Mo Brooks hits back on Luther Strange’s ‘deceptive attacks’ in Senate primary
Mo Brooks is hitting back on the recent wave of “deceptive attacks” from opponents in the Alabama’s U.S. Senate race. Brooks’ new ad is the latest push on Sen. Luther Strange over who is the true Donald Trump supporter in the increasingly heated midsummer Alabama Senate primary to serve the rest of Attorney General Jeff Session’s term. The 30-second “Support Trump,” which launched Tuesday, reaffirms his “strong support” of Trump’s agenda, touting he voted with the president “95 percent of the time in Congress.” Strange — who has enjoyed support from the Senate Leadership Fund, linked to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — has leveled waves of negative hits on Brooks, trying to paint the four-term Huntsville Republican congressman as a tepid (at best) Trump supporter and even a “closet liberal.” “There’s only one ‘Never Trumper’ in this race: Luther Strange,” said Brooks, a member of the House Freedom Caucus. “I supported President Trump in 2016 and wrote a $2,500 check to help him win. Luther never endorsed Trump, never donated and is now helping Mitch McConnell block the America First Agenda in the Senate.” “So, who are you going to believe: Mitch McConnell and Luther Strange?” he asks. With a “proven conservative” record, Brooks finishes his ad with a list of endorsements from leading “conservative thought leaders” such as Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Ann Coulter. Strange and Brooks are locked in a contentious primary battle, part of a nine-person GOP field that includes former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. All three are running for a place in the race’s staunch conservative lane in a state that overwhelmingly supported Trump in 2016. Other Republican candidates in the race include Dr. James Beretta, Joseph Breault, Alabama Christian Coalition president Randy Brinson, Mary Maxwell, Bryan Peeples and state Sen. Trip Pittman of Baldwin County. As for who will ultimately represent Alabama, voters have less than two weeks to decide before the Aug. 15 Republican and Democratic primaries. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Aug. 10. If there is no primary winner — with 50 percent plus one — a runoff is Sept. 26; the general election is Dec. 12. “Support Trump” is now available on YouTube.
Mo Brooks tops in Huntsville straw poll, Luther Strange at bottom
Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks came out on top in a straw poll of U.S. Senate candidates at a candidate forum Monday in his hometown of Huntsville. AL.com reports that nine candidates took part in the event organized by the Christian Citizen Task Force, with a bipartisan audience of about 300 people. Out of 200 votes cast for Republicans, Brooks took first with 101 votes. Former state Supreme Chief Justice Roy Moore came in second with 74 votes; state Sen. Trip Pittman of Montrose received eight votes. Incumbent Republican Sen. Luther Strange — who did not attend the event — tied for sixth with only three votes. Three Republicans — James Beretta, Joseph Breault and Dom Gentile — received no votes. Democrats cast about 40 votes; leading the count was Brian McGee, who took 19 votes. According to AL.com, the candidates attending the forum were Democrats Will Boyd, Vann Caldwell and McGee; Republicans Randy Brinson, Brooks, Mary Maxwell, Moore, Bryan Peeples and Pittman. Appointed to the Senate in February by then-Governor Robert Bentley, Strange is facing a crowded 10-person field for the Aug. 15 Republican primary. A primary runoff, if necessary, will be Sept. 26, with a general election Dec. 12.
Steve Flowers: Sizing up the U.S. Senate sprint
Well, folks, the field is set for the sprint to fill the open U.S. Senate seat of Jeff Sessions. The primary Aug. 15 is less than three months away. There will probably be a run-off Sept. 26, and the winner of that GOP run-off will be our Junior Senator from Alabama. In the Heart of Dixie, winning the Republican nomination is tantamount to election. The Dec. 12 General Election will be a coronation for the winner of the Sept. 26 Republican primary. It was an interesting closing day of qualifying Wednesday. It was unbelievable how many people showed up to qualify. Eleven candidates are running in the Republican primary and amazingly, the Democrats fielded eight candidates. It was like ants coming out of the woodwork. It was similar to our olden days of Alabama politics when everybody and their brother ran for an open governor’s race or a seldom seen open Senate race. We ought to refer to this race as an ant race rather than a horse race. Of the 19 candidates, only about five are viable contenders. Therefore, about 14 of these folks are running for the fun of it. In fact, we use to refer to them as “run for the fun of it” candidates. The most colorful run for the fun of it candidate in Alabama political history was Ralph “Shorty” Price. Shorty ran for governor every four years. He usually finished last. His slogan was smoke Tampa Nugget cigars, drink Budweiser beer and vote for Shorty Price. His campaign platform declared that he would change the term of governor from four years to two years. He would say if you are not smart enough to steal enough as governor in two years, you ain’t smart enough to be governor. My guess is that if someone put Shorty’s name on this Aug. 15 ballot, he would run sixth out of the 12-person GOP field, posthumously. He would probably win the Democratic nomination from the grave. The party leaders were probably glad to see them all show up. The raked in $3,400 a pop from each qualifier. You wonder what motivates those also-ran candidates to put their names on the ballot. Maybe they just want to see their name on the ballot, maybe their Aunt Susie left them $5,000 with the stipulation that they had to use it to run for the U.S. Senate, or they want to tell their grandchildren one day that they ran for the U.S. Senate. They can omit that they ran 11th. Maybe they won a 4-H speaking contest when they were in school and figured their destiny was to be a U.S. Senator. It is similar to someone trying to walk on to Bear Bryant’s or Nick Saban’s football team, and Bryant or Saban grants them permission to get a uniform if only for a day and try out. That bold soul who had to be hit by John Hannah like a tackling dummy can truthfully say to their grandson, “I played football at Alabama for Bear Bryant.” Actually, Alabama’s Sixth Congressional Jefferson/Shelby U.S. Representative, Gary Palmer, was elected to Congress by his doing the above thing while in college at Alabama. Some people suspect that his saying he played for Bear Bryant helped propel him to victory when he was elected a few years ago. Well, let’s give them just due and list them for you. I will list them in order of how I would handicap the field as the race for the Republican nomination begins. The two frontrunners are Roy Moore, followed by Luther Strange. Congressman Mo Brooks is within striking distance of Big Luther. State Senator Trip Pittman and Dr. Randy Brinson could be players if they come up with $5 million to spend on the race. Right now, they are unknown to more than 95 percent of the electorate. If Mo Brooks can raise and spend $3 million, or if Brinson or Pittman can pony up $5 million, one of these three could probably knock Luther out of the run-off. Roy Moore is in the run-off – he leads the crowded field. These six brave souls are in for the fun of it. Hopefully, their next-door neighbor or grandmother will vote for them, James Paul Baretta, Joseph Breault, Dom Gentile, Karen Jackson, Mary Maxwell and Bryan Peeples. Enjoy the race. I will keep you posted. Next week I will analyze and handicap the race in-depth. 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.
Get to know Mary Maxwell, Republican running for Alabama U.S. Senate seat
11 Republicans and eight Democrats will officially move forward to their party’s August 15 primaries to vote in the Alabama special election to replace Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate With a little over three months until voters head to the ballots, AlabamaToday.com is inviting all of the candidates, including appointed-incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, to complete a questionnaire we believe offers an interesting, albeit, thumbnail sketch of who they are and why they are running. If you are a candidate and would like to complete the questionnaire, email Elizabeth@ALToday.com. Today’s candidate spotlight features Mary Maxwell, a professional researcher turned investigative journalist who can no longer sit back and watch what’s happening in this country. Here she is in her own words: Significant other? George Maxwell, a dutiful, disciplined Scotsman, educated me and inspired me (not to mention made me extremely happy). He went aloft 17 years ago and it took me nine years to recover, as my fellow widows will understand. Kids? I am nulliparous but deeply interested in the situation of the millennials today. I want them to be given values and principles that will carry them through anything. (I’ve published “Teen Etiquette with Feelings” at Amazon under pseudonym Fortunata Fifi — only goes a little way, though.) Education background? BA from Emmanuel, a ladies Catholic college in Boston. Master of Liberal Arts, a town-and-gown thing at Johns Hopkins, for which I mainly chose courses from faculty of Public Health. Certificate of Advanced Study at Harvard Extension, very lightweight but allowed one to sing Brahms in the Harvard Summer Chorus. PhD in Politics at Adelaide University, Australia, led to my book “Morality among Nations” (using sociobiology as a base). Law degree, LLB, obtained in my near-dotage, would have led to my wearing a wig in Australian courts. Professional background? Been doing research for 39 years, so I guess I should claim “researcher” as my profession. In the last few years this took a turn into investigative journalism and the producing of stage plays. What was your first job? New England Telephone Co. operator, at $1.60 per hour. Loved it. In 25 words or less, why are you running for office? I can’t sit by and watch what’s happening, especially the despoiling of the planet. Constitutionally, we’ve got all we need to deal with criminal officials. Did you speak with anybody in your political party before deciding on running? No. Receive any encouragement? From whom? I made the decision so quickly (heard about the Senate vacancy on May 1st), had no time to consult. Whom do you count on for advice? If I get elected I will run to Senator Rand Paul for guidance, but in thinking out my positions now I don’t need his help as he and I are twins, constitution-wise. Who is your political consultant? Campaign manager? None — still waiting to obtain such help. Who was the first person to contribute to your campaign? My friend Dee McLachlan made a beautiful website for me: MaxwellForSenate.com. Why did they donate? Because an artist’s got to do what an artist’s got to do. Who, if anyone, inspires you in state government? Governor Kay Ivey slays me. Why do people mistrust elected officials and what are you going to do about it? They should not mistrust them; they should shoot them. What I mean is, it’s the citizen’s fault if their representatives are working for someone other than the people. (“Pull your employees into line, Folks.”) What am I going to do about it? I am going to yak constantly about the fact that 25-year-olds and up should completely wipe out the present 435 members of the House of Representatives in 2018, and one-third of the Senate. It is a doable. Get crackin’, young ones. Save the Great Republic! What are 3 issues that you’re running on? Well, I certainly won’t say Education even if that is VITAL, as it is none of the federal government’s business. First, I will concern myself with avoiding war – yes, and “regime change.” Look how easily a ‘trend’ becomes acceptable. We regime-changed Iraq, Libya, etc. and now media says it’s what we are supposed to do in Syria, etc. No, it ain’t. Second, I will whack the FDA, CDC, NIH, and other organizations for keeping medical cures under lock and key. Please see my 2 books – free download at maryWmaxwell.com: “Consider the Lilies: A Review of 18 Cures for Cancer and Their Legal Status,” and “A Balm in Gilead: Curing Autism and Awakening the Physicians.” Third, I’d be honored to be the voice of the voiceless, whether that be homeless persons, targeted individuals, or prisoners. I hear the biblical injunction “I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:36. I’m dying to know what is going on in federal prisons, especially Supermax. What is a “disruptive” issue (i.e. ride-sharing) you are interested in? Medical experimentation on soldiers. Gulf War Illness is probably the tip of the iceberg. Who was the best governor in Alabama’s modern history? George Wallace. I am a maniac for states’ rights, so I’d even countenance his sticking up for segregation (as I like Judge Roy Moore sticking up for straights-only marriage, despite my wholly endorsing integration and gay marriage). The Constitution requires that every one of the 5 forces (3 branches plus states and people) guard their part – or we’ll die. Anyway, Wallace apologized for his bigotry, asked for forgiveness, and got support from African-Americans after that. The fact that Wallace was shot at when running for president tells me a lot (and no, I do not think Arthur Bremer was the assassin). Are yard signs an important part of campaigning in your district? I don’t know. What’s the first thing you read each morning? I don’t read in the morning. I jump out of bed and start writing. True. Where do you get your political news? From GumshoeNews.com, sometimes buttressed by Globalresearch.ca or waynemadsenreport.com. 60 Minutes or House of Cards? Please. Social media presence? Twitter handle? I wish to learn this game. So far I’m a bit
