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MUMBLINGS October 6, 2005
Politics creates a great source of rumors. Montgomery is
not only the capital of Alabama, it is the main source of political rumors.
Some people fuss at me because I do not write more about
politics. Until this horrible hurricane season is over, who is going to run,
for what, and why, is comparatively of little interest.
As usual, there are a lot of rumors going around about who
is running for governor and who will be elected. Four possible candidates have
been in the county lately. Former governor Don Siegleman was here in Bay
Minette for coffee recently and frankly admitted at that time he did not know
whether or not he would run. He is visiting around the entire state. More
recently, Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley was in the county two times, once for
a fundraiser near Fairhope and then a breakfast here in Bay Minette. Although
she did not say so publicly, everybody knows she is going to be running. If
elected she would be the second lady governor in Alabama, since Lurleen B.
Wallace served in the 60's.
"I love Lucy" signs are being seen throughout the state
and she is apparently very popular.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore visited near
Fairhope a few weeks back. Governor Riley has been in and out of the county
several times, particularly inspecting damage of the hurricanes.
The big question is whether or not former Moore is going
to be candidate on the Republican side of the fence against Governor Bob Riley.
Actually, no one has announced publicly they intend to run, but I think the
above four can be counted as candidates.
A lot of interest circulates from Montgomery where the
center of state politics originates.
The latest rumor is that Richard Shelby, Alabama senior
senator, had a meeting with Judge Moore and Governor Riley and, as rumor has
it, they arrived at a consensus.
Supposedly, Shelby said if Moore would not run against Bob
Riley for governor, and run for a judgeship again, he would probably be
elected. He needs three more years as a judge to receive his pension. The rumor
continues, after three years, Shelby would resign and Riley would then appoint
Moore to Shelby's position.
None of this makes sense but I did check on it and, of
course, they have not had such a meeting and you can rest assured they will
not. Senator Shelby is scheduled to be chairman of the Senate Appropriations
Committee and he wouldn't pass that up for anything. Also, it is not absolutely
certain that Governor Riley will beat the Democratic candidate. According to my
informant, who is supposed to be on the inside of the Moore crowd, is expecting
him to announce for governor in the next few weeks. Same can be said about
Governor Riley. I think everyone already knows that Lucy is going to run and I
think the only question mark left of these four is Don. However, in the last
few days he has announced through the media that he is going to run.
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