Sen. Al Lawson, yesterday, was unanimously elected Senate Democratic Leader for the 2008-09 legislative session. succeed Geller after the 2008 legislative session. He has been in the House and Senate since 1982 and will be the longest-serving legislator in either party in the 2008-10 term.
He'll have the job of raising money and recruiting Democratic candidates for legislative races next year. When the Legislature is in session, and preside over party caucuses and represent the party in negotiations with the Republican leadership.
And if the Democrats capture a the Senate majority next year, he would become Senate president.
While it would be wonderful if the Democrats won and Big Al was in line to be the Senate President, my fear would be that the Democrats would pull a "Willie Logan" on him.
ReplyDeleteFlorida's Democratic Party still hasn't recovered from that fiasco back in 1998. The wounds that incident inflicted between Dems and the black community have yet to heal.
Even more black Floridians are being courted to the GOP now that the moderate Gov. Charlie Crist is in office. While many blacks were originally wary of Crist due to his attempts to cloak himself in Jeb Bush's legacy, he's made very positive steps by restoring voting rights for felons, pushing through a multi-million dollar settlement for the Martin Lee Anderson case, choosing Walt McNeil to head Juvenile Justice, and appointing Daryl Parks to the FAMU Board of Trustees.
Indeed, where FAMUans suffered anxiety attacks whenever Bush prepared to appoint a new trustee, there is general optimism about his upcoming replacement for W. George Allen.
Florida's Democrats lost tremendous momentum because they came across as weak, unorganized, and ineffective against Jeb. Now, under Crist, the Democrats are at serious risk of losing a large chunk of the black vote during the next gubernatorial election.
The Dems haven't had a strong gubernatorial candidate in a decade. If the GOP establishment runs a hard-liner against Crist in 2011, it may push even more blacks into Crist's camp since casting votes many see casting votes for Dems as a waste of time.
The Dems had better demonstrate unshakeable loyalty to black leaders like Lawson throughout next year and take some drastic measures to re-invigorate its base in the black community. Options include appointing more blacks to top party leadership posts and lending enthusiastic support to Barack Obama's campaign. But the bottom line is that the Dems better do something fast or else they will continue to shrink for the next 10 years.
Well done! I hope every FAMU student and alumni member is registered to vote and will get mobilized NOW! The leadership of this state will be vital to the resurgence of our mighty institution.
ReplyDeleteSenate Dems would hard pull a "Willie Logan" on Lawson, they are two totally different personalities.
ReplyDeleteWillie Logan was sorry and didn't work. Lawson is liked and respected by all.
4:58--Thank you for articulating your viewpoint so eloquently. It is refreshing to read comentary of subtance on this board instead of what many of us have come to expect when we visit the site: gossip, name-calling and innuendo. I agree with you that we must be politically mobilized if we wish to effect change. It is crucial that the Democrats form a consensus regarding the issues that affect us, not only in Florida but on a national scale. While it is possible that a Logan scheme coul derail Lawson's Senate presidency, I think if we move carefuly through the political minefields that are sure to come, I think we might be ok. If we don't mobilize, I fear that the ghost of Logan may not only come back to haunt us, but will in fact sit at the table with forks and knives, ready to cut and dig so deeply until no amount of surgery will be able to repair the damage. We must all watch our backs, and we must all begin before the utensils are placed at the at gathering.
ReplyDeletePlease excuse all of the typos in my above post. (I see them in my review.) Sometimes the fingers get carried away, and I post before I preview. But I do see them, and I do know better.
ReplyDelete"...my fear would be that the Democrats would pull a "Willie Logan" on him. Florida's Democratic Party still hasn't recovered from that fiasco back in 1998..."
ReplyDeleteWhat fiasco?? I know I'm showing my age right now, but I didn't come to Tallahassee until 2001. I'd love to get the back story on this.
BTW, I'm glad to see Sen. Lawson in this position!!
That's what happens when you literally get caught with your pants down in a public restroom.
ReplyDeleteMr. Logan got caught doing a "George Michaels" in a Miami Beach restroom.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Senator Lawson!
ReplyDeleteI found a wikipedia post about Mr. Logan. Thanks for the info though...
ReplyDeleteIrreplaceable
ReplyDeleteDedicated to Castell & Co.
HMMMMM
To the left
To the left
Everything you own in the box to the left
It’s in the audit
That’s our stuff
If FAMU bought it
Please don’t touch
Keep talking that trash that’s fine
But could you board your broom at the same time
And it’s FAM’s name that’s on that Tag
So get to steppin you triflin’ Hag
Standing up in Lee Hall
Tellin us how we just a fool
Talking bout –
we’ll never ever ever find a Prez like you
You got us twisted
You must not know bout FAM
You must not know bout FAM
We can have another Prez in a minute
Matter a fact he’ll be here in minute
Casty
You must not know bout FAM
You must not know bout FAM
We will have another Prez by tomorrow
So don’t you ever for a second get to thinkin
You’re irreplaceable
So go ahead and get gone
Call up Challis and see if she home
Oops I bet you thought that we didn’t know
What you think we are firin’ your ass for
Cause yall was untrue
Lyin and stealin and doin what you want to
So Casty drop off them keys
And hurry up before yo broomstick leave
Standing up in Lee Hall
Tellin us how we just a fool
Talking bout –
We’ll never ever ever find a Prez like you
You got us twisted
You must not know bout FAM
You must not know bout FAM
We can have another Prez in a minute
Matter a fact he’ll be here in minute
Casty
You must not know bout FAM
You must not know bout FAM
We will have another Prez by tomorrow
So don’t you ever for a second get to thinkin
You’re irreplaceable
So you robbed FAMU of everything
But how about she’s still something
Though she’s nothing at all to you
But we won’t shed a tear for you
We won't lose a wink of sleep
Cause the truth of the matter is
Replacin you with James was so easy
HMMMMM
To the left
to the left
To the left
to the left