My immediate pledge was to steady the ship of state, and navigate Alabama through the storm we found ourselves in. That, too, is a promise kept.
I was sworn in exactly half way through a session that I began as president of the Senate. As governor, I signed 333 bills and resolutions into law. Many bills I signed as governor also bore my signature from my time as president of the Senate. The smooth transition of government, brought me full circle--from the legislative to the executive. I support having a lieutenant governor who presides over the Senate. Our current order of succession serves the state well. I know this firsthand, having experienced it.
Throughout July, August and September, I embarked on my Listen, Learn, Help and Lead tour where I visited communities across the state. I spent an entire day in these communities, meeting with local leaders and visiting their businesses and schools. I wanted to learn about their successes and their challenges. I wanted to hear from everyday people, not just from the politicians and lobbyists in Montgomery.
These meetings were beneficial and well received. People were excited about reconnecting with their governor.
He took that work ethic with him to the University of Alabama. He studied business, served on the SGA, and Alabama's champion debate team--though It was in the Alabama Republican Party where he found his passion for public service.
After college his first job was as manager of Britling on the Highland in Birmingham. He moved to Huntsville in 1980 and was elected to the city council in 1984, before being elected as Huntsville's mayor in 2008. He was re-elected in 2012 and again in 2016, receiving more than 80% of the votes cast in both elections.
Everything Tommy has done in his life has been built on the conservative values he learned from his dad at that first job way back when.
Moore said a key to making that happen is making sure the federal government stays within constitutional bounds. "We've got to understand that getting back to the Constitution, getting back to its restraints, are what we need in this country to make it great again."
Last week, a special Alabama Supreme Court upheld the decision suspending Moore from his position for the remainder of his term. The Court of the Judiciary found that Moore violated judicial ethics by telling probate judges in a January 2016 administrative order that they still had a duty to uphold Alabama's laws against gay marriage. The US Supreme Court had legalized gay marriage in June 2015.
The Court of the Judiciary removed Moore from the chief justice's office in 2003 for refusing to follow a federal judge's order to remove a Ten Commandments monument Moore had placed in the state judicial building. Voters returned Moore to the chief justice's office in 2012. His term was to end in 2019.
Shelby: As a lifelong Presbyterian, I strongly believe that our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values and that those values should guide all that we do. Throughout my tenure in public office, I have consistently fought for conservative principles. I know that the best form of government is one that is smaller and less intrusive.
Q: Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which political philosophy best describes you?
Shelby: Very Conservative
Q: Please defend your answer by referencing your publicly available track record.
Shelby: I currently have an 87% conservative rating from Heritage Action, an A+ lifetime rating from the NRA for protecting the Second Amendment, and an A+ lifetime rating from Numbers USA for my strong record on immigration. I have also received the "ACU Conservative Achievement Award" from the American Conservative Union.
Jonathan McConnell, a 33-year-old former Marine, attacked Shelby's age, longevity, record and ethics. On Sunday, he campaigned at the door to the Donald Trump rally hoping to tap into those GOP voters angry with the establishment. In the end, the anti-Shelby vote splintered among McConnell and the other three challengers. And more notably, the results indicate that even some passionate Trump voters turned their ballots over and chose Shelby.
The Republican fights President Barack Obama--who has been made the icon of our xenophobia--"every hour of every day," according to a commercial he is running. And there's some truth to that. On issues where the Obama administration has stated a position, according to a recent study by Congressional Quarterly, Shelby voted against the White House 63.9 percent of the time. He leads the Senate in that statistic.
His opposition to a U.S. Supreme Court nominee that Obama has not even selected is a recent example of his blind opposition to the president. It may be a politically savvy strategy, but it interferes with the efficient workings of government
Great State 2019 Plan sets its sights on educating and training our people, while connecting and constructing basic opportunities for all our citizens. This bold course of action has guided us, and will continue to be our map for the next two years.
The Great State 2019 Plan serves as a Guidepost to remind us that while we gain ground, we cannot continue to ignore the problems that have persisted in our state for decades.
Will we ask ourselves the words in the book of Galatians "You were running so well, who is it that cut in on you? Such distraction does not come from the One who calls you." The day we were elected and chosen, asked by the people of this state to serve them--to be their voices in state government--we were not Called for Politics. We were Called for a Purpose.
A: Strongly disagree. The constitution is very specific on this issue.
Griffith's camp accused Bentley of bad faith negotiating and fear of an open discussion of the issues. The Democratic nominee has been pushing the debate issue hard in recent weeks. Late last month, Griffith made stops around the state with a 20-foot high duck--symbolic, he said, of the governor "ducking" a forensic contest with him. The inflatable waterfowl sparked high-level discussions between the campaigns. But the camps disagreed over what sunk the debate.
Bentley had expressed a willingness to debate Griffith after his primary victory on June 3. In his statement Monday, the governor said "my opponent's actions prove he has no interest in such civil political discourse." A spokesperson noted, "What's different is our opponent is carrying an inflatable duck around the state."
Late last month, Griffith made stops around the state with a 20-foot high duck--symbolic, he said, of the governor "ducking" a forensic contest with him.
Bentley had expressed a willingness to debate Griffith after his primary victory on June 3. In his statement Monday, the governor said he once had hopes for a "civil conversation" on the issues. "My opponent's actions prove he has no interest in such civil political discourse, making any debate with him meaningless in helping people make up their mind in this election."
A spokesperson said the only reason for the governor getting away from the debate was Griffith's actions. Asked how Griffith's comments were different [from other campaigning], she replied, "What's different about this is our opponent is carrying an inflatable duck around the state.
Democrats have a single candidate for six other statewide offices. No Democrat stepped out to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions.
The Democrats don't have a candidate for the state Supreme Court associate justice seat on the ballot. Nor do they have a candidate for three seats on the state appeals courts that are on the ballot.
Figures actually dropped by Sessions’ Mobile office Monday to deliver the debate challenge, but no one was at work on the Columbus Day holiday. So, Figures said she faxed and e-mailed the debate challenge to Sessions Tuesday As of late Tuesday, Figures said, she had not received a response from the Sessions campaign.
The state director for Sessions, said the campaign had received nothing from Figures. “We haven’t received anything to respond to,” he said, adding that Figures should have approached them months ago. “We debated in 1996 and 2002 and in each case the details of those debates were worked out months ahead of time. This is something we’re not going to be discussing,” he said.
Figures actually dropped by Sessions’ Mobile office Monday to deliver the debate challenge, but no one was at work on the Columbus Day holiday. So, Figures said she faxed & e-mailed the debate challenge to Sessions Tuesday. As of late Tuesday, Figures said, she had not received a response from the Sessions campaign.
The state director for Sessions, said the campaign had received nothing from Figures Tuesday. “We haven’t received anything to respond to,” he said.
Figures said she hopes Sessions will take her up on her offer. “I think the people of Alabama deserve to hear from both of us, see both of us together answering questions,” Figures said.
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| 2016 Presidential contenders on Principles & Values: | |||
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Republicans:
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX) Carly Fiorina(CA) Gov.John Kasich(OH) Sen.Marco Rubio(FL) Donald Trump(NY) |
Democrats:
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY) Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT) 2016 Third Party Candidates: Roseanne Barr(PF-HI) Robert Steele(L-NY) Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA) | ||
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