Richard Arrington Endorses Ron Sparks, with Video

by: mooncat

Wed Oct 21, 2009 at 23:21:17 PM CDT

Earlier today, literally standing at the foot of a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Birmingham's Kelly Ingram Park, former mayor Richard Arrington threw his support behind Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks as he seeks to become the next governor of Alabama.

The campaign press release included these quotes from Arrington, emphasis mine:

“Our nation, state, and communities are facing one of the most difficult economic crisis of our lifetimes.  People are simply looking for help - looking for leadership. All Alabamians face these problems – not just some.  We need a governor that can bring people together – urban and rural, black and white, rich and poor.  Ron Sparks is the only candidate for governor that can do that. The upcoming race for Governor will be the most important any of us can remember.  The next Governor will be forced to grapple with issues of a historically unprecedented magnitude. We need a leader that has a real plan and the courage to address these tough issues.  I believe that person is Ron Sparks and that plan is his platform.”

“I feel we must support a candidate with the ability to win the election.  After all, if we don’t win, how can we change anything?”

Video (courtesy of the Sparks campaign) and more quotes -- for those who still don't have high speed internet -- are available below the fold. 

Remarks from Dr. Richard Arrington:

• "We need the best political leadership we can get."
  
  
• "The economy of this nation is in a real stall and the economy of this state needs real leadership."
  
  
• "What we need in this upcoming governor's race is to elect the best leadership we can possibly get."
  
  
• "If there was ever a need and a call for leadership, I think we have it in Alabama today.  We need a leader who has a plan. We need a leader who has courage, some foresight.  We need a leader who has experience.  We need someone who is proven.  Ron Sparks has several programs that I think are very important for this state.  And I think would lift this state up and to get us moving again.  So I feel we must support a candidate with the best leadership ability we can get."
  
  
• "Ron Sparks has been elected statewide twice, as you know.  In the last election he carried 62 of 67 counties."
  
  
• "I'm happy to be in a race where we are evaluating candidates on their ability to lead and where race, which has held us back so long in Alabama, is not indeed a factor.  So that is why I'm proud to stand here today, with Ron Sparks, to endorse his candidacy, and I know he will become the next governor of the state of Alabama."

Remarks from Ag. Commissioner Ron Sparks:

• "This man has been one of Alabama's greatest leaders for the past 30 years. And certainly it is an honor to be standing here beside Dr. Arrington today and receive his endorsement for the governor of the state of Alabama.  ...  We're in tough times and people are looking for answers and that's what our campaign has, is answers for the people of Alabama."
  
  
• "This governor's race is bigger than just one person.  You know the next governor has got to bring Alabama together.  The next governor has got to bring the people of Alabama together.  And the next governor has got to have real solutions to real problems in Alabama."
  
  
• "When you graduate with a diploma in Alabama, we ought to have a scholarship waiting on you on the other side."
  
  
• "Mayor, with your help, we are going to take this message to every corner of the state of Alabama.  And together we are going to build a stronger Alabama."
  
  
• "Dr. Arrington joining our team today is a major step.  It is a major step to bring Alabamians behind our campaign so that we can move Alabama forward."

Ron Sparks responding to questions:

• "This is a man of vision.  This is a man that has given many years of service ... This is a man that is respected all across the state of Alabama.  ...  We are going to reach across racial lines.  We are going to reach across political lines."
  
  
• "This is my third statewide campaign.  I know what it takes to win in Alabama. It takes hard work.  It takes being honest.  It takes having a message."
  

Richard Arrington, responding to questions:

• "This election is all about leadership."
  
  
• "I do not believe that race is a big issue in this election.  I don't think it's a big issue in the equation.  I think many of us in Alabama feel that we have spent too much time dealing with race. ...  And we want somebody in a leadership postition who can  reach across racial lines, class lines and so forth, and help lift the people of Alabama.  I think that is what the Commissioner can do.  I think he's that kind of leader."
  
  
• "I think he's one of the stronger leaders we have here in the Democratic party and we're fortunate to have him offer himself up for governor."

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Do I hear some faint praise in Arrington's remarks?  Such as:

• ... we must support a candidate with the best leadership ability we can get ...
• Ron Sparks has several programs that I think are very important for this state.
• I think he's one of the stronger leaders we have here in the Democratic party ...
  

Obviously, the message of the day for the Sparks campaign is "leadership," followed closely by "race doesn't matter."  Which is kind of surreal considering the event was held in Kelly Ingram Park -- where in 1963 civil rights protesters (including children) were attacked with fire hoses, nightsticks and even police dogs -- and Sparks and Arrington were literally standing at the feet of MLK, Jr.  OK, that imagery might just possibly work, but it's bizarre to say race no longer matters when your press release says "I feel we must support a candidate with the ability to win the election" -- and the only other candidate in the race is black.  Maybe it's just me, but I'm definitely getting mixed signals about the race thing -- is Team Sparks trying to have their cake and eat it too?  BTW, does Dr. Arrington ever smile?  He 's not exactly beaming during the Q&A session at the end.