No acronym had the same resonance as AEA in the tempestuous run-up to yesterday's GOP run-off for the gubernatorial nomination. By election day, it would be impossible for most voters to avoid the somber pictures of AEA leaders Paul Hubbert and Joe Reed plastered in television ads, specters meant to haunt Dr. Robert Bentley's bid for the GOP nomination. Well, as I recommended, Dr. Bentley has won, and it is time for the GOP to start putting its house together again in order to make a strong showing in November.
I suppose I ought to begin with the positive. All the scuffling over AEA has placed education at its rightful place at the top of Alabama's political discourse. For all the debates over gambling and facilities like Greene Track, education is the real means of economic development and advancement. Better-educated people are able to earn more, participate in more diverse job offerings, and increase the overall quality of life in this state. Unfortunately, Alabama has long lagged behind in education like many other states in the Deep South. Perhaps with this new-found focus on education, the time has come for that to change. With some innovative thinking, it is more possible than people think. The economy is struggling, and even though some communities are willing to go to gambling and other 'get rich quick' schemes, a strong case can be made that investing in education now will pay far more lasting dividends in our state than gambling casinos.
Education must also now be important to Dr. Bentley, as he has to demonstrate to skeptics in his own party that he can be trusted on education. In order to do this, he should take the lead in unveiling new and innovative ideas on education. To help the GOP's nominee, I have come up with ten ideas of my own. I think Dr. Bentley should give my blog a shot on education reform. Despite my relative youth, I do have the unique experience of having gone through K-12 public schools in Alabama my entire life. Having completed this experience far more recently than many of our public officials, I tend to think I have at least a fresher perspective on many of the problems in our schools and conservative reforms which can fix them. It's worth noting that these reforms aren't necessarily controversial. These ideas can change Alabama schools and strengthen our state's conservative values without unleashing the total war against AEA which has led almost invariably to gridlock in the past. Here are my 10 Prescriptions for Alabama Schools:
(1) Create an ACTION program to provide funding for extracurricular activities in rural schools.
One of Gov. Riley's most successful education reforms has been the creation of the ACCESS distance learning program which allows top students in rural schools to take advanced-level coursework not available in their own school. Although enabling students to take these courses is a step in the right direction, Alabama should provide more grants and training for teachers to start debate, quiz bowl, environmental team, science olympiad, and other academic competitive programs in rural schools. As I can attest from my days in high school debate, these programs are invaluable in teaching research, study, and competition skills needed to both get into college and to do well when in college. ACTION would be a logical extension to ACCESS, encouraging the development of dozens of more innovative programs like the Speakfirst program which brought speech and debate to a number of inner-city students in the Birmingham area. This program would serve a conservative purpose by empowering students to think and reason on their own, instead of giving them handouts later in life.
(2) Increase the number of university partnerships with secondary and primary schools.
When I went to college at Georgetown, I was amazed by how many students described their high school experiences. Many were able to take university classes in university settings or at least participate in special university programs. Although these exist in Alabama, they can be far wider in their reach, including more class offerings for students and more innovative lab days and shadowing days for students. Universities throughout the state, such as West Alabama in Livingston, Troy in Southeast Alabama, Jacksonville State University in East Alabama, and other community colleges could be especially helpful in reaching out to students in rural areas. Existing programs at Alabama and Auburn should be given broader reach to give students exposure to higher learning from a young age.
(3) Create a Community-Based Learning Program for students.
As conservatives, we have a vested interest in retaining strong communities, because strong communities build strong values. Conservative sociologist Robert Nisbet once marveled at small Southern towns which provided what we today call 'social welfare' to people through churches or other organizations without needing the government. Today, communities still have much to teach young students. Students can learn science through local streams and ecologies. They can learn civics through attending town council meetings, and they can learn from others in their communities. A number of Alabama leaders have been pushing for more community-based learning programs for a number of years, and in a tight economy, these opportunities would give students 'field trips' which are a mere walking distance from the classroom. This program would play a crucial role in teaching students to be creative learners and also beginning to develop a connection to the community which could entice more top students to choose to remain in Alabama as professionals and leaders.
(4) Re-emphasize Civics as an integral part of the curriculum.
No issue is more important to the future of our Republic than a strong foundation in civic literacy. Students need to be able to read newspapers and interpret media biases accurately. They need to understand the wisdom of America's Founding documents and the importance of the governing process. Despite this necessity, Alabama students traditionally perform worst on the social studies portion of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. That must change by emphasizing civic literacy throughout the curriculum and at elevating grade levels so that students are equipped with the skills to become good citizens.
(5) Introduce more Southern literature and themes with an Alabama focus.
As a Southern conservative, few things sadden me more than the lack of focus on local history and culture. While at Georgetown, I encountered many peers from New England or the Pacific Coast far more fluent in great Southern authors like Faulkner than I. The same could be said of their local state histories. Students should be exposed to the distinctive and interesting, albeit tenuous, histories of Alabama and the South. Not only could this aid in student retention, but it also helps students make sense of the world around them and use that world to understand even broader concepts.
(6) Develop new mentoring/community interaction opportunities.
Although no community leader could replace a teacher, community leaders and active professionals should be brought more actively into the school setting to integrate students into the community. Since students will one day be entering the work force, they should get experience early in interacting with adults. By providing students shadowing opportunities or elective options with non-profit agencies, science labs, and other options, students have more opportunities. Alabama should take the lead in allowing top high school students to earn elective credit through such community interactive projects.
(7) Introduce the study of financial literacy and planning.
As conservatives, we should care very deeply that future students are educated in the basics of financial literacy. Not only will this help them one day with more stable families, it will teach them the importance of hard work combined with sound budgeting. Last year, I had the opportunity to hear the Shelby County Board of Education consider adopting more programs to encourage financial awareness among students. This would be a smart program to adopt statewide.
(8) Prioritize Gifted Education.
As stated previously on this blog, gifted education is of paramount importance for our state's future, and it should be a top priority for our next governor.
(9) Promote Cross-curricular learning with the inclusion of art and literature.
One of the biggest problems in education today is that many students find what they study in school 'irrelevant.' Math seems never to connect to history, and history never connects to science. Alabama should take the lead in connecting the curriculum while also adding more art and music appreciation into subjects such as history and literature. William F. Buckley was one of the greatest conservative figures of the 20th century, and he always exuded a strong appreciation for the fine arts. Russell Kirk had views on art which reinforced the 'permanent things,' and many great conservatives were truly 'men of letters' who appreciated art, literature, and the humanities. Alabama students deserve at least to be exposed to these ideas while also seeing how these areas of study link to the broader curriculum.
(10) Institute a High School Service Project Requirement for Graduation.
Finally, there is no greater conservative principle than community service. It is the most basic example of the individual finding a need and addressing it without the presence of the state. In preparation for this duty of citizenship, Alabama high school seniors should be required to design, complete, and present a service project as a requirement for graduation. Far more useful than other federal proposals, this would require students to start actively thinking about needs in their communities. Many systems like Shelby County have already developed programs to get students thinking about and performing community service. This program would take it to another level by encouraging students to be more creative and more innovative.
As Dr. Bentley can see, there are plenty of creative ideas out there on education. He just needs to know where to look, and who to trust. To that end, I hope at least he can trust me because these basic ideas could move Alabama and its people forward. If we do not use the contention and discord of the recent primary to begin a productive open and honest discussion on education reform which begins with bringing people together, we'll always be forced to look to the bottom of the list to find 'Alabama' when it comes to education.
Showing posts with label 2010 Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 Elections. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Bentley Wins: Reflections
As I write this evening returns continue to pour in but upstart candidate Dr. Robert Bentley appears to have handily taken the GOP gubernatorial nomination against establishment-backed Bradley Byrne. Political analysts will be quick to analyze issues such as crossover voting, AEA support, and advertising strategy in coming days. Republicans will have to begin licking wounds and mending fences if they hope to win in November. As I argued before the election, Dr. Bentley should be just the man to mend those fences. In the wake of Dr. Bentley's victory, it is worth considering what should be important as the GOP begins to pick up the pieces and focus on November.
It's worth taking a moment to analyze why Dr. Bentley ultimately won and Mr. Byrne ultimately lost. There will be lots of speculation about what happened, but there are several clear trends. First, Byrne's pugnacious style gained him few allies among the electorate or even among his fellow candidates. However, the most surprising fact is that the Birmingham News predicted this result back in June, and no one ever seemed to listen. The News warned that Byrne could win the I-65 corridor while losing the state itself. It appears, as ABC 33-40 just indicated, that Bentley made even more inroads in these rural areas after his initial surprising performance June 1.
From this win, Dr. Bentley should draw key lessons which would serve him well both as a candidate and as a governor. Bentley won the GOP nomination by carefully crafting a coalition of disaffected voters dissatisfied with the 'business as usual' approach down in Montgomery. However, one notices that these types of protests often end simply in protest. Bentley managed to do something more--he convinced these people that he could be a viable candidate who could represent them fairly in Montgomery. He was so persuasive that they showed up at the polls, made their stand, and have placed him in surprising position to be Alabama's next governor. Bentley's strategy should guide him through November, and should he win, it should guide him through his first four-year term.
Dr. Bentley must also remember the constituencies which carried him to the nomination. Bentley won the hearts of rural Alabama, and that is where true southern conservatism was born and continues to reside. It was the South described by Richard Weaver when he noted that the South, unlike the North, retained a strong Burkean since of tradition. These small towns are struggling these days, and they voted for Dr. Bentley from the hope for a new way forward.
Throughout his campaign ads, Dr. Bentley promised not to forget these people and to 'never profit from his office.' I hope Dr. Bentley will keep this promise and raise it to the next level, by promising to bring real reform to these parts of Alabama. By bucking the GOP establishment, Dr. Bentley has the opportunity to provide a distinctive voice for these parts of Alabama. It is my hope that Bentley will promote real economic development in these parts of Alabama instead of unreliable fixes like illegal gaming. I hope Dr. Bentley will promote more innovative education programs like Gov. Riley's ACCESS program designed to bring more academic opportunities for Alabama students in rural areas (more on that soon). The opportunities are endless for Dr. Bentley to create a Comprehensive Plan for Alabama's Future. I have every hope that he will do so.
Students of Alabama politics will be studying this election for many years. Dr. Bentley has undergone a meteoric rise from underdog to top dog. Now, he has to prove that he is a real leader and not a fluke. Many GOPers are skeptical at the moment, but I have confidence that Dr. Bentley can overcome these skeptics and prove a capable candidate and reliable governor. Conservatives can at least take heart that he is attuned to the small town voters where Southern conservatism traces its truest roots.
It's worth taking a moment to analyze why Dr. Bentley ultimately won and Mr. Byrne ultimately lost. There will be lots of speculation about what happened, but there are several clear trends. First, Byrne's pugnacious style gained him few allies among the electorate or even among his fellow candidates. However, the most surprising fact is that the Birmingham News predicted this result back in June, and no one ever seemed to listen. The News warned that Byrne could win the I-65 corridor while losing the state itself. It appears, as ABC 33-40 just indicated, that Bentley made even more inroads in these rural areas after his initial surprising performance June 1.
From this win, Dr. Bentley should draw key lessons which would serve him well both as a candidate and as a governor. Bentley won the GOP nomination by carefully crafting a coalition of disaffected voters dissatisfied with the 'business as usual' approach down in Montgomery. However, one notices that these types of protests often end simply in protest. Bentley managed to do something more--he convinced these people that he could be a viable candidate who could represent them fairly in Montgomery. He was so persuasive that they showed up at the polls, made their stand, and have placed him in surprising position to be Alabama's next governor. Bentley's strategy should guide him through November, and should he win, it should guide him through his first four-year term.
Dr. Bentley must also remember the constituencies which carried him to the nomination. Bentley won the hearts of rural Alabama, and that is where true southern conservatism was born and continues to reside. It was the South described by Richard Weaver when he noted that the South, unlike the North, retained a strong Burkean since of tradition. These small towns are struggling these days, and they voted for Dr. Bentley from the hope for a new way forward.
Throughout his campaign ads, Dr. Bentley promised not to forget these people and to 'never profit from his office.' I hope Dr. Bentley will keep this promise and raise it to the next level, by promising to bring real reform to these parts of Alabama. By bucking the GOP establishment, Dr. Bentley has the opportunity to provide a distinctive voice for these parts of Alabama. It is my hope that Bentley will promote real economic development in these parts of Alabama instead of unreliable fixes like illegal gaming. I hope Dr. Bentley will promote more innovative education programs like Gov. Riley's ACCESS program designed to bring more academic opportunities for Alabama students in rural areas (more on that soon). The opportunities are endless for Dr. Bentley to create a Comprehensive Plan for Alabama's Future. I have every hope that he will do so.
Students of Alabama politics will be studying this election for many years. Dr. Bentley has undergone a meteoric rise from underdog to top dog. Now, he has to prove that he is a real leader and not a fluke. Many GOPers are skeptical at the moment, but I have confidence that Dr. Bentley can overcome these skeptics and prove a capable candidate and reliable governor. Conservatives can at least take heart that he is attuned to the small town voters where Southern conservatism traces its truest roots.
Monday, July 12, 2010
My Vote Tomorrow: For Robert Bentley
For some time, I have hesitated to make an endorsement in the contentious GOP race for governor, for several reasons. First, I have such immense respect for many of my friends on both sides of this race, and second, there has been little evidence of a true visionary in this race. Bradley Byrne has, for the most part, made this a referendum on his opponents and AEA, using vitriol and negativity at every stop in order to attack those who criticize them, whether those attacks are real or assumed. Bentley has run a positive campaign, though he has also dodged on specifics. Bentley's public campaign has largely focused on issues like his willingness to refuse a salary which are, at best, cosmetic fixes to the state's problems.
Despite these reservations, I believe Bentley is the clear choice for the GOP in tomorrow's primary, and I will be voting for him. Looking at the ads which have recently run, they actually do provide some evidence toward who could be a better leader of our state. Recent history shows that governors have been shaped by how they have dealt with failure instead of success. Gov. Don Siegelman ran in the 1990s on an education lottery, and after his program was denied by voters, his administration spiraled into ultimate failure (and corruption). Gov. Riley proposed Amendment 1 to raise Alabama's taxes for education, and this also failed miserably when put to a statewide vote. However, Gov. Riley responded by working around his failings to create real change in Alabama. On education, he worked around the AEA to pass responsible budgets and develop innovative programs like the ACCESS Distance Learning Program, the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), and other programs to encourage better education in Alabama. He has worked tirelessly to bring economic development to the state, reaching out directly to Europe and Asia to promote investment opportunities in Alabama. Most importantly, he has worked with Alabama's leaders in Washington, notably Sen. Jeff Sessions, on proposals such as the ThyssenKrupp steel development near Mobile and the ever-controversial Airbus proposal for a new military tanker to be built near Mobile. Gov. Riley has done this while fighting for real ethics reform without clear results and reaching what could largely be considered a stalemate on gambling. Gov. Riley has fought issues where he knows the odds are against him, but he has also been willing to select issues where he knows he can succeed, building a better state along the way.
Although Gov. Riley has endorsed Byrne, I think Bentley is clearly the better successor to Riley's legacy. Humility as an over-used term in politics which rarely applies to candidates, but Mr. Byrne has taken political hubris to a new level. Byrne adopted an 'every man for himself' tactic of negativity in the initial crowded primary, and he has brought a similar level of negativity to the runoff against Mr. Bentley. Bentley, on the other hand, has adopted a positive campaign, and positive campaigns can build coalitions. By making fewer enemies, Dr. Bentley has a better chance to actually gain results in Montgomery, and by all accounts, Bentley is also a true conservative candidate. Bentley offers the possibility for addressing health care needs in this state, economic growth, and improved education. The gentle touch which he has applied during the primary will serve him well in Montgomery, allowing him to work around difficult issues while still improving the state. Mr. Byrne has not shown that he can deal with individuals and build coalitions around those who disagree with him. By all accounts, many of the GOP rivals in the initial primary have supported Bentley. If Byrne can't play well with his fellow Republicans, what makes voters think he can get results when fighting against hostile Democrats who may well retain control of the legislature heading into 2011?
Like many in the GOP, I dislike the AEA. Top gun Paul Hubbert has often been a force against reasonable change in Alabama, on education reform like charter schools and on ethics reform like double-dipping rules for legislators. Hubbert is a major reason why Alabama has failed to move forward in recent decades. That said, the level of GOP posturing on the issue, including a forced resignation of an ALGOP local official with ties to Hubbert, has reached the level of a laughable and irresponsible witch hunt. Anyone who has ever read Arthur Miller's Crucible knows that witch hunts rarely end well, and by voting against a candidate for assumed ties to Hubbert or his friends, GOP voters are still allowing the AEA undue influence over their party. Meanwhile, though Byrne has criticized Bentley's ties to AEA, few have questioned Byrne's ties to large numbers of PAC contributions, highly wealthy independent donors, and large businesses like Alabama Power. Traditional conservatives were equally critical of big government and big business. Byrne's contributions from a who's who of wealthy Alabama donors total far more than Bentley's contributions from AEA, and this is certainly a problem.
Meanwhile, Byrne's connections do cause concern. In recent days, Byrne has received support from major Republican officials, namely Governor Riley and Congressmen Spencer Bachus and Jo Bonner. To some, this may be an awe-inspiring show of support for Mr. Byrne. To me, it reeks of the political desperation of a well-connected candidate. Instead of 'wowing us' with his views, Byrne is trying to 'wow us' with his wealthy and powerful friends. Having to resort to this type of campaigning does not speak well of his ability to deal with the hurly-burly of Montgomery politics as a top executive.
Thus, to me, there is a clear choice on election day, and I'll be voting for Bentley. It should come as no surprise that when the generally conservative Rasmussen Reports provided a poll on the Alabama race, Bentley performed better against Democrat Ron Sparks than Byrne. Both beat Sparks, though Byrne won 49-40 and Bentley won 56-37. Thus, Bentley gives the GOP both a better chance at victory in November and Alabamians a stronger assurance of a better next four years. Bentley deserves praise for his work in elevating himself from a likable candidate to a serious candidate, and GOP voters would be smart to reward him tomorrow with their vote to be the next governor of Alabama.
Despite these reservations, I believe Bentley is the clear choice for the GOP in tomorrow's primary, and I will be voting for him. Looking at the ads which have recently run, they actually do provide some evidence toward who could be a better leader of our state. Recent history shows that governors have been shaped by how they have dealt with failure instead of success. Gov. Don Siegelman ran in the 1990s on an education lottery, and after his program was denied by voters, his administration spiraled into ultimate failure (and corruption). Gov. Riley proposed Amendment 1 to raise Alabama's taxes for education, and this also failed miserably when put to a statewide vote. However, Gov. Riley responded by working around his failings to create real change in Alabama. On education, he worked around the AEA to pass responsible budgets and develop innovative programs like the ACCESS Distance Learning Program, the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), and other programs to encourage better education in Alabama. He has worked tirelessly to bring economic development to the state, reaching out directly to Europe and Asia to promote investment opportunities in Alabama. Most importantly, he has worked with Alabama's leaders in Washington, notably Sen. Jeff Sessions, on proposals such as the ThyssenKrupp steel development near Mobile and the ever-controversial Airbus proposal for a new military tanker to be built near Mobile. Gov. Riley has done this while fighting for real ethics reform without clear results and reaching what could largely be considered a stalemate on gambling. Gov. Riley has fought issues where he knows the odds are against him, but he has also been willing to select issues where he knows he can succeed, building a better state along the way.
Although Gov. Riley has endorsed Byrne, I think Bentley is clearly the better successor to Riley's legacy. Humility as an over-used term in politics which rarely applies to candidates, but Mr. Byrne has taken political hubris to a new level. Byrne adopted an 'every man for himself' tactic of negativity in the initial crowded primary, and he has brought a similar level of negativity to the runoff against Mr. Bentley. Bentley, on the other hand, has adopted a positive campaign, and positive campaigns can build coalitions. By making fewer enemies, Dr. Bentley has a better chance to actually gain results in Montgomery, and by all accounts, Bentley is also a true conservative candidate. Bentley offers the possibility for addressing health care needs in this state, economic growth, and improved education. The gentle touch which he has applied during the primary will serve him well in Montgomery, allowing him to work around difficult issues while still improving the state. Mr. Byrne has not shown that he can deal with individuals and build coalitions around those who disagree with him. By all accounts, many of the GOP rivals in the initial primary have supported Bentley. If Byrne can't play well with his fellow Republicans, what makes voters think he can get results when fighting against hostile Democrats who may well retain control of the legislature heading into 2011?
Like many in the GOP, I dislike the AEA. Top gun Paul Hubbert has often been a force against reasonable change in Alabama, on education reform like charter schools and on ethics reform like double-dipping rules for legislators. Hubbert is a major reason why Alabama has failed to move forward in recent decades. That said, the level of GOP posturing on the issue, including a forced resignation of an ALGOP local official with ties to Hubbert, has reached the level of a laughable and irresponsible witch hunt. Anyone who has ever read Arthur Miller's Crucible knows that witch hunts rarely end well, and by voting against a candidate for assumed ties to Hubbert or his friends, GOP voters are still allowing the AEA undue influence over their party. Meanwhile, though Byrne has criticized Bentley's ties to AEA, few have questioned Byrne's ties to large numbers of PAC contributions, highly wealthy independent donors, and large businesses like Alabama Power. Traditional conservatives were equally critical of big government and big business. Byrne's contributions from a who's who of wealthy Alabama donors total far more than Bentley's contributions from AEA, and this is certainly a problem.
Meanwhile, Byrne's connections do cause concern. In recent days, Byrne has received support from major Republican officials, namely Governor Riley and Congressmen Spencer Bachus and Jo Bonner. To some, this may be an awe-inspiring show of support for Mr. Byrne. To me, it reeks of the political desperation of a well-connected candidate. Instead of 'wowing us' with his views, Byrne is trying to 'wow us' with his wealthy and powerful friends. Having to resort to this type of campaigning does not speak well of his ability to deal with the hurly-burly of Montgomery politics as a top executive.
Thus, to me, there is a clear choice on election day, and I'll be voting for Bentley. It should come as no surprise that when the generally conservative Rasmussen Reports provided a poll on the Alabama race, Bentley performed better against Democrat Ron Sparks than Byrne. Both beat Sparks, though Byrne won 49-40 and Bentley won 56-37. Thus, Bentley gives the GOP both a better chance at victory in November and Alabamians a stronger assurance of a better next four years. Bentley deserves praise for his work in elevating himself from a likable candidate to a serious candidate, and GOP voters would be smart to reward him tomorrow with their vote to be the next governor of Alabama.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Byrne, Bentley, and Five Promises
Here in Alabama, politics isn't complete without a good recount absolutely laden with intrigue. Tim James is arguably entitled to his recount, though it appears the 'common-sense businessman' has spent an awful lot of his money, some $200,000, recounting these votes. Now, I'm just a poor student, but if I had $200,000, I probably wouldn't elect to spend it on that.
Underneath the surface of all this, there is a whole lot of political intrigue. By this, I'm not referring to Dale Peterson's increasingly hilarious videos relating to the Ag Commissioner spot on the GOP side. I'm referring instead to the intrigue of the governor's race, most of which has gone unnoticed due to the attention focused on the recount. Underneath, things sure are getting exciting. The Birmingham News reported yesterday that a shake-up in Dr. Robert Bentley's staff in favor of political consultants from a San Francisco consulting firm has raised some questions. Bentley's new campaign manager is Bryan Sanders, a consultant and son-in-law of Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas. One thing sure is clear, the good Doctor sure has raised a lot of money to be splurging on a new campaign staff.
Like a whole lot of Alabamians, I like Dr. Bentley's story, precisely because it's intriguing. He seems to be an outsider who has come into politics at an interesting time, and a lot of voters clearly liked 'that Tuscaloosa doctor' who has pledged not to take a salary as governor until the state reached full employment. I am also intrigued by the Bentley-Byrne matchup which some have compared to the Winton Blount-Fob James GOP matchup in 1998 which pitted the so-called 'country club' affluent elements of the GOP along the I-65 corridor against the rural GOP elements throughout the state. In that election, Blount represented the I-65 corridor, and Fob James represented the other. Blount handily garnered the most votes in the initial primary but eventually lost the run-off to James who used the rural vote to gain victory.
All of these political shakeups are interesting stories, as is the sudden involvement of the AEA using the GOP's outdated primary rules in order to crossover and vote to defeat Byrne. It looks to me like there will be plenty of time for name-calling and mud-slinging once this recount wraps up and the gloves can really begin to come off.
That said, count me among those folks who actually hope to see this election come down to issues, and I have Five Promises I think the GOP candidates should make which voters should consider in deciding who should represent their Party on the ballot in November.
(1) Commit to Tougher Campaign Finance and Accountability. Governor Riley deserves considerable credit for his efforts each year to pass tougher campaign finance and ethics regulation in Alabama. Frankly, Alabama has an awful lot of problems when it comes to accountability. The state received an F on disclosing lobbyist spending in 2003. Lots of amounts under $250 are not reported, and many legislators have had questionable histories in submitting proper ethics disclosures. If you think about it, the reporting of campaign funds has been an issue with a number of candidates in almost every election. Riley has proposed projects which have included disclosure of all gifts over $25 and caps on expenditures for things such as meals. He along with other groups like the Alabama Policy Institute have called attention to the shell game of PAC-PAC transfers, where political committees give money to each other to hide support from interests such as gaming, trial lawyers, and utilities. Alabama voters have a right to know who is bankrolling their political candidates. In 2009, Gov. Riley called for "a war on corruption." It's hard to fight, though, when the legislature continues annually to balk at meaningful ethics reform. Will the next GOP nominee commit to continuing this war, even when it is tough sledding?
(2) Commit to education innovation. Bradley Byrne has centered a whole lot of his campaign around education. I applaud Byrne for promoting ideas like Charter Schools which are past due in Alabama. Back in 2009, the Mobile Press-Register noted that some 5,043 charter schools exist nationwide serving 1.5 million students. Thirty-nine states have charter school laws, making Alabama one of the last to get on board. The AEA worked to defeat charter schools earlier this year, but it's high time for a governor to commit Alabama to the issue of education reform. On top of that, we also need to prioritize gifted education as a state and federal priority to guarantee that top students receive a top education in Alabama and are encouraged to remain in Alabama after college to work here in this state.
(3) Commit to strategic planning on economic growth, especially energy. Alabama has made great strides in recent years under Republican leadership in encouraging new businesses and industries to settle in Alabama. The next governor needs to commit to growth in areas such as renewable energy. New forms of biomass facilities and other energies could allow Alabama to play a major national role in renewable energy development. A lot of this development can also affect Alabama's rural and disadvantaged communities in a positive way. It is also fundamentally conservative, as it uses business and innovation instead of government to improve lives and communities. Recent governors have used the government's resources to help empower these individuals, and the next governor needs a concrete plan of attack to continue growing Alabama.
(4) Commit to resolving the gambling issue, once and for all. After decades of squabbling over the matter, it's time to resolve the gambling issue. Many like me want to see casino gambling stopped, once and for all, and the decisions of the Alabama Supreme Court honored. That said, what I want most is clarity. Alabamians have paid too much for expensive elections on gaming, and legislators have wasted too many legislative days in session gridlocked on the gambling issue. It's time to resolve this issue so that it is no longer the centerpiece of political debate in Alabama.
(5) Commit to the renewal of Alabama's small towns and communities. One of the great travesties of recent years has been the decline of Alabama's small towns which dot the state and provide it an essential local flavor and culture. The next governor should speak to this issue and step up, promoting growth, tourism, and sustenance in rural areas across this state. Driving through the Alabama black belt, one sees both the promise and the strength that is Alabama. In an age of strip malls and major retailers located along interstate highways, the next governor should develop more plans to get Alabamians back off the main roads and exploring more of our state's amazing back roads. Working with existing federal programs, a concerted effort could lead to significant gains for some of Alabama's most disadvantaged communities.
Alabama politics today is too driven by concerns of intrigue. We are not electing a personality--we are electing a leader who can improve the state over the next four years. These improvements come down to issues. In my view, these five commitments make the election about issues again and are a vital first step in building a better Alabama.
Underneath the surface of all this, there is a whole lot of political intrigue. By this, I'm not referring to Dale Peterson's increasingly hilarious videos relating to the Ag Commissioner spot on the GOP side. I'm referring instead to the intrigue of the governor's race, most of which has gone unnoticed due to the attention focused on the recount. Underneath, things sure are getting exciting. The Birmingham News reported yesterday that a shake-up in Dr. Robert Bentley's staff in favor of political consultants from a San Francisco consulting firm has raised some questions. Bentley's new campaign manager is Bryan Sanders, a consultant and son-in-law of Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas. One thing sure is clear, the good Doctor sure has raised a lot of money to be splurging on a new campaign staff.
Like a whole lot of Alabamians, I like Dr. Bentley's story, precisely because it's intriguing. He seems to be an outsider who has come into politics at an interesting time, and a lot of voters clearly liked 'that Tuscaloosa doctor' who has pledged not to take a salary as governor until the state reached full employment. I am also intrigued by the Bentley-Byrne matchup which some have compared to the Winton Blount-Fob James GOP matchup in 1998 which pitted the so-called 'country club' affluent elements of the GOP along the I-65 corridor against the rural GOP elements throughout the state. In that election, Blount represented the I-65 corridor, and Fob James represented the other. Blount handily garnered the most votes in the initial primary but eventually lost the run-off to James who used the rural vote to gain victory.
All of these political shakeups are interesting stories, as is the sudden involvement of the AEA using the GOP's outdated primary rules in order to crossover and vote to defeat Byrne. It looks to me like there will be plenty of time for name-calling and mud-slinging once this recount wraps up and the gloves can really begin to come off.
That said, count me among those folks who actually hope to see this election come down to issues, and I have Five Promises I think the GOP candidates should make which voters should consider in deciding who should represent their Party on the ballot in November.
(1) Commit to Tougher Campaign Finance and Accountability. Governor Riley deserves considerable credit for his efforts each year to pass tougher campaign finance and ethics regulation in Alabama. Frankly, Alabama has an awful lot of problems when it comes to accountability. The state received an F on disclosing lobbyist spending in 2003. Lots of amounts under $250 are not reported, and many legislators have had questionable histories in submitting proper ethics disclosures. If you think about it, the reporting of campaign funds has been an issue with a number of candidates in almost every election. Riley has proposed projects which have included disclosure of all gifts over $25 and caps on expenditures for things such as meals. He along with other groups like the Alabama Policy Institute have called attention to the shell game of PAC-PAC transfers, where political committees give money to each other to hide support from interests such as gaming, trial lawyers, and utilities. Alabama voters have a right to know who is bankrolling their political candidates. In 2009, Gov. Riley called for "a war on corruption." It's hard to fight, though, when the legislature continues annually to balk at meaningful ethics reform. Will the next GOP nominee commit to continuing this war, even when it is tough sledding?
(2) Commit to education innovation. Bradley Byrne has centered a whole lot of his campaign around education. I applaud Byrne for promoting ideas like Charter Schools which are past due in Alabama. Back in 2009, the Mobile Press-Register noted that some 5,043 charter schools exist nationwide serving 1.5 million students. Thirty-nine states have charter school laws, making Alabama one of the last to get on board. The AEA worked to defeat charter schools earlier this year, but it's high time for a governor to commit Alabama to the issue of education reform. On top of that, we also need to prioritize gifted education as a state and federal priority to guarantee that top students receive a top education in Alabama and are encouraged to remain in Alabama after college to work here in this state.
(3) Commit to strategic planning on economic growth, especially energy. Alabama has made great strides in recent years under Republican leadership in encouraging new businesses and industries to settle in Alabama. The next governor needs to commit to growth in areas such as renewable energy. New forms of biomass facilities and other energies could allow Alabama to play a major national role in renewable energy development. A lot of this development can also affect Alabama's rural and disadvantaged communities in a positive way. It is also fundamentally conservative, as it uses business and innovation instead of government to improve lives and communities. Recent governors have used the government's resources to help empower these individuals, and the next governor needs a concrete plan of attack to continue growing Alabama.
(4) Commit to resolving the gambling issue, once and for all. After decades of squabbling over the matter, it's time to resolve the gambling issue. Many like me want to see casino gambling stopped, once and for all, and the decisions of the Alabama Supreme Court honored. That said, what I want most is clarity. Alabamians have paid too much for expensive elections on gaming, and legislators have wasted too many legislative days in session gridlocked on the gambling issue. It's time to resolve this issue so that it is no longer the centerpiece of political debate in Alabama.
(5) Commit to the renewal of Alabama's small towns and communities. One of the great travesties of recent years has been the decline of Alabama's small towns which dot the state and provide it an essential local flavor and culture. The next governor should speak to this issue and step up, promoting growth, tourism, and sustenance in rural areas across this state. Driving through the Alabama black belt, one sees both the promise and the strength that is Alabama. In an age of strip malls and major retailers located along interstate highways, the next governor should develop more plans to get Alabamians back off the main roads and exploring more of our state's amazing back roads. Working with existing federal programs, a concerted effort could lead to significant gains for some of Alabama's most disadvantaged communities.
Alabama politics today is too driven by concerns of intrigue. We are not electing a personality--we are electing a leader who can improve the state over the next four years. These improvements come down to issues. In my view, these five commitments make the election about issues again and are a vital first step in building a better Alabama.
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