MUMBLINGS January 12, 2006

It will be hard for 2006 to overshadow last year.

However, this year starts off promising to be a great one. Alabama’s economy is good and Baldwin County’s is even better. The unemployment in Alabama is 3.6%, the fifth lowest in the United States… only four states are better.

We might do a little thinking about this year we are now entering. Economically, we have a reason to believe that the good times will continue. Housing will stay strong, even though it may slow a little because of higher interest rates, unavailability of skilled carpenters etc., it will still be good. There is no doubt that housing is still badly needed in this county, as well as many other places.

Among the local issues … affordable housing, transportation, crowded roads, more buildings for better education, environment and over crowding. Offsetting these will be a good economy, with everybody having jobs that are able and want to work.

Also, we must remember that this is an important election year. Nationally, we will not have a presidential election but will have Congress; all of our congressmen will be up for election. Presently we have two Democratic and five Republicans. Our two Republican Senators will not have to run. My guess is that this ratio will continue in Alabama.

Locally, there has not been much talk about elections for all of the county offices. Many of these will be open and we’ll discuss this more later.

The Governors race is shaping up to be one of the most interesting and important in recent years.

Governor Bob Riley will be seeking re-election and there are two or three strong opponents.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the race will be the primary fight between Governor Riley and former Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore. The outcome of this may determine who will be the next governor.

A year ago, or more, most people seemed to have the feeling that Riley would not have a chance of being re-elected. In fact, many public officials and political watchers publicly made the statement that his was a lost cause. This was motivated somewhat by the fact that he had supported Tax Amendment Number 1, a proposal that would have raised over a billion dollars…of course, it was soundly defeated and many felt that this would be a death blow to him.

However, the sentiment has changed. Times have gotten good, the money coming into the state treasury has increased and there is even a surplus in some departments, including education. People have a short memory.

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There is little doubt that Riley has greatly improved his image in Alabama and his following is much better than it was a few months back. He has done a good job in trying to help the Hurricane Katrina sufferers. Also, the economy is excellent and many people who know the situation think that he should be given thanks for this. He has run a stable government and is known for his honesty and integrity and works hard. Polls also indicate that his popularity has greatly increased. A few months back, Judge Moore and Riley’s polls were almost even but lately the present governor has jumped 15% to 20% above Moore.

Judge Moore was tossed out of office by his peers, the other Supreme Court Justices. It was because of the famous 10 Commandments five-ton monument he put in the court building. The court ruled that he had to move it and he refused and thus he lost his office.

However, it would be a mistake for anybody to underestimate Moore’s popularity. If you don’t believe it, go out to one of his rallies, and you will see that he has a huge crowd, most of whom are his followers…only a few are curiosity seekers.

Only the election will determine how popular he is but my advice would be not to underestimate him.

Also wanting to be governor is long-time public official, Lt. Governor Lucy Baxley. Her name is well known and she has a good catch phrase, “I Love Lucy”. It would be a bad mistake to underestimate her, as she has a big following.

Former Governor Don Seigleman is also running to be re-elected but his present situation is somewhat in question because of several legal actions against him. If this can be settled before the election it would be one thing but knowing how slow courts work, I doubt if this will happen

If he is still facing indictments a few months from now it would be difficult for him to raise money and be elected. However, he is an able money raiser and campaigner and made a good governor in most respects.

Personally, I wish that Don would withdraw and wait four more years to make his comeback. I like him and would rather not see him get hurt in the present election.

If he stays in and Lucy beats him, she will be facing the successful candidate between Riley and Moore

This is something you might watch. If Moore beats Riley in the primary, and then the race is between Lucy and Moore, there will be thousands of Republicans who will support Lucy.

See you again soon, I hope.