WASHINGTON – It seems like every day when you open The Washington Post, there’s a Republican in the Senate or the House announcing his retirement. Last week, Sen. Trent Lott (R.-Miss.) added his name to the list which already included Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Sen. John Warner (R-Va.).
It’s become so frequent – I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Another one bites the dust” as the headline.
Add the possibility that Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig’s Minneapolis Airport bathroom exploits might cost the GOP an additional seat and the razor-thin one-senator lead the Democrats currently have in the Senate could widen significantly.
Bonner Seeking a Seat on the House Appropriations Committee
Rep. Jo Bonner, who has been rumored to have had his eye on a seat on the House Appropriations Committee for a long time, may finally be getting his wish.
One of the products of the mass exodus of GOP members in the House is seats opening up on the various committees.
“Not surprisingly, the Hill is full of ambitious people who are constantly looking to advance up the ladder in an effort to represent their district more effectively,” Bonner said in the Nov. 20 print edition of Politico.
This committee is one of the most powerful committees in the House and if Bonner were to secure the spot, it would demonstrate his ascension in the House as an influential member – which would seem to be a big plus for Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
No Frontrunner Emerging to Replace Everett in AL-2
To the north of Bonner’s Congressional District 1 is Alabama House District 2, where Rep. Terry Everett announced in September he was planning to retire at the end of this term.
District 2 includes some of Montgomery and everything southeast to the Florida line – including Dothan, Troy, Eufaula, Ozark and Greenville.
As of now, no frontrunner or overly sexy name has emerged as a real frontrunner.
Danny Jones, who runs the very popular blog, “Doc’s Political Parlor & Home of Lawn Mower Repair” (http://www.politicalparlor.net), told Lagniappe he foresees a run-off between a Montgomery candidate and a Wiregrass candidate.
“I guess at this point I imagine that it’s run-off between (Alabama State Representative) Jay Love (R-Montgomery) and (Alabama State Senator) Harri Anne Smith (R-Slocumb). I think Jay Love is very eager to win the seat and is willing to do what it takes – mix it up, throw some elbows – and I wonder if Harri Anne Smith will demonstrate as much fire for the seat.”
Jones also said the wildcard is former Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate Tim James, who might be willing to spend a lot of money on an election bid. But he was a little cautious suggesting an Everett endorsement would have any impact on the race.
“I have no idea to what degree Everett would go to help his candidate of choice,” Jones said. “If it’s (Dothan Businessman Charles) Nailen or his staffer (Steve Pelham), perhaps it’s a lot, but maybe-not-so-much for someone else like Smith. Riley caught some flak for backing the wrong horse in the Senate race in Baldwin County, so maybe Everett decides to sit out the primary.”
Sessions Not a VP Candidate, Undecided on Who He’ll Support in 2008
Sen. Jeff Sessions has had a lot of media exposure over the past 12 months by being the outspoken leader of the movement against illegal immigration. That had easily propelled him to Alabama’s most visible national politician in terms of coverage from the Washington press and indications show the feedback from his constituents has been positive – at least in terms of donations for his 2008 run for re-election against Alabama State Senator Vivian Figures.
However, Sessions doesn’t foresee an invitation to take a step up from his Senate seat to the Executive Branch, at least during the 2008 election cycle.
“Oh I don’t think that’s likely to happen,” Sessions said on the Nov. 28 “Uncle Henry Radio Show.” “That’s so beyond speculation. That’s not in my mind at all.”
Sessions also hasn’t committed to a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination.
“I haven’t made up my mind,” Sessions said. “I’m kind of like, you know, the football coach in the spring. They say, ‘Who’s going to be quarterback?’ And he says, ‘Somebody needs to step up and separate themselves from the rest’ and I’m waiting to see.”
Earlier this year, I conducted an interview with Alabama’s junior senator in his Washington office and I spotted a copy of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s book, “Leadership,” on his desk.
Contact Jeff Poor at jeffreypoor@yahoo.com.
Archives
Beltway Beat
