There are a few scenarios which could give rise to this map. If control of redistricting is split, then I could see this as a compromise map. As you'll soon see, Mike Rogers' life gets easier while the Second District becomes solidly Democratic (albeit with Bobby Bright is serious trouble in the primary, assuming he's still around).
Even if Democrats have the redistricting trifecta, the fact that only one of the state's seven districts can be counted on to go Democratic and only one another saw Obama get more than 40% of the vote has got to be worrisome. So, a map such as this can also be seen as a Democratic gerrymander of sorts in that it makes two solidly Democratic districts.
I could even see this as a Republican map, especially if Bobby Bright survives. If that happens, they could concede the Second in return for shoring up their most vulnerable member: Mike Rogers.
Finally, this map could result from a decision by the courts or the Justice Department mandating that Alabama have another black-majority district. 2005 Census estimates put Alabama at 26.7% black. That amounts to just under two districts, and considering that adding another majority black district to Alabama is fairly easy as the heavily black areas tend to be clustered or at least fairly close to each other.
U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, told the Press-Register today that he will not run for governor of Alabama in 2010, ending months of speculation over whether he would join a crowded field of candidates seeking to replace term-limited Gov. Bob Riley.
"After a lot of serious thought and consideration, as well as many heartfelt prayers, Janee and I have concluded that now is simply not the right time to launch a statewide campaign," Bonner said.
Bonner nabbed a spot on the Appropriations Committee last year, which makes life in the minority a bit more palatable. And a few weeks ago, he earned some upgrades on his other assignments. In any event, this move scratches a name off of our open seat watch, but both the GOP and Dem gubernatorial fields are still up in the air.
The "Ben Lodmell for Congress" local campaign office is moving closer to our grand opening with a meeting today of local supporters with his staff members from Mobile to make plans for a painting and furnishing party . Anyone reading this diary who has contacts in the First District, please feel free to join us and/or to contact others who might be interested.
This is going to be a race, folks. Make no mistake. There are already a lot of "little people" on board in this campaign. If Jo Bonner expects a cakewalk he may just be in for a surprise.
What follows is Congressional candidate Benjamin Lodmell's response to incumbent Congressman Jo Bonner(AL-01-R). We might just have a race on our hands but Lodmell needs your support.
WHEN IS A JOKE NOT A JOKE?
Want to hear a bad joke? Bush's man in Mobile, Jo Bonner, claims he has represented Alabama's 1st Congressional District for going on six years. Well, if that's a joke, the joke's on us. Bonner hasn't represented anything but the special interests that fill and re-fill his campaign war chest whenever voting season rolls around. Like now. But that's only part of the joke. The joke really gets going when you read Jo's year-end tout sheet of the Bush-Bonner gang's accomplishments during the first session of the 110th Congress.
I just read the list of "Target Seats" from the DCCC and I'm not happy. Has the entire South, except for Florida, slipped right off the map? Have they learned nothing from 2006, when we picked up far more seats than expected? If we ignore the South by saying "we can't win down there", it will become a self fulfilling prophecy. I believe that some of these honest and hardworking young Dems have a chance, but only if we pay attention and give them some support (especially financial support). Take a moment to read what Ben Lodmell has to say in this press release/pledge to supporters.
MOBILE, December 26, 2007 - "This Democrat will not solicit any special interest money in the coming election campaign against the incumbent Republican Congressman Jo Bonner."
With these words, Ben Lodmell, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, today vowed not to let big business be a corrupting influence in the 1st Congressional District of Alabama. In a letter to supporters, Lodmell wrote, "The people can trust that my allegiance is to them and only them. They have my word on it."
Please read this statement and consider whether this powerful new voice in Southern Democratic politics deserves your $upport.
Bush-Bonner gang torpedoes energy bill;
'example of corrupt government at work'
Contact: Ben Lodmell, Candidate for Congress
PO Box 40926 - Mobile, AL 36640
Telephone: 251-404-2663
MOBILE, December 10, 2007 - When the Bush-Bonner gang torpedoed the Energy Bill last week it was "a near-perfect example of corrupt government at work," according to a statement issued today by Ben Lodmell, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's first congressional district.
I am so honored. I got a letter from Congressman Josiah Bonner, the Alabama First District's version of Bush-puppet. In it he explained to me that voting for or against S-CHIP isn't really a vote for or against children. No, it is, according to the patented convoluted Republican line "a part of an ongoing conversation on the expansion of government-controlled health care and the value of the free market".
