WASHINGTON – If the Feb. 5 Super Tuesday results are any indication of things to come, Alabama might be in play for the 2008 presidential election.
Not only did Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama cream Sen. Hillary Clinton, he also caused some GOP strategist to back off the idea that Alabama was a given for the Republican Party nominee, who in all likelihood will be Sen. John McCain.
According to the Alabama Secretary of State Web site, Republicans managed to attract more total voters by a think 564,248-536,293 margin, but Obama was the state’s top vote getter, outpacing former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee 300,143-235,715.
Sen. Jeff Sessions said that is a call for some concern, but not alarm.
“Well I think the numbers showed more Republicans voted in the primaries than Democrats, so that, from my perspective as a Republican, showed some strength there,” Sessions said to Lagniappe. “And that has not always been the case traditionally. But, I think the American people are worried about their future. I think they’re concerned about it. I think they’re going to consider the Democratic nominees and the Republican nominees, whoever wins those races and it is going to come down to who is going to be appealing to the average working American.”
Artur Davis Political Stock Upgraded
If there was any doubt who is the brightest star for the Alabama Democratic Party after Obama’s strong showing, they should be put to rest. Rep. Artur Davis of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District had been a vocal supporter of Obama and had said publicly all along Obama would take Alabama.
Obama didn’t have the same rock star appeal when he appeared side-by-side with Bill and Hillary Clinton in Selma back in March 2007 for the 42nd anniversary of the Selma “Bloody Sunday” march for voting rights, but has obviously since claimed that status from the Clintons.
‘60 Minutes’ Siegelman Segment Killed?
A couple of insider outlets that cover television news are reporting that the CBS “60 Minutes” segment that was supposedly going to be an exposé of a Republican cabal against convicted former Democratic Alabama Governor Don Siegelman has been “put on hold.” That could mean the story won’t be aired at all.
At issue is the vetting of Dana Jill Simpson, the whistleblower who alleged Karl Rove was involved in the Justice Department investigation and prosecution of Siegelman.
Ron Paul Continues On
The Conservative Political Action Conference was held in Washington last week. By now, it’s obvious Sen. John McCain has emerged as the GOP frontrunner after his closest competition, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney bowed out.
For all you Ron Paul Revolutionaries out and about in the greater Mobile area, the Texas congressman with a libertarian streak is staying in the race for now. And doled out some criticism about McCain at the mostly conservative CPAC audience.
“Now we have a candidate running for president, who is leading the charge,” Paul said. “One of his best friends is [Sen. Russ] Feingold – campaign finance reform. Another friend of this candidate – his good friend – his name is [Sen. Ted] Kennedy. And then also, his old-time friend – he’s not in the senate right now – Sen. [Tom] Daschle, who used to be his friend on taxes – to increase taxes, not lower them. We need lower taxes.”
Drawing the biggest reaction from the audience came when Paul invoked the name of former Vice President Al Gore.
“Now our leading candidate – guess whose position he holds on global warming? Al Gore, he supports the Al Gore bill on global warming.”
Economic Stimulus on the Way
The Senate passed its version of the economic stimulus plan last week by an 81-16 margin. Sooner or later, some of us could be getting checks from the federal government. Sen. Jeff Sessions is a bit skeptical of the impact this will have on an economy that has been proclaimed to be in a recession – although a true recession is two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth and the nation is not showing signs of that yet.
“In the end, this so-called stimulus package is more political action than sound economic policy,” Sessions said in a release immediately after the Senate passage on Feb. 7. “Indeed, many economists predict it will do little to boost the economy. The only guaranteed impact of the package will be to add as much as $200 billion to the national debt. The better approach to restoring economic growth is to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, promote long term savings, and balance the budget. This Congress should refocus its energy on these issues.”
And the Best for Last, the Winner of the “What Were You Thinking?” Award
In the last issue, I made the remark that soon Americans would have “a little more disposable income for things like hookers and booze.” Well, the idea was to wait until the check came before going out and doing your part to help the economy.
If you haven’t heard by now, Lagniappe’s favorite announced Democratic candidate for Alabama 1st Congressional District, Ben Lodmell was arrested in Baldwin County and charged by authorities with solicitation for allegedly agreeing to pay an undercover female cop $100 for sex.
Lodmell hasn’t been forthcoming with the media since the arrest and he probably won’t be. Lodmell hasn’t responded to an e-mail inquiry from Lagniappe about the charges as of press time, but he is still welcome to, because I’m sure a lot of people would be willing to hear his side.
Contact Jeff Poor at jeffreypoor@yahoo.com.
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