re: Off Topic: Governor's race. Walt Maddox vs. Kay Ivey

quote:

---

I don't know about Georgia, but Alabama isn't going Democrat anytime soon, regardless of what happens in the Governor's race. OUr system is still set up to favor the rural areas, and those areas are very, very conservative. The state legislature is going to be conservative for the foreseeable future, and the power in Alabama lies more with the state legislature than it does the governor's office, also by design.

---

It's amazing to me the level of ignorance people display when discussing Alabama politics. Our state legislature was Democrat from the 1860s until 2010. There's no way anyone can make statements like the one quoted above if they know anything about the history of Alabama state government.

quote:

---

Would have been a valid tactic in any election you have wrapped up. Why involve yourself in something that could only possibly hurt your chances? That makes no sense.

---

People understand why she wont do it and thats what makes them mad, and Im not talking about just democrats - its not a party issue. She works for the people.

quote:

---

I don't think the other candidates in the general election would be a better choice or represent my interests in our state government.

---

the one who can complete a sentence with logical thoughts?

quote:

---

Was this supposed to be a legitimate complaint about Kay Ivey? Just so you know, no one actually believes this.

---

After she wins, look at the voter map and specific demos (mainly educated voters). Huntsville, Bham, and Mobile will be as blue as the ocean. There will be a ton of crossover votes, people who are normally red and theyll vote blue.

edit: I know theyll be blue-ish anyway, just more so than usual

quote:

---

Those Democrats were also for the most part conservative. Party dynamics have changed on both sides since the Democrats in this state last controlled the state government. You show your ignorance when you don't recognize that. The Republicans representing the rural counties in this state aren't switching parties any time soon, and those areas aren't going to see a viable Democratic candidate anytime soon.

---

Read it again: 2010. You're saying party dynamics have changed since 2010. You honestly think Democrats were conservative in 2010? You have no clue what you're talking about.

politics/legislation in AL does not swing like it does on the national level from party to party.

It's hard to implement much policy without any funding.

quote:

---

It's hard to implement much policy without any funding.

---

This is the biggest problem in our state, and is a lasting impact of our history of Democrat rule. So many earmarks in our state budget that it is impossible to do anything. Earmarks in Alabama are the hugest problem out there, but no one in our state wants to fix that.

I'd vote for a Democrat who wanted to retroactively outlaw budget earmarks in a heartbeat. Same if they proposed combining the general and education budgets. We're so stupidly behind when it comes to our state budget practices and it is hurting most of our state services. We don't have a funding problem at all, we just always earmark funding when we pass it. You can always tell who the most "uneducated" voters in Alabama are when they scream their support of budget earmarks.

quote:

---

So wedge issues are what really matters to you? You don't seriously think that the state of Alabama is going to suddenly become pro-choice and send the cops around to confiscate your hunting rifles do you? That's ridiculous.

---

You can portray my views however you'd like. Doesn't make them any less important to me. I view the murder of unborn children as far more than a wedge issue. I find it hard to vote for anyone who supports it. Same with gun control. It doesn't really matter if someone "can" or "can't" get legislation through that would "take my guns away." I view this as an ethical issue. I cannot support someone who views fundamental rights with such obvious disregard. Shows a serious disrespect for our nation's Constitution and calls into question their ability to lead ethically.

quote:

---

Sure, I don't. There's a long list of Alabama Republicans that switched parties from the Democratic party through the 80's and 90's. Those individuals were not, and are not, liberal in any sense of the word. There wasn't some magic switch in 2010 that flipped the dynamics. Conservative rule has been the rule in this state for decades, regardless of the political affiliation of the members.

---

Again, clearly no clue what you're talking about. The Alabama Education Association was never conservative, and controlled a large portion of our state's government for a very long time due to their extremely large voting bloc.