Post Primary Discussion

[AUTiger1]

As much shit on this board about Tim James, I figured someone would have started a thread about the primary races that took place on Tuesday.


DISCUSS!


I figured that Parker Griffith was going down like a cheerleader on prom night. I was hoping that Les Phillip was going to make a stronger showing and at least be in a runoff.  I liked him, but now it looks like it is down to Brooks and Raby.  Robert Bentley coming out of nowhere and catching and passing James was the shock for me.  If I were placing money on it, I would have said that James and Byrne would have been neck and neck all the way and be in the runoff.  I kinda like Bentley.....or should I say that I like him more than the others?  I am not really thrilled about any candidate this time.  I was surprised that Davis got beat as bad as he did.  I kinda thought Sparks would win, but not that big.  I guess he did piss of the black vote.  I read today that Davis said his political career is over, we shall see.

Comments anyone?  What about the races from your districts?

[JR4AU]

As much shit on this board about Tim James, I figured someone would have started a thread about the primary races that took place on Tuesday.


DISCUSS!


I figured that Parker Griffith was going down like a cheerleader on prom night. I was hoping that Les Phillip was going to make a stronger showing and at least be in a runoff.  I liked him, but now it looks like it is down to Brooks and Raby.  Robert Bentley coming out of nowhere and catching and passing James was the shock for me.  If I were placing money on it, I would have said that James and Byrne would have been neck and neck all the way and be in the runoff.  I kinda like Bentley.....or should I say that I like him more than the others?  I am not really thrilled about any candidate this time.  I was surprised that Davis got beat as bad as he did.  I kinda thought Sparks would win, but not that big.  I guess he did piss of the black vote.  I read today that Davis said his political career is over, we shall see.

Comments anyone?  What about the races from your districts?

I was encouraged by the fact that Tim James' and Dale Peterson's "hey rednecks, I'm your man" ads didn't work. 

[Snaggletiger]

I was encouraged by the fact that Tim James' and Dale Peterson's "hey rednecks, I'm your man" ads didn't work. 

Every night when I get home, there are recorded messages from candidates on my phone.  The night before the election, I had one from Tim James saying, "This is Tim James.  I have been attacked for my stance on the English language by liberal, left wing...blah blah blah...blah blah blah blah blah....blah blah..."  SKIP.

[Token]

On the republican ticket in Etowah County.....

Bentley -- 3576
Moore  --  3337
James --  3104
Byrne --  1820

Roy Moore is from Etowah County and it was a complete shock for a lot of people that he didn't carry the County.  What's even more of a shock is that Bentley did.  I really expected Byrne and Moore to be a close race.  

On Democrat....

Sparks -- 3369
Davis -- 1276

Ron Sparks will take Etowah County by a landslide in November.  We had a lot of Democrats chose the "Blue Ticket" because of our local Sheriff's race.  People were coming in by the hundreds and asking for the ticket with the Sheriff.  The General election will be a lot different.  

The reason Sparks will carry Etowah in the general is because of his stance on gambling.  We have a lot of citizens who are tired of not having a say in the matter.  That, and his agriculture background.  

[AUTiger1]

I figure that will hurt Bentley a good bit.  He is personally opposed to gambling but thinks that it should be brought up on a ballot for vote by the people, but he won't push for it. In other words, if elected, he wouldn't block it, but he is not going to push the legislature to push something through either.  Now he has said that if put up for a vote, and it is defeated that he wants it to be where it can't be voted on for another 10 years.   (paraphrasing)

[JR4AU]

On the republican ticket in Etowah County.....

Bentley -- 3576
Moore  --  3337
James --  2104
Byrne --  1820

Roy Moore is from Etowah County and it was a complete shock for a lot of people that he didn't carry the County.  What's even more of a shock is that Bentley did.  I really expected Byrne and Moore to be a close race.  

On Democrat....

Sparks -- 3369
Davis -- 1276

Ron Sparks will take Etowah County by a landslide in November.  We had a lot of Democrats chose the "Blue Ticket" because of our local Sheriff's race.  People were coming in by the hundreds and asking for the ticket with the Sheriff.  The General election will be a lot different.  

The reason Sparks will carry Etowah in the general is because of his stance on gambling.  We have a lot of citizens who are tired of not having a say in the matter.  That, and his agriculture background.  

Runoffs and general elections will be very hard to call in these races.  No national races to gauge how the turnout will be, and there has been and will continue to be lots of crossover voting until the general election. 

Moore's following is loyal, but relatively small, though large enough for the other Repubs to go after. 

[Tiger Wench]

So, for those of us who do not live in Bammer and are too lazy to google it - who won?

[Token]

So, for those of us who do not live in Bammer and are too lazy to google it - who won?

Right now it appears to be Ron Sparks (D) vs. he winner of the runoff between Bradley Byrne (R) and Robert Bentley (R).  That's just the Governor's race. 

[Tiger Wench]

Right now it appears to be Ron Sparks (D) vs. he winner of the runoff between Bradley Byrne (R) and Robert Bentley (R).  That's just the Governor's race.  

Isn't Bentley a doctor?  I think that's who my dad voted for.  He refused to vote for anyone's who had a last name that had appeared on the ballot before (meaning Wallace, Beasley, James, etc.)

He also deliberately voted against every single incumbent on general principle.

I love my daddy!

[AUTiger1]

Well, for Governor, it will be Ron Sparks (D) against the runoff winner of Bradley Byrne and either Tim James or Robert Bently.  It looks like Tim James wants a recount and it could be next week before we know.  For most of the night the news was reporting that it was Byrne and James separated by about 1000 votes and Bentley was behind about about 1000 behind them.   As the precincts kept coming in, Byrne pulled away and Bentley caught James and eventually passed him by 220 something votes (I think) and sometime next week we should know if it will be Bentley or James in the runoff against Byrne. 

Congressional District 5 (Bud Cramer's old seat, and now Parker Griffith's old seat):  Mo Brooks won pretty handily.  Parker Griffith will soon be unemployed.  Mo Brooks will run against Steve Raby who beat up Taze Shepard easily.

[AUTiger1]

Isn't Bentley a doctor?  I think that's who my dad voted for.  He refused to vote for anyone's who had a last name that had appeared on the ballot before (meaning Wallace, Beasley, James, etc.)

He also deliberately voted against every single incumbent on general principle.

I love my daddy!

Yeah he is a Doctor.....speaking of those whose name appeared on the ballot before, George Wallace Jr lost his race for State Treasurer against Young Boozer.....gotta love that name.

[Tiger Wench]

Yeah he is a Doctor.....speaking of those whose name appeared on the ballot before, George Wallace Jr lost his race for State Treasurer against Young Boozer.....gotta love that name.

There were some folks named Boozer who have a drugstore in Jacksonville - wonder if that is a relation?

But yeah - great name.

[Tarheel]

As much poop on this board about Tim James, I figured someone would have started a thread about the primary races that took place on Tuesday.


DISCUSS!
...

You're about a month early for the Primary here.

Interesting to see that Tim James didn't run away with the election.  Maybe he'll rethink his ad campaign.

[Pell City Tiger]

.... refused to vote for anyone's who had a last name that had appeared on the ballot before (meaning Wallace, Beasley, James, etc.)

He also deliberately voted against every single incumbent on general principle.

I did this for the same exact reason.

I voted for Dr Bentley simply because he said he would not accept a salary for the job until the state reached full employment. Hard to pass up that offer.

In the St Clair county BOE race, I voted against Marie Manning in my district for 2 reasons. First, her husband tried to hold up the vote for our new hospital (something we desperately need), and secondly, because I have a personal beef with her. She was the school librarian when I was in junior high. I was a library assistant at the time, and she blamed me for something I didn't do. As a result, I wound up losing my spot. I still resent her for it.

I hold grudges.

[AUChizad]

I voted for Dr Bentley simply because he said he would not accept a salary for the job until the state reached full employment. Hard to pass up that offer.

I liked hearing that too. If in fact it comes down between Byrne and Bentley (and NOT Byrne & James), I will be ok with whoever wins on the Republican side.

[GH2001]

I liked hearing that too. If in fact it comes down between Byrne and Bentley (and NOT Byrne & James), I will be ok with whoever wins on the Republican side.

I do like that Sparks wants the Education Lotto but thats about all I like about him. I would prefer Bentley over Byrne  and Byrne over James.

Bentley > Byrne > Sparks > everyone else > James

[AUChizad]

I do like that Sparks wants the Education Lotto but thats about all I like about him.

Agree.

[JR4AU]

I voted for Dr Bentley simply because he said he would not accept a salary for the job until the state reached full employment. Hard to pass up that offer.

Can you explain why that's a good selling point for you, and/or others?  I don't really get it.  I voted for Bentley, but not for that reason. 

[CCTAU]

Can you explain why that's a good selling point for you, and/or others?  I don't really get it.  I voted for Bentley, but not for that reason. 

When someone puts their money where their mouth is, you tend to believe they are there for a greater cause. These types of folks are few and far between.

[JR4AU]

When someone puts their money where their mouth is, you tend to believe they are there for a greater cause. These types of folks are few and far between.

I agree with that, but Bentley doesn't need the measily Gov's salary.  It's a great way to impress "the workin' man" though. 

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100505/NEWS02/5050366/Bentley-first-Alabama-governor-candidate-to-release-tax-return-credit-score

The retired Tuscaloosa physician gave copies of the documents to reporters at a news conference in front of the State House and said he would continue the disclosure each year if elected governor.

"Individuals who are serving in government should be held to a higher standard. I believe we should be willing to open ourselves up to the public so they will know what kind of people we are," Bentley said.

Bentley's tax return showed he had income last year of $112,943 and he contributed $15,159 to charities.

Bentley said his income last year was lower than normal because he sold his interest in his medical practice and retired in May 2009 to run for governor


FWIW, I like Bentley as much as any candidate I've seen in a good long while, but the salary bit isn't a selling point for me.