Last week, State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa), now the chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, said he “absolutely” saw U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook) and former Vice President Joe Biden winning in Alabama on November 3.
Most see that outcome as a longshot but will acknowledge the Alabama Democratic Party is in better hands under England’s leadership.
During an appearance on Mobile radio’s FM Talk 106.5 on Tuesday, former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, the last governor to occupy that seat as a Democrat, was skeptical of England’s proclamation. However, he applauded his state’s party for its “positive and upbeat attitude.”
“I like what I’ve seen because it’s different from what I have seen,” he said. “So yes, the fact they finally changed leadership is a huge plus. But it will take a long time for the Democrats to find traction and begin winning state elections again.”
“The party didn’t do anything with the candidates, which were on the ballot, and many of whom were exceedingly well qualified,” Siegelman added. “Of course, I have to remind listeners that I had my son on the ballot, Joe Siegelman, for attorney general. But that being said, there were a number of really highly qualified candidates who I think could have been and should have been elected in their own right. We’re dealing in a state that has been traditionally, at least for the last 18 years, a Republican state. And there is a lot of Republican straight-ticket, and of course of a lot of Democrat straight-ticket voting — more Republicans voting straight-ticket than Democrats. And so it is an uphill battle for Chris England and the state Democratic Party. I do admire their positive and upbeat attitude, and their determination to get it turned around.”
Siegelman said for Jones to defeat former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, a lot of work had to be done.
He added he thought he national election between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden would be close.
“I think it is going to be very close,” Siegelman said. “He is a good man. I have followed his career since the early 70s. He is a moderate on almost every issue. He will not be portrayed that way by Donald Trump. But he is a moderate and a good person who has a big heart. In my judgment, he would be a good president. He would not lead us off too far to the left, and certainly not too far to the right. He would be a refreshing voice in international politics, and I think he would be trying to heal the nation and pull people together.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
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