I have to say, I’ve always enjoyed primary elections more than the general.
Of course, there’s more bearing to voting in the general election, but to me, the primaries are much more fun. You get to vote for who you want to. There’s a lot to be excited about.
Josh told me this yesterday, and asked me to keep it under my hat so he could personally notify as many supporters as possible:
Dear Friends,
After much thought and careful consideration, I have decided not to pursue the office of US Representative for Alabama's Third District. So many of you have been incredibly supportive of my run, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your advice, encouragement, and efforts. I am immeasurably proud and appreciative of what we have accomplished together.
For two years now, I have argued that America is a nation that needs consensus and cooperation in politics. We can rebuild trust in our government by investing in infrastructure to create a stronger economic foundation and establishing new rules for accountability and fiscal responsibility. Thousands of Alabamians agree that we must bring agricultural growth back to our state. I am more confident than ever before that these things are true, but for now, I will work to further these causes not in Washington, but as an active and engaged citizen of Alabama.
Again, I want to thank all of you for your involvement in an important cause and for your wonderful generosity. I will talk with as many of you as I can over the next few weeks.
Please, do get in touch with me any time. I wouldn't be where I am today without your support.
Sincerely,
Josh
What a pity, and a lost opportunity for the people of the 3rd District. Instead of an energetic congressman with the interests of ordinary citizens at heart, they will continue to be stuck with that barnacle below the waterline of the GOP, Mike Rogers.
Josh Segall has unexpectedly dropped out of the Congressional Race in Alabama's Third District. Below is the text of an e-mail that was sent to supporters under the subject of "difficult decision." The text is as follows:
"Dear Friends,
After much thought and careful consideration, I have decided not to pursue the office of US Representative for Alabama's Third District. So many of you have been incredibly supportive of my run, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your advice, encouragement, and efforts. I am immeasurably proud and appreciative of what we have accomplished together.
For two years now, I have argued that America is a nation that needs consensus and cooperation in politics. We can rebuild trust in our government by investing in infrastructure to create a stronger economic foundation and establishing new rules for accountability and fiscal responsibility. Thousands of Alabamians agree that we must bring agricultural growth back to our state. I am more confident than ever before that these things are true, but for now, I will work to further these causes not in Washington, but as an active and engaged citizen of Alabama.
Again, I want to thank all of you for your involvement in an important cause and for your wonderful generosity. I will talk with as many of you as I can over the next few weeks.
Please, do get in touch with me any time. I wouldn't be where I am today without your support.
It's that time again! Federal candidates have to file quarterly reports and the deadline to vote with your dollars is midnight tonight! These deadlines matter a lot in Congressional races, such as AL-03, AL-05 and AL-07 because other donors and especially institutions like the DCCC use fundraising sucess as a way to decide which candidates they will back.
This is particularly important for Josh Segall in AL-03 because he isn't in a primary and the DCCC can commit to help him early without stepping on the democratic process locally -- if only they will. Why should you support Josh Segall? Because he's running against a guy co-sponsoring the bill to repeal health care reform, calling it "a massive government intervention". Last week Segall told LiA he definitely would oppose any repeal attempt. That alone ought to be good for a few bucks from Alabama Democrats.
Seriously folks, this is an important fundraising deadline and looking good in the first quarter will make it easier for them to raise money from other people next quarter. We need to support Democrats - and let them know where the support is coming from.
Here's a nifty ActBlue page that let's you pick the candidate(s) of your choice. For those candidates who don't have an ActBlue page, I'm sorry you're left out, but you need to get with the program if you want money from the blogosphere.
We live in interesting times. It seems that "no" is the word most often uttered in the chambers of Congress. The next election could change that. One place where things could change is Alabama's 3rd congressional district (east Alabama) where Josh Segall is a smart young Democrat running against Mike Rogers (R).
Segall needs our help. Rogers has already announced that he will cosponsor Michelle Bachman's bill to repeal the health care reform law. The 3rd CD is the second most Democratic leaning district in Alabama. There is no good reason it should return a naysayer like Rogers to Washington. The right Democrat can win in this part of Alabama and I believe Josh Segall is that Democrat..
Josh isn't new to this fight. He's a 31 year old attorney with deep roots in Alabama. As a first time candidate in 2008, he raised over a million dollars to take on Rogers and almost defeated him. Even though he was outspent 2 to 1 in 2008, Segall nearly upset a sitting Congressman, receiving 47% of the vote.
Those of us who care about progressive issues must do whatever we can to help send true Democrats to Congress. I assure you Josh Segall is a true blue Democrat, and he will remain so next year and next decade. I support Josh and am committed to helping him as much as I can. I hope you will consider doing the same.
It is a pleasure to invite you to to a fundraiser for Josh in Huntsville this evening (3/25) at 5:30 pm where you can hear this remarkable young man explain his vision for east Alabama. Email me (mooncat at leftinalabama dot com) for details. If it is more convenient, you may also support Josh Segall through an online donation at this link.
The fundraising quarter ends in just one week and Segall needs all our help to gain support from the national party. Thank you for your consideration and for any support you can offer Josh Segall.
I have laid out the foundation of my platform in three preliminary issue stances. Below each issue, you can even endorse my position and send me a comment. (I love getting endorsements, especially yours.)
Using the “Tell a Friend” page, you can easily spread the word about our campaign.
I am excited about the upcoming months of the campaign. The people of Alabama deserve an independent leader who will break the partisan paralysis in Washington.
Thanks for your support.
I'm glad he's starting to focus more on social media. That's becoming a much more important tool for campaigns. As voters trust media, ads, and even candidates less, they do still trust their friends. I like it when a candidate makes it easy for me to distribute information about them on blogs or Facebook.
After you enjoy the new Web site, send Josh some $$ to help him defeat Mike Rogers!
That's what my mother always called it, as in, "He's got a lot of gall!" anytime someone tried to get away with something outrageous. See the Merriam-Webster online dictionary entry for "gall":
2: brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence
That exactly describes Rep. Mike Rogers' (R, AL-03) actions.
Friday: Mike Rogers sends out a newsletter in which the 2nd sentence is, "Like many people, I am deeply concerned the Democratic leadership’s focus is misplaced on a health care reform plan, instead of the main concern of the American people – jobs."
Helllooo?President Obama and the Democratic leadership are focused on the jobs issue -- you're the doofus voting NO on every bill that looks like it would create jobs for ordinary Americans. If you ask me, it's part and parcel of the Republican plan -- the more pain they can create in America, the better their chances in the next election.
Rogers and his allies are hoping we'll reward his bad behavior. I think we're smarter than that.
Why am I not surprised that Rep. Mike Rogers opposes a bill that would create jobs and provide tax relief to small businesses and help families during this Great Recession?
“Once again, Representative Michael Rogers has refused to stand with hardworking families and small businesses by opposing the one thing they need the most: more jobs,” said Ryan Rudominer, National Press Secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Representative Rogers’s objection to putting folks back to work and helping small businesses make payroll proves how out of touch Rogers still is with the pain of hardworking people.”
Alabama's unemployment rate is the highest in 26 years. 225,000 people are looking for work in this state. That's huge. Every member of the Alabama delegation ought to support the HIRE Jobs Bill. In fact, only Democrats Artur Davis (D, AL-07) and Bobby Bright (D, AL-02) voted for it.
1. A payroll tax holiday for businesses that hire unemployed workers, to create some 300,000 jobs and an income tax credit of $1,000 for businesses that retain these employees
2. Tax cuts to spur new investment by small businesses to help them expand and hire more workers [H.R. 2847, 3/04/10]
3. Tax relief for businesses to spur immediate job growth. A new payroll tax exemption would create a common-sense, targeted, and effective way to encourage employers to begin hiring unemployed workers today and is estimated to spur about 300,000 new jobs, according to economist Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com. [The Hill, 2/18/10].
The candidate with the most money doesn't always win, but the candidate who runs out of money always loses. We need to help our candidates raise ENOUGH money to be competitive. If you haven't already given, today is the very best time to help a progressive Democrat because contributions made today show up on their 4th quarter fundraising report and SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS. The more they raised in 2009, the more people will want to give them in 2010. Hey, it's human nature, everybody wants to climb on a bandwagon.
First up, if you're unhappy that no candidate has emerged in AL-05, please give to Josh Segall, the genuine progressive Democrat who has been doing the very hard work of persuading AL-03 voters that Democrats are not looney, socialist, America-haters like they hear on the radio, but hard working Americans who care about our fellow citizens. Running against an incumbent is not easy and Josh has been tirelessly campaigning against the Republican noise machine personified by Mike Rogers. He's at the top of my list of Democrats Worth Investing In. Please consider making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, or whatever you are able to give.
Jeremy Sherer, candidate for Alabama State Treasurer, is next on my must give list. Sherer is seeking the spot currently abused by Treasurer Kay Ivey (R) who is at the center of the PACT debacle. Sherer is another hard worker -- he's attended just about every Save our PACT meeting from one end of the state to the other. I've heard all three candidates for this office speak about PACT problems and there's no question Sherer is the smartest and best informed of the bunch.Please help Jeremy Sherer with a contribution if you can.
Sherer in 2010 112 Adams Avenue West Oneonta, AL 35121
Susan Pace Hamill is running for State House district 63 in the Tuscaloosa area. Hamill is a long time champion of tax reform in Alabama and a Good Investment for your progressive contributions. She's very close to raising $100,000 for her year-end filing which is important towards attracting support from other big players next year. Some are saying this could be the ugliest and most expensive house race in recent memory. Give to Susan Pace Hamill for a better Alabama!
If you believe that a new Alabama is being born, and you want to join the growing numbers of Alabamians who are ready to take state government back for all of us, it's important that you give before midnight tomorrow.
Davis is running on a platform that includes sweeping ethics reform and support for a new constitution -- pretty progressive stuff for an Alabama candidate.
Sparks is running on a platform that includes an education lottery and regulation/taxation of gambling.
The Congressional candidates in AL-07 are all in need of support -- I can't say which is the most or least progressive. Perhaps some smart, local commenters will chime in:
Don't miss Alabama Politics tonight. Columnist and Alabama political expert Steve Flowers interviews Josh Segall, Democratic candidate for Congress in Alabama's 3rd district.
The program will be broadcast at 8 PM tonight -- see stations below. In case you miss the original broadcast, it will be rerun at 9:30 PM and a number of times later in the week. All of the information is below.
If Knology is your cable provider, view the show on channel 43. If Charter is your cable provider, view the show on channel 96.
The show is on at 8 PM and 9:30 PM and can be viewed on: Thursday, December 17th Friday, December 18th Thursday, December 24th Friday, December 25th
Big Pharma has launched a major television ad campaign on behalf of Republican incumbent Mike Rogers in Alabama's 3rd Congressional District. The ads are running throughout the sprawing East Alabama district and claim that "Mike Rogers supports innovative research that makes us healthier." What a crock! Rogers supports his own incumbency ... and his big donors.
Why are they spending so much money on Rogers now? Apparently they're worried that "their boy Mike" might not dodge the bullet this time, facing a better organized, better funded challenge from Josh Segall who came within a few points of knocking him off last year.
Segall says ...
The claim is false, like so many claims Rogers made about me in the last campaign.
...
The country is engaged in an epic health care debate and the cost of medical care is at the heart of it.
...
The SINGLE LARGEST source of unnecessary health care cost in America is prescription drugs. We pay more for prescription drugs than any country on earth. The Pharmaceutical Industry is one of the most heavily subsidized industries in the country even though it has been the country's most profitable industry for thirty years. The first place to start cutting health care cost is prescription drugs.
...
I believe strongly that we must invest in innovative research to find cures to debilitating and painful illnesses. But most new medical treatments come from public universities not the private prescription drug industry. The Pharmaceutical Industry has increasingly spent money on lifestyle drugs and marketing for those drugs rather than cures for the country's worst illnesses. The industry has focused more on finding marginal uses for old drugs than critically important advances.
The pharmaceutical industry spends billions to convince us otherwise and Mike Rogers is another way for them to do it.
...
I am a pro-business Democrat. I believe in our capitalist system and I don't criticize corporations for the sake of political gain. But pharmaceutical companies have violated a public trust and set up an entitlement system that does not serve the public good. Help me by making a contribution and I'll speak plainly about it in Congress.
Running for political office isn't an occupation for the faint of heart. It takes stamina, money, time, and effort. The time involved can hurt a career and strain personal and family relationships.
Although I guess that's obvious, I never gave it much thought until I met Alabama Treasurer candidate Jeremy Sherer at a Save Alabama PACT meeting in Huntsville. He had taken an entire Saturday to drive up with his family and meet with parents. Later, I noticed that every single news article about PACT parent meetings across the state always mentioned that Sherer attended the meeting.
Here's a sample of PACT meetings Sherer has attended recently:
Thursday, October 15th - Cullman County Tuesday, October 13th - Blount/Marshall County Monday, October 12th - Morgan/Lawrence County Tuesday, October 6th - Lauderdale County Thursday, October 8th - Baldwin County Monday, September 28th - Tuscaloosa County
Add in recent Democratic party events in Cullman and Phenix City, and you have to wonder when Sherer sleeps - much less how he works full time and shares parenting duties.
So I asked him. And his response made me appreciate fully for the first time just how much of a commitment it is to run for office - particularly a statewide office.
I can't imagine how anyone even tries it unless he/she is independently wealthy. The thought of simultaneously fundraising, campaigning, working, and being a parent is so daunting that I'm amazed anyone accepts the challenge.
I'm also grateful to the people who are so invested and hopeful about the future of Alabama that they're willing to try.
No matter how progressive, no matter how principled, no matter how much their values align with yours, the simple fact is that Democratic candidates can't win elections without money. And if they can't get it from individual small donors, they'll be forced to turn to the folks who can write big checks and who may try to call in favors for those checks later on.
In that sense, the netroots is truly revolutionizing politics, by offering access to a large pool of folks who are savvy and engaged, but may not have the price of entry for $5000 a plate dinners to bend the ear of potential decision makers. We're interested in good government that works for average Americans, not just for the wealthy. To make it happen, we have to open up our wallets and give to the candidates we believe in, even if our personal pain threshold is only $5 or $10. A thousand $5 contributions is a lot healthier for democracy than a single $5000 one, IMHO. So unlimber your credit cards, this is your chance -- the books close for federal candidates at midnight tonight.
Our best bet to elect more and better Democrats from Alabama is Josh Segall in AL-03. Josh came heartbreakingly close to picking off incumbent Mike Rogers (R, What am I doing in Congress?) last November -- a little more money or support would have flipped that seat for us in 2008 -- and we need to make sure he has the resources to do it right in 2010. He's one of only a handful of candidates to reach out to the Alabama netroots so far and we know he's far more progressive than the guy he's trying to replace.
It may seem early, but Josh Segall is already working hard to line up the resources to win in 2010 -- he just held 8 events in 11 days all over the state and has brought in more new donors than ever before. He sent this email yesterday:
Every day, week and month is a critical part of our plan to win next year. We have to convince hundreds of thousands of people to vote for a new direction in this district.
We’ll do it by knocking on more doors than have ever been touched in this district, by holding more town hall meetings, house parties and fundraisers than anyone has ever had. We are working on that effort NOW and we’re working as hard in September of 2009 as we will be a month before the election.
The midnight fundraising deadline is important to building momentum and to garnering national attention and national support for Segall in AL-03. Yes, I'm talking about the DCCC who spent millions on Parker Griffith and Bobby Bright last year that, in hindsight, would have been better invested in Josh's race. Hopefully, we won't see a repeat of that this cycle. Segall's campaign really is working like it's already 2010 and, if their event in Huntsville is any indication, people are excited about his candidacy and digging deep to help him beat his goals and beat Mike Rogers in 2010. Josh can win, but he needs our help to do it.
If Congressman Parker Griffith has left you bitterly disappointed and resolved never to contribute another dime until he at least gives lip service to Democratic ideals, why not throw your support to a real Democratic challenger in a nearby district? The fact that the district is demographically more friendly to a Democrat -- and thus might support a more progressive Congressman -- is just gravy. There is such a candidate, Josh Segall, running in East Alabama's AL-03. Believe me, if you're within striking distance of Huntsville, you need to be at this fundraiser.
You are cordially invited to a fundraiser in support of Josh Segall to benefit his candidacy for Congress in the Third District of Alabama.
Thursday, September 17, 2009 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Watson, McKinney, & Artrip PC 203 Greene St SE Huntsville, AL 35801-4810
Make checks out to: Segall for Congress PO Box 4236 Montgomery, AL 36103
For more information please call 334-834-5800 or email chad@segallforcongress.com
Notice that you can give even if unable to attend in person. We did the "more Democrats" thing last year and got Parker Griffith and Bobby Bright -- I suggest we focus on "better Democrats" next time.Please help Josh Segall any way you can.
(More and Better Democrats! Josh is one! Send him some love... - promoted by herding old cats)
Dropped by a fundraiser for Josh Segall tonight - our endorsed candidate in AL-03. Josh nearly beat do-nothing Mike Rogers in 2008. Unfortunately, I had to leave early to get to another appointment and did not get to stay and record his speech.
Josh is raising money all over the state this week. Monday in Anniston. Last night and tonight in Birmingham. Tomorrow in Huntsville. He's working hard to help us get rid of Rogers.
Worried seniors + disingenuous Congressman = violence at retirement home.
Mike Rogers (R, AL-03) can't keep the lid on town hall meeting at a retirement home! Way to look like a leader, Congressman. Brittany Whitley of the Auburn-Opelika News offers a first hand account:
When the meeting ended, I got up to gather names and ask a few more questions. Right behind me, the man involved in the initial confrontation was swinging at another man. He hit him, and after a scuffle, was pulled off. People quickly began to leave. As I was walking out, one man confronted me, saying I didn’t need to put what I had just seen in the paper.
The instigator was apparently anti-reform -- Whitley says early in the meeting another reform opponent stood up and said "I'm not here to make nice." No kidding. If you can't win the argument with facts, there's always fists.
These were older people, almost certainly concerned by widespread misinformation on rationing, death panels and so forth. Instead of reassuring them with actual facts and calming the situation down, Mike Rogers let it escalate to the point of violence -- or maybe even helped it along.
I understand the Congressman addressed the death panel rumor by pointing out the largest health care costs are associated with the last 2 years of life, so when the government needs to cut costs, you can expect the cuts to come from there.
Mary Orndoff found Alabama's Congressional delegation submitted 147 earmarks to steer hundreds of millions in federal money to private, for profit companies, some of whom are campaign contributors:
Mike Rogers (R, AL-03) submitted 40 requests for $272 million .
Sen Jeff Sessions (R) submitted 38 requests totaling $225 million.
Reps. Jo Bonner (R, AL-01), Spencer Bachus (R, AL-06) and Artur Davis (D, AL-07) submitted no earmark requests.
[Mike] Rogers submitted 40 requests for private companies worth more than $272 million. Of those, three made the cut and are in the House version of the defense spending bill, albeit for lesser amounts than requested.
Mike Rogers is reputed to be the least effective member of the Alabama delegation. Looks like that reputation is deserved -- he can't even deliver on special favors for his friends, although not for lack of trying.
The National Republican Congressional Committee on Thursday will name 15 more Members to its “Patriot” program to boost the party’s most vulnerable incumbents in 2010, bringing its membership to 25.
Who's at the top of the list for "most vulnerable incumbents in 2010? Our own Mike Rogers (R, AL-03) who barely squeaked by last November -- and challenger Josh Segall (D) is back to take another swing at Alabama's least effective member of Congress.
The NRCC's Patriot program is modelled on the DCCC's successful Frontline program to protect incumbents. Yes, it's true, Republicans do not have any original ideas. Let's hope their copycat skills are poor, too.
Everyone tells us the economy is bad and credit is tight, but the economic crisis is personal for thirteen hundred people in Central Alabama. Plantation Patterns, a subsidiary of Meadowcraft, Inc. with plants in Wadley and Selma has been in bankruptcy since March 20 and may permanently close their doors on Friday. In Wadley, the company employs about 500 people making wrought iron furniture in a town with a population of less than 650. There is no other industry in town and Mayor Jim Dabbs says the loss of Meadowcraft jobs would devastate Wadley.
"Other than Meadowcraft, we have a couple of restaurants, gas stations and Southern Union Community College."
Making matters even worse, Meadowcraft owes the city of Wadley around $168,000 in unpaid utility bills. In addition to the Wadley plant, Meadowcraft also employs approximately 800 people at a plant in Selma, Alabama where they make soft goods such as cushions and umbrellas. Over 20% of people in Randolph County (where Wadley is located) live below the poverty level. For Dallas County (home to Selma) the figure is 30%.
Meadowcraft's problem isn't slow sales. Nope. The company has orders for furniture. What they lack is cash. Unfortunately, Jerry Camp, former president, and Larry Maynor, chief financial officer, were dismissed last March in the wake of "accounting irregularities," leaving the company with unpaid bills and a shortage of cash. As in, struggling to meet payroll and unable to pay creditors -- some of whom forced Meadowcraft into involuntary bankruptcy.
Meadowcraft has orders. They have equipment. They have workers. There's no question this is a viable business. The problem is they can't get credit to continue operating until the current management can purchase the business.
And who can't they get credit from? Wells Fargo/Wachovia -- who accepted $25 billion in federal Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) money just a few months ago. I don't know how much Meadowcraft needs, but I'll bet Wells Fargo Chairman's 2007 compensation of $22,874,952 would make a healthy dent in it.
I heard about the plight of Wadley from Democratic congressional candidate Josh Segall, who also told me there will be a Rally to Save Meadowcraft Jobs Thursday morning at 9 am in Roanoke. If anyone is in the neighborhood with a camera, please send pictures. Details of the rally are at the end of this post.
I hope Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) is looking forward to retirement or a lucrative career as an industry lobbyist - or any future that doesn't include a seat in the US House of Representatives.
Josh Segall, who is making another run at Rogers in 2010, announced that he has hired Chad Horrell as campaign manager. Horrell brings an enormous amount of campaign experience and field organizing know-how to the Segall campaign.
From Segall's press release:
Chad oversaw the national party's field programs for every targeted race in the South, from Virginia to Florida to Texas. He worked with the country's strongest candidates, many of whom went to Congress, and orchestrated some of the largest efforts their districts had ever seen to have conversations with voters at their doorstep.
This is exactly what we intend to do in this campaign ...
It's an indication - as if we needed one - that Segall will be a much more formidable candidate this cycle than in 2008. Not because he's changing his positions on the issues, but because he's finally attracting the attention of the national party, its candidate support structure, and fundraising assistance.
Congratulations to Josh Segall and a big Alabama welcome to Chad Horrell too.
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Josh told me this yesterday, and asked me to keep it under my hat so he could personally notify as many supporters as possible:
Don't miss Alabama Politics tonight. Columnist and Alabama political expert 
Big Pharma is spending a ton of money to keep Josh Segall out of Congress. 
Although I guess that's obvious, I never gave it much thought until I met 
Our best bet to elect more and better Democrats from Alabama is 
Everyone tells us the economy is bad and credit is tight, but the economic crisis is personal for 
Josh Segall, who is making another run at Rogers in 2010, announced that he has hired 
