Pubdate: Wed, 22 Mar 2006
Source: Brewton Standard, The (AL)
Copyright: 2006 Brewton Standard
Contact:  http://www.brewtonstandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1694
Author: Steve Flowers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Cited: U.S. Marijuana Party http://www.usmjparty.com/

COLORFUL CONTENDERS IN GOVERNORS RACE

Colorful contenders in governor's race In years of yore in past 
governor's races we would have colorful run for the fun of it 
candidates, the most notably being the legendary Shorty Price. 
Price's antics could fill a book of its own. We have been short of 
these fun candidates in the past few decades. However, this year we 
will have on the ballot one Loretta Nall who will be the pro 
marijuana candidate. She will be the Libertarian Party candidate for 
governor on the November ballot. Nall is president of the U.S. Marijuana Party.

We have developing a true Price prototype in one Harry Lyons. Lyons 
is making his ninth statewide run for the fun of it race rivaling 
Price. His demeanor and candor are similar to Price.

He appeared recently before the Alabama Press Association at their 
gubernatorial candidates' forum and stole the show. He runs every 
time there is an election, usually for different offices under a 
different party almost every time. He will be fun to watch.

The Republicans would like to take control of the House but as stated 
earlier it is difficult because there are popular veteran incumbent 
conservative Democrats sitting in Republican leaning seats. Therefore 
they may have to wait until they retire or pass on to take these seats.

They will get a shot at three of these seats this year. Tommy Carter 
of Limestone will retire after 32 years. In addition, Nelson Starkey 
of Florence and Jack Venable of Tallassee both 30-year House veterans 
passed away late last year.

Venable's Elmore County seat will likely fall to the Republicans in 
this heavily Republican county. A Republican won the recent special 
election, but it will be interesting to see how the two Tennessee 
Valley seats of Carter's and Starkey's go.

Starkey's should remain Democratic. Carter's district will be worth watching.

A topic of conversation on Goat Hill is whether an endorsement from 
the Christian Coalition will be an albatross to candidates.

Rumor is that candidates will use this endorsement against their opponent.

The Coalition headed by John Giles was discredited last year when it 
was revealed that the group was supported financially by Indian 
gambling interests. It is expected that candidates will run last 
minute ads against their opponents who are endorsed by the Christian 
Coalition saying the candidate is supported by out-of-state gambling 
interests by virtue of the fact that the Coalition has been financed 
by gambling.

There was talk of starting a New Christian Coalition and labeling the 
group headed by Giles, the Old Christian Coalition with the Old 
Christian Coalition, being the group cloaking their real agenda as 
being pro-gambling.

They would also expose the group's mean spirited approach as being 
more like Old Testament philosophy of “an eye for an eye” 
and ignoring and ridiculing the poor. Whereas the new group would be 
for loving your neighbors and helping the poor, more like what Christ 
taught. It doesn't help the old group's image either that their 
primary advocate in the Legislature is one nutty, irrelevant, back 
bench, freshman Senator named Hank Erwin who made national news with 
his beliefs that God directed Hurricane Katrina to attack the Gulf 
Coast to destroy the people of New Orleans and Mississippi because 
they were sinful. You can expect lots of negative advertisements and 
plenty of dirty tricks this year because sadly they work. We have a 
history of bitter campaigns in Alabama. A newly released book by 
author Kerwin Swint, titled “Mudslinger. The Top 25 Negative 
Political Campaigns of All Time,” lists the George Wallace vs. 
Albert Brewer 1970 governor's race as the number one nastiest 
campaign of all times. It will be an interesting campaign year in 
Alabama. See you next week.

Steve Flowers' column appears weekly in 60 Alabama newspapers. 
Flowers served 16 years in the state Legislature. He may be reached 
at www.steveflowers.us.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom