I was going to wait until Ms. Roby had a campaign website up – she only announced last week, and this was Memorial Day weekend – but apparently the local Democrats are already beginning to play the “create multiple accounts and go after her for being a mom*” in local comment sections, so best to get this up now.
So. AL-02. R+16 in the Cook Political Report; Bobby Bright won this one by something like 1800 votes. Against an incumbent and/or a Democratic President’s coattails, he would have lost. Bright claims “Blue Dog” status; he has slightly more reason than some, given that he did break with his party to vote against the ‘stimulus‘ package. The DCCC has him on their list of Representatives to protect, so he’s almost certain to get away with that, too. They may even drop more money on him this time, assuming of course that they have it to spare.
But enough about this calculated insult to progressive Democrats by their own party; let’s look at Martha Roby. She’s young (32 years old), currently on the City Council for Montgomery, where she apparently represents a majority-minority constituency (if this report is correct, in her last election she won majorities among both white and African-American voters in her city district). She’s popular in her home area, plans to run as a conservative, and it can be safely assumed that her candidacy is going to be supported by the NRCC.
Plus, she is – as mentioned earlier – a mother of two. This is something that I wouldn’t go out of my way to mention about either a female or male candidate, but apparently – as also mentioned earlier – this sort of thing bothers online Democrats, at least when it comes to female Republican candidates. Rather regressive of them, butwhat can you do?
Moe Lane
*As I’ve said before, the Democrats beat feminism to death with a tire iron to win the last election. Worse still, at least a few of them seem to have found that they have a taste for it.
Crossposted to Moe Lane.
Aaron Gardner
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Sounds like an good candidate
Kyle-MI (Diary) Tuesday, May 26th at 9:56AM EST (link)I will be keeping my eye on this race and will be interested in learning more about her positions.
Martha is a force to be reckoned with in Alabama.
WarEagle01 (Diary) Tuesday, May 26th at 10:35AM EST (link)I actually met her last week at our local Republican-club meeting. She is a bright and articulate young lawyer who enjoys great popularity here in Montgomery. She is the daughter of a highly respected federal judge and is conservative down the line, consistently voting against tax increases and increased spending. She seems to have a very good relationship with our current mayor, Todd Strange, a Republican who also garnered significant support from the black community in the recent special election to replace Bobby Bright. It would not surprise me if he throws his support to her. There are a couple of other things which could make this race interesting. First, I think it is likely that state representative Jay Love, who, as you note, lost to Bobby Bright by 1800 votes in Nov., will run again next year. The 2008 Republican primary battle between Love and Hari Anne Smith was particularly nasty and I think really weakened Love in the general. I really hope that doesn’t happen again. Second, Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) will probably be the Democrat candidate for governor. He will be the first black Democrat to run for that office, at least since Reconstruction. Thus, we might be looking at a reprise of the Obama coattails which clinched the election for Bright last year.
“A wise, doughy leg with rich tingly experiences will always reach better conclusions than will a more tanned, muscular leg that hasn’t felt those thrills.” –Chris Matthews’ Leg
“The alternative to the awful extremity of abortion is the indispensable joy of introducing this flawed world to someone who might make it better.”–John Hayward (AKA Dr. Zero)
We have one of these coming up fast.
NightTwister (Diary) Tuesday, May 26th at 10:50AM EST (link)I’m not going to mention her name because it would do no good, but expect to see a state representative from Northern Colorado running for national office in a few years.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
This Will Be a Tough Fight
poygankid (Diary) Tuesday, May 26th at 11:30AM EST (link)Hari Anne Smith is the fly in the ointment here. After she lost the primary to Jay Love, she threw her support behind Dem Bobby Bright in the general election. Smith has also indicated that she will run again so we can expect the same kind of shenanegans. AL-02 is heavily gerrymandered and does not include the middle and upper middle class neighborhoods of East Montgomery. These neighborhoods belong to Rep. Rodgers and AL-03. This will hurt Ms Roby’s chances in a district that is becoming increasingly populated by African-American state employees and blue collar whites. Best of luck to Ms Roby and State Rep. Love as they attempt to unseat a highly incompetent Pelosi yes-man like Bobby Bright.
“In politics the middle way is none at all. ”
-John Adams
Good Points
WarEagle01 (Diary) Tuesday, May 26th at 12:29PM EST (link)It will definitely be an uphill battle. Smith will be a disaster yet again. She endorsed Bright for God’s sake.
“A wise, doughy leg with rich tingly experiences will always reach better conclusions than will a more tanned, muscular leg that hasn’t felt those thrills.” –Chris Matthews’ Leg
“The alternative to the awful extremity of abortion is the indispensable joy of introducing this flawed world to someone who might make it better.”–John Hayward (AKA Dr. Zero)