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Maintaining control in Washington
By Evan BelangerIn a candid talk Saturday in Good Hope, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, outlined a trying national election ahead for Republicans, but said it was one they could win — if only by the narrowest margin.
Aderholt was the key-note speaker at the Republican breakfast at Jack’s Restaurant in Good Hope, where he addressed a crowd of more than 70 local Republicans.
“There is a big hurtle for the Republicans,” he said. “The President’s numbers are very low; therefore, a lot of people that don’t like the President are being able to say that’s how they’re going to vote against the President — a vote against their Republican congressman.”
With the election two days away, Democrats need to pick up 15 seats in the House and six in the Senate to take control of the Legislature. A Friday Gallup poll, showed Democrats with “significant leads over their Republican counterparts” for taking control of the House. Similarly, a Rasmussen poll the same day showed the Senate battle to be tied.
According to Aderholt though, the battle is more favorable for Republicans than the latest polling results indicate. He admitted between nine and 13 Republican seats in the House and three or four in the Senate will probably go to Democrats.
“I have to be very honest with people when they ask me,” he said. “Realistically, Republicans are in trouble in those seats.”
But he also said Republicans have a good chance to hold the Senate, and it is possible they could hold to the House as well after Tuesday.
Aderholt addressed the importance of maintaining a Republican majority in the House, saying in many aspects the majority party can control what legislation comes to the floor and what kind of support it gets.
“Why it’s so important is because of the legislation that goes forward from the House of Representatives,” he said. “We will not see legislation in the protection of the unborn. We will not see protection of a lot of the values that I think most Alabamians believe in if we have a Democrat-controlled congress.”
Other discussion topics for Aderholt included embryonic stem-cell research, which he said he is against, and an explanation of why House in Senate bills concerning border control and illegal immigrants appear to have stalled in Congress.
According to Aderholt, both parties passed versions of the same bill, but they had irreconcilable differences that have not been dealt with yet. He said the discrepancies must be worked out before a final solution can be sent to the President.
Aderholt faces Democrat Barbara Bobo Tuesday. He is seeking his sixth term in office.
‰ In other matters Saturday, former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Perry Hooper Sr. was in attendance at the breakfast. Hooper is the first Republican to serve on any Alabama appellate court since the Civil War.
His son, Perry Hooper Jr., is a candidate for Alabama Public Service Commission, place to. He was also in attendance.
Hooper faces Democrat Susan Parker Tuesday.
A scheduled meeting from Supreme Court Justice Drayton Nabers Jr. was canceled.
Nabers faces Democrat Sue Bell Cobb Tuesday.
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Cullman junior Spencer Region reacts to the Bearcats' loss during the fourth quarter of Friday night's playoff game at Russellville.
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Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
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Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
- Local Sports
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Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. - PREP BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Eagles hold on, defeat Holly Pond in nailbiter
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'Just doing my job'
SMITH LAKE — Wayne Patton doesn’t consider himself a hero, but in a dense jungle on March 26, 1970, he sure acted like one.
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'Just doing my job'
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TIMES EDITORIAL: City made mistake backing out of mediation plans
If the City of Cullman's Duck River plan really is the slam-dunk case they say it is, the city shouldn't have anything to fear from a mediator.
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TIMES EDITORIAL: City made mistake backing out of mediation plans
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