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Is coronavirus the key to a Doug Jones victory in 2020?

Not much has been expected from the Alabama Democratic Party over the last decade-plus.

Yes, we have our caretaker junior U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL), who won a statewide election in 2017, but everyone knows that victory was less about Jones and more about the allegation against Roy Moore leading to hundreds of thousands of Republicans staying home.

But almost no one expects 2017 to be recreated in Alabama in 2020 with President Donald Trump on the ballot.

Well, almost no one.

Alabama Democratic Party Chairman and State Representative Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) argued that former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Jones can actually win this year.

Joe Biden could win Alabama? In 2020? Against Donald Trump?

This is apparently what he believes.

England appeared on WVNN’s “The Dale Jackson Show” on Tuesday and explained how this very unlikely scenario could actually play out with an unwelcome assist from the coronavirus.

England noted that turnout was crucial, as it was in 2017. He also pointed out that Democrats need to get people to vote early.

“[I]t provides an opportunity for people to actually get out, get their absentee ballots done early and get it out of the way,” he advised.

The Alabama Democratic Party chairman sees this as an “opportunity” to “see an increase in turnout.”

My takeaway:

All of this seems highly unlikely to turn the state of Alabama in favor of Biden and Jones.

The 2017 Jones victory was not about increased Democratic turnout. It was about depressed Republican turnout, and no one should expect to see a decreased enthusiasm for Donald Trump and the GOP ticket in November, especially in Alabama.

Listen:

Dale Jackson is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 7-11 AM weekdays on WVNN.

 

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