Robert Bentley Advertising For Democratic Crossover Votes in July 13th Runoff

I will be voting in the Democratic runoff (4.00 / 1)

Too much at stake not to. 

The Republicans are really getting stirred up over what they regard as an attempt (they blame AEA) to interfere in their primary.  Apparently there have been conference calls and other organizing efforts to try and counter the True Republican PAC's activities.  In light of that, it's amazing to see Bentley openly soliciting Democratic votes.  Or is it possible the Facebook ad only looks like it's from Bentley?

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 13:44:55 PM UTC

good point! (4.00 / 1)

Or is it possible the Facebook ad only looks like it's from Bentley?

I like the way you think, Mooncat!

Whatever keeps them stirred up and mad at each other works for me.

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

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by: countrycat @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 13:47:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No local run-off here (4.00 / 2)

The only thing I would be able to vote on is the statewide AG runoff. I have been planning to vote in the GOP runoff AGAINST people I don't want to get it. Our local senate race, in paticular - a district 9 candidate's wife is AWFUL and the flat out lies, misinformation, fox news style, racist comments she posts CONTINUOUSLY on facebook make my blood boil...I think she is hurting his campaign much more than she is helping. He also has a facebook account but he never uses it.  I always liked the guy, he is a local businessman and he once ran for mayor and I voted for him, although I would never have voted for him as a senator.

 

After seeing the signs they have in their yard (fight back! vote republican!) and her crazy facebook comments I have completely changed my mind about him as a person and will never do business with him again - I wouldn't even vote for him to be the city janitor! The main reason I want to  vote in the GOP runoff is to vote AGAINST Spurlin and AGAINST Byrne because I think Sparks has a better chance of besting Bentley in November.

But after watching 19 news this morning I am not sure I will be allowed to vote. If I did not misunderstand him, Steve Johnson said that if you were a Dem who voted GOP in the primary then you could vote GOP in the runoff, but if you voted Dem in the primary, you would not be allowed to vote in the GOP runoff. Can someone clear this up for me?

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by: deepsouthdem @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 14:01:47 PM UTC

not be "allowed" to vote? (4.00 / 1)

Democrats have rules against crossover voting (ie voting in  the GOP primary and Democratic runoff).  But the poll workers don't have a list of who voted in which primary and they don't ask when you vote.

The only time it's been an issue is in 1986 when Graddick (a former Republican) actively solicited Republican votes in the Democratic runoff.  Democrats alleged that he won the primary with "illegal" votes and the executive committee overturned the primary.  The resulting uproar gave us Primitive Baptist preacher, Guy Hunt as governor.

 

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

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by: countrycat @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 14:32:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hmmm (4.00 / 2)

Interesting that Channel 19 would even say anything about it then. Will be confusing for elderly voters if they continue to mention that on air....

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by: deepsouthdem @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 14:45:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not sure Sparks has a better chance against Bentley though. (4.00 / 1)

I think the "business" Republicans are likely to go with Bentley if he wins.  But a lot of the Bentley people seem to have an almost visceral hatred of Byrne, Riley, and the interest groups they represent.  I could see them either staying home or voting for Sparks.

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

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by: countrycat @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 14:48:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Be careful what you wish for (4.00 / 2)

If you are considering voting for Bentley because you think he will be easier for Sparks to beat.What if Bentley does win? He actually polls better against Sparks than Byrne does and some of his positions are unbelievable.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke

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by: Old Prosecutor @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 23:46:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Unbelievable? (4.00 / 1)

That's right!

 

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

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by: countrycat @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 23:51:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bentley is a wingnut (4.00 / 1)

Maybe even a cross-threaded wingnut.  He's a wingnut in grandfather's clothing and any Democrat voting for this guy deserves to see their reproductive rights reduced to zero, government services like Medicaid slashed to nothing (leading to honest to gosh death panels) and progressive issues like tax reform, ethics reform and constitutional reform taken completely off the table.

Bentley is actually the worst possible combination of an anti-progressive on all social issues who is also bought and paid for by the Big Mule special interests in this state -- in his case it isn't BCA, but AEA and gambling.  A truly crazy coalition of the ultra-right (Roy Moore voters) aligned with teachers and those who hope to profit from casino gambling.

Notice I didn't say those who hope to legalize casino gambling?  It's far more profitable if it's only marginally legal because that limits the competition so very effectively.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu Jul 08, 2010 at 03:02:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks ... (4.00 / 2)

I will just leave that race blank then, still voting GOP so I can vote against Don Spurlin. I'd crawl to the polls if I had to, to cast my vote against him lol.

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by: deepsouthdem @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 15:28:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Boy, do I agree with you about Spurlin's wife!!! (4.00 / 1)

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by: Gayla @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 17:12:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bentley/Sparks (4.00 / 2)

Appears that they have much of the same interest group support.  Basically, it looks like the AEA and gambling interests are putting most of their eggs in the Ron Sparks basket, but then they tossed a few into the Bentley basket just in case-- hence the hatred of Riley/Byrne.  But make no mistake, if this comes down to being between Sparks and Bentley, they'll throw their dogs behind Ron Sparks and turn on Bentley in a heartbeat.

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by: Almoderate @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 15:22:34 PM UTC

Democrats can vote in either runoff. (4.00 / 2)

The Republicans do not prohibit crossover voting and it is also true that there is no way to enforce the Democratic Party's rules against it.  That being said, I hope that all good Democrats will turn out and vote in our runoff, particularly in those counties (like Jefferson) with important local races on the ballot.

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by: Roy @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 15:31:43 PM UTC

I'm in Marshall (4.00 / 1)

Only thing on our dem ballot is the AG runoff.

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by: deepsouthdem @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 15:45:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bentley & Byrne both suck (4.00 / 2)

 So I'll be grabbing a Democrat ballot to vote for AG on July 13th. (right now I'm leaning towards Giles Perkins because he won't take oil money)

The 2011 surface temperatures (World Temperature) was 0.51°C (0.92°F) above the 20th century average. This marks the 35th consecutive year, since 1976, that the yearly global temperature was above average. - N.O.A.A.

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by: Dragontide @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 16:42:25 PM UTC

Excellent choice! (4.00 / 1)

Both choosing a Democratic ballot next Tuesday and voting for Giles Perkins for AG. :)

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 16:57:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well it's very important to me Mooncat! (4.00 / 3)

 We paid insanely high prices for gas over the past few years and Big Oil used some of that money to fund bogus science that says burning fossil fuels does not harm the environment. (or that it does harm the environment, but won't affect us until hundreds of years from now)

 I'll be damned if if I'm gonna let them wiggle their way out of this oil spill.

 Vote Democrat people! Vote Perkins! Vote green. Vote no to coal & oil, every chance you get!

The 2011 surface temperatures (World Temperature) was 0.51°C (0.92°F) above the 20th century average. This marks the 35th consecutive year, since 1976, that the yearly global temperature was above average. - N.O.A.A.

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by: Dragontide @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 18:50:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I wish those things were important to every voter. (4.00 / 1)

Actually, they are, but too many people don't realize it.  I don't think I've ever mentioned how much I admire your advocacy for the environmental/alternative energy cause.  You're always positive, but you never miss a chance to make the point.  Bravo!

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 22:46:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is confusing (0.00 / 0)

I know the state bar frowns upon this but, All Lawyers are not the same!  It's a little contradictory to think that the candidate for AG with the least amount of civil trial experience is the one people think will do the best job in hold BP with their hundreds of overpaid lawyers accountable.  When you've got so much at stake, why hire the rookie?  Just my .02.

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by: Ham and eggs @ Sat Jul 10, 2010 at 03:52:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Experience is a funny thing (0.00 / 0)

Do you have 30 years experience, or do you have 3 years of experience repeated 10 times?  In this case I think they're both very good lawyers and qualified to do the job, so I'm basing my vote on character.  I think Giles Perkins shares my values more than James Anderson does.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sat Jul 10, 2010 at 04:07:30 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Once again I see the playing of both sides of the fence (4.00 / 1)

Yet, those like the AEA want to pigeon hole those who are actually moderate candidates in general so they can get their pawn in office.  At the rate this is going, I'm hoping that Byrnes wins the Republican primary, so we can see the AEA scruff to win in November.

"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 @ Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 16:48:14 PM UTC

A few days ago, (0.00 / 0)

perhaps Sunday, in his article in the Birmingham News Bob Blalock asked an interesting question that I had been pondering even before I saw his article. Blalock's question was what might Dr. Paul Hubbert do if Bentley wins the Republican runoff election on the 13th: will Hubbert then step aside from the election, or will he continue his efforts to further control the outcome by taking another tack and financing ads that attack Bentley?

Up until now the ads that Hubbert has helped finance have attacked Byrne and that has played to Bentley's advantage. If Bentley wins the runoff and then Hubbert steps aside, to me it will indicate that Hubbert will settle for either Sparks or Bentley as "his man" in the governor's office. If instead, Hubbert finances ads that attack Bentley, then that would indicate that Hubbert prefers Sparks over Bentley.

Hubbert is the man behind the curtain who wants to control the election and Alabama’s government, IMHO.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...."      Hosea 4:6

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by: driq @ Thu Jul 08, 2010 at 18:46:03 PM UTC