Rogers camp issues release on debate

By Joe McAdory

U.S. Congressional District 3 incumbent Mike Rogers (R-Anniston) won the debate Tuesday in Montgomery with Democratic challenger Josh Segall. That’s what a release from the Mike Rogers campaign said. I hadn’t seen any other releases announcing the clear-cut winner. The Segall camp did not send a debate-oriented release. If it had, I assume Segall would have been the clear winner.

Anyway, here’s the Rogers release:

Today, in the first debate between Congressman Mike Rogers and his young opponent, Joshua Segall, Mike Rogers won on each question with a clear and decisive understanding of not only the issues, but proven leadership for our district, our state and our nation. On issues ranging from jobs and the economy, farming and agriculture to proven leadership and healthcare, Mike Rogers showed superior understanding of the needs of the voters and their struggles each and every day for better paying jobs and lower taxes.

On our nation’s struggling economy and credit crisis affecting Main Street, Rogers said times are tough and Alabamians are in pain:  “As a country, this is a tough time for us,” said Rogers.

“Mike Rogers once again showed that he has the proven leadership and a real grasp of the issues that face families each and every day. Whether it be the cost of gas, a better paying job or keeping taxes and government off people’s backs, Mike Rogers showed why he has such strong support from Democrats and Republicans alike in this campaign,” said Rogers Campaign Manager, Tripp Skipper.

The debate, televised by WSFA in Montgomery, sponsored by Leadership Montgomery and the Montgomery Advertiser, included questions from audience members. While his opponent spent most of his time attacking Rogers with misleading and blatantly false statements, Rogers took the opportunity to talk about the needs of every day Alabama families, and a positive vision for our future. Mike Rogers also talked about his experience in helping create jobs and lower taxes on Alabama families. 

Said Skipper, “The contrast was remarkable. One candidate - Joshua Segall - has proven that he has no vision and very little positive to say about our district and our state.  The other candidate, Mike Rogers, showed voters once again why it is that they trust not only his leadership, but his values and his character and his ability to protect jobs and keep taxes low.“

Vandy, backpacks and smart folks

By Joe McAdory

A few observations from my weekend in Nashville ...

1. The campus at Vanderbilt is magnificent. Lots of greenspace. Older buildings featured beautiful architecture, not that I’m a building afficionado. What I found very interesting was the clientele. Scores of Vandy students walked around with backpacks, books and stuff—seemingly oblivious to the fact that the school was hosting arguably the most important football game in years. Some were even studying. Those crazy college kids. Their parents are spending thousands of dollars to send them to a prestigious university and they’re wasting their Saturday with their noses in the text books. Where’s their priorities? It was obvious that I was among the least intelligent people roaming these halls of academia. Like one sign said, “the geeks shall inherit the turf.“

2. Talked to a Vandy season-ticket holder. He said season tickets were $99. Considering season tickets to Auburn games are $300, not counting the thousand bucks or so it costs just for the right to purchase tickets, I’d say the Commodore faithful are getting one heck of a deal and Auburn fans are wondering why they spent so much money when they could have watched the games for free on television.

3. This is the worst Auburn offense I have seen in my lifetime. Their performance is even worse than the 1998 offense, which won only three games. At least the 1998 offense seemingly knew what to do, they just didn’t have the hosses to do it. I feel sorry for these players who must endure a system that has become the laughingstock of the SEC.

4. Auburn should have led 21-0 in the first quarter. First and goal at the 3 and no points, then a missed extra point ... No, it shouldn’t have been 13-0. It should have been 21-0 AU and it would have been over. As for the second half, Vandy outscored Auburn 7-0 but was much more dominant than that.

5. I am not alone when I ask why Auburn stopped running out of the double tight end formation behind center after the first quarter. Perhaps the person in charge of calling the plays spent the first quarter in the bathroom, then resumed futile duties in the second quarter.

6. This is the lowest point of Auburn’s football program since .... gasp ... jetgate. How ironic that Auburn hosts Bobby Petrino and Arkansas this Saturday.

7. I like Nashville. Wouldn’t mind spending a few days there to check out some sites. But that’s for another day. I don’t want to go back without having sushi.

Rogers, Segall speak out on bailout bill

By Joe McAdory

Congressional Third District candidates Josh Segall, D-Montgomery, and incumbent Mike Rogers, R-Anniston, sent statements (or releases) regarding Friday’s bailout bill. Here’s what they had to say:

Mike Rogers
Congressman Mike Rogers released the following statement today following passage of the Economic Rescue Plan in the House.

“I despise the Wall Street greed and arrogance that put our economy in peril, and am angry that already suffering taxpayers are being asked to save our economy. But this turmoil is now threatening Main Street, which is why I believe Congress must act now.

“The hard lesson of not acting in similarly dire economic circumstances – the Great Depression under Herbert Hoover – is far too big a risk to take. Main Street is threatened by this crisis – our jobs, our savings and our home values – and because of that, it is with serious reservations that I supported this less than perfect compromise.”

Josh Segall
Josh Segall, candidate for Congress in Alabama’s third district, responded to incumbent Congressman Mike Rogers’s second vote in support of the $700 billion bailout.

Segall criticized Rogers for once again failing to justify his vote on the bailout bill, saying that he still has not explained to the people of Alabama where the number $700 billion comes from, exactly how they’re going to use our money, or what Congress plans to do make sure such a crisis does not happen again.

The original House version of the bailout failed on Monday because of the overwhelming opposition of members’ constituents, who were angry that the bill did more for Wall Street than for Main Street.

“Mike Rogers failed to do anything to ensure that this bill was good for the people of Alabama,” said Segall.  “His votes in favor of deregulation[1] and against homeowners[2] helped get us into this crisis, and he’s done nothing to address those issues.”

Segall also criticized Senate leaders, who authored the bill that passed today, for not taking the opportunity to craft a new bill that both recognized the need for a sound financial system and provided relief for people struggling with their mortgages.  The Senate bill was nearly identical to the House version, but included more than $100 billion in pork.

The “sweeteners” added to the bill – including money for film and television productions, wooden arrows for children, Puerto Rican rum, wool research, railroads, auto racing tracks and mine safety equipment – will cost taxpayers an extra $105 billion.

“Congress has rushed through a bill that fails to provide homeowners the help they need and that increases our debt without any guarantee that taxpayers will recover their money,” Segall said.  “The American people deserved better.”

My response to the bailout bill ... just give me a Coke and let me watch football this weekend. I’m tired of thinking about it.

Rogers, Segall tight in poll

By Joe McAdory

Got a note Thursday from the Capital Survey Research Center in Montgomery, which asked 471 Alabamians which Congressional District 3 candidate they would vote for next month. Republican incumbent Mike Rogers got 45 percent of the vote, while Democratic challenger Josh Segall had 36 percent.

What is interesting is the 19 percent who weren’t sure. Considering the 9 percent margin between the two, I’d say this race could be up in the air.