• Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Madison County Record
    • Madison Living
    • Living 50 Plus
    • Explore
    • Classifieds
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • E-editions
    • Contact Us
    • Services
      • About Us
      • List of Locations
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor

Hartselle Enquirer
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Public Records
  • Madison County Record
  • Madison Living Magazine
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
  • Contact Us
  • Services
  • About Us
  • List of Locations
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a News Tip
  • Submit a Photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Engagement Announcement
  • Wedding Announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letter to the Editor
    Hartselle Enquirer
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Schools
      • Opinion
      • Events
      • Lifestyles
      • Business
      • Records
      • Special Sections
    Columnists, Opinion
     By  Staff Reports news Published 
    9:06 am Friday, June 18, 2010

    Davis’ entry throws wrench into Folsom’s plan

    As the 2010 gubernatorial contest began to formulate almost two years ago, the premier face card in the mix was Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. He was expected to skate through the Democratic primary unscathed and arrive at the general election dance unblemished by negative ads and with his campaign coffers untapped. It was expected that a strong field of Republicans would clash over the GOP nomination. Throughout their family feud they would pummel each other with negative ads and the winner of the primary would emerge in mid July beaten up and broke. This bruised and broken nominee would face the fresh and flush Folsom with only three months to recover and Folsom would waltz to victory.
    However, a funny thing happened on the way to the dance. A young African American congressman from Birmingham boldly declared his candidacy for governor. Once it became apparent that Artur Davis would not back down and was dedicated to running, Folsom had to reevaluate his plan to run for governor. It was really an easy decision for Folsom. He probably did not want to run for governor anyway. He prefers the life of lieutenant governor. You can make money in the private sector and enjoy your family life with plenty of hunting and fishing because the lieutenant governor does not do anything anyway. Folsom likes having the best of both worlds. Therefore, he graciously and happily acquiesced to Davis’ kamikaze mission to end his promising congressional career.
    Folsom also realized that a family brawl on the Democratic side would be suicide. The Party’s base is dwindling. African Americans now make up the majority of the Party in Alabama. You almost have to have a straight flush to win as a Democrat for Governor of Alabama.
    Folsom made the right decision. His departure from the race rearranged the chairs on the deck. Ron Sparks was poised to run for Folsom’s job as lieutenant governor. He made no secret of the fact that he would defer to Folsom and whatever race Folsom made he would choose the other. Therefore, Sparks ran for governor out of default. As we now know, Sparks exposed Artur Davis as a weakling and captured the Democratic nomination for Governor of Alabama.
    Folsom’s decision to opt out of the governor’s race also affected the Republican primary. Every major GOP player who surveyed the playing field saw a clear shot at being governor. The only hurdle they faced was the Republican primary. They could pull out all the stops, spend all their money and beat up on their GOP brothers in the primary because once they emerged they would be facing a mild-mannered, uncharismatic, African American opponent. In the Heart of Dixie that is called a free pass. In basketball terminology it is referred to as a slam dunk.
    The GOP hopefuls only had to look at the numbers from the 2008 Presidential election to see that Barack Obama got a meager 39 percent of the total vote in Alabama. That translates into about 12 percent of the white vote in the state. You need to get at least 33 percent of the white vote even if you get 96 percent of the black vote, which Obama achieved in Alabama. Therefore, it was apparent that Davis was on a Don Quixote trip to Buck’s Pocket. When white voters saw Artur Davis, they saw everything they disliked about Barack Obama. However, as we now know, Davis lacked Obama’s appeal to black voters.
    This scenario emboldened the GOP aspirants. They saw a clear path to governor if they could only win the Republican nomination. However, they knew they would face a strong field of Republican brethren in this family feud because the race was wide open and there would be no incumbent governor in the mix.
    We will continue next week with the development and analysis of the Republican race to succeed Bob Riley as Governor of Alabama.
    See you next week.

    Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears weekly in 72 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at http://steveflowers.us.

    Also on The Madison Record
    Local teen sets Guinness World Record for Girl Scouts Silver Award
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Local teen sets Guinness World Record for Girl Scouts Silver Award
    Gregg Parker 
    June 11, 2025
    MADISON - Madeline Harper was so determined to achieve the Silver Award in Girl Scouts that she decided to set a world record to reach it. Madeline is...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Midtown Elementary School selects Judi Brown as 2025 Staff Member of the Year
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Midtown Elementary School selects Judi Brown as 2025 Staff Member of the Year
    Gregg Parker 
    June 11, 2025
    MADISON - Teachers and staff at Midtown Elementary School decided to honor Judi Brown as “2025 Staff Member of the Year.” “I started in Madison City S...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Liberty recognizes Karen Price as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Liberty recognizes Karen Price as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Gregg Parker 
    June 11, 2025
    MADISON - As an educator, Karen Price constantly strives ‘to do the right thing’ for students with honesty, kindness and sincerity. Liberty Middle Sch...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Influx of FBI and Space Force employees will have a major impact on Madison
    A: Main, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
    Housing Market
    Influx of FBI and Space Force employees will have a major impact on Madison
    The growth will bring economic benefits but also will create short-term growing pains as the region works to expand area infrastructure and housing supply
    Gregg Parker 
    June 4, 2025
    MADISON – Matt Curtis with Matt Curtis Real Estate recently profiled the current housing market in the City of Madison and surrounding Madison County....
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Meet the candidates for the Madison election on June 8
    Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Meet the candidates for the Madison election on June 8
    KADIE VICK kadie@themadisonrecord.com 
    June 4, 2025
    MADISON - The Huntsville Committee of 100 Young Professionals is holding a Let’s Vote Madison Event on June 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Old Black Bear Brewi...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Rotary Club of Madison honors city’s top employees
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Rotary Club of Madison honors city’s top employees
    Gregg Parker 
    June 4, 2025
    MADISON – Following a 24-year tradition, Rotary Club of Madison collaborated with City of Madison officials to identify Madison Employees of the Year....
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Rob Carter, Heritage’s ‘Teacher of the Year,’ supports his students
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Rob Carter, Heritage’s ‘Teacher of the Year,’ supports his students
    Gregg Parker 
    June 4, 2025
    MADISON – At Heritage Elementary School, Rob Carter can reflect on his day and feel, ‘I did the right thing,’ when he sees clear evidence that his stu...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}
    Liberty student selected for National Honor Choir
    Madison, Madison County Record, News, ...
    Liberty student selected for National Honor Choir
    Gregg Parker 
    June 4, 2025
    MADISON – Tejas Iyer at Liberty Middle School was selected by blind audition to perform with the prestigious National Honor Choir. “I was the only stu...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism", "madison-record":"Madison Record"}{"madison-record":"Madison Record"}

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ❮ ❯
    Get Legals or Public Notices Published
    Latest Local News
    Local teen sets Guinness World Record for Girl Scouts Silver Award
    Local teen sets Guinness World Record for Girl Scouts Silver Award
    MADISON - Madeline Harper was so determined to achieve the Silver Award in Girl Scouts that she decided to set a world record to reach it. Madeline is...
    June 11, 2025
    Midtown Elementary School selects Judi Brown as 2025 Staff Member of the Year
    Midtown Elementary School selects Judi Brown as 2025 Staff Member of the Year
    MADISON - Teachers and staff at Midtown Elementary School decided to honor Judi Brown as “2025 Staff Member of the Year.” “I started in Madison City S...
    June 11, 2025
    Liberty recognizes Karen Price as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    Liberty recognizes Karen Price as ‘Teacher of the Year’
    MADISON - As an educator, Karen Price constantly strives ‘to do the right thing’ for students with honesty, kindness and sincerity. Liberty Middle Sch...
    June 11, 2025
    Influx of FBI and Space Force employees will have a major impact on Madison
    Influx of FBI and Space Force employees will have a major impact on Madison
    MADISON – Matt Curtis with Matt Curtis Real Estate recently profiled the current housing market in the City of Madison and surrounding Madison County....
    June 4, 2025
    Meet the candidates for the Madison election on June 8
    Meet the candidates for the Madison election on June 8
    MADISON - The Huntsville Committee of 100 Young Professionals is holding a Let’s Vote Madison Event on June 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Old Black Bear Brewi...
    June 4, 2025

    More Local News

    Our Latest E-edition
    Read the most recent edition
    Latest Stories
    Discovery students, sponsors compile honors during spring semester
    Discovery students, sponsors compile honors during spring semester
    MADISON – Now that school’s out for summer, students and sponsors at Discovery Middle School can reflect on awards and honors that they compiled durin...
    June 4, 2025
    Blue Apple Books to welcome author/ poet Jim Parker, Mahjong expert Bree Beckwith
    Blue Apple Books to welcome author/ poet Jim Parker, Mahjong expert Bree Beckwith
    MADISON – A musical artist whose creativity led to a book of poetry, along with an expert in a game that was the rage during the Roaring Twenties, wil...
    June 4, 2025
    Colquitt named Madison Hospital’s VP of Clinical Operations
    Colquitt named Madison Hospital’s VP of Clinical Operations
    MADISON – In her new role as Vice President of Clinical Operations, Renee Colquitt wants Madison Hospital to be the best place to work, the best place...
    June 4, 2025
    U.S. Space & Rocket Center to host Blue Origin flight launch party on Saturday
    U.S. Space & Rocket Center to host Blue Origin flight launch party on Saturday
    HUNTSVILLE – The U. S. Space & Rocket Center is celebrating the launch of Blue Origin’s New Shepard-32 mission with a blue-themed launch party Sat...
    May 30, 2025
    Madison receives 2025 Main Street AL designation
    Madison receives 2025 Main Street AL designation
    MADISON - Main Street Alabama continues to expand its statewide reach by selecting the City of Madison for Designation this year, and both Main Street...
    May 29, 2025
    poll
    Latest Sports
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    Daly returns home to play for Trash Pandas
    MADISON - Since birth, Mitch Daly has always been on the move as his father, Ed, is a four-star general in the U.S. Army causing him to pack up his wi...
    May 26, 2025
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    Thousands expected for Memorial Day’s Cotton Row Run
    HUNTSVILLE - The Cotton Row Run is a community event. The annual Memorial Day extravaganza, held in downtown Huntsville, again this year will attract ...
    May 20, 2025
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals
    HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy entered the state soccer tournament scoreless in three previous games at John Hunt Park, including against Donoho last se...
    May 9, 2025
    Have bat, will travel: Bob Jones seeks offense on road in semifinals
    Have bat, will travel: Bob Jones seeks offense on road in semifinals
    MADISON – Bob Jones has left little margin for error as it seeks to repeat as Class 7A state baseball champions. The Patriots, however, have done just...
    May 7, 2025
    Mustangs advance in Class 5A state playoffs
    Mustangs advance in Class 5A state playoffs
    NORTHPORT – With a handful of senior leaders and a mission of retribution, Madison Academy set sail on the 2025 baseball season toward the promised la...
    May 7, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Business
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Business
      • Sponsored Content

    Other Publications

    Madison Living Logo Living 50 Plus Logo

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © , The Madison Record