Can Artur Win?

Former Democratic Alabama Congressman Glen Browder has a piece in this morning's Press-Register about the future of Democrat Artur Davis' quest for the governorship of Alabama. His conclusion? "...there is a realistic but difficult scenario" for Davis to be elected. Browder just published the first of a trilogy of books about race and politics in our part of the world here in Alabama, and he writes, like it or not, race will be a significant part of the election. Browder doesn't name names, but I think other than losing the June primary to fellow Democrat Ron Sparks*, Davis worst fear may be having the GOP select either Bradley Byrne or Tim James as their nominee, for somewhat opposite reasons. Davis should worry about Byrne because there doesn't appear to be much negative baggage about the well-spoken former Postsecondary chief (other than questions about why the two-year college system was able to run amuck throughout his tenure on the Alabama State School Board), and Byrne should be able to attract the $upport of big business donors. Byrne also appears to have Lame Duck Governor Riley's tacit support. And that can't hurt. Davis should worry about a Tim James nomination because there will be such a stark contract between the two. Davis' Ivy League education will stand out even more (unless he dumbs himself down a bit and becomes more country). We talk a lot about the importance of a college education in Alabama, but there's an element that distrusts folks with too much of it. A degree from Alabama or Auburn is one thing, but Harvard? (Byrne went to Duke for his undergraduate degree and to Alabama for his law degree. James has a degree in finance from Auburn.)

[* See today's column by The Montgomery Advertiser's Sebastian Kitchen for a look at the dust-up between Sparks and Davis over who supports accepting Federal money to expand unemployment benefits.]

[NOTE: Another political newspaper article of note this morning is from Al Benn, also in the Montgomery Advertiser, a profile of the man who may be Alabama's staunchest Democrat.]