“Rumors and Rumblings” is a weekly feature that runs each Wednesday. It includes short nuggets of information that we glean from conversations throughout the week. Have a tip? Send it here.
1. The Romney campaign is looking to follow up on their very successful Birmingham fundraiser with another in Huntsville. Details are hazy right now but early speculation is revolving around either Paul Ryan and Condoleezza Rice as the headliner. It’s probably a longshot to hope Ryan makes it to the Yellowhammer state between now and election day, but a top campaign surrogate could likely pull in a solid haul in the Huntsville area which relies heavily on national defense spending.
2. House Minority Leader Craig Ford and powerhouse Democrat consultant Joe Perkins have parted company after infighting broke out over the campaign to pass Amendment 1. Ford was against the amendment while Perkins was an integral part of the the operation working behind-the-scenes to pass it. Ford has struggled to remain relevant as the Leader of a fragmented House Democrat Caucus. Meanwhile Perkins has consolidated his power as the top Democrat operative in the state after most of his potential competition fell by the wayside post-2010 Republican wave. “This isn’t even a blip on Joe’s radar,” commented one insider. “But it’s a major blow to Ford, especially if he still entertains delusions of running for statewide office.”
3. GOP nominee for PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh had another successful fundraiser this past week. Governor Bentley served as honorary host for the event which took place in Elaine and Lance LeFleur’s home in Cloverdale. Cavanaugh took in approximately $15,000 at the event. “We’re excited to get a Republican in the last Democrat stronghold in Alabama,” commented one donor.
4. The Chief Justice race has been flying mostly below the radar after Democrats booted Harry Lyon off the ballot and replaced him with Robert Vance. Montgomery oddsmakers don’t give Vance much of a shot at beating Roy Moore. But Vance is starting to make the rounds touting a roadmap for Democrat statewide victory that he claims Montgomery consultant David Mowery has created for him. Mowery is the Chairman of the few Mowery Consulting Group whose client list includes Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, Democrat Representative Richard Lindsey, Republican Senator Dick Brewbaker, and Independent Senator Hari Anne Smith among others.
