Are the Skies Looking More Blue Today?

by: mooncat

Thu Nov 08, 2012 at 08:59:19 AM CST

The post-election statement issued by Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Mark Kennedy is attached below the fold.

It's now Election Day plus two.  How do you feel about the future?  Are the skies looking bluer?  In particular, do you think Alabama Democrats are moving in the right direction or heading down the wrong track?

Yesterday, Americans embraced building a bright future for all, instead of for just a few, and rejected the ugly politics of division. It is a great victory not just for Democrats but for us all.

 

Bill Armistead has been saying for months that Alabama Republicans were focused on a strategy “from the court house to the White House”.  They failed.  Democrats came out on top in many of the local races that the Republicans targeted, and Alabama Democrats still maintain a majority of local offices in Alabama.  Despite the efforts of Richard Shelby and Governor Bentley, Democrats held the Probate Judge’s office in Tuscaloosa County right in Governor Bentley’s back yard, and Democrats swept every Republican in Jefferson County out of office.  Armistead’s Battleground Patriots program of sending volunteers to battleground states didn’t stop the President and Vice President from being re-elected handily and it didn’t stop Democrats from picking up seats in both chambers of Congress.

 

Given how close last night’s results were, it is amazing to think that only two months ago Judge Bob Vance was not even contemplating a run for statewide office. We greatly appreciate him stepping up and running for this important position and anticipate that he will continue to be an important voice as one of the state's most respected judges.  We also salute Lucy Baxley’s sixteen years of service in statewide office.  Twinkle Cavanaugh will not get a bigger office, a bigger staff, or more responsibilities when she switches her nameplate at the Public Service Commission, but Bill Armistead may feel vindicated for being so badly embarrassed by Lucy Baxley in the 2002 Lt. Governor’s debate.

 

The closeness of last night’s results should also be a wakeup call for state Republicans.  The people of Alabama are not happy that instead of doing the job they were sent to Montgomery to do, Republican leaders have abdicated their responsibilities and focused their time and energy on petty politics and political games.

Today I start focusing on 2014. We will study the Alabama electoral map, be strategic in what we do and invite all Alabamians to join us as we continue to rebuild the Alabama Democratic Party.