Phil Williams: Less outrage, more leadership
Time and again over the past few years, we have witnessed a disturbing trend among liberals, namely that if you don’t agree with their positions that you are to be silenced, boycotted, or removed. This past weekend, the Executive Committee of the Alabama Republican Party jumped into the liberal playbook feet first when it passed a resolution calling for Representative Ilhan Omar (Democrat-Minnesota) to be ousted from Congress. As I write this, I imagine that some of my GOP brethren around the State are slack-jawed that I would say such a thing. So, before you espouse my demise as a conservative, let’s be clear: I am an individual with unquestioned credentials as a conservative, a Christian and a Republican. I find Congresswoman Omar to be generally reprehensible, a fomenter of chaos, and a person with whom I have yet to find agreement. I also find her opinions to be protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution……and that, my conservative friends, is what really matters. Winston Churchill, never one to mince words, said “Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage.” What we need is less outrage, and more leadership with willingness to debate. It wasn’t so long ago that In-and-Out Burger was threatened with a boycott for supporting Republicans. Chick-Fil-A has often faced criticism and threats for standing for their corporate Christian culture. Entire States, including the great State of Alabama, have been the subject of proposed travel bans and business exodus for daring to stand for the rights of the unborn. All of these examples, and more, exist in current lexicon and were rebuffed by conservatives, including the ALGOP. And then, in a fit of hypocrisy, members of the same party, who withstood those similar attacks, cast aside any notion of constitutional protection and called for a duly elected representative from Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District to be thrown out of Congress altogether for her liberal views. Justice Antonin Scalia, arguably one of the most conservative jurists of our time, considered the notion of content discrimination a matter of strict scrutiny on the question of freedom of speech. Referring to this principle as the “first axiom” of First Amendment law, Scalia stated, “The point of the First Amendment is that majority preferences must be expressed in some fashion other than silencing speech on the basis of its content.” Let’s be real here….conservatives don’t generally like Representative Omar. I get it. The answer to that is to debate on the merits of our own position. Say what you want on your social media, or around the water cooler. Heck, we can even travel to Minnesota and campaign for her opposition. I suspect her public image is actually going to implode on its own. But, the idea that a group of Alabama hecklers is going to have her thrown out of office is not only ludicrous, and beneath what we stand for, it is antithetical to the foundations of this great experiment we call a representative democracy. I’m not afraid of Ilhan Omar. I’d be proud to debate rings around her in a public forum. But, like many others, I swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. And that same Constitution affords a voice to all, not just to some. Phil Williams, API Director of Policy Strategy, is a former State Senator from Gadsden. For updates, follow him on Twitter at @SenPhilWilliams and visit alabamapolicy.org.
Steve Flowers: Alabama leads the way with women in governmental leadership
There has been a lot of talk about the advancement of women in politics over the past year. It has been suggested that more progressive states have led the way with this change. Alabama can very well make the case that we lead the nation in women taking leadership roles in our state. It is very doubtful that any state in the nation can claim a female governor and a female chief executive of their states leading business organization. Kay Ivey became Governor on January 14, after having been elected to her own four-year term in November. Kay had previously been the State Treasurer for eight-years and Lt. Governor for six-years. She was serving an unexpired term as Governor for two-years prior to her election last year. On January 2, Katie Boyd Britt took over the reins of the state’s most powerful political organization, the Business Council of Alabama. She is the first woman to serve as the BCA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. She is not only the first woman CEO, she is by far the youngest CEO in BCA history. Katie Britt comes to the BCA from Senator Richard Shelby’s office where she has been our Senior Senator’s Chief of Staff. Alabama Power CEO, Mark Crosswhite, who chairs the BCA’s Executive Committee said, “As the top staff member for Senator Shelby, she has worked daily with businesses and elected officials from Alabama and the country. Katie has always been a bright star on the Alabama political stage. She grew up in Enterprise and served as President of the Student Government Association at the University of Alabama then graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. Before becoming Chief of Staff, she worked in several posts in Senator Shelby’s office including Press Secretary. She is married to Wesley Britt, a former Alabama and professional football player and they have two children. As Senator Shelby’s top advisor for the last five years, she has headed his Judicial Nomination Task Force. She has spearheaded the effort to recommend young talent for the eight vacancies serving Alabama on the Federal Circuit and District Court Benches. As the Senator’s Chief of Staff, Katie has managed all of Shelby’s DC and state operations including matters relating to personnel throughout his six offices. She has overseen an administrative annual budget of almost $4 million. In addition, as Chief of Staff, she has been our Senior Senator’s ambassador before constituents’ community leaders, industry association heads and senior executives across our state and nation. Upon taking the BCA reins, Katie said, “My heart is in Alabama. Our state has made significant progress in recent years and I am honored to have been chosen to lead the BCA during this time of growth.” Kay and Katie are not the only female governmental leaders. Twinkle Cavanaugh serves as President of the Alabama Public Service Commission. She has been a state leader for decades. She is a past Chairman of the State Republican Party. Our seven-member congressional delegation boasts of two female delegates to Congress. Given the fact that we only have seven congressional seats, two out of seven is a pretty good percentage. Congresswoman Terri Sewell has represented the Seventh District of Alabama for close to a decade. She is on a fast leadership track in the Democratic House caucus. She is a Harvard educated lawyer who was born and raised in Selma. Her sprawling district, includes Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and all of the Black Belt. Congresswoman Martha Roby has represented southeast Alabama’s second district for close to a decade. She is also on a fast track within her party ranks. She is a favorite among the House Republican leadership. Therefore, folks, Alabama does not take a backseat to any state when it comes to females in leadership roles in government. Gov. Kay Ivey came out strongly in favor of a gasoline tax to meet the state’s infrastructure needs in her Inaugural Address. If successful, she will not only go down in history as the first female Republican governor and first female governor elected in her own right, she will also leave a legacy of improving Alabama economically for decades to come. See you next week. ••• Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears in more than 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Alabama’s lone House Democrat Terri Sewell announces leadership run
Now that the U.S. House of Representatives has flipped back to the Democratic Party, Alabama’s lone House Democrat has announced that she will make a run for party leadership. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell on Wednesday announced her bid for Caucus Leadership Representative, a leadership position reserved for Members who have served five terms or less. “As a Southern Democrat who represents the urban and rural heartland, I know that our party needs to engage progressive, moderate, and conservative communities in order to build a winning coalition,” said Sewell. “We need a diversity of voices at the leadership table that reflect both geographical and ideological perspectives.” She continued, “In the next Congress, our Caucus must work with House Democrats from across the political spectrum to craft an agenda that focuses our work on the issues Americans care about most. With input from all of our Members, I believe the Democratic Caucus can win over American voters across the country and across ideologies with our fight for working families.” First elected in 2010, Sewell was re-elected Tuesady to serve her fifth term in the House of Representatives. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, as a Chief Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus, as a Member of the Steering and Policy Committee, and as Co-Chair of the Voting Rights Caucus. The full text of her letter announcing her run to her Democratic colleagues may be found below: November 7, 2018 Dear Democratic Colleagues: After Tuesday’s election-night victory, Democrats have an opportunity for the first time in a decade to refocus Congress on the needs of America’s working families. As the new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives charts a course forward, I am seeking your support for my candidacy for Caucus Leadership Representative, a leadership position reserved for Members who have served five terms or less. As a Democrat from Alabama, I have practical experience working to win over progressive, moderate, and conservative communities where independent and swing voters decide elections. My experience campaigning for Senator Doug Jones in Alabama’s 2017 special election taught me that with the right message, Democrats can win in districts across the country and that American voters prefer bipartisan, commonsense solutions over divisive rhetoric. By staying laser-focused on our fight for better jobs, access to quality and affordable healthcare, and an economy that works for all Americans, I believe Democrats can champion the needs of voters from our rural communities to our bustling cities. This past Congress, I had the honor of serving as a Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a Chief Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus, a Member of the Steering and Policy Committee, and as Co-Chair of the Voting Rights Caucus. Through these roles, I have elevated our fight for healthcare access in rural and underserved communities, made democracy reforms a top national priority, and fought for tax and trade policies that put our working families and workers first. As a Member of the Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), I have worked to hold President Trump accountable. I have fought for a fairer and more equitable tax code, and a full investigation of Russia’s attack on our democracy. I have worked to secure our elections against future cyberattacks and other threats. I believe the integrity of our elections and the health of our democratic institutions must remain a chief concern, and that in the majority, Democrats will be well positioned not only to conduct necessary oversight but to pass legislation aimed at strengthening our democracy. In order to build an agenda that unifies our Members and works across the country, I believe that our Caucus must work to engage with all House Democrats regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum. As Caucus Leadership Representative, I would reach out to the newest Members of our Caucus and work with our more experienced Members to stay up-to-date on the changing political landscape of districts across the country. With Member input, I believe the Democratic Caucus can win over American voters across the country and across ideologies with our fight for working families. The values I would bring to the Caucus Leadership Representative position are anchored in my upbringing in Selma, Alabama. Growing up in a community where so many foot soldiers fought, bled, and died for our right to vote, I learned at a young age the importance of being civically engaged, speaking out for what’s right, and fighting for our most sacred American values. As the daughter of a librarian and a public-school teacher, my parents taught me what it means to make sure no one gets left behind. Before coming to Congress, I spent over a decade practicing law, and distinguished myself as one of the only black public finance lawyers in the State of Alabama. Those are the values and experiences that shaped my first run for Congress in 2010 and which continue to inform my fight for economic growth, access to healthcare, and a democracy where all voters have a fair voice. As Caucus Leadership Representative, I would bring these values and my experiences in a diverse set of communities to the table. I would be honored to win your support for Caucus Leadership Representative, and I look forward to discussing my candidacy with you over the coming days and weeks. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Terri Sewell Member of Congress
Tommy Battle: My vision for a better Alabama
The State of Alabama has received international fame in recent years for all the wrong reasons. Corrupt leadership, pay to play politics, and entrenched Montgomery lobbyists earned us headlines we don’t want to repeat. I believe Alabama can do better. I believe Alabama deserves better! It’s time for new leadership in the state. Someone with the skills, energy, and ability to tackle tough issues and bring about meaningful change. Someone with a record of achievement. We need a governor who represents the future we want. A future of prosperity and integrity. I am that leader. As mayor of Huntsville, I set a goal to provide jobs, opportunity, and improved quality of life for our city. I worked for collaborative government that would be transparent, accountable and focused on improving roads, schools, and measured growth. I did it for Huntsville, and I can do it for all of Alabama. I am proud of our record of achievement: creating 24,000 new jobs to include the Mazda-Toyota plant, Polaris, GE Aviation, Remington, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Blue Origin, and many more. This represents 62% of all new jobs in Alabama. My administration took on challenges in education and improved our schools. We built $500 million in new roads when Montgomery backed out on its promises. We launched one of the most innovative broadband initiatives in the country to bring in Google Fiber and give residents affordable options for the fastest Internet in the world. When state funding dried up, we turned to innovative public-private partnerships to invest in our community. We turned Huntsville into the 7th best city to live in in the nation. Now it’s time to make Alabama a leading state in this country. Throughout this campaign, I’ve traveled to all 67 counties, and I see people looking for leadership. Alabamians want to be at the top of the education rankings instead of hovering at the bottom. Alabamians want jobs for high school and college graduates so they don’t head across state lines to find them. They want safe roads and bridges, prison reform, and they want to see all of Alabama do well, not just certain pockets. I’m the candidate with the energy and vision to take this challenge on. Alabama has a lot to be proud of, and we don’t need the same career politicians in Montgomery to give us more broken promises and scandal. We need leaders who can move us forward – not live in the past. I’ve met many business, civic, and community leaders focused on making their cities better, their community better and their state better. They’re doing great things in our state that you won’t find anywhere else in the world – this is the Alabama I have come to know. Proud, resilient, and hard working. I’m ready to battle for Alabama, and will be honored to lead this great state. It will take a lot of long hours and hard work, and a governor with the stamina to deliver, but I know how to get there, and with your support and teamwork, we can achieve a better Alabama. If you believe we can do better, then I’m ready to go to battle for you. I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, June 5, in the Republican primary. ••• Tommy Battle is a small businessman and the mayor of Huntsville, Ala.
Bradley Byrne: Back to school leadership tips
Earlier this year, I was asked to compile my thoughts on leadership and what it means to be an effective leader. With students back in school, high school football season underway, and college football right around the corner, I wanted to share some highlights from my leadership journey with students, athletes, and others. Throughout my professional and personal life experiences, I’ve found these three simple tips, and I think they can apply to each and every one of us. (1) Leaders Trust Their Team: A leader is only as good as the people around them. But, just having a team is not enough. You have to be able to trust them to do their job. There is nothing wrong with asking for help and surrounding yourself with talented people who can help you achieve your goals. I honestly believe I have the most talented staff on Capitol Hill and an equally talented team working for me back in Alabama. I depend on my staff all the time, whether it is briefing me on a legislative priority or arranging my complicated schedule. I could never achieve all of my goals in Congress without my first-rate team. (2) Leaders Listen: Far too often we spend all of our time talking when we should actually be listening. Stopping to listen to the ideas of others allows you to be better at whatever it is you are doing. This is why I value holding town hall meetings. I have held over 85 in-person town hall meetings since being elected to Congress, and that number goes over 100 if you include telephone and online town halls. I don’t see these meetings as an opportunity for me to talk. Instead, they are really a chance for me to listen to the people I represent. To be clear, listening does not mean you always have to agree with the other person or change your opinion. Sometimes I agree with what the individuals say and sometimes I disagree, but that is the value in listening. It is always helpful to hear different perspectives on any issues or topic before making a decision, giving you a wider range of understanding. (3) Leaders Never Give Up: July 13, 2010 was a difficult night for me. It was the night I lost the runoff in the Republican primary to be the next Governor of Alabama. It had been such a grueling campaign for my family and me, but, most importantly, I truly believed we could have made a really positive impact on our state. However, it was not to be. It would have been easy for me to let that moment define the rest of my career. I could have given up on public service altogether. Honestly, the thought crossed my mind. Then, in May of 2013, Congressman Jo Bonner announced he was resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives. I once again had the chance to serve the state and people that I love. The message here is to never let the fact that one door closes force you to give up on something you are passionate about. The question is never whether you will experience some level of setback or failure, because every leader will. The real question is how will you respond and overcome the setback. That is what will define you. It is my hope that these three simple tips will help our young people as they head back to school, but the tips can apply to any of us, regardless of where we are in life. We should never miss an opportunity to learn from our friends and neighbors. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
