Jim Zeigler: Luther Strange insults Roy Moore supporters, says they look like ‘unemployment line’
Remember when Hillary Clinton insulted Trump voters, calling them “deplorables”? That line caught attention and fired up the base against Hilary. Temporary Sen. Luther Strange may have made a similar mistake in Alabama’s U.S. Senate debate Thursday. In the Senate debate Thursday, Strange said supporters of his opponent, Judge Roy Moore, “look like the White House unemployment line.” That insult could fire up the Roy Moore base. Turnout appears vital in this Tuesday’s Republican runoff. Sec. of State John Merrill predicts a poor voter turnout – 12 to 15 percent of registered voters. A low turnout increases the importance of which candidate’s supporters are motivated. If Moore voters turn out strongly, polls indicate he wins. The strange insult from Strange could backfire on him and encourage Moore supporters to get out and vote. Strange is depending on millions of dollars in ads and mailers paid for by Mitch McConnell and Washington Insiders. Moore is counting on Alabama supporters calling their friends and neighbors reminding them to vote Tuesday and recommending Roy Moore. The Washington money versus the grassroots of Alabama. A classic David v. Goliath contest. Luther Strange, at 6 feet 9 inches, is clearly Goliath. David won. ••• Jim Zeigler is the State Auditor of Alabama.
Steve Bannon’s stand against Luther Strange front page news
Look no further than the homepage of Breitbart to see Steve Bannon‘s first public fight against the moderates and liberal factions in the White House. It doesn’t take much to realize that it wasn’t a true conservative who convinced President Donald Trump to endorse Luther Strange over former Ala. Chief Justice Roy Moore. It’s a race where either candidate would probably be good for the presidents agenda and one in which he should have probably stayed out of. Luther Strange’s solid conservative record has been overshadowed by two important factors throughout the race. First, the vast amounts of money his campaign has taken from establishment PACS in D.C. who have run one negative after another, many untrue, about Strange’s opponents since the special election first began and second his ties to corrupt former Governor Robert Bentley who appointed Strange while his office was actively investigating him. The lines have been drawn — this race boils down to fiscal and social conservatives on one side, and the establishment on the other. With Donald Trump stumping in Alabama on Friday and Sarah Palin here Thursday there’s a lot at play in the final weeks of the election. Polls show a clear lead for Moore and with Mo Brooks recent endorsement the fight between social/fiscal conservatives vs. the establishment is officially on. Reading the Breitbart home page headlines theres no question about Bannon’s position. So the question of the day: Which way will voters go, Bannon or Trump, establishment or principles, Moore or Strange? We will see soon.
Steve Flowers: the Titanic battle to fill Jeff Sessions Senate seat
The very interesting and entertaining Republican Primary for our open U.S. Senate seat culminates this Tuesday with the clash between two Titans. Judge Roy Moore and Big Luther Strange will be in a Titanic battle to fill the seat left vacant when Jeff Sessions became U.S. Attorney General. We will see if Moses with his Ten Commandments and Hebrew children of rural Alabama can slay the Philistine Mountain Brook giant. The results from the August 15 first primary were predictable. The turnout was about 18 percent, about what you would expect for a Special Election in mid-August, during 100-degree dog days of summer and one race on the ballot. Moore garnered 39 percent, Strange had 33 percent, and Mo Brooks received a respectable 18 percent. The early polling and constant polling revealed that Roy Moore had a hard-core 30 percent of the electorate. It was and still is a solid block of voters that are going to vote for Moore come hell or high water. Those of us that know politics knew that Moore’s 30 percent would become accentuated and would grow to 40 percent with a low voter turnout. That is exactly what happened. The final poll and the only one that counts is the count of those that show up to vote. Older people vote and Moore’s supporters are more ardent, dedicated, and older. They showed up and voted. They will again on Tuesday. Turnout is as critical as it was on August 15. Therefore, Luther Strange’s path to victory is narrow. The Roy Moore popularity and hard-core support is a phenomenon and anomaly in this day and time in politics. It is very similar to George Wallace’s appeal in his hey day. Although, unlike Wallace, who was a professional politician and demagogue in the classic Southern stereotypical style, Moore is a true believer. He has put his money where his mouth is. He has lost his job, not once but twice, for his stands for the Ten Commandments and against gay marriage. I doubt George Wallace would have given up his job as governor if a federal judge told him to get out of the school house door in the 1960’s. However, Moore’s support is deeper than just an evangelical base. He is a true populist in the mold of a George Wallace or even Huey Long. This job of U.S. Senator actually fits him better in voters’ minds than governor. He could have and probably should have dug up and recycled an old Wallace slogan used by the fighting little judge from Barbour County in his presidential forays, “Send them a message.” Moore amazingly carried 60 out of 67 counties on August 15. It was not just rural counties either. He won Mobile and Montgomery. Strange carried Imperial Jefferson and Brook’s carried his home bailiwick of Madison. Luther Strange had all of the money. The Washington super PAC’s let it be known early that they were going to load him up and treat him as an incumbent. They were not just whistling Dixie. In the first primary, they spent over $5 million. Moore spent $400,000. Folks that is a 15 to 1 advantage. They have outspent Moore 10 to 1 in the runoff. With the Washington money also comes the Washington gurus – the best pollsters and media experts in America. They polled Alabama Republican voters early and late and found Donald Trump’s agenda was very popular in the Heart of Dixie. They gave Luther Strange the pro-Trump script and he stuck to it perfectly. They hammered the Trump/Strange message repeatedly. They have stuck to the script in the runoff. Luther’s 33 percent vote on August 15 puts him within striking distance of Moore in the runoff. Luther was bolstered by both the Trump endorsement and also the Alabama Farmers Federation endorsement. This conservative group’s support is vital in a statewide race. The former State Attorney General did well as expected among upscale urbane voters in Jefferson and Shelby counties. He also did surprisingly well in some of the more populous counties of North Alabama, especially Tuscaloosa, Talladega, Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson and Walker counties. Walker County had a large turnout due to a local issue on the ballot. The pivotal question is where do Brooks’ voters go Tuesday. My guess is it is a wash at best. Most stay home. Therefore, the only route for Big Luther to make up the difference was to go negative and they really did. We will soon see if it works. Again, turnout is the key. See you next week. ••• Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Mike Pence to campaign for Luther Strange on Monday
The day before Alabamians head to the polls to vote in the U.S. Senate special election primary runoff, Vice President Mike Pence will make an appearance in the Yellowhammer State on Monday where he will campaign on behalf of Sen. Luther Strange. According to POLITICO, “Pence will headline a get-out-the-vote rally for Strange,” in Birmingham, Ala. “Pence’s appearance underscores the last-minute boost the White House is trying to give Strange in a race where most recent polls have shown him trailing Moore.” The time and location of the event has yet to be made public. Pence endorsed Strange back in August ahead of the primary election. Luther Strange has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with President @realDonaldTrump and is supporting our agenda to #MAGA ?? https://t.co/D2PKz1sFcL — Mike Pence (@mike_pence) August 15, 2017 His visit follows President Donald Trump, who will be in Huntsville on Friday, previously scheduled for Saturday, to also stump for Strange. Strange faces former Ala. Chief Justice Roy Moore in the primary runoff election to decide the GOP nominee for the rest of Jeff Sessions’ Senate term. The winner faces Democratic nominee Doug Jones on the Dec. 12 general election.
Battleground Alabama: Donald Trump vs Steve Bannon
There’s a battle royale going down in the Yellowhammer State. No, not the dogfight between former Ala. Chief Justice Roy Moore and Sen. Luther Strange for Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ former U.S. Senate. The far more interesting battle is shaping up between the candidate’s big name supporters — President Donald Trump vs. his recently departed chief strategist Steve Bannon. Trump, who endorsed Strange a week ahead of the GOP primary back in August, announced on Saturday he’s headed to Alabama to stump on behalf of the Senator. “I will be in Huntsville, Alabama on Saturday night to support Luther Strange for Senate. ‘Big Luther’ is a great guy who gets things done!” Trump tweeted. I will be in Huntsville, Alabama, on Saturday night to support Luther Strange for Senate. “Big Luther” is a great guy who gets things done! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 16, 2017 Meanwhile, Bannon who’s back at the helm of Breitbart News, is all-in for GOP insurgent Moore. There, he’s defined the race an battle between the DC establishment and the will of the people — the grassroots conservatives. Bannon announced he was backing the former judge over Trump‘s pick during a closed-door meeting with influential conservatives of the Conservative Action Project in Washington, D.C. last month. He says the outcome of the showdown in Alabama will show whether incumbent senators can be successfully challenged by insurgents in next year’s midterm elections. Trump, who still remains widely popular in Alabama, is offering his help at a pivotal time in the campaign with less than 10 days before the Sept. 26 run-off election. According to recent polls, Moore leads Strange and closing last month secured the endorsement of former GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who said Moore “has what it takes to stand up to the out-of-touch political establishment.” As for who’s candidate will walk away victorious, only time and the voters will tell.
Luther Strange’s disclosure exposes double talk on immigration
Sitting Sen. Luther Strange has found himself in the middle of a dogfight for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat, where he faces former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore on Sept. 26 in a run-off that’s oft a contest of who’s the most conservative candidate. On the immigration front, both candidates have come up pretty even. Since going to Washington back in February, Strange has worked hard on earning his immigration stripes. In May, he introduced legislation to force sanctuary citizens to pay for the president’s border wall. “They can either follow the law,” Strange said while announcing his bill, “or fund the wall.” What’s surprising however, is finding out the senator has a personal equity ownership in an EB-5 visa development project — a controversial program in which wealthy foreign nationals can purchase visas. Established in 1990, the EB-5 Visa program allows real estate developers to sell legal immigration status to wealthy foreign nationals for $500,000, thus allowing the very rich to buy their way into legal status. Under the program, those foreign nationals, their spouses and their unmarried children under 21 years old are able to apply for green cards. According to his February New Filer Report, Strange listed ownership in the project. In 2016, 8,505 EB-5 visas, of a maximum 10,000, were issued — up dramatically from 2007’s 471. According to data from the State Department, about 80% of the investors came from mainland China. Allowing those who can afford the EB-5 to be able to jump past the long backlog of Chinese citizens seeking entry to the U.S. Here are the top five countries of residence for those who were issued EB-5 visas last year: 82% from mainland China: 6,968 visas issued 3.3% from Vietnam: 287 visas issued 2.3% from South Korea: 195 visas issued 2.1% from Taiwan: 175 visas issued 1.1% from India: 90 visas issued Suddenly Strange’s immigration stance doesn’t seem so sound. What’s more, in August 2011, Strange called on the Alabama legislature to weaken provisions of a state law on immigration, including a measure designed to combat sanctuary cities. Strange stressed illegal Aliens could still attend Alabama public schools and that the Yellowhammer State “welcomes” immigrants. “Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange stressed Wednesday that the law would not prevent undocumented immigrants from having access to public-school education. Strange also argued that the law was not an anti-immigrant measure, and that the state welcomes visitors,” wrote CNN of the situation. Strange went so far as to call for the repeal of a third of the 2011 law, including the right to sue sanctuary city officials who don’t fully enforce the law. “In a memo dated Dec. 1 and sent to Hubbard and Senate President Del Marsh, R-Anniston, Strange calls for an exemption for church activity involving illegal immigrants, an end to the right to sue public officials who don’t fully enforce the law and stopping the requirement that schools gather immigration data on enrollees,” wrote the Huntsville Times (12/7/11). “Strange’s proposals cover nearly a third of the 32 sections in the law and address parts that have already been blocked by federal courts and some elements currently in effect.”
Luther Strange remains untethered on DACA in constituent email, quickly clarifies position
In a Monday email response to a constituent, Sen. Luther Strange seemingly avoided taking a hard-lined position on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, more commonly referred to as DACA, when asked about it by a constituent. Jack Kemp of Fosters, Ala. posted Strange’s email response on his Facebook page Tuesday, concerned that the Senator supports the Dream Act as he did not outright refute it in the email. In the constituent letter, Strange explained what both the Dream Act and DACA program were, saying he does not serve on the committee of jurisdiction over either issue, and thus avoided clearly defining his own position on the issues. “Currently, this bill is in the Senate Judiciary committee,” wrote Strange. “I do not serve on that committee, but if this bill comes to the Senate floor for debate and a vote, I will keep your views in mind.” When Alabama Today asked Strange for Senate campaign to clarify Strange’s position, they were quick to respond. “Luther Strange stands with Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions by believing the first thing our country needs to do is enforce our laws before any discussion on policy,” said campaign spokesperson Cameron Foster. “He is 100 percent opposed to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Unlike his opponent Roy Moore, Luther Strange stands with President Trump on building the wall on the Mexican border.” Foster’s response echoes Strange’s own words last week. Following news from former Alabama U.S. Senator and current U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions of the “orderly wind down” of President Barack Obama‘s DACA program, Strange appeared on Fox News’ Happening Now with Harris Faulkner Tuesday afternoon to discuss his first take on the situation and issued the following statement. “Since my tenure as Attorney General, I have been fighting, and winning, against Obama-era experiments with illegal amnesty. Today, the Trump administration rightly affirmed that Congress must lead the way in securing our borders and ending the crisis of illegal immigration,” said Strange. “We actually sued successfully to stop the Obama administration program to allow adults to stay here illegally (DAPA). I think this program is the same category – I think it’s unconstitutional… The President makes the best point – Congress should address this issue.”
Steve Flowers: Inside the Statehouse
Most people would assume that as the race for the open U.S. Senate began that Luther Strange, the appointed incumbent, was the favorite. However, polling indicated that Roy Moore was the favorite and still is as we head towards the September 26 runoff. The initial polling showed that Moore had a hardcore 30 percent. It was and is as solid as a rock. He had 30 percent from the get-go. He had 30 percent midway in the race and he had 30 percent at the end. It was also a fact that with a low voter turnout that his 30 percent would become accentuated because the final poll and the one that counts is election day and who actually shows up to vote. Moore’s supporters are more ardent and are going to show up to vote for him come hell or high water. They are also older, and older people tend to vote; 65-80 year old voters are always more likely to vote. The turnout on August 15 was 18 percent and Moore’s vote total was 39 percent. Allow me to crow a little – the day before the election I predicted an 18 percent turnout and that Moore would get 39 percent. I missed Luther Strange by some six points. I had him at 27 percent. He did better than I thought. He garnered 33 percent. There was only six points separating Strange and Moore. This is not an insurmountable obstacle to overcome. My early handicapping of the runoff has it as a dead heat between Moore and Strange. As the race began, it was apparent that it was a two-man race between Moore and Strange. Moore began with an immovable evangelical block and the Washington Republican Senate leadership made it clear that they were going to treat Strange as an incumbent and that they were going to give him unlimited resources. They weren’t just whistling Dixie. They put their money where their mouth was. They must have spent $5 million. When you have that kind of money and the national powerbrokers and hierarchy dictating their choice, you not only have all the media ads available, you also have access to the very best hired guns, pollsters and media gurus in the country. They are the best gunslingers in the land. They do not lose many gunfights and they like to go negative. It was obvious that these pros saw that Donald Trump or at least his public policies are extremely popular among Alabama Republican primary voters. Therefore, their script for Luther Strange was to say he was on Donald Trump’s side and would be for the Trump agenda to make America great again. Luther stuck to the script and did a good job avoiding any negative questions about the questionable Robert Bentley appointment. Unlimited money washes away any unsavory scenarios and allows you to dictate the narrative. The early polling revealed that the Bentley appointment was an albatross for Luther. I do not personally believe that Luther and Bentley ever discussed the Bentley investigation. However, to most people it looked as though the appointment was a brazen deal or at least collusion and in politics, perception is reality. Therefore, for this reason on Luther’s part and for obvious reasons on Moore’s part, they both began with high negatives. Internal polling showed that there was fertile ground for a third person to win this race. That third person emerged in the form of Tennessee Valley Congressman, Mo Brooks. He is a firebrand arch conservative intellectual, Tea Party, Freedom Caucus, true believing ideologue. He was bold enough to take on the Mitch McConnell super PAC big money Washington establishment. He had $1.2 million in his Congressional campaign account and 20 percent statewide name recognition from his Congressional district. Mo did not plan on being shot at by a left wing Bernie Sanders socialist nut while practicing baseball for the Republican Party baseball team. However, the exposure gave him $2 million in free publicity. You could have no better introduction to Alabama GOP Primary voters. The Washington Luther Strange gunslingers saw the momentum that Mo had. He was about to catch Luther and they stopped him dead in his tracks with an ad that said he was not going to vote for Donald Trump last year. When Trump endorsed Big Luther it closed the deal. Luther had his place in the runoff and Mo has to fight to keep his U.S. House seat. The final results were predictable. Roy Moore led with 39 percent; Luther Strange got a strong 33 percent; and Mo Brooks finished with a respectable 20 percent. The runoff between Strange and Moore is too close to call at this time. See you next week. ••• Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Steve Bannon breaks with Donald Trump, throws support to Roy Moore in Alabama Senate race
Former White House chief strategist and current Breitbart News chief Steve Bannon says he’s backing former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in Alabama’s upcoming GOP Senate primary runoff. Bannon announced he was backing the former judge over President Donald Trump‘s pick, incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, during a closed-door meeting with influential conservatives of the Conservative Action Project in Washington, D.C. last week. According to POLITICO, “Bannon made it clear that he supported Moore, a favorite among evangelicals, but was careful not to cast it as a break with the president. Rather, he said, it was an act of opposition toward Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is supporting Strange and has made the race a top political priority.” Strange was appointed to the seat in February by former Gov. Robert Bentley following the confirmation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, is currently serving as a temporary Senate appointment. Both candidates are competing to fill out the remainder of Sessions’ 6-year term through 2020. A week ahead of the Aug. 15 primary, Trump took to Twitter and endorsed the sitting senator. “Senator Luther Strange has done a great job representing the people of the Great State of Alabama. He has my complete and total endorsement!,” Trump tweeted. Senator Luther Strange has done a great job representing the people of the Great State of Alabama. He has my complete and total endorsement! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 9, 2017 Bannon’s endorsement now follows the state’s Aug. 15 Republican primary in which Moore and Strange first faced-off. Neither secured enough votes to advance to the general election and the special runoff election between the two of them is scheduled for Sept. 26. The winner of the runoff will advance to the general election Dec. 12.
Luther Strange claims he’s the “clear choice” in Sept’s GOP Senate runoff
Sen. Luther Strange has begun to draw battle lines in next month’s fight the GOP nomination for Alabama’s U.S. Senate, setting the stage for a showdown between him and opponent Roy Moore. In a Tuesday press release, Strange threw the gauntlet, calling the former Alabama Chief Justice, Moore, a hypocrite “who has spent 40 years putting himself and his ambition ahead of Alabamians.” The release marks the campaign’s first direct attack against Moore, who led Strange by 25,000 votes in the August 15 primary. Neither candidate earned enough votes to become the Party’s outright nominee, thus sending the race to a runoff scheduled for Sept. 26. Strange pointed out a series of six “facts” in support of his candidacy and against Moore: FACT: As Attorney General, Big Luther created the Special Prosecution Division and successfully convicted corrupt officials – included the Republican State Speaker of the House – who were removed from office and/or jailed.[i] FACT: Because of his success draining the Montgomery swamp, corrupt politicians tried to shut Big Luther down, gutting the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) budget and passing a law that would have given legislators the ability to block specific AGO operations and investigations.[ii] FACT: Big Luther opposes career politicians and supports term limits. FACT: Roy Moore has been running for office since he first ran for an Etowah County circuit judge seat in 1982 as a Democrat. FACT: Roy Moore fought for pay increases for politicians while courts had to shut down because of lack of funding.[iii] FACT: Roy Moore has made a career out of profiting off of public service and sticking tax payers with the bill. [iv] He also deemed himself as “the only candidate in this race that has a record of delivering conservative reform and protecting rule of law,” touting President Donald Trump‘s endorsement.
Jim Zeigler throws support behind Roy Moore for US Senate
State Auditor Jim Zeigler on Friday announced his endorsement of former Chief Justice Roy Moore for U.S. Senate in the Sept. 26 runoff election. Moore takes on appointed-incumbent Sen. Luther Strange in next month’s runoff following an Aug. 15 primary in which neither candidate earned the necessary 50 plus one percent of the vote to outright secure the Republican Party’s nomination. “The contrast is clear between Bentley-appointed senator Strange and future senator Roy Moore,” Zeigler said in a news release. “Strange is in lock-step with the Washington Insiders who own his campaign funding. Roy Moore will be committed to Alabama citizens, the Constitution, and the values on which America was founded.” Zeigler’s endorsement comes as little surprise as he’s long spoken out against Strange and his February appointment to the U.S. Senate by former Gov. Robert Bentley. He’s taken to social media to release information against Strange on a near daily bases. “Luther Strange obstructed the impeachment process of then-governor Robert Bentley,” Zeigler added. “The people of Alabama have the final say in this senate seat. I believe the voters will rise up and reject Bentley-appointed Senator Strange in favor of a people’s-elected Senator Roy Moore.” Moore led the crowded Aug. 15 primary with 39 percent of the vote, vs. Strange’s 32 percent. The winner of the runoff will go on to face Democratic nominee Doug Jones in the Dec. 12 general election.
Sarah Palin backs Roy Moore in Alabama Senate race
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed U.S. Senate hopeful Roy Moore on Thursday a month ahead of his primary runoff with incumbent U.S. Sen. Luther Strange. “Glad he’s running and am honored to endorse Judge Roy Moore for the US Senate,” Palin said in a statement. “Judge Moore has shown he has what it takes to stand up to the out-of-touch political establishment.” “The Judge has proven he’s not afraid of a fight for what is right, and he’s ready to take on DC’s swamp monsters and make America great again. We need more bold leaders like Judge Moore who will fight for all of us in the US senate,” Palin added. The former Ala. Chief Justice responded to the endorsement by thanking Palin. “I am honored to have the endorsement of Governor Sarah Palin,” said Moore. “Governor Palin has a strong record of speaking out for conservative causes and standing up to the Washington establishment. Having her support shows how conservatives across the country are uniting behind our campaign to send a message to Mitch McConnell and the Washington elites who are trying to buy this election.” Strange and Moore are headed to a Republican primary runoff on Sept. 26 to fill the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The winner will go on to the Dec.12 general election.
