These newspaper editors know what they are talking about and they have done their homework, and they have the best interests of our community in mind. Raby will most effectively represent North Alabama in Congress, and he has significant crossover appeal. He can win!
“Three endorsements in one day builds the momentum we need for the final weeks of the campaign,” Sparks said. “Alabamians are hungry for jobs, an education lottery and a governor who puts people first and they believe I'm the candidate to do it. This is the kind of momentum we want heading into the ADC convention this weekend.
The Postal Workers are a traditional labor organization, but most of us outside of Birmingham have very little idea of who the other two groups are. The NJCCC was created in 2009 by former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington and former Congressman Earl Hilliard (Davis defeated him in 2002) to influence the 2009 city council elections. Arrington himself endorsed Sparks last fall and it's worth noting that his endorsements in the city council elections last fall were no sure ticket to victory. The NJCCC appears to be kind of a reprise of the JCCC which Arrington founded in 1977 as a chapter of the Alabama New South Coalition -- after they split with the Alabama Democratic Conference. The JCCC eventually split with New South, also. The JCPC is a rival organization led by attorney Emory Anthony.
One could wish that Democratic groups of all colors would spend less time splitting and infighting -- if so, they might have more energy for fighting the real enemies or minorities and working men and women.
These endorsements are the run up to Sparks picking up the Alabama Democratic Conference endorsement this weekend, what his campaign hopes will be the big enchilada of endorsements from black political groups. The ADC requires candidates to appear in person to be considered for endorsement and Congressman Artur Davis has indicated he intends to skip the middleman and go straight to the voters. That leaves the ADC in the odd position of endorsing a white candidate for governor -- which is what they have always done -- even though there is an extremely qualified and viable African American candidate available. It's a strange situation and veryinsider politics, but we have to remember that the mission of ADC is specifically "to organize and unify the black vote and have it respected by candidates and elected officials alike." Their mission is not "to help elect more African-Americans to public office" or anything like it -- it's all about unifying the vote.
In 2010, the key question is whether "unifying the vote" is still a useful or achievable goal for minorities in Alabama. I doubt that it is, but we'll find out on June 1.
OMG, black people just can't stand Artur Davis. He's in trouble and "falling like a rock." Then again, maybe that's a bit of an overreach in light of this development:
Sixteen black mayors from across Alabama announced their support for Artur Davis for Governor today, citing his track record of standing up for ordinary Alabamians and his vision for creating jobs and improving public schools.
“I know Artur Davis, I know his track record of standing up and fighting for communities like mine, and I am proud to support him for Governor,” said Selma Mayor George Evans.
Prichard Mayor Ron Davis added, “Artur Davis will be a Governor who puts the needs of ordinary people over the agenda of special interests. He has the right vision to improve Alabama’s public schools and rebuild our economy,”
Artur Davis welcomed the support of Alabama’s black mayors. “For years, I have said that I do not need nor will I seek the permission of Montgomery's power brokers, regardless of race, to run for office and serve the people of Alabama. These grassroots endorsements are a signal that the era where one voice can speak for an entire community is over.”
Congressman Davis continued, “Entrenched forces in Montgomery prefer to maintain their stranglehold on the levers of power and they will not support this campaign because I am not beholden to their agenda and will not be controlled with their special interest money. The support of these Mayors - the people closest to their communities - is the strongest sign yet that we can take back our state. I look forward to fighting against special interests as Governor and advocating for the people of Alabama."
Mobile Mayor Sam Jones endorsed Davis for governor months ago. News flash: Mayor Jones is black, too.
Artur Davis isn't unpopular with black Alabamians, he's unpopular with some power brokers in the black community who are quite content with business as usual -- and don't want to see their influence further diminished.
No one better understands how broken state government is than the people at city and county levels, struggling to meet the day to day needs of their communities. Mayors, city councils and county commissions have their hands tied by the 1901 Constitution. Whenever their communities need zoning, economic development or most anything else, they're forced to go hat in hand to Montgomery, spend precious resources on lobbyists and beg the Legislature for permission -- often in the form of another Constitutional Amendment which is then subject to statewide approval. The system is broken -- and that's not even getting into the difficulties posed by the patronage system. It's shouldn't be surprising that mayors are lining up behind Davis, the candidate who will at least try to change the status quo.
Full list of mayors endorsing Artur Davis is below the fold.
This time it's Emily's List endorsing Sewell in her effort to become the first female member of Congress from Alabama
"As a successful attorney and community leader, Terri has dedicated herself to making life better for all Alabamians. At her law firm, she worked with Alabama’s historically black colleges and universities to finance campus improvements," EMILY’s List president Stephanie Schriock said in a statement. "As a candidate, she’s focused her campaign on economic development that will create jobs and opportunity for hard-working Alabama families. Those are the qualities that will set her apart in this crowded field of candidates in the June Democratic primary."
Emily's List hasn't done a great job of picking candidates in the recent past -- or perhaps I should say they haven't done a great job of advising their candidates and helping them win. No question this endorsement brings money and resources to Sewell's campaign, though. They need to use both wisely.
This Tuesday voters in the City of Birmingham will go to the polls, likely in low numbers, and vote for whom they want to represent them on the city council and school board. This election cycle was marred for months by confusion over the elections move from October to August as well as the circus like atmosphere surrounding the prosecution of Mayor Larry Langford. Over the last week the local media seems to be most concerned with the shenanigans of marginal School Board candidate Antwon Womack.
Depending on the strength of political endorsements we may see some changes on both the school board and city council next year. I'm focusing on the City Council in this diary because I have not followed the school board races as closely. All incumbents are probably in trouble except for Maxine Parker in District 4. District 7 is an open seat, vacated by the death of Councilor Miriam Witherspoon earlier this summer.
The next president is saddled with problems that any of them by itself would be a daunting task to find a solution. But one thing is for sure, this country cannot continue down the same path and expect a different outcome.
That is why we are endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president. For the past two years, Obama has been under intense scrutiny, and we saw a man emerge who has the ability to bring about needed change, to bring people together and to work for a better America than the one we have now.
A Republican presidency over the past eight years and a Republican-controlled Congress over six of the last eight has netted little if any gain for the American people. And they are looking for hope and inspiration.
The nation has more pressing issues now before our astronauts travel back to the moon. Failed policies that litter Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to Capitol Hill must change.
Citizens need their financial freedom back, they need their access to government back, and they need their privacy back.
Most of all they need their hope back.
Sen. Obama represents change the nation wants. He’s toughened up during the long series of Democratic primaries and the grueling general election campaign.
He’s solid, he’s smart, and he keeps a cool head. He is the better choice to be the next president of the United States.
Obama may have a perceived lack of experience, but his innovative approach to solving problems more than compensates. He has surrounded himself with good advisers, and he should be able to build consensus in the Capitol on difficult issues.
Barack Obama has generated the kind of excitement and energy not seen since John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were candidates. Obama, indeed, represents change -- and this country is ready for a new direction to meet the challenges of the 21st century while not sacrificing the principles that make us strong.
Obama's demeanor, eloquence and visionary thinking make him our recommendation to lead our great country.
Obama combines an appeal to all that is good in America, to that deep-seated knowledge that we can and should do better, with sensible policy proposals that the nation can embrace. Years of allegedly conservative domestic policies have far more greatly benefited the few than the many in our country. Years of unsound foreign policy grounded in false premises have taken a terrible toll in American prestige, money and, most importantly, lives.
It is time for change. Obama represents that change. We urge his election on Nov. 4.
The Advertiser also has some harsh words for John McCain:
Ultimately, the most prized quality in a president has to be judgment, and there Americans have undeniable reason to doubt McCain. In the most crucial test of judgment any presidential candidate can make -- the selection of the nominee for vice president -- McCain failed miserably. His choice of the obviously unprepared Sarah Palin is deeply troubling.
The Birmingham News endorsed McCain in a lengthy discussion that praised both men, but gave significant weight to the success of the troop "surge" in Iraq, Obama's pro-choice stance, his backing from labor unions and the News' desire for a divided government.
During Bush's presidency, single-party rule proved awful. Too many of Bush's bad ideas sailed through Congress, and federal spending exploded. A President Obama, especially if there's a filibuster-proof Congress, may overreach as much as Bush.
The truth is, both men are fully capable of being the next president of the United States. We believe McCain's experience, his ideas and his bipartisanship will be better for this country during these difficult times. John McCain for president.
As we've noted before, the Huntsville Times won't be making an endorsement in the Presidential race this year. If I were betting, I'd bet the Mobile Press-Register will find a reason to endorse McCain.
Party affiliation is no guide to the quality of jurisprudence. But the court’s partisan imbalance does create a perception of bias. That was the case recently when all the Republican justices voted against the state in favor of the oil giant ExxonMobil, with the lone Democratic justice opposed.
We believe Paseur would be an outstanding addition to the court. She has served with distinction as district judge in Lauderdale County for the past 27 years. She has a genuine passion for justice and has the backing of many of the state’s law enforcement professionals, including Tuscaloosa’s police chief and district attorney, as well as a number of other groups.
Equally important is her involvement in civic organizations like Big Brothers/Big Sisters that seek to keep young people out of trouble.
The News also put in a plug for nonpartisan judicial elections in Alabama. Personally, I think an appointment and retention system would do more to address the big money and partisanship issues with judicial elections, but I wholeheartedly agree that Judge Paseur is the best candidate in this race.
Pasuer recently announced endorsements by Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith and District Attorney Stephen Billy. They joined District Attorney John Andrews representing Lowndes, Crenshaw and Butler Counties who endorsed Judge Deborah Bell Paseur at a campaign stop yesterday.
Judge Paseur has been endorsed by members of law enforcement across the state. The full list is below the fold.
(In another big milestone, Josh Segall's campaign just announced they have raised more than a million dollars. If you haven't given, or haven't given enough, please do so at the link below. - promoted by mooncat)
The Anniston Star, the hometown newspaper for Mike Rogers, believes that it is time for change in who represents the residents of the 3rd Congressional District.
In the view of this Editorial Board, the 3rd District deserves a change. We recommend Josh Segall in the race to represent the district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
We want to see Segall make good on his promises to work for the district, encouraging more spending for the 3rd's needs while protecting jobs and spurring economic development. Congress needs the energy and imagination Segall has shown on the campaign trail. He is a bright candidate who can put aside ideology in favor of good government.
Segall promises to bring in more money for the completion of the Eastern Parkway. In contrast, Rogers has put his foot down on more funds for the road, a stance that defies the never-say-never rules of politics.
The Anniston Star is absolutely correct in their belief that Segall would be a better representative of this district. I only hope that this endorsement comes in time to help Segall get some more exposure.
I know this is probably an unwelcomed endorsement by some on here, but it's probably a good thing for Bright's campaign.
Browsing through TheHill, I stumbled upon the following:
"BIPAC went bipartisan in a big way Wednesday with its latest round of endorsements, adding four incumbent Democrats and two Democratic candidates to its list for the 2008 cycle."
"....open-seat candidates Bobby Bright in Alabama and Kurt Schrader in Oregon."
"Gregory S. Casey, president and chief executive officer of BIPAC, said in a statement that the nine endorsees “might not always agree with us, but they are willing to work with us to find common solutions to everyday American economic challenges. With the key issues before us now, we need their voices at the table.”
This latest endorsement slate does not mean, however, that BIPAC is abandoning its longstanding lean toward the Republican Party. Overall this year, BIPAC has now endorsed 40 candidates for Congress: 10 Republicans and 1 Democrat for the Senate and 21 Republicans and 8 Democrats for the House."
Some of the other Democrats on the list include my homestate's own Jim Marshall and John Barrow.
(Short version: We don't need more DINOs! - promoted by mooncat)
It's been more than 7 months since voters took control of Congress away from corrupt Republicans, and more than 5 months since Democrats took over - and still we are waiting for real ethics reform to improve accountability in Congress. We at 21st Century Democrats ask, "are there enough reform-minded Democrats with strong leadership to convince the foot-draggers that the party will be over if they don't enact real ethics reform?" Sadly, the answer may not be what we want to hear.
(Y'all need to forward this to any progressive Alabamians who are running or thinking of running next year. Last cycle 21st Century Democrats endorsed candidates like Sherrod Brown, Darcy Burner, Keith Ellison and John Tester. Let's get one or two Alabamians on the list this time. - promoted by mooncat)
Here at 21st Century Democrats, we think too many organizations endorse candidates based on a checklist of surveys of incremental policies that won't do much to fix what is wrong in this country. Checklist questionnaires tell you if a candidate supports your issue, but they don't tell you whether a candidate is actually going to do something about it if they get elected.
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Last week the 
