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Yellow Dogs and Blue Dogs: Alabama's Three? Dog Night

I know what a Yellow Dog is. A Yellow Dog is a Democrat who would vote the Democratic ticket even if he or she had to vote for a yellow (aka "yaller" dog). But what on earth is a Blue Dog? I recently discovered that there are a great number of Blue Dogs in the US Congress --fifty-two to be exact. Blue Dogs are Democrats who were elected on the Democratic ticket but who tend to cast their votes with Republicans on most matters of consequence. Bobby Bright, who represents the 2nd Congressional District in Alabama, is one such Blue Dog. Bright, former mayor of Montgomery, was elected to congress in 2008, the first Democrat to be elected in forty-five years. According to the Blue Dog Coalition web site, the "Blue Dog" moniker was taken by members of The Coalition because their moderate-to-conservative-views had been "choked blue" by their party in the years leading up to the 1994 election. Bright, unlike his fellow congressman Parker Griffith (of Alabama's 5th Congressional District), apparently has no plans to become a Republican.

As usual, Alabama continues to be a mixed bag both politically and economically. Several recent events have set the bloggers buzzing. Not the least among them is the sudden defection of Congressman Parker Griffith from the Democratic to the Republican party, leaving his constituents feelings frustrated and betrayed. Rumors were flying that Alabama's Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks, a current gubernatorial hopeful, might shelve his plans to run for governor and instead run for Parker's seat in the 5th Congressional District.

Commissioner Ron Sparks announced last week (Dec 29, 2009) that he would not seek a seat in the US Congress in 2010 but rather would continue his bid to become the 53rd governor of Alabama. "I made a commitment to the people of Alabama when I decided to run for governor," Sparks told the AP shortly before announcing his decision at a news conference in Huntsville.

Another potential candidate who had been aggressively wooed by the Democratic Party for the Congressional seat is Public Service Commissioner Dr. Susan Parker. Parker also announced last week ( Dec 30) that she would not run for Congress. Parker told the press that her interest in making things better for consumers, as well as regional and national commitments related to the PSC, helped her decide to stay in the race for the Public Service Commissioner. Republican candidates for the Congressional position include Les Phillip and Mo Brooks.

In the upcoming Democratic Primary, Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks will face off against Representative Artur Davis, Congressman from the 7th District. Other candidates for the gubernatorial nomination include former two-year college Chancellor Bradley Byrne, State Treasurer Kay Ivey, Greenville businessman Tim James, state Rep. Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, James Potts of Wilton, and Bill Johnson, former director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Bill Johnson. Both the Democratic and the Republican primary (ie, the 5th district seat and the nomination for governor) are expected to be highly contentious.Lt Governor Jim Folsom will not run for governor but will run for a second term as lt. governor.

Alabama's current governor Bob Riley is not eligible to run for re-election. Riley is Alabama's 52nd elected governor and has served two consecutive terms. He is only the third Republican governor to be elected in the state's history since the end of Reconstruction. His administration has been marked by efforts to reform the state's tax system and improving the state's educational efforts. Riley has also been a major force in bringing new industry to the state.

---Penne J. Laubenthal

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