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States of the Union: Alabama

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Find out about the re-election campaign of Jeff Sessions; how state Democrats remain competitive in a state that has become solidly Republican in presidential elections; and what kind of impact the case of convicted former governor Don Siegelman has had on state politics. Joining us to discuss what matters to voters in the Yellowhammer State is George R. Altman, Capitol bureau for the Press-Register in Mobile, Alabama.

States of the Union fact of the week: Alabama’s state constitution is the world’s longest constitution and is forty times longer than the US Constitution.


Comments

  • [1] Avivah from Brooklyn June 25, 2008 - 12:41PM

    The yellowhammer is the state bird.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Flicker#Alabama


  • [2] hjs from 11211 June 25, 2008 - 12:44PM

    but an Alabama dem is to the right of mccain also.


  • [3] anonymous from park slope June 25, 2008 - 12:53PM

    Birmingham?


  • [4] Randy Paul from Jackson Heights, NY June 25, 2008 - 12:59PM

    Not necessarily, hjs. District 7 is nearly 62% African-American and relatively liberal.


  • [5] James Londino from New Jersey June 25, 2008 - 01:18PM

    I am moving to Alabama to attend school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I was surprised the school wasn't mentioned at all since it is the state's largest employer. Also, why wasn't the city of Birmingham mentioned as one of the urban centers considering it is the largest city in the state? Too liberal?


  • [6] hjs from 11211 June 25, 2008 - 01:22PM

    Randy, OK, thanks, i'm generalizing with the few facts i have on the matter. i have a feeling a TRUE elected southern liberal is very rare indeed


  • [7] Paulette from NYC June 25, 2008 - 02:56PM

    I don't understand why George R. Altman didn't mention Birmingham, the largest urban population in Bama, white/black & Jewish. My friends, blue/white collar, students/artist voted for Barrack. George may be ashamed of B'ham, we are not, proud the civil rights movement occurred and made a difference. George is not owning our history. I would love to challenge his opinion. He named Montgomery & Mobile key “urban” cities, is referring to their greater areas. Huntsville yes, but what about Decatur and Tuscaloosa, car industry towns and black/white mixed. My suggestion, have Diane McWhorter, who wrote "Carry me Home"to give her opinion on social/political change in Bama & where she thinks the line is drawn with McCain & Obama, if you do I would love to participate.


  • [8] Paulette from NYC June 25, 2008 - 03:03PM

    Regarding UAB comment...Birmingham is such a urban success story, the University transformed Birmingham from a failing Steel City (once dubbed "The Little Pittsburg of the South)who lost it's factories to deregulation and foriegn trade in steel into a medical industry and great college town. And it's populaition around 30,000 more than Montgomery is a town that expresses the success of the "New South"...B'ham is a great city, "The Magic City" with an amazing international community as well and the award winning Birmingham News. The town is very Liberal! And Southside is a haven for artist and alternative lifesyles!


  • [9] Paulette from NYC June 25, 2008 - 04:44PM

    Alabama (23rd populated state, according to 2006 sencus) Population 4,599,030

    I listed the cities with the appropriate county and total of population below the cities. Birmingham and the cities surrounding Birmingham, comprised in Jefferson county is the highest concentrated population in Alabama, double the size of Montgomery County. so it is beyond me why your guest, George R. Altman did not list it as an urban center.

    Central Alabama major cities

    Birmingham 236,620

    Hoover 65,070

    Homewood 24,399

    Jefferson County 656,700

    Southern Lowland cities (Plantation country)

    Montgomery 200,123

    Montgomery County 223,571

    Gulf cities

    Mobile 193,464

    Mobile County 404,157

    Northern cities bordering Tenn (Appalachian foothills)

    Huntsville 164,237

    Madison County 304,307

    North Central cities (Appalachian foothills)

    Decatur 54,239

    Morgan County 115,237

    West Central cities

    Tuscaloosa 79,294

    Tuscaloosa County 171,159


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