Politico reported exclusively minutes ago that Alabama U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith is switching from the Democratic to the Republican party today. Needless to say, this is a huge Christmas surprise and will send ripples across the landscape of Alabama politics. I will have more on this story soon.
Candidate for governor of Alabama, Tim James has talked many times about his success in building the Foley Beach Express toll road in Baldwin County and how that could be a model for future development,
James, who developed the Foley Beach Express toll bridge in Orange Beach, said at a [...]
Danny at Political Parlor and the AP noted earlier today that Susan Parker is running for another term on the Public Service Commission. I take any opportunity I can to toot Susan’s horn. She is one of those rare genuine people in politics. I [...]
“I have stood on the line in Everett, Wash., where we have thousands of workers who go to work every day to build these planes,” Murray says. “I would challenge anybody to tell me that they’ve stood on a line in Alabama and seen anybody building anything.”
I had reserved judgement [...]
The Ron Sparks campaign for governor put out the following today,
As we close in on the Christmas holidays and approach the new year, we have set a goal of reaching 2,010 new online contributors by 2010.
Since Ron first announced his platform and intentions to run for Governor, he [...]
Politico has a must-read story this morning (also highlighted by Huffington Post) on the barriers Davis faces in his race to become the next governor of Alabama. The reporters did a very good job of explaining the current environment to those outside of the state. An environment where Davis [...]
Former ADECA Director Bill Johnson seems determined to make his former boss, Governor Bob Riley the issue in the next campaign. Today, Johnson called on the state’s attorney general to investigate the governor and his family on conflict of interest ethics concerns. Former two-year college chancellor Bradley Byrne is [...]
This statement from the Davis campaign in response to the article by Joe L. Reed in the AEA Journal is about as good as it gets. Other campaigns should take notes on rebutting histrionics with substance.
Artur Davis: Joe Reed is Wrong on Race and Leadership, Again
Congressman Artur Davis [...]
Now, I love doing polls on my site, but I know they are nowhere near an approximation of the real opinions of the population at large. Still, we pay attention to them. The latest poll to gain attention online is one at a site run by the Conservative Christians [...]
As we approach the end of the year, I think it’s a good time to look at how political candidates are doing in terms of their use of and popularity on social media. First, let’s look at a tale of the tape (as of today) on Twitter:
Twitter Followers:
Roy Moore ([...]
I understand that folks in Tuscaloosa are not happy about the idea of losing Bryce Hospital and the jobs that come with it, but the <i>Tuscaloosa News</i> editorial board goes through some serious pains to twist the truth behind the situation in order to make their point. Let’s start [...]
I haven’t touched on religion on this blog, but here goes…
I had a perfect illustration today of why I am and always will be a fan of the Auburn Tigers. I posted a link to this essay with the title “Something Every True Auburn fan needs to read!!” on Twitter. Within minutes [...]
Anytime you can get budget analysts from the Urban Institute, the Progressive Policy Institute, the Brooking Institution, the American Enterprise Institute, the Heritage Foundation and the Concord Coalition to agree on anything, I’m going to listen. In a joint statement a group of budget analysts who call themselves “The [...]
According to a Democratic source, Alabama candidate for governor Rep. Artur Davis, will be speaking at the Democratic Governor’s Association Candidate Luncheon shortly in Washington, DC. He is one of only four candidates that were asked to outline their races for an audience of DGA members and candidates (the [...]
Nate Silver made a point yesterday in passing that was very interesting to me. He was countering an argument by Chris Bowers that Bowers isn’t really concerned about the expected loss in seats at the mid-term for Democrats. As always, Nate goes to the numbers and shows that the [...]
I have seen a lot of activity in recent weeks on Facebook and Twitter, indicating that our elected officials and candidates for federal and statewide office are beginning to understand the tools that are available and use them more effectively. We still have a long way to go, but I [...]
Artur Davis is picking up a key endorsement from Mobile Mayor Sam Jones today (as indicated by George Talbot of the Mobile Press-Register on his Twitter feed). It comes on the heels of Mitt Romney’s endorsement of Kay Ivey. Why Ivey? Well, she chaired his Alabama campaign for [...]
The Economist last week had an excellent cover story laying out the options for how America might go about reducing our federal budget deficits in the coming decade. The article first pointed out that now is obviously not the time to be acting to reduce deficits, as the recovery is [...]
I received the following from my state representative, Greg Wren, yesterday:
Dear Constituents,
The United States Senate is preparing for a vote on the latest version of a massive government funded intrusion into the health care system. Senator Harry Reid (Democratic Majority Leader) will force a vote on President Obama’s [...]
Bradley Byrne voiced his strong support today for giving Alabama parents options in educating their children,
“As the father of four children who attended public schools, a former member of the Alabama Board of Education and a former senator, I have long been a proponent of bringing school choice to [...]
I’m always happy to see young professionals stepping forward and providing leadership. To that end, a loose affiliation of Birmingham young professionals that has dubbed themselves “The Birmingham Roundtable” is hosting a Birmingham Mayoral Debate on December 3rd.
Leading candidates Attorney Emory Anthony Jr., Jefferson County Commissioner William Bell and Birmingham City [...]
The issue of gambling in Alabama is continuing to take up a lot of space in the political discussions around the state. It’s getting more and more difficult to dicsuss anything else.
Sebastian Kitchen does an excellent job in the Montgomery Advertiser this morning laying out where we currently are [...]
The Center for a Better South is a great example of what we are capable of when we are allowed to dream. They spent some time working with leaders from across the south (including former U.S. Rep. Glen Browder, H. Brandt Ayers, Bob Davis, Stephen Foster Black and Sarah [...]
Yesterday, Bradley Byrne released a ten point ethics reform plan.
Require public servants and their family members to disclose to the Ethics Commission all work they are engaged in with any entity that receives public funds, and all income derived from any state or local government entity or institution; Extend the [...]The Mobile Press-Register received some very interesting responses from a survey they submitted to the candidates in the Alabama governor’s race. First, they note that Ron Sparks refused to answer any of the questions on religion, abortion, gay marriage or immigration (presumably because he hasn’t been told what his positions are).
The other Democrat [...]
The latest press release from Artur Davis’s campaign showcases another issue where Ron Sparks is trying to have it both ways, education.
“Ron Sparks proudly touted his participation in President Obama’s education reform tour when he thought it would win him votes, but less than two weeks later he is taking [...]
NOOOOOO…the following is being circulated by e-mail from concernedcitizensofbirmingham(at)gmail(dot)com
If you want Dr.
Richard Arrington
Jr. to Run for Mayor
of Birmingham…
Come out to Linn Park
(On 8th Ave North, Between
20th Street N & Richard
Arrington Jr. Blvd N)
This Monday, November
16, 2009
At 12:00 Noon
Concerned Citizens of
Birmingham want to draft [...]
The contentiousness of the Democratic nomination for governor in Alabama is already at a fever pitch and we haven’t made it to the beginning of election year yet. The latest salvos from both campaigns came within the last 24 hours, but to get the real flavor of where we are, [...]
I spent the better part of this past weekend defending Democratic Rep. Artur Davis, Rep. Bobby Bright and Rep. Parker Griffith to progressives around the country. Why? Because they were amongst the 39 Democrats who voted against HR 3962 on Saturday night, and many progressives view that as unforgiveable offense.
Here is [...]
The US House of Representatives passed historic healthcare reform legislation last night. There was vigorous debate on both sides (amazing, given some contended it was impossible for anyone to have read it in the time allotted, how could 435 legislators each have an opinion) and in the end a vote to [...]
Now, you have seen me go after Ron Sparks for lack of depth in his press announcements, I will give credit where credit is due on the announcement yesterday of support from 28 Democratic Sheriffs, that is a real accomplishment in the endorsement wars. Yet, it did make me [...]
In case you missed them, here were the most viewed posts at The World Around You in October:
1. More on State Employees Salaries and Whose Salary is Missing
2. How Many State Employees Make More than the Governor
I became concerned when I heard that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act wasn’t doing what it was intended to do, that it was creating few jobs at a very high cost. So, of course, I did what I do, I went to look at the information out of Alabama (big [...]
You could feel it building over the last few weeks, as Ron Sparks and Artur Davis exchanged jabs on gambling and the truthfulness of the opposition. It came to a head in Auburn tonight as a gubernatorial forum that also featured Robert Bentley, Tim James, Bill Johnson and Bradley [...]
Since it’s election day, I thought it entirely appropriate to unveil another feature of The World Around You. Since my directory of Alabama Elected Officials on Social Media was so well-received, I am proud to announce the Alabama Candidates & Social Media page here at TWAY.
Currently the page [...]
Well the first month of the fiscal year has now finished and the grand total for state spending is over $2.799 billion dollars, in one month.
Where did it go?
$1.38 billion to “Grants and Benefits”
$430 million in Medicaid payments to doctors and other service providers $344 million to local school systems $108 million [...]The results are in. The question was: Who is running the best campaign so far for Alabama governor? 122 votes were cast and the tallies are:
1% – Roy Moore
2% – each to Bill Johnson, Kay Ivey and Robert Bentley
4% – Ron Sparks
8% – Tim James
22% – Artur Davis
and congratulations to [...]
Do people really not see the connection?
Alabama Boasts Lowest Taxes in the Nation
and
Alabama is 44th Most Livable State
Not to mention this Alabama 48th for Kids, or this Alabama 45th “Smartest” or this Alabama 40th in Overall Health (and here)
Of course, [...]
I have avoided extensive comment on the saga and ultimate federal conviction of former Mayor Larry Langford in Birmingham because I viewed it as just another in a long line of terrible tragedies endured by the people of Birmingham and all of Alabama. It is long past time for the people of Birmingham [...]
I have been discussing for some time the need to get more of our elected officials to interact and offer constituent services online. Toward that end, I have added a new feature to The World Around You, a page called Alabama Officials & Social Media. I intend for it [...]
I know this will shock some of my friends that want to continue to try to put me into an ideological box, but I think the Obama administration’s rant against Fox News is just another example of getting absorbed and distracted by the fluff over the substance. I don’t have [...]
This could very well be remembered as the week that ended Troy King’s political career…
First, a scathing editorial runs in the Washington Times, saying, amongst other things:
Sometimes paying to sue just doesn’t pay. In a case with major national implications, the Alabama state Supreme Court gave a huge and well-deserved [...]
Artur Davis came out hard and fast on constitutional reform today. It is clear he is going to make this a center piece of his campaign, and I applaud him strongly for that effort. While I have been a strong supporter of the need for a new constitution in [...]
I get very frustrated with debates in the political arena, because too often it is about the “fluff” that doesn’t really make any difference in the lives of real people. To the extent that I have participated in the fluff in the past, be assured that I am much more conscious [...]
So we now have the first half of October’s information to work from and some interesting things continue to emerge. At this point in the month, the state has spent almost exactly $1 billion. Of that amount, half has been spent on grants and benefits ($519,617,000). This includes $329 million in [...]
The hits just keep on coming from the Artur Davis campaign. If you want depth in a candidate, this is your man. Today, it’s the Taxpayer Protection Plan that repeatedly asks, “Why don’t we do that?” On tax enforcement:
[E]xperience in Texas, New Mexico and California show a return of [...]
Markeshia Ricks at the Montgomery Advertiser did an excellent job this morning in digging into the minutiae that is the open government database which recently added individual employee paychecks. We still don’t have a full explanation for why there are such large discrepancies in individual checks, but some additional [...]
Two Alabama state senators are having issues this morning. First up, my state senator, Larry Dixon (R-Montgomery).
State Sen. Larry Dixon said he will give up the state vehicle and gas card he is given as part of his compensation as executive director of the Board of Medical Examiners after concerns [...]
I know some of you have a very skewed perception of my political beliefs will be shocked by this, but I too am baffled by the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s decision to award the Prize to President Barack Obama. Even the clarifying explanation from the chairman of the committee makes [...]
Over the past few years, I have become a true believer in the power of social media to enhance the political process. That is why I’m so excited about the workshop I will be attending this morning, hosted by Politics 4 All, the Business Council of Alabama, the [...]
