Roy Moore celebrates runoff victory with supporters
After a heated battle to the finish line, Alabama’s former Chief Justice Roy Moore is celebrating victory Tuesday night as he officially became the Republican nominee in the special election for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat. Riding a wave of rural, conservative support Moore defeated incumbent Sen. Luther Strange by 9.2 points. The Moore campaign took to Facebook following the results to thank the judge’s supporters. “Because of you, tonight, the establishment has been defeated in Alabama! We still have a ways to go before December 12th’s general election, and the road certainly doesn’t get easier, but with YOU, the best grassroots army of supporters around, I know we can take on anything together!” the post read. Moore now advances to the Dec. 12 general election where he will face Democratic nominee Doug Jones. The winner of the race will take over the seat that previously belonged to Attorney General Jeff Sessions for the remainder of his term. Watch Moore’s victory celebration below:
It’s a wrap, firebrand jurist Roy Moore wins GOP primary runoff in Alabama
Firebrand jurist Roy Moore won the Alabama Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, defeating an appointed incumbent backed by President Donald Trump and allies of Sen. Mitch McConnell. In an upset likely to rock the GOP establishment, Moore clinched victory over Sen. Luther Strange to take the GOP nomination for the seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Moore will face Democrat Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election. Throughout the campaign, Moore argued the election was an opportunity to send a message to the “elite Washington establishment” that he said was trying to influence the race. The Senate Leadership Fund, a group with ties to McConnell, had spent an estimated $9 million trying to secure the nomination for Strange. Moore was twice elected chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and twice removed from those duties. In 2003, he was removed from office for disobeying a federal judge’s order to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the state courthouse lobby. Last year, he was permanently suspended after a disciplinary panel ruled he had urged probate judges to defy federal court decisions on gay marriage and deny wedding licenses to same-sex couples. Trump endorsed Strange in the race and tweeted support for him on multiple occasions. As polls showed Strange in danger of losing, Trump visited Alabama to campaign at a rally attended by more than 7,000 people. Moore, propelled by evangelical voters, consolidated support from a number of anti-establishment forces, including the pro-Trump Great America Alliance and former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who spoke at a Monday rally. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, in a rally for Moore last week, said the judge was a better match for Trump’s “movement.” Trump said at the Alabama rally that he would campaign for Moore in the general election if he secured the nomination but he believed Moore would have a tougher time against the Democrat in the race. Moore led Strange by about 25,000 votes in the crowded August primary, which went to a runoff between the two because neither topped 50 percent in the voting. Strange, the state’s former attorney general, was appointed to Sessions’ seat in February by then-Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned two months later as lawmakers opened impeachment hearings against him. Throughout the Senate race, Strange had been dogged by criticisms of accepting the appointment from a scandal-battered governor when his office was in charge of corruption investigations. On the outskirts of Montgomery, 76-year-old Air Force retiree John Lauer said Trump’s endorsement swayed him to vote for Strange on Tuesday. “I voted for Strange. I’m a Trump voter. Either one is going to basically do the Trump agenda, but since Trump came out for Luther, I voted for Luther,” said Lauer said. Poll workers in the heavily Republican Birmingham suburbs of Helena and Pelham said voter turnout was steady, with short lines at two places when doors opened Tuesday. Merlene Bohannon, a widow with three grown children, said she had planned to vote for Strange until seeing Bannon stump for Moore on Fox News on Monday night. “Steve Bannon and God spoke to me, and this morning when I went in I voted for Moore,” said Bohannon, 74. Bannon told the crowd that Alabama can show the world “that this populist, nationalist, conservative movement is on the rise.” Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
Election Day for Republican nominee for U.S. Senate is here as are many predictions
Alabama voters will decide on today, Tuesday Sept. 26, 2017, who will be the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate
Roy Moore announces election day schedule
Yellowhammer State Republicans will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots for either former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore or appointed Sen. Luther Strange in the state’s GOP primary runoff election. On Monday, the Judge Roy Moore for Senate Campaign announced Moore’s election day schedule: 10:00 a.m. Judge Moore and Kayla will participate in their traditional horseback ride to the polls. Location: Gallant Fire Hall 9090 Gallant Road Gallant, AL 35972 7:00 p.m. Judge Moore and Kayla will join family and supporters at the RSA Activity Center in Montgomery for the Judge Roy Moore for U.S Senate Victory Party. Location: RSA Activity Center 201 Dexter Ave. Montgomery, AL 36104 Victory Party will be open to credentialed press. Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. For press credentials contact Katie Frost.
Ben Carson breaks with Donald Trump, throws support behind Roy Moore
Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Dr. Ben Carson made an eleventh hour, climatic break from President Donald Trump on Friday when he praised Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore in the state’s contentious runoff, rather than backing the other candidate along with the president. Carson announced his support for the former Alabama Chief Justice over the temporary Sen. Luther Strange in a statement. “Judge Moore is a fine man of proven character and integrity, who I have come to respect over the years,” Carson said in the statement released by the Moore campaign. “I was delighted to hear he is running for the U.S. Senate. He is truly someone who reflects the Judeo-Christian values that were so important to the establishment of our country.” Moore faces Strange on Tuesday, Sept. 26 in the GOP run-off where voters will decide who advances to the Dec. 12 general election to face Democrat Doug Jones.
Poll says Democrat Doug Jones nearly tied with GOP candidates in Ala. Senate race
According to a new poll, Democrat Doug Jones has the potential to pull an upset in
Luther Strange and Roy Moore camps both declare debate victory
Luther Strange‘s campaign claimed victory Thursday following a debate against U.S. Senate opponent Roy Moore, saying the showdown made it clear that all Moore had to offer was “empty words.” “While all Roy Moore had to offer was empty words, Big Luther demonstrated that he has the ideas and knowledge necessary to advance President Trump’s agenda to rebuild our economy and strengthen our country,” said campaign spokesman Cameron Foster. “Luther showed that he knows how to get things done for Alabama, and has what it takes to follow Jeff Sessions as a conservative leader in the U.S. Senate.” Following suit, Moore also claimed victory in the Lincoln-Douglas-style debate saying Strange “became more desperate as the night went on. With little to present to the audience other than shameless namedropping of his Washington endorsements.” The two went head to head — without a moderator — in a debate that focused largely on who would best support President Donald Trump‘s agenda in Congress. “The president supports me,” Strange said in his opening remarks. “Why would he do that? Because we’ve developed a close, personal friendship. We both come from the same background, the same mission, the same motivation to make this country great again.” Trump took to Twitter Friday to reiterate the relationship between him and the Senator. “Will be in Alabama tonight. Luther Strange has gained mightily since my endorsement, but will be very close. He loves Alabama, and so do I!” Will be in Alabama tonight. Luther Strange has gained mightily since my endorsement, but will be very close. He loves Alabama, and so do I! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 22, 2017 Moore mocked Strange for trying to ride the president’s coattails. “I can’t tell you what the president thinks, I can’t tell you every move he makes, when he goes to the bathroom and when he doesn’t,” Moore said decisively to laughs from the crowd. Moore went on to point out Strange’s history as a Washington lobbyist. “My entire political career has been serving the state of Alabama,” Moore said. “My opponent has been a professional lobbyist for over 20 years… you don’t drain the swamp of lobbyists by sending a lobbyist to the United States Senate.” Strange and Moore face-off Tuesday, Sept. 26 in the runoff GOP primary election to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate. The winner will go on to face Democrat Doug Jones in December.
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.
US Senate contender Roy Moore has history of provocative comments
Roy Moore, a firebrand jurist who is close to snagging the state’s Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Alabama, once called homosexuality an “inherent evil” and referred to ethnic groups as “reds” and “yellows” in a speech lamenting racial and political divisions in the country. Twice ousted from the bench, the U.S. Senate contender has a history of provocative comments that have simultaneously made him a lightning rod for controversy and propelled his popularity in the conservative Deep South state. While he is disliked among members of the Republican establishment, his penchant for shooting from the hip appeals to many voters who are drawn to his plain-spokenness and authenticity. Moore is on the eve of what could be a triumphant political resurrection: His strong showing in a party primary earlier this year forced Sen. Luther Strange into a heated Sept. 26 runoff for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat previously occupied by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The winner will become the favorite against Democrat Doug Jones. Not surprisingly, his increased public exposure as a candidate has led to a more intense scrutiny of his words. In a speech last week about divisions in the country, Moore employed words that in contemporary society are considered ethnic slurs. Saying the nation is as divided now as it was during the Civil War, he remarked, “We’ve got blacks and whites fighting, reds and yellows fighting, Democrats and Republicans fighting, men and women fighting.” Asked later about the comments, Moore’s campaign responded with a quotation from the Bible song “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” which refers to children by color. “‘Red, yellow, black and white they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.’ This is the Gospel. If we take it seriously, America can once again be united as one nation under God.” Moore’s campaign posted the same response on Twitter. In a 2002 child-custody case involving a lesbian mother, Moore wrote that homosexuality is “an inherent evil against which children must be protected.” The Alabama Supreme Court ruled in favor of the father, and Moore authored a concurring opinion saying there was a presumption the mother was unfit because she was in a relationship with a woman. Dawn Larson, the mother in the case, said Moore’s actions were painful, but that she gets satisfaction knowing her case has been used as a rallying point against him over the years. “It absolutely boggles my mind how the citizens of Alabama can keep re-electing someone who is so blatantly biased, has no understanding of separation of church and state, and who has proven over and over that he is simply unfit for the job. I don’t have to believe the way Moore does, but I will defend his right to worship as he chooses. I just wish he offered every other American the same option,” Larson told The Associated Press by email. Asked about the case, Moore told the AP his opinion supporting the court decision was based on state laws against sodomy and gay marriage. While his campaign platform focuses on a variety of issues, such as the repeal of President Barack Obama‘s health care overhaul and increased military spending, his signature issue through the years has always been the “acknowledgement of God.” Moore’s stump speeches, like his political career, often mingle politics, law and religion. In a February speech, he appeared to suggest that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were a result of the country straying from religious roots. He quoted an Old Testament verse about the “breaking cometh suddenly at an instance” for those that have despised the word of God. “Sounds a little bit like the Pentagon, whose breaking came suddenly at an instance, doesn’t it?” Moore told the AP that the section of the speech was about how the country needed God’s protection. In a campaign speech Saturday, Moore complained that political operatives supporting Strange are showing up at all of his speeches with video cameras, hoping to catch him in a misstep or twist his words with editing. Moore, a West Point graduate, was a little-known country judge when a decision to decorate his courtroom with a homemade wooden copy of the Ten Commandments set him on the path to fame. The American Civil Liberties Union sued over the display, and his habit of opening court sessions with Christian prayer. The notoriety helped propel Moore — twice— to the office of chief justice. A judicial panel removed him from the post in 2003 when he disobeyed a court order to move a Ten Commandments monument out of the state Supreme Court building. Despite the controversy, he was re-elected in 2012, although last year, the panel suspended him for the remainder of his term after he wrote a memo telling probate judges they remained under a court order to refuse marriage licenses to gay couples. National Republican groups, at the urging of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are spending millions on behalf of Strange. That’s partly out of the routine practice of protecting incumbents; Strange was appointed to the seat by then-Gov. Robert Bentley after Sessions’ promotion to the Justice Department, and Strange has proven a reliable vote for McConnell and President Donald Trump. But there’s also the quiet fear that Moore is a weaker general-election candidate than Strange and would be a more unpredictable senator. Wayne Flynt, a historian who has written books about Alabama history, said voters view Moore as “authentic” because he seems to truly believe what he says. Flynt said Moore appeals to voters who are tired of the establishment candidates on both sides of the aisle. “How can he be a serious candidate for Senate? I can guarantee you among the Republican establishment, he’s not. They are terrified of Roy Moore,” Flynt said. “And I really think he has a very good chance of winning.” Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
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.
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.”
