Q & A with Artur Davis

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., spoke at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Auburn Tuesday. Here is what he had to say about the 2010 Alabama governor's race.

Q: Have you made a decision whether to run for governor of Alabama in 2010?

A: Well, not yet. I’ll have something more definitive to say probably in February around the time the Legislature goes back into session. But I’ve made no secret of the fact that it’s something I’m thinking about. And we’ve gotten a lot of encouragement as I’ve moved around the state. I obviously venture way beyond my congressional district, and I think people are looking for change in Alabama. People are looking for change from the Democratic Party. And people recognize this is the first open governor’s race in 24 years. We’ve made great progress in Alabama, but we’ve got some real tough choices to make in the next few years if we’re serious for having a first-class educational system and if we’re serious about being able to compete, not just for manufacturing jobs, but for higher-wage white collar jobs, as well. The next governor’s going to be the one who has to craft a strategy to do those things.

Q: Whether Obama or McCain wins … do you think that Obama’s success has paved the way or could help you?

A: What Obama has done is he’s allowed people to see that a talented black candidate who is right on the issues and has a plan and has a program can get votes. There’s nothing automatic about getting votes. But I think what Obama is letting people see is that you can transcend race… The most important contribution Sen. Obama’s campaign is making in Alabama is these new voters. We’re going to add potentially 300,000 new people to the rolls. They won’t all vote in 2010, they’re not all Democrats. … But he’s going to add voters to the rolls that are going to change the face of the Democratic Party and are going to change the face of Alabama politics. I firmly believe that.

Q: What would be your deciding factor as far as whether you ran for governor?

A: The most important factor is where can you serve. I’ve been in the (U.S.) Congress for six years now. I’m convinced you can’t change Alabama from Washington, D.C., and I got in politics to change Alabama. Second factor is obviously, can you raise the money, can you build a statewide organization? I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing from donors. I’m encouraged by what I’m hearing from activists and people involved in the party. And I think that the final test is would my message resonate around the state of Alabama? My message is very simple. I think we’ve got to make a commitment we’ve never made to public education. Everything we’re trying to do, the key to it is public education in Alabama. If I run for governor, that’s going to be the main thing I talk about. Will people around Alabama respond to that message? I think there’s a good chance they will.

Q: How important is East Alabama and Lee County to winning the governorship?

A: East Alabama is very important. In a Democratic primary, this is swing voter territory. (People) over here in Auburn and Opelika and East Alabama in a Democratic primary are swing voters… A Democrat can compete in these areas because these are folks who will vote for Democrats who are conservative enough on social issues, conservative enough on fiscal issues and progressive on education and improving the quality of people’s lives. That’s the combination they want, and if you can be that kind of Democrat, you can compete in East Alabama. So, if I run for governor, people in East Alabama are going to see a lot of me.