Rep. Artur Davis loses bid to become first black Ala. governor

[ProSense]

Source: USA Today

Rep. Artur Davis has lost his bid to become the first African American elected governor in Alabama, the Associated Press has reported.

State Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks appears to have easily beat Davis, a Harvard-trained lawyer and friend of President Obama, in the Democratic primary.

Davis had angered civil rights groups such as the Alabama New South Coalition and the Alabama Democratic Conference by bypassing their endorsement process. Those groups backed Sparks, who is white. Davis had said he had wanted to take his case directly to black voters, who traditionally make up about half of Democratic primary voters in Alabama.

<...>

Sparks has criticized some of Davis' votes, including his vote against Obama's health care plan. Davis was the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against the sweeping health care measure, aimed at extending coverage to millions of Americans who are uninsured.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/06/black-governor-alabama-/1

[bluestateguy]

1. Ha!

LO-SER!!!

[JoeyT]

2. While I supported Sparks in the primary

I'd have definitely been behind Davis had he won. Sparks seemed a little more progressive and has a much better chance of carrying the election. If for no other reason than because he's got a lot of name recognition among moderates and non-political people from his time as Ag Commissioner. (Which is a big deal in a state that relies so much on timber and farming.)

Either is infinitely better than the crazy-ass Republicans we have down here.

[David__77]

3. Great.

That Davis character was terrible.

[davidpdx]

4. They had some REAL winners on the Republican side

Here's a look at the highlights:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100601/pl_ynews/ynews_pl2329

Warning:

1) Please don't view this on a full stomach as you may throw up

2) Please do not view this while drinking anything as I do not take responsibility for anything you spit at your monitor.

3) Any other side effects, please report to your doctor immediately.

[classysassy]

5. If those are the best and brightest

we are in for some dark days.

[davidpdx]

6. No doubt

I don't know about the guy who actually won, but the two that lost had their campaign videos on that page.

[No Elephants]

7. Best of luck, Cmr. Sparks.

[Catherina]

8. Good. Another corporate lackey down n/t

[shayes51]

9. The Democrats I've spoken with

have all been shaking their heads and wondering what Davis has been thinking. First, why did he give up a safe seat in Congress? Second, why did he vote against health care when he represents one of the poorest districts in the country, and third, why did he alienate the black groups so carelessly? He broke Bill Clinton's rule that you never look beyond the next election. I think Davis thought he would get the black vote no matter what and that he was doing what would help him in the general election. Well, he didn't make it to the general election. Sad that we've lost a bright mind, but it looks like we're going to get a wonderful,smart replacement in the 7th Congressional District.

[nalnn]

11. Local news

I've been hearing the same, both from relatives in the district and on the local news. It seems he did not campaign for the primary at all, but focused all his attention on the general election instead.

[David__77]

13. Hilliard was better.

Davis displayed a real opportunism and no one likes that, regardless of Black or white.

[Joe Bacon]

10. Great!

Two less farts in the outhouse. Bye Griffith and Davis!

[Stuckinthebush]

12. This Alabama Dem says...

Good! I'm no Davis fan.