tuesday and a very real potential for losing an additional $4-million in his budget, Hale has turned to the governor's office. Tuesday he requested funds from the state. If that's not possible, he says, he wants Gov. Bob Riley to deputize members of the Alabama National Guard.
Without the state help and with more cuts, Hale warns deputies will leave the streets and courthouse security will disappear, creating ultimately a shutdown of the court proceedings.
The Guard is deployed in natural disasters, so Hale reasons troops can be deployed in the "unnatural disaster" taking place in Jefferson county.
Previous requests for a loan or bailout for the county's budget crisis have been turned down. The governor's office says legally, it can not be done. Still, the governor's staff has been looking into the possibility of law enforcement staff supplemented by state troopers or the national guard.
Hale will check back with the governor's office today. The governor's phone number is likely on speed dial for many county leaders these days. Jefferson county lawmakers are now waiting for action from Riley after giving majority-backing to a rewritten occupational tax. A statement from Riley spokesman Jeff Emerson says the governor is looking over the legislation and ensuring it has support before calling a special session.
Even that part of the story brings a puzzling look from Sheriff Hale. Commissioner Collins questions the legality of the legislative proposal as the county burns... figuratively.
"Arrogance," Hale says.
Heaven help the commission if Hale's budget frustrations lead to him watching Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" movies.
Rick Journey
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