AL-05 - Steve Raby Kicks Off Campaign With Endorsements From Ronnie Flippo and Others

What does Raby stand for (4.00 / 1)

I get the impression that Raby's campaign centers around his experience with "economic development." I don't mean this to be too contrarian, but does he stand for anything else?

 According to the Times Daily, "'I'm going to be the most boringest congressman that you ever had,'" Raby told the audience. 'If it's not about dealing with roads or dealing with jobs and issues facing the family, then I don't want to be involved,' Raby said" Really? Would Raby refuse to vote on a declaration of war, a tax increase, a new criminal statute, or any of the many issues facing Congress each day?

I feel like he's running on his ability to lobby, but not his policies for governance. I don't doubt Raby is a successful lobbyist, but there should be more to this job than just bringing home the bacon to our district. Bipartisanism is great, but the (D) by his name should stand for something more than just dedication to jobs in the district.

I know a lot of his supporters write on this blog, so please convence me what else Raby will offer for the District. What can Raby do as a Congressman that he cannot already accomplish as a lobbyist?

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by: luc LeBlu @ Tue May 04, 2010 at 20:51:40 PM UTC

Ever the cynic, I am always watching for loopholes in political language (0.00 / 0)

When I saw that quote in the Times-Daily ...

'If it's not about dealing with roads or dealing with jobs and issues facing the family, then I don't want to be involved,'

... I thought to myself, "issues facing the family" is a loophole big enough to drive a whole herd of hot-button topics through.  Just think, reproductive choice, equal pay, same-sex marriage, prayer in schools, health care reform -- all have been framed as "issues facing the family."  Some legitimately are.  

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Tue May 04, 2010 at 21:04:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I know what you mean, 'cat (4.00 / 3)

about the dimly-lit rooms. What is it with Democrats that they always want to meet in the dark?

Raby's best qualities are guaranteed to infuriate the most progressive of us. I'll second the feelings of the previous commenter -- he's an outstanding lobbyist and well-connected, but is that all we want in a candidate?

Don't get me wrong, Flippo's endorsement actually means a lot to me. I've known Ronnie Flippo since high school and his son is still one of my best friends. But the field is so strong! If you could graft Howie Mitchell's work ethic and ready intelligence onto Taze Shepard's smooth charisma and gave the creation Raby's lobbying connections, you'd have a completely unstoppable Terminator candidate.

Website || Twitter

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by: Osborne Ink @ Tue May 04, 2010 at 21:07:30 PM UTC

I said much the same thing recently (4.00 / 1)

But the field is so strong! If you could graft Howie Mitchell's work ethic and ready intelligence onto Taze Shepard's smooth charisma and gave the creation Raby's lobbying connections, you'd have a completely unstoppable Terminator candidate.

 

There are no "safe" Republican districts. You can run but you can't hide.  - Rahm Emmanuel

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by: countrycat @ Tue May 04, 2010 at 21:54:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I find this very troubling, (4.00 / 1)

I just saw that Raby was endorsed today by the South Huntsville Civil Association. The Association says that, "One of the state goals of our organization is to endorse candidates only when they appear qualified, are concerned with the issues of our organization, and have views that generally reflect those of the majority of our organization." I sincerely hope that Raby does not share the same views as that group of anti-integrationists.

"Mr. Raby's views on the subjects we asked about seem to be generally more in line with the concerns of south Huntsville that his democratic counterparts." Did Raby speak to this group and/or did seek their endorsement? I surely hope not, or else Raby may be running in the wrong primary.

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by: luc LeBlu @ Tue May 04, 2010 at 22:15:05 PM UTC

Not a good endorsement (4.00 / 1)

Or not an endorsement that makes me want to vote for him.  It's the same feeling I get when I look at Raby's contribution history -- this guy is way to the right of me.  Sure, Blanche Lincoln is at least a Democrat, but she's one of the very most worthless ones in the Senate and she's getting primaried by a viable candidate who is far more progressive.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 01:12:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

What's the difference between him (0.00 / 0)

and Taze Shepard? There is only one real progressive in this race.

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by: Richard Smith @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 01:26:01 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes... (4.00 / 2)

Raby does put on a good show.  He's got professional lighting crews and caterers and no one doubts his ability to call in the money.

Why are people so impressed by this? Why do I constantly see Raby being lauded for running a "top-notch" (read:expensive) campaign when he hasn't done anything that speaks to progressive ideals?  

I get this is a congressional campaign; ideals need to be tempered in the face of political reality.  I just don't get why so many people are getting in line behind Raby when the only thing he's shown us is what we already know - he's a career politician and knows the game.  

"Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed." - Herman Melville

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by: BirdLawyer @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 02:38:39 AM UTC

DINGDINGDINGDING! (4.00 / 2)

First Time Commenter!

Welcome aboard, BirdLawyer, and welcome to the conversation.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 02:51:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks! (4.00 / 3)

First time caller, long time listener.   Just wanted to say you're a great americ....

Whoops, wrong place : ) 

"Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed." - Herman Melville

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by: BirdLawyer @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 03:00:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Have to admit ... (4.00 / 1)

I didn't like the venue as much as countrycat.  The space is far too chopped up for a successful political event -- the podium was in the largest space, but it was still cramped and odd shaped.

The folks who came out to see Steve Raby last night were the establishment Democrats.  Now those are good people and some of them are my friends, but I'm not sure they look at candidates the same way an average voter does.  Raby's lobbying connections give me pause, especially the way he's curried favor via contributions to both sides -- sometimes to both sides in the same race.  That opens up a line of questioning as to what he believes and will fight for.  Will he be a Democrat in the mold of Bud Cramer, Richard Shelby, Bobby Bright or Blanche Lincoln?  Or Parker Griffith?  Cramer, if we're lucky.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 03:20:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Welcome BirdLawyer! (4.00 / 1)

Just to be clear... I haven't picked a candidate for the primary.

And truly, if you'd been to some of the disastrous events and pressers that we have in the past year, you'd appreciate a well-run one - even if it signifies professional staffers and caterers.

Mooncat's stood out in the freezing cold wind and battled construction noise to record a Sparks press conference.

Daddycat and I struggled to video the PTA gubernatorial forum in a room that appeared to be lit by 20 watt light bulbs.

We recorded a Josh Segall speech and Q&A session in a room where the best light was a wall sconce.  Josh stood directly in front of the light, which played hell with the camera focus.  He looked like he had a halo.

I could go on....

 

There are no "safe" Republican districts. You can run but you can't hide.  - Rahm Emmanuel

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by: countrycat @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 12:12:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The DFA Candidate Mixer last summer (0.00 / 0)

Held in a dark, crowded, high-ceilinged bar.  With a really loud clientel.  Pretty much the only candidate who made himself heard was Artur Davis.  I guess he's done enough campaigning to know it's imperative to quiet down the crowd before you start speaking -- no matter what.  That's the only event we've been to where a lot of the footage was just flat unusable -- and we felt awful because it was our only chance at some of those folks.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 17:36:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

endorsements (4.00 / 1)

for some of the folks worried about who endorses steve raby and contributions he made when he was a lobbyist representing clients (I once delivered a $5,000 check to Jesse Helms' chief aide on behalf of a client when i was lobbying in washington) and whether Steve covered all the issues that concern him and/or us, and all the other questions and puzzles in previous comments, i want to clear things up. i endorse him. that should take care of that.

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by: ivan @ Wed May 05, 2010 at 12:29:22 PM UTC

yard signs and other items (4.00 / 1)

Does anyone know where someone could get a couple of yard signs if one were so inclined?

Your integrity will affect your destiny; don't leave home without it -Clarence E. Hodges  

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by: Ray Sivley @ Thu May 06, 2010 at 12:34:07 PM UTC

Yard signs and stuff. (4.00 / 1)

Artur Davis and Steve Raby Hsv offices (different offices)on Holmes Ave just west of Times Bld. Mitchell Howie office is in his Law office on Northside Square across from county courthouse. Taze Shepard's office is in the complex at the southwest corner of Church and Williams just east of Holiday Inn.

There is website info for all of these on the right side of this page and I am sure all campaigns would be happy to deliver a sign if you contact them.

 

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 06, 2010 at 13:17:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]