Interesting Roundup of AL-07 in Today's B'ham News: What you Might Not Know Might Surprise You

Hilliard has worked to bring Movie productions to Bama (4.00 / 1)

Sponsored bill to give tax incentives to production companies that film in Alabama. Talked to him about a year ago and he explained about direct and economic ripples from production crews, hotels, rental cars, catering, tradesmen and tradeswomen, etc...

He had driven up to Hsv on a sat morn to support Laura Hall.

 

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 06, 2010 at 21:23:07 PM UTC

Under Siege (0.00 / 0)

filming was done for some scences on the USS Alabama in the Mobile bay.

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by: Go Blue @ Thu May 06, 2010 at 22:05:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I've never heard of a candidate not giving their age (0.00 / 0)

or am i missing something? does anyone else find this at least strange?

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by: gradyw @ Thu May 06, 2010 at 22:12:39 PM UTC

Maybe you should demand to see her birth certificate (4.00 / 1)

Have we really sunk to the level that this is how we call out the competition?  She didn't give her exact birth date, and she was born somewhere other than the town in which she was raised?  Scary stuff right there.  It almost has the makings of a birther conspiracy.

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by: Kathy @ Thu May 06, 2010 at 23:03:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

taking it out of context (0.00 / 0)

1. I've never heard of a candidate not declaring their age.

2. I've spoken to a couple other people that also feel like they have heard Sewell say that she was "born and raised" in Selma. My point is that she is not the only candidate with ties to the black belt and she is giving off that air.

Btw - I don't think Sewell is much of a factor in this race anyways because she's just not a good candidate off paper.  

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by: gradyw @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 00:25:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sewell's campaign reeks of vanity (4.00 / 1)

I have absolutely nothing against the ivy league schools - hell, if I could have gone to Harvard, you bet I would have - but it strikes me as a bit odd to see how Sewell advertises her alma maters. It's great she went to Princeton and Harvard, but please, you academic achievements at age 18 and 22 do not necessarily mean you will make a great congress(wo)man. I met her once, and she told me it was a triumph for "us african americans" that she had become the first partner at Maynard. Please. That was a turn off.

Now she doesn't want to disclose her age? I get the impression that Sewell thinks she is applying for a job rather than asking for your vote.

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by: luc LeBlu @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 01:38:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why does age matter? (0.00 / 0)

Does it matter more for female candidates?

And I'm pretty sure Terri Sewell was older than 22 when she graduated from Harvard Law -- you left out her stint at Oxford.  I highly recommend you review LiA's interview with Ms. Sewell.  She has a fascinating life story and she strikes me as extremely serious about improving conditions in the 7th district.  Intelligence and ability to accomplish goals would probably be assets in Congress, at any age.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 02:03:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sewell's actual age matters little to me (4.00 / 1)

I know it is kind of a trival matter and I don't think that as a female she should be held to a different standard than any other candidate. Age, family status, gender, ect should all be irrelevant. However, I do think as a public figure, her right to privacy kind of flies out the window and you should be expected to disclose these facts to the general public. An aversion to disclosure, even a small one, sends up a red flag in my book.

I am not a Hillard, nor Smoot, nor supporter of any other candidate. I'm just an obnoxious voice that appreciates the opportunity to voice my opinion. I guess my point is that Sewell may very well be brilliant, but I don't think she quite so politically savy. I'll butt out of this conversation, but during my one conversation with her, I felt like she was talking down to me rather than straight at me.

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by: luc LeBlu @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 02:37:01 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is nitpicking (0.00 / 0)

Why ask date of birth at all?  As long as all the candidates are old enough to legally hold office, what does it matter?  Quite a few women are reluctant to release personal information and date of birth is pretty personal.

As for the fact she was born in Huntsville, not Selma, that's a genuine nit.  I was born in New Mexico, my parents moved to Oklahoma when I was 11 months old.  I have always told people and thought of myself as an Oklahoman, although maybe I've lived here long enough to be at least an honorary Alabamian now.  Ms. Sewell's family moved to Selma when she was an infant.  She says she's from Selma and was raised there -- what's the big deal with that.

If this is the worst slam her opponents can come up with, I'd say Terri Sewell is in good shape.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 01:57:08 AM UTC

i don't think it's nitpicking at all (0.00 / 0)

I think it's an evasive answer to a simple question. I think Luc hits it on the head - very vain.  

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by: gradyw @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 02:08:46 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

GradyW Infatuated with Sewell? (0.00 / 0)

It appears as if Sewell is a perceived threat since most of his rants/replies are about her.

What is that all about?

I have a better question: Can you trust someone who bankrupted a county and made JeffCo the laughing stock of the nation?

Age is not important when you ask the above question. 

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by: trig @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 13:10:50 PM UTC

hmm (0.00 / 0)

JeffCo is not bankrupt. New Courthouse opened last week. The Sewer issue started before Smoot got on the County Commission.

You probably didn't know that Sewell pushed some of those bond deals as an Attorney from Maynard Cooper and Gale.

Yes I've got a problem when one candidate is attacked and another is given a free pass.  

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by: gradyw @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 13:31:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Where did this happen? On LiA, I mean (4.00 / 1)

Yes I've got a problem when one candidate is attacked and another is  given a free pass.

I know some of the bloggers here like Sewell, but I haven't seen any of the regular posters attack Smoot.  There have been some negative comments, but there have also been negative comments about Sewell -- and not all of them from you.

You probably didn't know that Sewell pushed some of those bond deals as an Attorney from Maynard Cooper and Gale.

No, I didn't, because instead of pointing out that substantive criticism in your post, you focused on her birth date and the fact that she wasn't actually born in Selma.  I do understand why you avoided it, though; it would likely have led to some discussion of Smoot's role in the disastrous bond deals.  She may not have been on the Commission when the sewer issue started, but she sure as heck was there for the financing debacle.

I really don't care for the gendered tone of this discussion, and you fell right into it by agreeing with the whole "vanity" meme even though you are supporting a female candidate.  Sewell's age is irrelevant as long as she meets the constitutional requirements, and touting her own accomplishments is not a sign of vanity; it's what every candidate has to do.  I don't see Smoot holding back in her campaign appearances, nor should she.

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by: Kathy @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 14:02:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

just some interesting observations (0.00 / 0)

is what I was intending to point out. I don't care about any candidate's age, I agree they are all eligible to serve and that is what matters. I think it is a question that should be answered when you are running for public office.

I'm supporting the candidate that I think is best for the district. It has nothing to do with gender, but rather someone who will be a fighter for the least of these and that has shown she can get results. I do think that it is well past time that Alabama elects a female member of Congress though. That certainly would be groundbreaking.

I'm glad you brought up the "gendered tone of this discussion". I just got an email from Emily's List touting Sewell. Despite three women in the race and four for a number of months, Emily's List got involved in this primary. I think that is extremely unfortunate and shows bad judgment again like they used in the 2008 Nikki Tinker endorsement. Also this comes despite any polling showing Sewell with a lead or even within striking distance of Smoot or Hilliard.

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by: gradyw @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 15:12:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

no I'm not singling out that comment to LIA (0.00 / 0)

I think LIA has been generally fair in its coverage of this race.

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by: gradyw @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 15:14:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

"Vanity" meme (0.00 / 0)

Terri Sewell tells people what she's accomplished in her life.  Some may call that vanity, but most of us would call it running a positive campaign.  She could be out there slinging mud at her competitors, but has apparently chosen to take the high road in this primary.  What does she get for that?  A rousing chorus of "She's so vain." 

The word is "accomplished" not "vain."

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 15:21:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

i think that the tone of the her campaign puts a lot of people off (0.00 / 0)

it seems to be all about Terri Sewell, what she has done and who she is. that's fine but in hearing her speak and watching her campaign it's never about working with folks in the 7th Congressional District.

all of these candidates have been all-stars at some level. that cannot be denied. But because you were an all-star in high school or college does that mean you are an all-star now.

when i was in law school one of my esteemed classmates by no means top of the class who's now a Judge said

"everybody here was great in high-school, everybody here was great in college, and it's not what you do here in law school but what comes after"

or something like that anyways.

I hear passion for helping people in all of the candidates. But I see more ambition and more about Me me me in Sewell than the other candidates.

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by: gradyw @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 15:58:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I agree Sewell could be so much more negitive (4.00 / 1)

She could be attacking Hillard for his father's craziness, or Smoot for her connection with the whole mess that B'ham is in. However, from what I can tell, she has avoided this strategy and kept the focus on her. In a competitive primary, that is commendable.

Since the 7th is basically a single party district, I think a hotly contested primary is a great thing. We know about where all of these candidate will stand politically, but the contest should hopefully disclose who can best represent the specific perspectives of this district.

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by: luc LeBlu @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 17:58:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A competitive race (4.00 / 1)

is a pity for the folks that back the wrong horse, but a boon for the community as a whole.

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by: luc LeBlu @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 18:00:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dear gradyw, (0.00 / 0)

I have a problem with this:

You probably didn't know that Sewell pushed some of those bond deals as an Attorney from Maynard Cooper and Gale.

I didn't know that, and I've asked around and I still don't know it.  Best I can tell Sewell had nothing to do with those bond deals.  If you have evidence to the contrary, now is the time to produce it, otherwise you need to drop this talking point.  I'm open to hearing the facts, but false innuendo really turns me off.

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Fri May 07, 2010 at 20:35:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

google Maynard Cooper and Jeff-Co Bond Deal (4.00 / 1)

and click on the first link where Maynard got paid $75,000 on one of the swap deals.

My understanding from people at Jefferson County is that yes Sewell was a part of the Maynard teams. Sewell was the attorney on bond deals throughout the state. So you may not see her name in the headlines but she was involved in the deals.

here's indication that Sewell was involved in a Selma bond deal

Btw  - half of Sewell's contributions have come from outside of the State.

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by: gradyw @ Sat May 08, 2010 at 00:54:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think you mean the second link (4.00 / 1)

When I clicked on the first link, I found out that 182 people are employed by Maynard Cooper.  Terri Sewell is one and, you are correct, there is no indication she was involved in the JeffCo bonds.

At the second link I found that Shelia Smoot voted for several of those bond swaps after she got on the County Commission.  Personally, I don't think the buck stops with the attorneys who handled the paperwork, but with the elected officials who approved them on behalf of the county.

I honestly like Shelia Smoot, but I have concerns about the goings on on that Commission, some during her tenure.  It seems to me that this would be the last can of worms she would want to open.

When we spoke with Terri Sewell last month, she seemed extremely proud of her public financing work, arranging bonds to help communities -- and Selma is not Jefferson County.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat May 08, 2010 at 03:07:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

i brought this up in response (0.00 / 0)

to the point about voting for someone who bankrupted Jefferson County.

Arranging bonds to help communities - I would not call this public service especially when you profit mighty nicely.

 

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by: gradyw @ Sat May 08, 2010 at 05:10:28 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh please! (4.00 / 3)

I would not call this public service especially when you profit mighty nicely.

Gradyw, Shelia Smoot used her well-paid "consumer advocate" work at Fox 6 to campaign for a seat on the Jefferson County Commission, and she's still using the "on your side" slogan today.  Both candidates have held lucrative private sector jobs and have touted their experience while campaigning.  So what?

I know you support Smoot, and I know how easy it is to cast one's candidate in the best possible light while criticizing the competition, but look at what you've done here:

• taken a shot at Sewell for touting her Selma connection -- while touting Smoot's Selma connection
• taken a shot at Sewell for her involvement in the Jefferson County bond debacle -- while ignoring or minimizing Smoot's involvement
• taken a shot at Sewell because she touts her accomplishments in the private sector -- something Smoot did too before she was elected to the County Commission and continues to do with her use of the "on your side" slogan

Basically, you like Smoot, and you don't like Sewell.  That's okay, and what you've done is pretty much what all of us do when we settle on a candidate -- see everything our candidate does as virtuous, or at least not so bad, and everything the opponent does as suspect, even when those things are nearly identical.  It's human nature, I guess.  

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by: Kathy @ Sat May 08, 2010 at 13:31:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't like Sewell as a candidate (0.00 / 0)

you are correct. I don't know her as a person.

Yes I'm a Smoot supporter. But in terms of being a candidate and potential member of Congress I would rank Sewell last.  

I don't see her being particularly progressive for this District and I haven't seen her connect as a candidate to the average person in this district.
I was most disappointed in the answer I heard her give to the Perry County Coal Ash situation at a Candidates forum in Selma.

I think a lot of comparisons to Sewell and Artur Davis have been made in what would be their path to Congress. However, Artur worked in the public sector as a Federal Prosecutor and then he worked with individual clients as an attorney.

Sewell from what I see has simply represented corporate clients and governmental entities. A nice career. But how this translates to being a member of Congress I've never understood especially when you have other candidates that have more extensive experience. I think that especially in the 7th CD you need a Congressperson who knows how to provide service to the individual. As a member of Congress you are one of 435 in the House. You only have one vote on finance reform, health care reform and spending. You have much more ability to help people as their federal liason. I see that in the other three candidates.

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by: gradyw @ Sat May 08, 2010 at 14:34:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

***yawn*** (0.00 / 0)

Here's my assessment:

Shelia Smoot is a Jefferson County commissioner and a joke (I already knew that one). Anyways! 

Terri Sewell was born in Huntsville then moved to Selma as a small child, is in her 40s, and "too vain" for some (Uh, so!)

Earl Hillard, Jr. is a part-time actor along with being a state legislator.  

Martha Bozeman worked for Bernard Kincaid aka "Big Chief No-Do" and Artur Davis.

FYI, from my professional experience with Smoot, she has a nasty disposition and isn't as "personable" as she fronts like in public.  Regardless, her antics and outbursts on the Jeffco Commission killed her chances with a number of people within AL-7 long before the election even began.  IMHO, a pillowcase is better rep in Congress than Smoot.

"Hypocrites are those whom pick and choose prejudices while giving accolades for their own..."

"It is what it is."  

http://blkindependent.blogspot...

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by: kayman @ Sun May 09, 2010 at 01:23:21 AM UTC

Don't live in the district, so I don't have a dog in the fight. (0.00 / 0)

But, I certainly agree that not giving one's age or DOB sends up a red flag for this Old Cop. Why? Because there could be an old DUI or other incident in the past that she is not disclosing.(Remember George W.?)

It is, for me, a little like the Ron Sparks loan to himself broughaha (SP?) Creates a question, allows for doubts, easlily dealt with by answering a few questions. If nothing else, it's not smart campaigning.

On the other hand, she may well be the best of the choises available to voters in that district.  In my district we have three choices, all Republicans - Tweedlededee, Tweedlededum and Jo Bonner.

Only after the last tree has been cut down. Only after the last fish has been caught. Only after the last river has been poisoned. Only then will you realize that money cannot be eaten. Cree Nation Tribal Prophecy

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by: piggieheart @ Tue May 11, 2010 at 13:36:05 PM UTC