The American Spectator : Alabama Byrne-ing

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Alabama Byrne-ing

By Quin Hillyer on 9.10.09 @ 6:08AM

A "New South" conservative runs for governor.

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"The reason I put Bradley over there is he is very bright and he is tough as nails," Gov. Riley told me. "He went through a barrage of criticism and he never wavered."

When Byrne succeeded, by virtually all accounts, in cleaning up the community colleges after such a high-profile series of scandals, his statewide profile rose accordingly. Hence, "the door opened" for a run for governor, according to his dynamo wife Rebecca, currently head of the United Way of Baldwin County, farm-heavy in its northern parts and a tourist mecca on its gorgeous white-sand Gulf beaches. The counties of Baldwin and neighboring Mobile -- where Byrne grew up and where his grandfather was a reformist sheriff back in 1926 -- are among the most Republican in the state, giving Byrne a solid base for the party primary.

Byrne's campaign focus is on ethics, education, and economic development. Most of the details of his platform are state-specific, but he is aware that states can serve as laboratories for reform nationwide.

"I believe I am the candidate in the race who can bring the conservative style of government to office that is a clear alternative to the liberal democrats in Washington," he told me. "I am talking about all these reforms in a no-new-taxes environment. We need state examples of that to show the federal government how it needs to do it."

Of most interest to national audiences are Byrne's stresses on charter schools and on lawsuit reform.

"Our law does not allow for charter schools," he explained. "That is something that has been consistently opposed by the teachers union, but it's a big part of my platform…. I talk about the need for charters in every stump speech I give, and it is received very favorably by all audiences. I've had a number of conversations with former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida and his staff. I think what they have done is a good model and they have offered to help us implement it in Alabama and I welcome their help."

Meanwhile, on lawsuits, Byrne explained: "We have no limit on damages for pain or emotional distress... and for the most part no limit on punitive damages. There is a limit but it is not the limit you see in other states; it is not a hard and fast one. It only applies in a few cases and there are still cases in which a jury can put whatever they want in there. We still get verdicts out of Alabama that are way too high. Even though there have been notable state supreme court cases that overturn those verdict sizes, the expense to the litigant has been so high ... that you have greater pressure to settle or to settle for a higher amount than you would have otherwise. While we have made a lot of progress in Alabama on tort reform we still aren't where we need to be yet."

Those who have watched Byrne's whole career are convinced he can get his reforms through if he's elected. One of them is Howard Bronson, who retired last month after 18 years as the unabashedly Reaganite-conservative publisher of the Mobile Press-Register, where he first encountered Byrne during Byrne's work on the Mobile Chamber's education task force.

"He showed a lot of management skill as well as a lot of intestinal fortitude standing up to the AEA both in the Legislature and with managing the junior college situation," Bronson told me. "He acted decisively and effectively.... From the first time I met Bradley he impressed me not only as a very intelligent fellow but a guy with a lot of integrity. I was delighted when he decided to go into politics. Intelligence and integrity are rare commodities. He has proven that my assessment of him was 100% correct."

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topics:
Bradley Byrne, Bob Riley

About the Author

Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (14) | Leave a comment

Jeremy Jester| 9.10.09 @ 10:35AM

Hear, hear. Let's hope that Mr. Byrne can overcome Alabama's latest demagogue, Roy Moore.

Conservative Bob| 9.10.09 @ 11:00AM

I agree Moore is a self serving embarrassment.

Key for me and many that I speak with is resistance to the overreach of the federal government.
While I am hopeful that moderate dems are having second thoughts on Team O, the debt, healthcare and cap and trade, however their overwhelming majorities in both houses and the extremist Whitehouse mean they can pass anything they desire.
It makes it imperative that we look to the states to enact more than symbolic resistance to federal overreach.
The example of well run conservative governance is of little use if the state is swamped by the burden of federal mandates and the extreme centralization of power being pushed by this administration.
It will be interesting to see how willing any of the candidates are to embrace a vigorous and meaningful 10th amendment challenge to this power grab.
Citizen activism my blunt their more extreme efforts but the Democrat party leadership and their willingness to vigorously enforce party discipline should not be underestimated. Ultimately the best hope we have of preserving the Republic may be at the state level through the 10th.

While I am hopeful that moderate dems are having second thoughts on Team O the debt healthcare and cap and trade their overwhelming majorities in both houses and the extremist Whitehouse make it imperative that

Oldefarte| 9.10.09 @ 11:36AM

Quin, great article----now I know who to vote for. The JC problem here was atrocious and ludicrous, and administrator[s] SHOULD HAVE gone to jail, in my humble opinion. Anyway, Senator Bryne can count on two [guaranteed]votes in his upcoming bid for governor!!!!!

Gimpe Chimpe| 9.10.09 @ 1:02PM

hahahahah I bet you Mr Know it all ...Bryne does not win his party's nomination.

Jeff EARS Sessions is a disgrace to all those in Alabama not a member of the KKK or educated above the 10th grade.

Galika| 9.11.09 @ 1:07AM

oh, Alabama. I like it. I`ll get there next week

Richard Wright| 9.11.09 @ 1:14AM

I have to say that I am disturbed by Bryne's unhealthy obsession with the AEA. I like a lot of his qualities and I believe that we would greatly benefit from his proposed reforms, but he needs to re-think his stance on education in Alabama.

Mr. Hillyer, you obviously do not know very much about the AEA. To call this association regressive shows that your understanding of the AEA is regressive. While the assocation can be over the top at times, one cannot ignore the part that it has played in improving Alabama's educational system over the past decade. AEA has helped teachers receive multiple pay raises, has strongly supported the use of additional training and valuable professional development, and has protected teachers from being the targets of administrators due to political and personal differences. Also, AEA has played a big part in the increasing achievement of Alabama's students.

It is nice to know that Alabama's educational system is moving in the right direction and Bryne has not once pointed this out. Also, we should remember that Bryne was responsible for legislation that would have made it illegal for Alabama educators to serve as an elected official in the House or Senate. If that legislation would have passed, educators and felons would have been the only individuals banned from serving in public office.

For his stance on education alone, I will NOT be voting for Bryne.

Brian| 9.11.09 @ 1:40AM

Anybody running as an "education reformer" that does not include VOUCHERS as the cornerstone of that reform is NO REFORMER. Vouchers and internet based schools are the only way to break the death grip teachers unions have on education.

Satsoomer| 9.11.09 @ 2:13AM

With all due respect to Mr. Wright who defends our states teachers' union, the biggest obstacle to public education in Alabama is the AEA. How can you defend an organization that opposes criminal background checks for those who are given charge of our states children? Our teacher-slanted laws recently allowed a 56 year-old teacher convicted of using a computer and a cell phone to entice a 14 year-old student for sex to continue to draw over 140,000 dollars in salary while in prison awaiting appeal. The AEA's death grip on Alabama politicians is the reason our state's laws allow these kinds of shameful practices. The AEA is corrupt and works every day in opposition to the interests of Alabama students and parents. I am an educator and my wife is an Alabama public school teacher. The AEA borders on a criminal organization in Alabama.

bryan ashley| 9.11.09 @ 3:16AM

however their overwhelming majorities in both houses and the extremist Whitehouse mean they can pass anything they desire Bailey Button Ugg Boots .It makes it imperative that we look to the states to enact more than symbolic resistance to federal overreach.The example of well run conservative governance is of little use if the state is swamped by the burden of federal mandates and the extreme centralization of power being pushed by this administration cheap ugg boots .It will be interesting to see how willing any of the candidates are to embrace a vigorous and meaningful 10th amendment challenge to this power grab.

justin martin| 9.11.09 @ 3:17AM

AEA has helped teachers receive multiple pay raises ugg boots uk , has strongly supported the use of additional training and valuable professional development, and has protected teachers from being the targets of administrators due to political and personal differences cheap ugg boots . Also, AEA has played a big part in the increasing achievement of Alabama's students. It is nice to know that Alabama's educational system is moving in the right direction and Bryne has not once pointed this out

Quin Hillyer| 9.11.09 @ 10:00AM

To Brian, re: vouchers. One thing at a time, my friend, one thing at a time. To change the Alabama law so as to allow charters, and then to use and promote them actively, is a huge step. It will take immense political skill. That's plenty for Byrne to take on right now.

Derek Leaberry| 9.11.09 @ 11:07AM

How did Byrne stand on Governor Riley's attempt to raise Alabama's taxes?

Mike Richards| 2.4.10 @ 7:18PM

He actually voted for it after the people of Alabama voted it down. 1.3 billion later, here we are.

Joan Laszczak| 9.11.09 @ 1:48PM

I only need one reason to vote for the man - if he has the brass to face down Paul Hubbard, who has literally been the defacto governor of this state for years, he's got my vote...let's get rid of tenure, the teacher's unions, and really reform education.