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The Alabama gubernatorial primaries are still over 300 days away but the races are already heating up. Today in my in box I get a response from Artur Davis to Ron Sparks policy platform released today. An hour or so later, I get a press release from the Sparks camp about his policy positions.
Right now if I had to make an educated guess I believe that the following issues will dominate
affordability of higher education highlighted by the PACT failures of the past year
gambling - how to regulate it and how to tax it
health care
Here's Sparks lottery proposal:
State lotteries are educating the children of Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Every year Alabamians spend millions on these lotteries to help educate the children of other states. A LifeStart lottery will make sure that Alabama dollars educate Alabama children.
You want to hear something frightening? About 21,000 9th grade students in this state will not get a high school diploma. Every year 21,000 kids enter the 9th grade who will not graduate.
And for many who do graduate, higher education is just a dream that costs too much. College tuition in Alabama is increasing at more than twice the rate as the average family income.
It is tragic that so many talented young people drop out of school. It is equally tragic that the dream of a better future is just too expensive for so many. That's why, as Governor, I'll fight to create the LifeStart Scholarship Lottery program.
Every high school student with a "C" or better average will be guaranteed a scholarship to a public Alabama University, two year college, or technical program of their choice. All others who graduate or earn a GED will be guaranteed a technical or trade education.
LifeStart scholarships will also provide funding for apprenticeship programs in both union and non-union craft training facilities. Whether a child wants to be a PhD or pipefitter, LifeStart scholarships will make their dreams a reality.
You want to make a difference in Alabama? LifeStart Scholarships will lower dropout rates, improve the quality of our workforce, and create hope for future generations.
I promise you, if you elect me your governor, we'll make a difference.
Davis had this to say
"It's a good thing that Ron Sparks has signed onto Congressman Davis' goals of funding college costs for young people who need help, of allowing local communities to make their own choices on gaming, and eliminating the regressive state tax on food and prescription drugs. But to achieve these ideas, Sparks has managed to cobble together some golden oldies from the last ten years of failed stalemates in Montgomery. Instead of putting forward new plans to strengthen public education, instead of proposing new ideas to recruit high paying jobs, Sparks wants to refight old political battles from the past decade. When pressed on how much money his plans would bring in, or how he would deal with existing laws on gaming, he said he did not know. What Alabamians are hearing from Sparks is nothing but the old Alabama politics-- the same old sound bites, fuzzy math, and no bold new plans that challenge us to move forward."
I'm a big fan of Act Blue and Twitter . When I found out the new concept where you can donate through Twitter, I was like a kid at a Candy store.
What I love about this partnership is that it has great untapped potential. This concept has the potential to take hold of the "political moment" and turn that into grassroots giving to Democratic candidates.
Here's what Act Blue says
Ultimately, we're looking for a new culture of online giving, not driven solely by asks from candidates and their fundraisers, but a mesh of activity underlying each day's online political discourse. With ActBlue and Twitter, we can go beyond sending out "attaboys" when a Congressman votes the right way. Imagine instead if those votes drove a flurry of micro-contributions, or a matching pledge implemented as a Twitter bot that automatically responds to contributions with the matching donor's own gift.
Please set up your express Act Blue account and take aim. This effort will only grow with your use and promotion. I have no doubts that this can and will be a major tool in the 2010 cycle.
The City of Birmingham like other municipalities in the region faces some tough economic times ahead. Next month the residents of the city will go to the polls to vote on whether to reject the current city councilors or elect new ones that they believe have the potential to do better for the Magic City.
District 7, which encompasses the West End section of Birmingham, will have an open election. Councilor Miriam Witherspoon, who by all accounts did an exemplary job, passed away a little over two months ago . Jay Roberson has emerged as the leading candidate to take this spot on the City Council.
I've had the opportunity to watch Jay Roberson develop as a leader in Birmingham over the past decade. I've been very impressed. Jay will bring a lot of unique talents and skill sets to City Government that we do not have on our current council. Currently, Jay is the Associate Athletic Director at Samford University. You can read his complete bio at his facebook page .
Birmingham needs leaders who understand business and economic development. Jay Roberson gets it evidenced by not only talking to him but knowing his vast experience in sports management in several different capacities.
ADECA chief - Bill Johnson resigned his post this week to get in the Alabama Gov's Race.
While he's getting in, Alabama Supreme Court Judge Sue Bell Cobb gets out officially. Well she was never in just testing the waters and from what I suspect realized that she would not have support from her usual base.
So on the Democratic side it's going to be an Artur Davis and Ron Sparks battle.
According to facts on Elect Women Magazine Website
*Women make up only 17% of the members of Congress
* Only 10% of women have ever thought about running for office, compared with 20% of men. Lawless and Fox (2005)
Smoot aims to become the First African American female elected to Congress from Alabama.
Alabama currently has no female members of Congress.
The article makes mention of the Smoot campaign utilizing social media and grassroots efforts.
So far Smoot is very excitied about the direction of her campaign. She recently placed her 15-year-old daughter in charge of part of her campaign called Teens for Smoot and the response from the young people has been overwhelming. "The young people especially like that they can follow me on Facebook and Twitter," said Smoot. Smoot has also organized a group called Seasoned Citizens for Smoot, which is a group of senior citizens in the District that she had engaged in order to hear their concerns.
The Minnesota Supreme Court today unanimously ruled in favor of Al Franken! This is fantastic news for Progressives. As Franken will join the thin ranks of Progressive Senators. He'll be up there with Russ Feingold, Bernie Sanders and John Kerry (are there others?).
It's been a while since our Michele Bachmann watch. If you haven't been following this bit with Bachmann refusing to answer Census questions you are missing out.
You may have heard that my opponent, Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, has alluded to dark conspiracies regarding the U.S. Census and internment camps. Congresswoman Bachmann is apparently fearful of what can be done with Census data.
I am not afraid of the Census, and I certainly do not want anyone fearing the Census. In fact, I am eager to participate in the US Census and hope others Minnesotans will as well, because completing the census form will help the citizens and communities of Minnesota's 6th Congressional district.
This sentiment exists apparently despite President Obama taking a step in signing a memorandum extending benefits to same-sex civil union employees.
President Obama made the following statement
"I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans," the president said in a proclamation this month. "These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in a way that strengthens our armed forces and our national security."
Although I've seen criticism of Obama for not repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell, remember that he has been in office not even half a year. We face the worst economic crisis this country has seen since the great depression and have learned of grave nuclear threats in Iran.
I would say that President Obama should get credit for what he has done. Keep up the pressure for what he has not yet done but promised. I have no doubt that he is an able competent President that will try and follow through on each of his campaign promises to every community.
The Artur Davis 2010 Gubernatorial team announced that Joey Ceci of Main Street Strategies in Huntsville and David Mowery of Mowery Consulting group in MOntgomery have joined their campaign as Senior Advisors.
Both Ceci and Mowery are well known in political circles for their 2008-09 wins. Ceci managed Parker Griffith's campaign (AL-05) and Mowery managed Bobby Bright (AL-02) and the election of Todd Strange as Montgomery Mayor earlier this year.
I think that is another public perception move showing that Davis is serious about winning votes in Huntsville and the Wiregrass. However, I'm also curious as if this means neither Ceci or Mowery will be working on the Bright and Griffith re-election campaigns if Davis wins the primary.
Griffith and Bright will be facing tough challenges and from what I've heard from some Huntsville folks Griffith's challenge might be much tougher than anyone expects.
Just a diary here on this subject. Could be a thesis paper or perhaps even a book. I've long been interested in the connection between celebrities (specifically in music, sports and other pop culture) that have been involved in political campaigns.
I've recently thought of Michael Jordan's line on why he was reluctant to get involved in a North Carolina U.S. senate race between Harvey Gantt and Jesse Helms
Republicans Buy Nike's too
Generally, Michael Jordan's apparent apathy was seen as being political in its own right. Staying out of political campaigns not to offend any advertisers or consumers.
Most recently, in a Friday radio interview, I was asked about Michael Jackson's political involvement. I simply defined Michael Jackson as a humanitarian with his efforts to eradicate poverty, world hunger and AIDS. I never knew of the King of Pop to get involved in any political campaigns.
While a number of celebrities stay out of political campaigns, others become extensively involved. NewsMeat provides data on celebrity giving to political campaigns.
This is a useful site on uncovering info on newsmakers. The site updates the popular searches who at the moment include Mark Sanford, Donald Trump, Steve Jobs, Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jordan and Farrah Fawcett.
I wrote a diary last year on whether celebrity endorsements matter , this is simply pointing out where you can find celebrity political donor information.
John Kyl (Sen-AZ) had been delaying the nomination over concerns about Obama administration talks with Russia about arms reduction. Tauscher is also getting married this weekend.
This allows the CA-10 election to be set by the TermaGovernor sometime in the next 14 days.
Here at the Progressive Electorate we are supporting Anthony Woods.
Let me preface this by shame on the entire Alabama U.S. House delegation that voted against this bill. This diary focuses on Congressman Artur Davis of AL-07 which as a PVI of D +18. Not Gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis.
"This bill is going to wreak havoc with manufacturing sectors"
Cap and Trade reform is needed. While I can understand Davis's position, I disagree with his contention that it is best for AL-07. Long term energy solutions are needed for the environment and the economy. Green economy legislation will have long term impact on the economy in Alabama and the Southeast
There is no political commentary that I enjoy more than that from Cenk Uygar and Anna Kasparian of the Young Turks on Youtube. I think they badly need a spot on a major political network, so long as that network allows them to continue their show as is. (HBO maybe?)
On Wednesday Cenk was absolutely thrilled with the news that Mark Sanford's political career was over.
Cenk is the best! A former Republican Cenk has seen the light and become one of the most trustworthy commentators there is. Some of my favorite The Young Turks videos below the fold.
Learned a lot about new innovative environmentally and eco-friendly business concepts. Check out Farmer D - creator of farms and products - for the earth and its people.
It's well past time that such terms such as composting and community gardens and conservation become part of the common vernacular. I think a lot of people would be amazed at the progress that has been made in the green industry.
So much news in one day. The death of Farrah Fawcett. The NBA draft. But all of it is topped by the untimely death of Michael Jackson forever known as the "King of Pop".
I would contend that Michael Jackson has been the most easily recognized worldwide celebrity for decades. Every person has some Michael Jackson memory to share. Never saw him in concert though.
While I grew up on Thriller, I was a big fan of the Jackson 5. Not so much for the later stuff.
Whatever you want to say, you cannot deny that Michael Jackson was one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
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