Southern Political Roundup

This past weekend, incumbent Alabama Gov. Bob Riley surprised no one when he announced he would seek re-election next year. He will face ousted Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore in the Republican primary. Riley wasted little time pointing out that he, too, is a man of faith -- but he believes setting a good example trumps screaming from the mountaintops about how godly you are.

"I have never, and I never will use my faith or belief in almighty God for political purposes," Riley told supporters invited to his 61st birthday party Saturday at the Barber Motorsports Museum in Leeds.

"Some say they can no longer acknowledge God in government," said Riley. "I think that's sad because I acknowledge him every day - in speeches, in the office, in meetings, schools and churches. We can all do that every day in the way we live our lives." The comment drew thunderous applause.

My earlier post about the Riley vs. Moore matchup is here.

Also, in Alabama, former Gov. Don Siegelman is fighting for his old job and will face current Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley in the Democratic primary. Now he finds himself in hot water after saying Baxley's chances would be hurt by Kathleen Blanco (the female governor of Louisiana) and her mishandling of Hurricane Katrina.

He "apologized" a few days later, although it was one of those weasel apologies -- which sorta fits him, since he is a weasel.

"If anybody took offense to my comments, especially Mrs. Baxley, I apologize," Siegelman said. "I love Lucy like everybody else, and, if I offended her, I offer her my sincerest apology."

In other words, "I'm not sorry I said it; I'm sorry you were 'offending.'" And the "I love Lucy" comment refers to Baxley's longtime campaign slogan. There are "I (heart) Lucy" bumper stickers to match.

Kentucky

Gov. Ernie Fletcher, a Republican, has his bluegrass caught in a crack over political patronage. Then it a blatant abuse of power, he pardons everyone in advance.

Eleven current or former members of his administration have been indicted so far in the probe by Kentucky's attorney general. And while there has been little or no evidence to publicly connect the governor to any wrongdoing, his efforts to thwart the investigation -- including his refusal to testify and his issuing of a blanket pardon to anyone charged -- appear to have done grave damage to him politically.

The first-term governor's approval ratings have sunk, and he has become isolated from other members of the GOP.

"You've got to wonder at what point it becomes a death spiral," said Michael Baranowski, a political science professor at Northern Kentucky University.

Great quote, by the way, from the professor. Memo to PR practitioners: Anytime you can work "death spiral" into a sentence, the newspaper will run your quote.

Scott Maddox is out of the governor's race in Florida. He was seeking the Democrat Party nomination, but he can't shake his mismanagement of the state Democratic Party when he was chairman.

Of course, he said none of that had anything to do with his decision to withdraw from the race -- and added he might run for some other office. With that kind of business acumen, let's hope it's not this one.