So I have kind of been hanging back, just waiting on the right moment to fire up the energy for the upcoming 2018 mid-term elections. Turns out, here in Alabama we are gonna have a governors race as well. Normally, you would have 1 to zero democrats running, but this year we have no less than 5 candidates running as democrats for governor. Not only that, we got a really great prospect in Walt Maddox.
I was already pretty much sold on Walt, but I had a great opportunity to check out a debate with all the candidates in Birmingham on Tuesday night. Even better, it took place in the historic Lyric Theatre.
From The Lyric website
Built in 1914 for B.F. Keith’s Vaudeville circuit, the Lyric is one of few theatres still existing today that was specifically designed to maximize the acoustics and close seating needed for vaudeville shows. Major stars such as the Marx Brothers, Mae West, Sophie Tucker, Will Rogers and Milton Berle played the Lyric. Berle said it was “as fine a theatre as any in New York.”
This was a very cool space to attend a debate. They had security with hand wands, but cameras, water, and purses were welcome. The host Al.com Reckon were super friendly. There is a hip coffee, booze bar attached to the main theater. The house was maybe half full. Diverse, but mostly I would guess a bit older, not the college crowd.
Walt got a lot of cheering, and he seemed to be the crowd favorite. But Sue Cobb Bell had a few supporters too. Walt and Sue are considered the favorites to make it to a run-off. Also there is James Fields, from Cullman, Alabama. If James were to win, he would be Alabama’s first black governor.
The debate was surprisingly fun. And funny too. James had a pretty good sense of humor, and brought some laughs to the crowd. He came off as a bit too shiny, and polished. I thought at the very least he may be in the run-off with Walt instead of Sue Cobb Bell. She floundered and got a bit judgemental. But then, she is a retired Alabama Supreme Court Judge, so yeah. But her biggest sin was endorsing Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. Yep, the crowd booed her on it. Not good. then she attacked Walt Maddox for his handling of the 2011 tornado clean up in Tuscaloosa. Walt lit on her like a hot wasp, the crowd was loud. It was some great energy. Hissing and commenting. more fun than a ruckus concert.
For me, it was all downhill for Sue after that exchange. She had announced at the beginning of the debate her husband had just been diagnosed with heart issues, and would have to have surgery. Walt offered her comfort and the thoughts and prayers of his family, She thanked him, and 45 minutes later she is full out attacking Walt about the 2011 tornado that hit Tuscaloosa and other cities in Alabama. From Al.com
"They called the redevelopment of Tuscaloosa 'disaster capitalism' ... and what they concluded looking at the rezoning ... the only people who benefitted from the tornado and redevelopment were wealthy developers and wealthy students," Cobb said. "The working people that were going to work every day, cleaning the university, doing the yard work ... they lost their homes. They lost their homes."
Maddox said Cobb's comments "illustrate the differences between your experiences and my experiences," adding that his two re-elections since the tornado back up his record.
If I were Sue, I would just pack it in. Does she really want to put herself through all this, just to lose in the end? Walt Maddox was energetic, sincere, and smart. He was the only candidate to advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana. Walt is mayor of Tuscaloosa, he has worked to make small amounts of marijuana possession be handled by a ticket, not criminal prosecution.
When asked how he would reach out to the Republicans, Walt had a great answer. He argued that folks needing heath care is not a partisan issue. Small towns losing their local hospitals is not a republican or democratic issue. Nor are Pre-K education, or paid college tuition, or a lottery, or fixing bridges, and roads. He wants to expand Medicaid, bring medical marijuana. even full legalization. Walt has been Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Alabama since he was 32 years old. He is now 45. I like those numbers. Tuscaloosa is the heart of political power in Alabama. The University of Alabama pretty much runs state politics. I sense that there is pretty wide approval for Walt in the secret power halls of Alabama. So that could be a huge boost to a candidate like Walt Maddox. Even with a D by his name.
We need young blood to lead the future. Kay Ivy is 71 years old. But she won’t be the republican nominee for governor anyway. I think it will be Tommy Battle, also a mayor. Big problem, all the republicans endorsed Roy Moore. That taint is strong on the whole lot. The main compliant I hear about Tommy Battle is why did he even endorse Moore. Also, as the mayor of Huntsville, Battle lobbied for Remington to open a big ole gun factory in his city. Offering up some millions to grab a couple of thousand jobs. They currently have about 600 jobs at that factory, and Remington is in bankruptcy.
Walt Maddox has all the right attributes to potentially to be a terrific governor. Sure, this is a heavy lift. But I think not really as heavy as Doug Jones. The blue wave crashed the shore already. I can hear the arguments now, oh noo, it’s been 25 years since we had a democrat as governor. Yeah? Well guess what? Change happens, and now is the time. The red dead desert is gonna flood with blue in November. So jump aboard, don’t be afraid to ride the rapids right into the Governor’s House in November.
Check out Walt Maddox's campaign website. He has got the right stuff to be a great governor for Alabama.