Riley, Senate Democrats eye coalition

BYLINE: CHARLES J. DEAN News staff writers

Gov. Bob Riley said Wednesday he would reach out to Democrats, especially state Senate Democrats, to try to build coalitions aimed at advancing a second-term agenda.

Just a few hours later, six Democratic senators reached out to invite other senators, including the 12 Republicans, to join them in forming a majority that could seize control of the Senate from an allDemocratic coalition. That would make it potentially a much friendlier place for Riley.

The initiative, coming one day after Riley easily won re-election in a race against Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, was significant considering that the GOP failed in Tuesday's vote to gain control of the Senate.

Riley began his day fully aware that his hopes for a friendly Senate seemed to have been dashed, and his mood was conciliatory as he went looking for legislative support.

''We've been talking now for eight months about what we want to do with a second term,'' Riley told reporters at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel downtown, where just hours earlier he and supporters celebrated his victory. He said that if officials could put aside their divisions, ''I think we can make incredible progress over the next four years.''

Riley said he would reach out to legislators on both sides of the aisle in an effort to build a coalition that would help him accomplish, among other initiatives, cutting taxes for the poor and middle class, banning transfers of campaign contributions among fund-raising committees, and improving Alabama schools.

''Everyone I've talked to understands we are in a unique position in this state,'' said Riley. ''We're in a position now where we don't have to dig ourselves out of a hole. We've established a foundation and that foundation should allow us to do some things we've never been able to do before.

''So, whether it's in economic development, in education or in passing some of these ethics reforms we've been talking about for so long, this is going to be the greatest opportunity for us to do it.''

Senate involvement

Riley said he will be involved in the organizational session of the Legislature, especially in the Senate where, under the leadership of Sen. Lowell Barron, DFyffe, many of Riley's proposals have died.

Riley and fellow Republicans had hoped to gain majority control of the 35-member Senate but failed at the ballot box Tuesday.

But with Wednesday's announcement by Democratic Sens. E.B. McClain of Midfield, Larry Means of Attalla, Tom Butler of Madison, Jimmy Holley of Elba, Phil Poole of Moundville and Jim Preuitt of Talladega, Riley and Democratic senators tired of Barron's eight-year reign as leader might be close to accomplishing what they could not do in Tuesday's voting.

While Riley enjoyed a big victory - capturing 58 percent of the votes statewide and appearing to have carried 44 of the state's 67 counties in unofficial returns - his personal popularity didn't seem to transfer to other key Republican candidates.

For example, the GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, Luther Strange, was defeated by former Gov. Jim Folsom. GOP Chief Justice Drayton Nabers Jr. - whom Riley appointed to the job - was defeated by Democrat Sue Bell Cobb. Both men had been strongly endorsed by Riley. In addition, Democrats won two Public Service Commission seats.

''I think last night we found out that the people of Alabama know how to split ballots,'' Riley said. ''There is something almost innate in the people of Alabama's ability to determine who they want to serve in elective office. And I think it's something we respect.''

About 1.2 million voters turned out Tuesday, close to half of the state's 2.5 million registered voters. Of those, 717,287 cast ballots for Riley.

Presidential speculation

The governor tried to dismiss speculation he might be a candidate in 2008 for the GOP presidential or vice presidential nomination. At his victory party, signs that read ''2008'' popped up shortly after Riley finished his speech. He even agreed to pose for a photograph with a supporter holding one of the signs.

''Oh, don't go there,'' Riley said as reporters began asking questions about 2008.

Asked if Tuesday were his last day as a candidate, Riley smiled and said, ''I hope it's the last time I ever have to make a fundraising call.'' Told that was not the question, Riley again smiled and said, ''I know,'' as the room erupted in laugher.

Riley said he has no plans for 2008 and, when asked why not, responded by saying, ''Why?''

''You got to remember I had a very normal life up until 10 years ago, and all of a sudden it changed and changed dramatically,'' Riley said. ''I enjoyed that life. I have six grandkids now. I went up to Ashland yesterday, rode by my farm, and there's a lot of things about that I miss.''

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News staff writer David White contributed to this report. cdean@bhamnews.com

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