Comments on: North Alabama Democrats planning their own “Operation Chaos”

By: Flashpoint » Blog Archive » Parker crushes Guthrie

Flashpoint » Blog Archive » Parker crushes Guthrie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:59:54 +0000

[...] much for the Democrat’s Operation Chaos in the 5th district. Wayne Parker defeated Cheryl Baswell Guthrie by about a 4 to 1 margin [...]

By: Lee P

Lee P — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:20:59 +0000

That the Republican Party allows, and even welcomes, Democrats to vote in its primary runoffs is a product of its longtime status as the minority party in Alabama. Until the 1990’s, it was generally taken for granted that whoever won the Democratic primary would win the general election. Republicans needed all the participation they could get in their primaries.

Now that that’s changed and the parties are on more even footing in Alabama, I suspect that the Republicans will change their crossover rule sometime in the near future.

To those Democrats who think that crossing over to vote Republican in the runoff will hurt the Republican Party’s chances in November, I’d suggest that - at least in past elections - the effect of Democratic crossover voting has had exactly the opposite effect. It has generally served to produce more moderate - and therefore more electable - candidates for the general election.

By: Art Kling

Art Kling — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:04:18 +0000

I found Wayne Parkers answer to be all about spin and not about a discussion of issues. Reminds me of Bushs “stay the course”. If she is a loon then a debate is free publicity. Mark me down for Griffith.

By: wayne

wayne — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:30:21 +0000

The question was: “Will you agree to a series of debates?” A straight answer would be yes, no or I don;t yet know. I don’t think it is obtuse to ask for an answer to a question asked. And his answer was clear, which is why I cobn’t understand why he did not just say no. Save the artful dodge for questions from the wife, or tough questions later. Why dodge easy ones?

By: Talmadge East

Talmadge East — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:20:32 +0000

Just to reassure some, yes this is legal. Is it right? That brings to the forefront another issue. First of all, what Rush did or what the Democrats are talking about doing, is nothing new in Alabama. It has happened for years, and will continue to happen unless we swap to registering by party (which I am not for). No, it probably won’t make a difference, but it might at least make things more interesting.

By: Political Junkie

Political Junkie — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:28:53 +0000

Brian: yeah my spreadsheet didn’t include the right totals. I left out the “other Republican votes” in my calculation for votes needed to win a run-off. Still don’t think they’ll do anything other than get her out of the teen’s.
Wayne: I’m sorry, you’re being obtuse. Wayne Parker did answer the question directly. Albeit in a polite way. Please, please tell me that you don’t answer “yes” when your significant other walks out wearing an unattractive outfit and says “does this make me look fat?” We’ve all learned the art of the tactful dodge. (E.g., “Oh honey, it makes your eyes glow!”)
I don’t know how much clearer Wayne could have been without being spiteful. I’m proud that Wayne didn’t call her a loon, even though she most definitely is a certifiable loon. Name calling and smears are beneath the dignity of Congress.

By: wayne

wayne — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:29:07 +0000

Cheryl challenged Wayne to a set of denates which Wayne declined by saying “we’ll keep doing what we’ve bben doing, its working.” When pressed for yes or no, he got a smarmy smile and repeated the mantra. Guys , I am not voting for CBG, but I don’t like this. I hate when a politician won’t answer. Just say the truth: She’s a loon and I have nothing to gain from being onstage with her. Please..

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:32:52 +0000

Actually, Griffith received 34,541 votes compared to 37,934 for ALL Republicans. So if all his voters came out and supported Guthrie - which isn’t going to happen - then Wayne would lose. There are just too many “casual voters” who won’t vote for fun for this to work. Maybe the Dems can make it a couple of points closer, but they can’t change the outcome.

By: Political Junkie

Political Junkie — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:12:54 +0000

Also, I think that any meddling would really help Wayne out tremendously. (See the State BoE races.)

By: Political Junkie

Political Junkie — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:11:38 +0000

Well for perspective, even if every single one of Griffith’s voters turned out to support CBG, Wayne could still win.
Seeing as how that’s extremely unlikely, I don’t think that strategy makes her mountain climbable.
Still, it’s troubling. No less so because it’s a taste of what our own party leaders (namely Rush) have been advocating recently.