Reckon who was doing the kicking and who offered up his/our face? Perhaps Joe Turnham will get next year's Nobel Peace Prize?
My local paper, the Opelika-Auburn News, deep in the buckle of the Bible Belt yet with a few Progressives from Auburn University and elsewhere, provides space for the Alabama Democratic and Republican Chairpersons to share regular columns. The O-A news apparently asked these “leaders” to share what they admired about the opposing party. What followed from Joe Turnham (D) and Mike Hubbard (R) suggests a very dim future for my Alabama absent some serious change. Joe Turnham, still apparently practicing Leading from our Knees, the title of his recently released book on leadership from a Biblical perspective, remains down there so that Mike Hubbard may more easily kick him (us?) in the face. There’s more below the fold.
Here on the Great Orange Satan I once opined that Joe Turnham perhaps ought to be building the kingdom of God rather than leading the Alabama Democratic Party. On Left in Alabama I suggested via comments that these two columns actually provided opportunities to challenge both Joe Turnham and Mike Hubbard.
The following is what I posted to Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham’s column:
"When compared to Alabama GOP Chairman Mike Hubbard’s response to the same question, this submission is truly revealing. Joe Turnham’s response was all too gentle. To expect bipartisanship or even minimal courtesy from much of today’s GOP is a fool’s errand I fear.
Given the complexities of Alabama’s politics, where the Big Mules and our ancient, bloated, and power concentrating 1901 Constitution, plus race and religion, loom large, it is easier for me to focus on the national scene.
I’d have referenced the impressive message machine of the GOP. Mike Hubbard’s own WANI AM 1400 has a stable of right wing talkers spewing hate, lies, and distraction almost around the clock. These angry “talents” tap into nearly every nook of the heartland and unfortunately have few if any other voices situated to challenge their flawed fulminations.
The way certain groups were able to harness the understandable fears and frustrations of some teabagging citizens recently was an illustration of not only managing but also manufacturing the message. They knew what buttons to push but could also create some new buttons if need be.
The GOP’s networks of think tanks and advocacy/issue organizations, some even providing a handy tax deduction, funded by often the same families and firms, is downright amazing. The way they’ve taken once radical ideas and brought them into the mainstream in these last four or so decades is impressive even while bringing us to near collective ruin.
The GOP routinely win elections when they hold positions that run contrary to what the majority of the people favor. They do a terrible job in governing, perhaps in that they don’t or hardly believe in government, and yet keep being elected to leadership positions.
The discipline, coordination, and long sightedness of movement conservatives is also something that routinely places me in awe. How they do this so effectively and avoid outright civil war between the religious right, corporate free marketeers, crony capitalists, neo-conservatives, reactionary isolationists, xenophobic nativists, libertarians, and the vestiges of the old East Coast establishment remains a mystery to me.
The way they work the media and have convinced much of the public that the for profit, consolidated media is biased toward a liberal, “elitist” view is stunning. They’ve nearly made it to where stenography of two positions passes for journalism as it is “balanced”. We now have politainment that passes for a vigorous press.
The ability of their consultants to craft simple narratives, often completely contrary to the facts, and get everyone from their politicians to the lowliest operative to repeat them with such single minded focus is impressive. The Democratic Party thinks their ten point plan will work and the right taps into primal networks that reliably deliver electoral successes.
The GOP keeps their party structure, and especially their base, tuned in and fired up. The other team struggles here again and again. The right has organizations, fellowships, training, and jobs available for young folks to get started in their movement. Their grooming of activists and future leaders runs circles around the Democratic Party.
The GOP is always on offense. Indeed Joe Turnham could learn much from their politics in this area. Finally, for the true believers, conservatism never fails but can only be failed."
I’ve not yet phrased a response to Alabama GOP Chairman Mike Hubbard’s piece but anticipate referencing his WANI 1400 stable of right wing hate talkers in that as well. Citizens may not be aware that in the case of Mike Hubbard he profits and panders simultaneously.
His profiteering or “double dipping” with the state seems also worthy of reference. Hubbard is an investor with Craftmaster Printers, which get tons of business from Auburn University and other big players in the area. Mr. Hubbard’s responses to a 2007 interview questions is interesting in that he claims he works for, but does not own, the multi-media business in question. His own Auburn Network bio states he sold that facet to International Sports Properties where he still serves as President of the Auburn project. He repeatedly offers that he is not receiving tax payer money. That he likely profits (or profited, gets/got paid from, etc.) over his investment and payments to Auburn, apparently obtained via exceptions to bidding laws, is glossed over.
Then again, Joe Turnham must earn a living as well. His own family member’s troubles with the Alabama Junior College scandals and resulting guilty plea didn’t come cheap yet I have no knowledge of Joe’s involvement before, during, or after the sentence.
As for Chairman/Representative Hubbard’s admiration for those politicians with the “good sense to switch and change their allegiance to the Alabama Republican Party”, he referenced State Sen. Jimmy Holley from Southeast Alabama. Hubbard claimed Holley “felt more at home with the beliefs and values of the Republican Party than the far-left, liberal ideas that have come to dominate the Democratic Party on both the state and national levels.” However, Holley, understandably, had mostly gotten crossways with fellow Democrat Lowell Barron and was thus motivated by personal feelings rather than politics. Those familiar with Alabama politics can appreciate the incredibly complex alliances formed up on Goat Hill in Montgomery. Heck, Holley was a Clark for President advocate.
Hubbard wrote, “… Senator Richard Shelby gave a similar reason in 1995 when he could no longer stomach the tax-raising policies of the Clinton administration and Congressional Democrats and jumped the aisle.” The switch wouldn’t have had anything to do with the political winds and a crafty politician sensing an opportunity would it? And Mike, y’all can have Shelby. Like you offered, he’d supported the Bu$hCo tax cuts for the swells and pretty much everything else Dubyah mucked up.
Mike Hubbard also shared, “Former Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett switched after Democrats pressured him to certify Sonny Hornsby as the winner over Republican Perry Hooper, Sr. in the 1994 Chief Justice campaign. This pressure came despite the fact that several illegal and unwitnessed absentee ballots had been cast in the race. Bennett’s principled refusal resulted in a federal court ruling Hooper as the winner and led the secretary to join the GOP shortly thereafter.”
What a wonderful opportunity to reflect back on Karl Rove’s impressive work before and after the voting in handing the Alabama Appellate Courts to the Business Council of Alabama. Florida’s hanging chads of 2000 were hardly Karl Rove’s first rodeo when it came to “the intent of the voter” situations.
Like Senator Shelby, Jim Bennett was a seasoned politician. Reckon Jim Bennett noted how “Fumbling Fob” James surprisingly won the 1994 governor’s race? Might he have decided if wanted to still be a player he’d need to be on a different team? In fact, Jim Bennett went on to serve as Labor Commissioner under Alabama Governor Bob Riley.
Mike Hubbard used the following as his close: “With Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and other Washington Democrats kicking the country to the left despite grassroots protests and Alabama Democrats seeming to follow their lead, the 2010 cycle I shaping up to be a good one for the Republican Party — one that I believe will lead to future party changes, as well.”
“Grassroots protests” Mike? Seriously, awareness of David Koch’s Americans for “Prosperity” or Dick Armey’s “FreedomWorks” or … might be something the average soul in Alabama isn’t tracking.
Following their lead Mike? Congressman and Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis continues resisting health care legislation as presently being considered. And Bobby Bright and Parker Griffith are Blue Dogs of the worst sort.
As for 2010, Hubbard’s hopes likely rest more on the seriously slick web presence, networking tools, and bank account that he and his have built through an impressive fundraising effort.
As an aside, in a contemporaneous piece in the Opelika-Auburn News, AL-03 CongressCritter Mike Rogers even applied Frank Luntz’ healthcare reform “government takeover” talking points to the “student loan industry.” Duh! Monthly I send his opponent Josh Segall money but may double up given this column. Care to join me?
I'll close with news that I'm heading toward Auburn, Alabama for fifteen days of rest and relaxation later today from way, way across the pond, I’ll share a "War Damn Eagle!" Since we’re playing the Razorbacks this weekend I’ll even add the obligatory “Do I smell bacon?”