Siegelman All But Says He Is Running

[taleast]

Siegelman was in Huntsville Monday night and said that "if qualifying was today I'd sign up." What is so funny about this is that if anybody has a brain they know he is running. Why else would Siegelman have hired a political consulting firm a few months ago. No doubt about it, Siegelman is gearing up to try and ruin the Democrats party (no pun intended) in 2006. We have a strong candidate in Lucy Baxley and it almost sickens me that Siegelman would divide our party for his own gain. The Huntsville Times reports that:

Last month, Siegelman filed preliminary campaign papers with the secretary of state.

He said Monday a lengthy criminal investigation won't influence his decision about whether to seek another term as governor next year.

Four months ago, Siegelman kicked off a series of "listening posts" in Huntsville and told the Monday night gathering he wants to hear from the people.

"I'd like to find out what people think about the state of the state," he said.

But Siegelman did most of the talking, noting that federal grand juries have revived delving into alleged wrongdoing in his administration.

U.S. attorneys "might as well be working for Bob Riley," he said.

Nothing left to say, except 100% selfishness.

From: Alabama-Democrat

[Rowdyboy]

1. I'm from Mississippi and I follow Alabama politics and-IMHO-Seigelman

is dead meat. I think Lucy will mop up the floor with Seigelman, Riley or most anyone the Repubs might run. Am I wrong?

Admittedly, I've never understood why Bill Baxley was never elected governor or senator. From my POV, he was a class act, Alabama's Bill Clinton.

[taleast]

2. Good Book On Alabama Politics

There is a good book on Alabama politics called Inside Alabama by Harvey Jackson if you want to check it out.

Here is a link to APTV where you can watch an interview with Jackson about the book.

[taleast]

3. I am not worried about him winning...

Oh, Siegelman can't win. I did not mean to imply that. He will get murdered, but he could cause problems to a party that after 2004, as far as Alabama goes, needs none. It is funny you brought up Bill Baxley, because regardless of how good of a man he was, that was about the last time members of the Democratic Party looked out for themselves and not the party as a whole and we ended up with the biggest doofus in the world, Guy Hunt. For chrissake, I don't think the man could/can read. Baxley lost in the primaries fair & square and instead of looking out for the party and allowing us an easy victory over the idiot Hunt, he contested the election and handed the Republicans there 1st gubernatorial win in Alabama history. The rest is history. Anyway, that just illustrates would COULD happen. Siegelman is definitely running now, I just hope he gets out early before he hurts Mrs. Baxley and also costs her much needed contributions, because rest assured Roy Moore will have plenty of money rolling in.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama-Democrat

[misanthrope]

4. Since it was...

..."Charcoal" Charlie Graddick that Baxley was running against in the primary, I would have my doubts as whether anything was "fair & square."

[taleast]

12. Point

Well it was as "fair" as any election, but the point is that right or Wong people put the interests of themselves over the interest of the party and it cost us big time for years. I don't want to see that needlessly happen again and that is the path that we are on.

[misanthrope]

13. Granted...

...self-interest hurt things for the Democratic Party in 'Bama, but I think there was a slow push to the GOP that was well underway by that point. The Baxley-Graddick fracas only sped up the inevitable, in my opinion.

My post was meant as a comment on Graddick as much as anything else. Here in Mobile, his hometown, his name still raises a lot of fear and animosity among locals. I know of one fellow he tried to frame for a murder the guy assuredly didn't commmit (he was exonerated) and it looks like race played a role in the accusation.

There was also another local man of color whom Charlie sent to the chair for murder, despite testimony validating his alibi and the man's severe mental handicap. Guess what? Race was a factor in that one, too.

Graddick gives me the willies.

[AUYellowDog]

9. The way I see it breaking down.

Gov. Seigleman came and spoke the the Auburn College Democrats in April and pretty much told one of the reporters there that he was running. I liked what he had to say, but his plan has already been defeated once in Alabama, and unfortunately it will happen again. Lucy Baxley will beat Seigleman hands down in the primaries. Seigleman lost alot of the Auburn and Auburn fan vote for appointing Bobby Lowder to our Board of Trustees. We hate Lowder. Secondly, even democrats are torn on the lottery issue. Baxley has momentum and a strong following. Seigleman got elected, not because more people voted FOR him, but because more people voted AGAINST Fob James. Right now, the two I see going for the republican nod would be Riley (of course), and Roy Moore. I see Moore winning the primaries because Riley lost so much respect in the eyes of Republicans for trying to pass Amendment 1 a few years back and raise taxes. Moore also gets the Christian Fundamentalist vote too. Then, in turn, Baxley wipes the floor with Roy Moore because, yes, we know where he stands on the 10 commandments and morality, but what about education, the budget, business, etc? He has no stance and no experience in the executive branch of government. I see Baxley winning by 10 points. We can only hope so anyway.

Brandon

By the way, for anyone in the Auburn area, Nancy Whorley (Secretary of State) and Lucy Baxley (Lt. Governor) are both going to be speaking at AUCD meetings coming up this fall. If you would like more info, let me know.

[southlandshari]

10. Welcome to DU, AUYellowDog!

Happy to have you in the Alabama state forum, please make yourself at home. And this might help....

Warrrrr Eagle!

Shari

[Rowdyboy]

15. Interesting analysis....

BTW, welcome to DU from a fellow southerner...

[BamaLefty]

5. Nice Post

I agree 100%. What does he think he is doing??? :shrug:

[Gayla]

6. And the grand jury has been extended into this fall...

Part of me wants to say, fine let's have a very open primary and let
the voters decide who our candidate should be. The other part of
me says, screw the voters, I want to win..

I like Don a lot, but I don't think he can win. And there is just so much money in the pie.

My hope is that no matter who's in the primary, we don't tear ourselves apart like I foresee Riley and Moore doing, so we come
out strong for the general election!

[BamaLefty]

7. It Will Serve Riley Best Not To Run Either

[newyawker99]

18. Hi Gayla!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[quaoar]

8. Siegelman should run against Sessions in 2008

There's no one else out there who might beat Sessions.

[taleast]

11. Yes

Yes, run against Sessions, or against somebody for dog catcher for all I care, but stay away from Mrs. Baxley. The only MAJOR advantage the Democratic Party SHOULD have in 2006 is that Bob Riley/Roy Moore will have primary opposition and she SHOULD NOT. If Siegelman stays in he will have lost a lot of respect from me, as I believe that he is putting selfish interests over that of the party as a whole.

[BamaLefty]

17. Sessions Gets 55-60% no matter who he runs against

Even though he looks like one of Santa's elves. :P

[southpaw]

14. Moore scares the shit out of me...

It has been said that Moore doesn't have as much of a chance at winning as I think, but I never underestimate the strength of the fundie base here in Alabama.

Honestly, I would rather keep Riley than end up with Moore.

Lucy Baxley is our best hope. Don should sit this one out.

[BamaLefty]

16. Moore Is a Fundie, sure enough

but he does not walk with the corporate Republicans. Go figure...