RickJourney's Blog

Just a thought here.
What's the benefit of moving Alabama's primary to February 5th?

Oh, the party folks say it makes Alabama a player in national politics.

That it would encourage face time between common folks and the men and women who want to be president.

Has it?

For starters, how big a player will Alabama be come Feb 5th when its one of 12 state primaries? California, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Missouri... places with lots of delegate marbles also hold primaries that day. Will candidates really flock to Alabama and pour resources here when bigger states are up for grabs, too?

As for face time, some have complained to me that its a hit and run scenario. A candidate swoops in, provides little or no media availability and zero face time with people not "paying customers" for a fundraising event. Want an example? How about John Edwards last week? In Mountain Brook last Sunday for a backyard bbq with paying supporters... out in a snap. Did it really make a difference for the typical Alabama voter looking for options and not willing to contribute... at least at this point?

Sure, Giuliani pressed the flesh with lunch goers at Birmingham's Fish Market a few months back. Obama held BIG money events and a 25-dollar per person event to reach a wider audience. Clinton speaks to the Alabama Democratic Conference October 13th. 

But Alabama voters are not getting the personal attention Iowa and New Hampshire receives.  For all practical purposes, we can't receive that attention. The time and resources aren't there, which means those early states get the face time. The big states get the resources. Politicos in Alabama get the satisfaction of saying, we're earlier... so we get to shake a hand for the cash we contribute.

But it appears the personal attention from candidate to average voter is no different this year than years past.

If you want to form an educated opinion about the candidates based on the issues, here's another option for you.

Brent Buchanan of Montgomery loves politics. He wants to make a difference. So, he has launched NationalPlatforms.com. Its an all inclusive issues-based website showcasing the stances of the Dems and Reps running for president. Buchanan says he leans conservative, but posts a well-researched, neutral site that allows people to make their own decisions. 

In the race for Birmingham mayor, incumbent Bernard Kincaid receives the endorsement today of former mayor Richard Arrington. The former foes proved political allies in the last re-election effort for Kincaid, as well. Arrington praises Kincaid's "honest government" in a new radio ad.

To demonstrate how radically politics has changed since the days Arrington inhabited the mayor's office, the Jefferson County Citizens Coalition endorsed Patrick Cooper today.

There was a time when the Coalition, coupled with Arrington and Donald Watkins, ruled this city. Interesting piece to recall in last week's Birmingham News from Tom Spencer. It detailed what's left of the Coalition's political clout these days.

By the way, don't forget Thursday night's e-Town Forum at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.