Name a Progressive Politician

Wish I had dozens of names to suggest... (4.00 / 1)

but I'll have to go with your list.

Josh Segall tops my list, with Patricia Todd a close second.  Stephen Black isn't too shabby either.

I'd like to see Susan Parker kicking up a bigger fuss about how the Legislature and utility/telecoms are systematically gutting the power of the PSC to protect consumers. 

I know that both her heart and head are in the right place on thise issues, but private frustration doesn't move the debate. How about some public noise too?

Never try to teach a pig to sing.  It wastes your time and annoys the pig.

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by: countrycat @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 19:26:58 PM CDT

I hesitated about Parker (4.00 / 1)

She hasn't acted as progressive as I think she is personally.  Which is a shame.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 19:37:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Rusty Johnson has put in for Judge Clemon's seat on the Federal Bench. (4.00 / 2)

.
 If Rusty doesn't get the nod for that job, then I hope he'll consider keeping his options open for another opportunity in public service.

bg
__________

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by: BenGoshi @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 21:06:37 PM CDT

BenGoshi (0.00 / 0)

Is this lawyer with Wiggins, Child?

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by: Sundog @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 10:52:18 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

yes (4.00 / 1)

he is

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by: gradyw @ Tue Mar 31, 2009 at 13:21:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What about Patrick Cooper? (4.00 / 2)

He ran against Larry Langford for mayor of Birmingham.

What do y'all think about him?

 

"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 @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 21:11:08 PM CDT

not so much (4.00 / 2)

He did not come across genuine in his run for mayor or gracious in his defeat. Cooper also instead of using his talents like Black did, essentially has disappeared from the scene.

Black grew from his experience and has shown a true committment to public service and sound policy. I certainly will support Stephen Black in his 2010 bid for State Treasurer.

 

 

 

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by: gradyw @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 21:22:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think he did fine in his run for mayor. (4.00 / 3)

But I agree with you about the way that he disappered after his defeat.  If you are looking for a real progressive in Birmingham politics, look at Cedric Sparks, the current director of the Youth Services Division.  He is the real deal.

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by: bluebearcat @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 22:51:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

i don't know about his politics (4.00 / 2)

but Sparks is a heck of a nice guy

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by: gradyw @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 23:56:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

one legislator (4.00 / 2)

that has been very progressive on the death penalty bill and constitutional reform - Merika Coleman - State Rep from B'ham

She is very responsive to concerns.

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by: gradyw @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 21:25:43 PM CDT

I was about to say Merika Coleman myself. (4.00 / 3)

I would also say Rep. James Fields.  He has been with us on every important vote since being elected as far as I know but that's not all.  The conventional wisdom for a black Democrat in a 97% white swing district (and heavy GOP district on the presidential level) would be to keep as far to the right as possible. Rep. James Fields was an outspoken Obama supporter; he was even scheduled to serve as an Obama surrogate in a debate against McCain surrogate Troy King at Wallace State.  Unfortunately that event was called off because AG King had to take some time off for.... personal reasons.

In a union meeting for the Cullman legislative delegation, I saw a member ask a question about the grocery sales tax.  Rep. Jeremy Oden, a GOPer who has nonetheless been decently supportive of this particular union, relished the opportunity to turn this into a hearing on illegal immigrants and ERs.  (How you ask?  Oden claimed this bill was designed to give "illegals" a tax cut since they don't pay income taxes in his assessment.)  He succeeded at getting many of the people in the room upset about all the Mexicans apparently filling up our ERs and taking our jobs.  The crowd was very hostile on this issue.  Rep. Fields not only refused to take the race-bait, he strongly defended the human rights of migrant workers.  Of course, he acknowledged the importance of border security and keeping American law, but he was steadfast in his defense of these people as human beings most of whom just want to make a living for their families. 

It was one of the bolder and more principled things I have ever seen a politician do.  It will never pay electoral dividends for Rep. Fields.  Latinos are a growing chunk of the Cullman and Alabama populations but they are tiny compared to the number of white and black voters he could appeal to by going after Mexican immigrants.

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by: bluebearcat @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 22:48:39 PM CDT

But he did it anyway. (4.00 / 2)

I will always admire him for that.

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by: bluebearcat @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 22:50:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's good to hear (4.00 / 2)

thanks for sharing that story

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by: gradyw @ Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 23:55:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Micheal C. Dow (0.00 / 0)

Four term mayor of Mobile. Basically took a city that was on the verge of dying and reinvigorated life into it. Also managed to win all of his re-election attempts by more than 60% of the vote. 10 years ago you wouldn't caught anyone in downtown Mobile on a sunday afternoon unless it was Mardi Gras, Christ the King or they were simply a corpse that had been shot the night before. Now, you see people down there all the time, I've gone there myself.

 Dow basically kept Mobile from going the urban decay route that Birmingham followed and he managed to keep the middle class firmly fixed within the city, which didn't happen in Birmingham. He may yet run for governor in 2010, he's always wanted it, and if he sees an opening he may take it.

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by: jacool @ Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 17:42:59 PM CDT