AL-07: Terri Sewell Picks Up Another Endorsement

by: mooncat

Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 15:22:39 PM CST

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."

In addition to Terri Sewell, there are three other women (Martha Bozeman, Patricia Evans Mokolo and Shelia Smoot) and two men (Earl Hilliard, Jr. and Eddison Walters) in the AL-07 race.

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.

Birmingham City Elections This Tuesday - Some Suggestions

by: gradyw

Sun Aug 23, 2009 at 21:37:42 PM CDT

cross posted at The Progressive Electorate - take what you like and leave the rest

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.

Our suggestions below the fold -  

Obama Cleans Up with Alabama Newspaper Endorsements

by: mooncat

Sun Oct 26, 2008 at 14:50:41 PM CDT

Last week the Tuscaloosa News endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.  Today, several more Alabama papers endorsed Obama.

The Daily Home of Talladaga, Pell City and Sylacauga -- Obama, Change the country needs:

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 Decatur Daily - Sen. Obama represents change the nation needs:

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.

The Times Daily - Barack Obama:

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.

Montgomery Advertiser - Obama better candidate to lead America:

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.

Tuscaloosa News Endorses Judge Paseur for Supreme Court

by: mooncat

Sun Oct 26, 2008 at 14:13:12 PM CDT

Today the Tuscaloosa News endorsed Judge Deborah Bell Paseur to fill the open seat on the Alabama Supreme Court, saying:

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.

Anniston Star Endorses Segall over Rogers (AL-03)

by: gradyw

Sun Oct 26, 2008 at 02:08:35 AM CDT

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.

The Anniston Star gives a ringing endorsement for Segall.

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.  

[AL-02] Bobby Bright picks up GOP-leaning PAC endorsement

by: RuralDem

Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 09:40:58 AM CDT

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."

According to CQPolitics:

"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.

Will Democrats Enact Tough Ethics Reform, Or Prove They Don't Get It?

by: Mark Lotwis

Thu Jun 14, 2007 at 10:06:26 AM CDT

The House leadership started off on the right foot in January by enacting rules restricting meals, travel and gifts from lobbyists, but some of the strongest measures, like requiring lobbyists to publicly disclose when they bundle campaign contributions for federal candidates, were passed over due to the resistance of some Members who don't get it.

We're Looking for the Next Great Alabama Democrat

by: Mark Lotwis

Thu May 24, 2007 at 10:36:01 AM CDT