How Would You Rank Our Last Several Governors?

[Syrinx]

Going back to Wallace's final term.

Here's my opinion:

1. "Little Jim" Folsom

He was instrumental in bringing the automotive industry to Alabama, and he removed the confederate flag from the state Capitol.

2. Don Siegelman/Bob Riley (tie)

Siegelman lost a big opportunity to be a truly progressive "New South" governor due largely to his shady business dealings. Still, he was
better than most of our recent governors. Riley is a Republican, so it might seem surprising that I have him tied with Siegelman. But Riley promoted, unsuccessfully, a bold and progressive tax reform plan that would have benefited the state and its people tremendously. The
Democrats in the state legislature supported it for the most part, but Riley's own party would have none of it. Riley's major weakness has
been in his choices for Attorney General.

3. George Wallace

This is after he disavowed and apologized for his racist past. He vastly increased the number of African-Americans in state government, and even hired a black man to be his press secretary. He was finally a populist governor for people of all colors. If he had still possessed the health and energy of his earlier years, he could have been a great governor.

4. Guy Hunt

To tell the truth, I can't think of anything Hunt accomplished, except getting removed from office for stealing money.

5. Fob James

The absolute worst governor in recent memory. He infamously stated that "The Bill Of Rights does not apply to Alabama." And he swore that he would call in the state troopers and the National Guard to prevent the removal of the 10 Commandments monument from the state judicial building in Montgomery

[NEOBuckeye]

1. Wasn't Charles Barkley planning on running there eventually?

[Syrinx]

2. he says that from time to time

I really don't know if he's serious or not.

[quaoar]

3. He's serious

But he had his attorney research it and discovered a clause in the state constitution that says you have to be a resident of the state for 7 years before becoming governor. Barkley lives in Arizona.

[quaoar]

4. Fob was a piece of work

His Waffle House comment will live forever in state folklore.

Here's a nifty list on Fob from the NYT:
(a) He threatened to call out the National Guard to defend the display of the Ten Commandments in courts. (b) He reintroduced chain gangs. (c) He wrote a 34-page letter to the Supreme Court explaining why the Bill of Rights does not apply to states. (d) He put his staff to work modeling the state government on the Waffle House restaurant chain. (e) He spent $3,000 of state money sending a book to explain creationism to biology teachers. (f) He advised teachers to give troublesome students "a pop on the fanny." (g) He told ministers the way to end violence: "A good butt-whipping and then a prayer is a wonderful remedy."

Riley and Siegelman would get good grades if they had succeeded in fixing the school system. Siegelman gets an F for his sleazy business deals.

Guy Hunt you just sort of felt sorry for. A tragic figure in the end.

Folsom deserves great credit for bringing Mercedes to Alabama.

[Syrinx]

5. hmm, I forgot about the Waffle House thing

I really don't know how James was such a successful businessman, because he seems really, really dumb.

[quaoar]

7. That's easy

He parlayed his football connections.

[BamaLefty]

6. John Patterson

I always liked him...

[Syrinx]

8. he was a little before my time I think

But isn't he the one that busted up the organized crime in Phenix City?

[BamaLefty]

9. That Was His Father

And he was murdered for it.