The Alabama Democratic Party

Biography

Joe Turnham was born (October 28, 1959) and raised in Lee County, Alabama and is today an American politician and current chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. He still resides in Auburn today along with his wife Paula, daughter Abby, and son Pete Matthew. Joe is the son of retired educator Kay Turnham and the near-legendary State Representative Pete Turnham, who served a record 40 years in the Alabama House of Representatives.

After attending Samford University in Birmingham, Joe returned to Auburn where he was graduated from Auburn University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation Joe joined the family business of Alabama Contract Sales, Inc. where he established himself as an effective small businessman for over 17 years.

During this time Joe began a distinguished life of service to his community. He served on numerous civic boards and participated in countless church activities. While serving as President of the Kiwanis Club of Auburn he was named the Kiwanian of the Year. As a board member in organizations such as the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Habitat for Humanity, Sigma Nu Fraternity House Corp, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, Joe made a lasting difference in his community. Joe is a member of First Baptist Church in Auburn and his devotion to faith has led him on the lay mission field to places like Venezuela and Africa.

As the son of a public servant, Joe followed in his father´s footsteps, becoming the local Lee County Democratic Club President and the Lee County Democratic Party Chairman. In October 1995, Joe mounted a grassroots effort and was elected one of the youngest Chairmen of the Alabama Democratic Party ever. From 1995 through most of 1998, Joe led resurgence in the party-building of the state´s oldest political organization. He received awards and recognition for his energetic, honest, and populist revival of Alabama Democrats.

Joe was drafted by citizens and leaders throughout the state to become the 1998 Democratic nominee for Alabama's 3rd Congressional District. An instant underdog against the superior-funded incumbent Congressman Bob Riley, Joe lost the hard fought race but garnered some 42% of the vote that year. Even though it was his first attempt at elected office, Joe established himself as a fixture in Alabama politics and won the endorsement of five major newspapers. Joe also served a 31-month stint as a member of the Democratic National Committee, becoming a Washington favorite as a party leader from the South.

Joe has frequently appeared in state and national news outlets, including stories in the National Journal and a 1998 front-page spread in the Wall Street Journal. Joe has earned a national reputation as a "faith and values" Democrat, daring critics to label him and others. Joe took his message on several nationally syndicated programs such as a featured appearance on The Oliver North Show. Most recently Joe was a founder of what is today known as Conservation Alabama, the political arm of Alabama´s environmental movement.

In 2002, Joe ran again for Congress, narrowly losing an open seat race for Alabama's 3rd District by two percentage points. In 2005, Joe was again voted Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. Joe's focus on grassroots campaigning and party building paid off in the 2006 elections as Democrats were elected or returned to office both statewide and locally. He continues to lead Alabama Democrats into the pivotal 2008 election year with the same conviction and dedication that has always motivated him.

Blocking fairness

Birmingham News, 05/13/08

THE ISSUE: Whatever compromise plan can make it through the Legislature mustn't compromise efforts to make the state's tax system more fair.

The road to a fairer tax system for Alabama features more twists and turns than the Barber Motorsports Park racetrack. It also offers something motorcyclists there don't have to confront: roadblocks galore.

This year's legislative travels - or maybe, ultimately, travails - have brought the state to the brink of righting some of the worst injustices in our tax system but for one obstruction that could kill the effort: the Alabama Senate.

]]> Last week, supporters of a bill that would remove the 4 percent state sales tax from groceries and lower the state tax burden for most Alabamians failed to round up enough votes in the Senate to pass the plan. Thursday, the bill's sponsor, Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, spent hours trying to find the 21st vote needed for the Senate to approve his plan and put it on the Nov. 4 general election ballot for people to vote on. Because Knight's plan would change the constitution, at least 21 of the 35 senators must approve it, and so must voters.

But Knight is stuck on 20, and the session has one more day, May 19. Republicans, who overwhelmingly oppose his plan, are threatening to use delaying tactics on the last day to block a final vote. With 21 votes in the Senate, any delay can be broken.

Knight in Saturday's story in The News said he feels good about his chances. But at this point, Knight might have to alter his plan to get it to pass.

Knight has proposed removing the state sales tax on groceries and raising the state's income tax filing threshold from $12,600 to $20,000, reducing income taxes for poorer Alabamians. His plan would pay for those tax breaks by ending the federal income tax deduction on state income taxes. Alabama is one of only three states that allows tax filers to deduct 100 percent of their federal taxes paid on their state income taxes.

Knight has offered to make changes to reduce the plan's cost, such as not taking the state sales tax off soft drinks and not raising the standard deductions or exemptions for state income tax filers. That would mean fewer people would lose the federal income tax deduction. So far, Republicans have rejected that idea.

Gov. Bob Riley has proposed a compromise some Republicans have touted that would reduce the state sales tax on groceries to 1 percent. Riley's plan also would raise the income tax filing threshold from $12,600 to $15,500 over five years. But the main attraction, at least for Republicans, is ending the state's annual property tax reappraisals and returning to reappraisals every four years.

Ending annual property tax reappraisals would reduce city, county and state property tax collections by $95.2 million over a three-year period, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office. On a practical level, that's less money for state and local governments, including schools. Some of those governments have pledged money from annual appraisals to bond debts and long-range plans. As public policy, reappraising property for tax purposes once every four years makes no more sense than paying income taxes and sales taxes on salaries and food costs frozen for four years at a time.

It's a political popular issue - almost as good as "no new taxes" - and could even help a tax fairness plan pass with voters. But Knight should resist the urge to agree to bad public policy to get his plan through the Legislature.

The road to tax fairness shouldn't include a detour into political pandering.

Alabama Legislature votes to raise unemployment benefits

The Associated Press, 5/9/2008, 11:53 a.m. CDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama Legislature has voted to raise the state's maximum weekly unemployment compensation benefit.

The Legislature passed a three-bill package Thursday night that will increase the maximum weekly benefit by $20 in July to $255. Then it will add another $10 in July 2009 to make the maximum weekly benefit $265.

The bills were worked out between labor and business groups, and they passed the Legislature overwhelmingly.

Grocery Tax Cut in Trouble

With one day remaining in the legislative session, the bill to remove the state sales taxes on groceries is in trouble. A vote on Thursday fell one shy of bringing the bill up for debate, leaving only one day left for consideration.

Most of the Senate's Republican minority have vehemently opposed the measure and have blocked debate. They've also tried to tack on amendments in an attempt to kill the measure.

The chance to pass this bill is not yet over! Please contact your Senator and encourage them to vote yes. Click here for your Senators contact information.

June 3rd Primary Draws Near

In less than a month, Alabama voters will go to the polls to decide the general election nominees for the Democratic Party. The deadline for registering to vote will be May 23, and the last day to apply for an absentee ballot will be on May 29.

For your convenience, we have uploaded and listed sample ballots for each county here and you can also find a compiled list of Democratic candidates here.

Candidates should remember that the 10-5 day report is due between May 27-29.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or your county chair. If you are a candidate interested in obtaining voter file access, you should email brannon [at] aladems.org.

Speaker of the House in state for Democrat event, Lakeshore visit

Birmingham News, Dean, 05/03/08

**Siegelman also at annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner **

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a speech before Alabama Democrats on Friday night accused President Bush of leading the nation into war, into debt and politicizing the nation's Justice Department.

The charge that federal lawyers under Bush have played politics with the law sent a charge through the crowd of about 500 in a Birmingham ballroom that featured former Gov. Don Siegelman. He was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to almost seven years in prison in 2007 on federal corruption charges, charges that Siegelman and his supporters have maintained were politically motivated.

]]> Siegelman was released from prison in March pending appeal of his case. He and Pelosi briefly talked and posed for photos before her speech Friday.

While Pelosi never mentioned the specific charges against Siegelman, she brought most of the crowd to its feet when she said of Bush:

"He has brought a war without end, a budget awashed in red ink, a looming recession, assault after assault after assault on our Constitution, politicizing the Justice Department, and I'm so glad that Congress is looking into that - and I'm so proud we are joined by Gov. Siegelman."

Pelosi then paused and called out for Siegelman who stood while the crowd cheered and some supporters walked over to embrace him as someone in the room yelled out "God bless Don Siegelman."

Pelosi praised the nation's military which she said has done all that has been asked of it.

But Pelosi had no kind words for the war in Iraq. She charged that the war has left the nation's military exhausted and in turn that has left the nation's security uncertain. She said the only way to help restore the nation's military forces is to withdraw from Iraq, something she promised that a Democratic president will do.

But, to assure that a Democrat sits in the White House after Jan. 20, Pelosi called on Democrats to unify after the primary battles between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

"We have two great candidates and I'm convinced one of them will be the next president," Pelosi said. "But, for that to happen, we must value unity, we must come together."

Before her appearance at the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner at the Cahaba Grand Convention Center off U.S. 280, Pelosi visited with wounded veterans at the Lakeshore Foundation in Homewood, which has started new rehabilitation programs aimed specifically at returning war veterans.

Pelosi spent a little more than an hour at the Lakeshore complex accompanied by U.S. Rep. Artur Davis. Following her meeting with the vets, Pelosi briefly talked with Lakeshore supporters and officials. In an abbreviated news conference, Pelosi took one question and sidestepped it. The question was about the recent decision by the Air Force to award a $40 billion contract to build air force tankers to a firm including American and French companies that will do the work in Mobile.

Pelosi has been critical of that contract and called for an investigation, saying she is concerned about national security implications of awarding such a critical military contract to a foreign firm.

In her comments at Lakeshore on Friday, Pelosi would say only that she is in Alabama gathering information on the deal.

Committee threatens Rove with subpoena: Panel wants Republican to testify in Siegelman corruption case

Anniston Star, Evans, 05/03/08

The House Judiciary Committee threatened Thursday to subpoena former White House adviser Karl Rove if he does not agree by May 12 to testify about former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman's corruption case.

In a letter to Rove's attorney, committee Democrats called it "completely unacceptable" that the Republican political strategist has rejected the panel's request for sworn testimony even as he discusses the matter publicly through the media.

"We can see no justification for his refusal to speak on the record to the committee," the letter states. "We urge you and your client to reconsider ... or we will have no choice but to consider the use of compulsory process."

]]> Committee Democrats are investigating whether Rove and Republican appointees at the Justice Department influenced Siegelman's prosecution to kill his chances for re-election. It is part of a broader inquiry into whether U.S. attorneys were fired for not aggressively pursuing cases against Democrats.

Siegelman was convicted in 2006 on bribery and other charges and sentenced to more than seven years in prison. He was recently released on bond pending appeal.

Last year, Alabama attorney and one-time Republican campaign volunteer Jill Simpson, told the committee under oath that she heard conversations among GOP operatives in 2002 suggesting that Rove was pushing the Justice Department to pursue a conviction against Siegelman. She also has said Rove asked her in 2001 to find evidence that Siegelman was cheating on his wife.

Rove, who frequently worked in Alabama politics before orchestrating President Bush's White House campaigns, has denied having anything to do with the case. In a recent magazine article, he called Simpson a "complete lunatic" and said he had never heard of her.

Republican Shame

Alabama GOP Opposition to Removing Grocery Tax Unforgivable

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Spearman 334-262-2221

Montgomery, AL - Alabama Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham today said that republican opposition to one of the most humane and basic public policy changes to help hurting Alabama families is shameful and unforgivable. "Republican rhetoric about wanting to cut taxes for working families and create tax fairness in Alabama just went out the door with this vote in the Alabama Senate today. All 11 opposing votes were republican. Governor Riley and his legislative leadership are taking the food out of the mouths of hurting Alabama families by opposing this measure." Turnham protested.

"This measure would provide immediate assistance to every Alabama consumer by reducing their food bill by 4 percent. It would be an overall tax savings to nearly 80% of Alabama families and would only be a net increase to families making over $150,000 per year. In this tanking George Bush economy, Alabama's Grand Ole Party has shown it is the party of the rich and powerful and no friend to the poor, the disabled, seniors and working class." Turnham exclaimed.

This vote combined with their opposition to making big out-of-state retailers like Wal-Mart (HB 350) pay up and republican legislative opposition to the big oil and gas tax (HB326) which benefits Exxon-Mobil will haunt all republicans in the 2010 elections. Their position on these fundamental issues sends a signal that republicans come to Montgomery to represent Exxon-Mobil, Wal-mart, and folks making over $150,000, not the 80% who need relief now. We urge Gov. Riley and House and Senate republicans to reconsider and get on the side of real people for a change.

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Alabama Democrats Say Hold Exxon-Mobil Accountable

Alabama Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham today called on democrats and republicans alike to support HB 326 sponsored by Democrat John Knight that would tax oil and gas based upon gross value at the point of production. Companies like Exxon-Mobil need to pay their fair share of taxes just like Alabama consumers. With record profits being reported by big oil and with Alabama citizens, truckers and small business owners being hammered by record prices at the pump, this bill makes sense by requiring corporate responsibility." Turnham explained.

Turnham said revenue from big oil and gas interests should be used to fund children's health care, veterans care, roads and bridges and corrections. Turnham said the recent 8-1 decision by the republican Supreme Court to overturn two different jury awards of $4.5 billion against Exxon-Mobil and Exxon-Mobil's legal attempts to receive tax refunds from Alabama citizens shows that special interests are in charge of our courts. We can help change this in 2008 with the election of a new democratic justice on the Alabama Supreme Court.

We salute Rep Knight for attempting to rectify this awful situation and restoring accountability of big oil to Alabama taxpayers.

McCain gets discount on Homewood space rental

Birmingham News, Bryan, 04/25/08 Republican presidential candidate John McCain got a deal when his campaign rented gathering space from the city of Homewood for a private fundraiser earlier this week. His campaign was given a discount of about 80 percent off the standard booking rate for Rosewood Hall. In September, Jefferson County Democrats rented the same facility and were charged the full rate. The McCain campaign was charged $250 to use two rooms in the hall, which normally would book for $1,200 on a weeknight. The campaign also was given free labor from Homewood City Jail inmates to set up tables and chairs for the event, avoiding a $100 set-up fee, but did pay a standard $50 cleaning fee. Homewood Mayor Barry McCulley said the rental rate was discounted because the event was on Monday, a slow day for business. City Council members say they always vote on such discounts but didn't get a say in this deal. They're upset, as are local Democrats. "I think it's outrageous," said Robert Yarbrough, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party and a Homewood resident. "I was charged full book rate. I was never offered any free inmate services to set up for my event. Mayor McCulley owes an apology to every citizen in Homewood as to why he arbitrarily changed the fee for this out-of-state senator from Arizona." Yarbrough rented the entire hall, three rooms, on Thursday nights in September 2006 and September 2007 for the Democratic Blue Dot Ball fundraiser. The weekday fee is $1,700 for all three rooms, according to the official rates. Yarbrough said the Democrats paid more than $2,500 for all charges each year. McCulley said he and City Council President Ginger Busby agreed on the lower rate for McCain's event. He said minor policy changes such as this don't require council approval. Busby says there was a miscommunication. "The mayor asked me if the hall could be free for the McCain event, and I said absolutely not," Busby said. "He then asked if it was appropriate to charge a lesser fee for Mondays. I said as long as it didn't cost the city money, it could be considered." Busby said she did not know what the charge was or that city inmates were involved. She didn't attend the event and was at a soccer game Monday night, she said. City Councilman David Hooks said that the council typically debates and votes each time there is a request to discount or waive the rent, but that didn't happen this time. "I'd be concerned with the legal ramifications of that, from the city's perspective," Hooks said. "It could be a problem for the city to have made in-kind donations to a political candidate by charging less rent or having inmates do work for the event." McCain campaign officials in Washington said they knew nothing about Homewood using inmate labor at no cost, nor did they ask for a cut rate. "We paid what we were asked to pay," said Jeff Sadosky, McCain campaign spokesman. The McCain event invoice shows an $850 total, including a $150 permit to serve alcohol and a refundable $400 security deposit. Homewood police Chief Phil Dodd said city jail inmates had never before set up at Rosewood Hall, but did so at the mayor's request. The regular workers don't work on Sundays, when the event had to be set up, Dodd said. Busby said she is asking the Republican Party to cover the $950 rental discount and $100 set-up waiver McCulley gave the McCain campaign.

Panel OKs end to grocery tax

Associate Press, Rawls, 04/23/08

A proposed constitutional amendment to remove the state sales tax from groceries has one more legislative hurdle to clear.

The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee voted 7-0 Tuesday to approve the proposed amendment, which passed the House on April 15. The proposal now goes to the Senate for a vote. If approved by the Senate, it will go on the general election ballot Nov. 4 to see if a majority of voters statewide will put it into the Alabama Constitution.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, called the committee's vote an important step "toward tax fairness."

]]> The legislation would remove the state's 4 percent sales tax on groceries and would raise the threshold where families start paying the state income tax, two key initiatives to help low-income workers. To replace the lost revenue, it would repeal the state's income tax deduction for federal taxes paid.

The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates that higher-income families will pay more in taxes while lower-income families will pay less.

The fiscal experts say the break-even point, using adjusted gross income for people who take the standard deduction, is $39,200 for a single person, $66,100 for a single parent with one child, $80,300 for a single parent with two children, $78,600 for a married couple with no children, $94,700 for a married couple with one child, and $110,500 for a married couple with two children.

Knight and Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem, D-Albertville, said they are optimistic the Senate will approve the measure and send it to a statewide vote.

"It's going to be a very popular bill in the Senate because it is going to help a lot of low-income people," Mitchem said.

Gov. Bob Riley said Tuesday he opposes the measure because about 30 percent of Alabama's families would pay more taxes.

Opponents say Riley's estimate is too high.

Voting for the proposed constitutional amendment in committee were Sens. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals; Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile; Zeb Little, D-Cullman; Larry Means, D-Attalla; Wendell Mitchell, D-Luverne; Quinton Ross, D-Montgomery; and Hank Sanders, D-Selma.

Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison, abstained. He said the bill has a cloud over it because when it narrowly passed the House last week, some proponents pushed the voting machines of some members who were absent.

Knight said he's not concerned because the House followed its normal voting rules.

Alabama and Mississippi are the only states that don't remove all or part of their state sales tax from food or that don't have a tax rebate for food purchases by the poor.

Alabama, Iowa and Louisiana are the only states that allow citizens to deduct their federal income taxes from their state taxes.

GOP senators kill bill named for Ledbetter

Associated Press, Kellman, 04/24/08 Senate Republicans killed legislation Wednesday aimed at removing limits on how long workers can wait before suing their employers for pay discrimination. Democrats, speaking to key constituencies of women, minorities and swing voters this election year, said they weren't finished trying to pass the bill. "Women of America: Put your lipstick on, square your shoulders, suit up" and get ready to fight, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., said moments after the bill's opponents denied supporters the 60 votes needed to proceed to full debate and a vote on passage. "The revolution starts tonight." Debate on the legislation, which was proposed in response to a Supreme Court decision last year, was steeped in election-year politics and shadowed by a White House veto threat. The vote sparked dueling news conferences Wednesday in which leaders of both parties accused each other of playing politics with key voting blocs in a year when the presidency, every House seat and a third in the Senate are on the ballot. Watching from the Senate visitors' gallery overhead was Lilly Ledbetter, the woman whose discrimination case was thrown out by the Supreme Court and for whom the legislation is named. Democratic presidential rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama swung through Washington to speak from short, prepared statements in favor of the legislation. It was the first time in months that both candidates spoke on the Senate floor, an indication of the bill's importance to voters the two are fighting for in their ongoing battle for their party's nomination. But Republicans were unified against it enough to muster 42 votes to supporters' 56 votes. The bill passed the House in July, 225-199. Republicans took aim at Democrats for delaying the vote on the measure until dinnertime for the benefit of the Democratic presidential contenders. "To have the schedule of the Senate revolve around the schedule of the presidential candidates strikes me as particularly ridiculous," said Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, convening a news conference earlier in the day in front of the door to the darkened Senate. Democrats shot back that Republicans had no intention of allowing the pay legislation to proceed, nor, for that matter, a provision in other legislation expanding pension benefits for World War II veterans living in other countries. The presumed Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, who was out campaigning and did not vote, said he opposed the measure. "Won't vote yes, and won't vote no," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters. "They don't want to vote. ... They don't know what direction to go." Ledbetter was a supervisor at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s plant in Gadsden, Ala., who sued for pay discrimination just before retiring after a 19-year career there. By the time she retired, Ledbetter made $6,500 less than the lowest-paid male supervisor and claimed earlier decisions by her supervisors kept her from making more. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 last May 29 to throw out her complaint, saying she had waited too long to sue. Under the justices' decision, which they said was based on the 1964 Civil Rights Act, an employee must sue within a 180-day deadline of a decision involving pay if the employee thinks it involved race, sex, religion or national origin. That opens the door for corporations to discriminate, Democrats said. The legislation would restart the statute of limitations for pay discrimination lawsuits each time an employee gets a paycheck affected by sexism or racism. The high court's ruling, said Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., leaves a "gaping loophole" in civil rights laws. "Our legislation closes this loophole by making clear that as long as the discrimination continues, a worker's right to challenge it continues as well," he said. In a statement, the White House said, "The bill far exceeds the stated purpose of undoing the court's decision," and could effectively waive the statute of limitations in such cases and burden courts with claims. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said the legislation would allow people to file discrimination suits against employers for deeds decades old. "If they're discriminated against, we need to make sure there is timely evidence so the prosecution can be thorough," Isakson said. Besides trial lawyers, the bill could appeal to women and minority voters for whom pay equity will be a top issue on Election Day. "It's not just the Democratic base, it's a lot of swing voters," said Schumer, who chairs the Senate Democrats' campaign committee. The bill actually received 57 votes in favor, but Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., switched his vote under a procedural rule to allow him to call up the bill in the future. Six Republicans joined Democrats in voting to advance the bill. They were Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and John Sununu of New Hampshire.

McCain Mystery Tour Highlights GOP Hypocrisy

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2008
Contact: Jim Spearman 334-262-2221

Montgomery, AL - Only in Alabama and in the accompaniment of Republican Governor Bob Riley could the national GOP and their apparent Nominee for President come off the tracks of reality so boldly to reveal their political hypocrisy of 'word verses deed'. The Time for Action Tour takes Sen. John McCain and the Governor to the Blackbelt of Alabama to unveil a similar 'new compassionate conservatism' initiative first declared from the bowels of the Bush run for the White House in 2000.

]]> "These Republicans purport to be the champions of the poor in Alabama's Blackbelt but are the very ones who are denying our people with public policy that they deserve. Just recently Sen. McCain voted against the renewal of health care for children in the Blackbelt by his opposition to SCHIPs reauthorization, and Gov. Riley opposes removing the state sales tax on food in the Alabama Legislature at this very moment." said Joe Turnham, Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party.

"In the wake of the public disaster of the Bush presidency, 'More of the same McCain' comes here to speak about empowerment to the very people he and the Republicans have continued to wreak havoc upon since 2003. I think Alabamians have heard enough empty rhetoric and would rather not see what would be a virtual third Bush term," exclaimed Turnham.

"Sen. McCain should temper his visit with some reality and honesty about the plight of Alabama's and America's working poor. The George Bush budget deficit, trade deficit, endless war in Iraq and failure to address economic freefall in America should be confronted and repudiated by McCain and Riley in this visit if they want to win the hearts of voters in our state." Turnham stated.

America's budget and trade deficits are up, and the dollar is down. Gas is at an all time high and Exxon-Mobil, who continues to report record oil profits, is off the hook legally in Alabama due to a republican dominated Supreme Court which overturned two different jury verdicts. In addition, Gov. Riley has only appointed one black Voter Registrar out of 66 in Alabama. Turnham suggested "it must be silly season in Alabama politics for these Republicans to talk about empowerment when it's obvious their words clearly don't match their deeds."

"As the Republican's return from the Blackbelt to their real roots at high dollar fundraisers, the reality of this same old tired GOP shell game won't be lost on Alabama voters. They haven't missed the boat, but I guess for McCain, the last ferry left from Gees Bend a little early today," said Turnham.

xxxxxxx

New Ad Shows McCain Out of Touch

New TV Ad Highlights How Out of Touch McCain is With Alabamians On the Economy

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2008
Contact: Jim Spearman 334-262-2221

Montgomery, AL - A new television ad set to begin airing nationally Tuesday highlights how out of touch John McCain is with the financial challenges confronting average Alabamians. The ad, the first advertisement of the 2008 presidential election, shows the Republican nominee claiming we are "better off" after eight years of disastrous Bush Administration economic policies. The ad closes with the question all Americans must ask themselves as they choose our next president: "Do you feel better off?" The Democratic National Committee announced that the ad, entitled "Better Off?", will begin airing on cable networks nationally on Tuesday, April 22nd, including in Alabama.

]]> Despite yet another poll released this week indicating that a majority of Americans think their economic situation has not improved in the last five years, Senator McCain used a major speech last week to claim that, "you could make an argument that there's been great progress economically". [Bloomberg Money & Politics, April 17, 2008] [Pew Research Center survey, released 4/9/08] McCain's comments came despite the fact that 48,511 families were unable to pay their mortgages in the fourth quarter of 2007 in Alabama and that the unemployment rate in the state has gone up to 4.1 percent from 3.4 percent over the last year. [U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, 3/6/08; Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.t03.htm]

In addition to airing on cable, the ad will be used at organizing events across Alabama as the Alabama Democratic Party and the DNC move their field efforts forward with a new Neighborhood Volunteer organizing tool.

"John McCain can try to reintroduce himself to the American people, but Alabamians already know what his continuation of the Bush Administration's disastrous policies would do through four more years," said Alabama Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham. "If John McCain thinks Alabamians are better off than they were eight years ago, he hasn't been paying attention to the challenges families face on a daily basis. McCain's plan to keep boosting deficits and corporate tax giveaways while ignoring the housing crisis and doing nothing for the middle class makes it clear that the Republican nominee is the wrong choice for Alabama's future."
Script of DNC Ad: "Better Off?"

Video

Audio

Anderson Cooper voice over black screen:

McCain video

Dip to black - card comes up with economic facts:
McCain video
Dip to black CG:
Unemployment Up

McCain video
Dip to black CG:
Highest Inflation in 17 years

McCain video
Dip to black CG:
1.8 million jobs lost

Gas Prices Up 200 Percent

McCain video

CG: Do you feel better off?

CG: Is John McCain the Right Choice for America's Future?

Disclaimer

Senator McCain.
Are Americans better off than they were 8 years ago?

I think you could argue that Americans overall are better off - because we have had a pretty good prosperous time.

With low unemployment.

Low inflation...

A lot of good things have happened.

A lot of jobs have been created.

I think we are better off overall.

Do you feel better off?

Disclaimer

Research From DNC Ad: "Better Off?"
Anderson Cooper Voiceover: "Senator McCain, are Americans better off than they were 8 years ago?" [CNN Republican Primary Debate, 1/30/2008]

John McCain: "I think you could argue that Americans overall are better off - because we have had a pretty good prosperous time." [CNN Republican Primary Debate, 1/30/2008]
CG: "Household Income Down $1,000"
Median Household Income:
2000: $49,192
2006: $48,023
[Joint Economic Committee Fact Sheet , 8/29/2007]

McCain: "With low unemployment."
CG: "Unemployment Up"
Unemployment Rate
January 2001: 4.2 percent
March 2008: 5.1 percent
[Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Employment Situation, March 2008]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

McCain: "Low inflation..."
CG: "Highest Inflation in 17 Years"
Annual Inflation Rate
1990 6.1
1991 3.1
1992 2.9
1993 2.7
1994 2.7
1995 2.5
1996 3.3
1997 1.7
1998 1.6
1999 2.7
2000 3.4
2001 1.6
2002 2.4
2003 1.9
2004 3.3
2005 3.4
2006 2.5
2007 4.1
[Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U Historical Data, http://www.bls.gov/cpi/home.htm ]

McCain: "A lot of good things have happened."
CG: "Gas Prices Up 200%"
Retail Price Per Gallon:
Jan 1, 2001: 141.6
Apr 14, 2008 339.7
[Weekly U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices , Energy Information Administration]

McCain: "A lot of jobs have been created."
CG: "1.8 Million Jobs Lost"
January 2001: 6.0 million unemployed
March 2008: 7.8 million unemployed
[Bureau of Labor Statistics The Employment Situation, March 2008]
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

McCain: "I think we are better off overall."

Voiceover: "Do you feel better off?"

Voiceover: "The Democratic National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising."

###

2008 JJ Dinner

The Alabama Democratic Party cordially invites you to attend our spring fundraising dinner featuring the first female Speaker of the House. This is a historic occasion as it has been decades since the last sitting U.S. Speaker of the House visited the state. We hope you will join us.

Who: Speaker Nancy Pelosi
What: 2008 Jefferson Jackson Dinner
When: Fri. May 2, 2008 5:30 pm
Where: Cahaba Grand Conf. Ctr., Birmingham (map)
Tickets/Sponsorships: Click here