Birmingham Mayor's Race: You May be Gay If ...

I eagerly await the return of (4.00 / 2)

roooooolltideHEY, who will insist that Howard Bayless is actually behind this PowerPoint presentation, just as he was (supposedly) behind the last smear produced and distributed by "Faith" in Birmingham.  And I'm still trying to figure out the logic behind the assertion that Cooper's ex-wife and new husband giving him campaign contributions = he's gay.  If he were gay, and it was some big shameful secret he wanted to keep, wouldn't it be more likely the money would be flowing the other way?  Not that logic is big in Frank Matthews' thought process.

Thank God this mess will be over tomorrow.

---

by: Kathy @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 13:06:15 PM CST

Yes. (4.00 / 1)

I think we had more than one commenter here who maintained the last Faith in Birmingham smear was actually a product of the Cooper campaign.  At least Matthews put his name on the latest letter.

Frankly, it will bolster my faith in Birmingham if the voters there reject this sort of ugliness tomorrow.

Work harder and work smarter!

---

by: mooncat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 13:27:25 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This whole thing has been disgusting... (4.00 / 2)

Cooper's friends claiming Bell is a wife-beater.  Bell's friends claiming Cooper is gay. In the end, I find very little impressive about either candidate.  Bell understands the realities of city politics better than Cooper, but that's not really a good thing in some ways.  Cooper has a bolder vision for the future of Birmingham, but has no real ties to Birmingham and seems to be looking at this race as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.  I am supporting Patrick Cooper because of what I saw from him in 2007.  I firmly (and sadly) believe that Langford inside a prison cell could beat either one of these guys based on the campaign they've run.

---

by: bluebearcat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 13:21:40 PM CST

The wife beating incident was a long time ago (4.00 / 1)

But from what I've read, that's what Bell's wife said at the time, although she denies it now.  I think some of Bell's financial problems (like nonpayment of campaign obligations) would have been a more relevant argument than the alleged wife beating, but there was at least some basis for that allegation.  Are these guys talking about their plans to move Birmingham forward, at all?  If so, that talk isn't making it to the hinterlands nearly as well as the smears are.

Out of curiousity, I'd really like to know how many of us would be comfortable voting for someone who beats his wife (or who beats her husband, which is not unknown)?  I don't believe I could bring myself to vote for a spouse abuser, no matter what party they ran under or what policies they espoused.  I can overlook a lot of personal flaws, but that one may be the sticking point.

Work harder and work smarter!

---

by: mooncat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 13:34:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I wouldn't vote for anybody (4.00 / 1)

That can't keep their house in order, period.  From my personal experience with Bell, he is an all-around dysfunctional individual like Langford, who I also know personally.  I don't let my personal relationships override logic which so many (mostly black) people in Birmingham are always doing when it comes to voting for public office.  Those same folks needs to wake the hell up, it is not a popularity contest in high school anymore, and if we elect another figurehead of what has brought down Birmingham then it is well on its way to failure. I don't need to know the person to know that they are more qualified individual for the office.  After weighing out all the costs and benefits of each candidate, I've come to the conclusion that William Bell is an epic failure at being a public servant and rather take my chances with somebody that has shown they want to change some things and go in a new direction. 

"Hypocrites are those whom pick and choose prejudices while giving accolades for their own..."

"It is what it is."  

http://blkindependent.blogspot...

---

by: kayman @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 13:41:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

She denies it now. She's still with him. (0.00 / 0)

And I have seen women who have been abused who stick by their men out of fear, I do not get that vibe from her.  And the plain fact is that we should respect what Mr. Bell's wife says about the matter even if we don't respect him.  So that's my issue with that.

However, since we have long ago crossed the line into gossip about people instead of discussion of campaigns and policy, I'll venture a guess as to what actually happened.  I would say that something did happen twenty years ago but I doubt it was as simple as Bell just walking in and beating his wife.  Men that do that never stop.  His wife strikes me as a strong willed woman and I have a hard time believing that she would sit by and take that for so many years.  More likely a very heated domestic argument that just got out of control..

I would not vote for someone who beats their spouse but the innuendo that someone beats their spouse based on a now-denied statement from twenty years ago doesn't quite prove anything to me.  I also would not vote for someone who engaged in sexual harassment, like the City Councilman from Montgomery who was running for mayor and admitted that the charges about his conduct as a police officer were true.

I don't think rumor-mongering is ever a good idea for a political campaign.  Because everybody has had stuff said about them at one time or another.  If you have something substantial about the candidate him or herself, fine.  Run with it.  But don't a) drag down a candidate's family for something the candidate may not have had anything to do with or b) use paid advertising from yourself or others to promote unverified rumors about your opponent.

Since we are now apparently dealing in rumors, I should say that this is not the first time I have heard this particular rumor about Patrick Cooper.  The first few times I heard it were from people supporting him who were fairly active in the Bham gay community.  Whether Cooper is gay or not, several people in the LGBT community seem to believe that he is.  That said, if every allegedly gay officeholder in Alabama actually was gay, we would surely have seen more progress on LGBT issues.  So I take it all with a grain of salt.  As should everyone else on this site.  Rumors are sometimes fun (not here) but they are corrosive to the political environment.

---

by: bluebearcat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:43:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Some women also stick with abusers out of devotion (0.00 / 0)

None of us know or can know what's happening in the Bell marriage.  I will reiterate, I think Cooper had stronger arguments to use against him.

And my question really wasn't about Bell, although that triggered it.  I'm just wondering if progressives would vote for an otherwise acceptable candidate who also beat their spouse.  So far, it sounds like that's a dealbreaker for a lot of us.

Work harder and work smarter!

---

by: mooncat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 15:47:46 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Sigh! (4.00 / 1)

I'm beyond tired of Frank Matthews, period.  He is an idiot to say the least and bigot to scratch the surface.  What is so illogical is that fact that he thinks Birmingham is going to become Soddom and Gomorrah because "the Gays" will take over.  Meanwhile other more "religious" cities like Salt Lake City have one of the biggest pride celebrations in the nation.  Sometimes I wonder about the black leadership because they allow themselves to be tied to ignoramuses like Matthews and Langford who show disdain for those who actually are trying to help the city.  As bisexual male, I'm disgusted with Bell, Langford, and Matthews because they fail to realize there are black LGBT/SGLs in Birmingham that sees this and will turn against them because of this.

"Hypocrites are those whom pick and choose prejudices while giving accolades for their own..."

"It is what it is."  

http://blkindependent.blogspot...

---

by: kayman @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 13:34:54 PM CST

this is the ugliest election we've seen in B'ham (4.00 / 1)

and we have seen some ugly elections.

The whole model is voter suppression. Suppress the African American Vote, Suppress the LGBT vote, Suppress the Caucasian vote.

I cannot in good faith endorse either candidate after what I've seen the last few days. Neither side has taken responsibility for this shameful rhetoric.

---

by: gradyw @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 13:53:51 PM CST

And thats the model for both parties this year in Alabama (0.00 / 0)

Democrats want to supress certain segments of the white vote (think anyone in a Tea Party) and Republicans want to suppress the black and union vote.

 I already recognize this. And its a predictable consequence of things being bad. When you have 20% unemployment like we do, rising foreclosures like we do and when Alabamians of all stripes feel like they are about at an end that is when they respond to this negativity.

 And I imagine the real unemployment rate in Birmingham probably tops 30%. That's a blue print for the rest of the election. Watch the race for Fites old seat. That one will go to the mud and quickly too.

 Pissed off desperate people don't tend to vote for sugar plum gumdrop candidates. They vote for junkyard dogs. Feel free to ignore my warnings but don't come back in November after I'm proven right and tell me I was because then it will be too late.

 This is 1970. This is 1958. The stakes are very clear. Black political enfranchisement for a generation is at stake. If Democrats lose the legislature it will be like the clock has been turned back to the 1950s because blacks will soon be completely shut out of state government.

 I don't want to see that happen because of what it means for the state.

---

by: jacool @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:15:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Uh (0.00 / 0)

I doubt that the "black political enfranchisement" will be shut out for a generation.  If anything the Old Guard is losing their power, but the younger, more politically independent black politicos are taking over.  That is fine by me because this type of bigotry expressed by the Old Guard who are clearly losing power shows how much of an entitlement complex they suffer as their white counterparts.  Things change and you aren't a part of the solution then you are a part of the problem, plain and simple.  IMO, Old Guard politicos should mentor the younger black politicos on things, but when you want to create an acrimonious atmosphere laced by bigotry then they will lose in the end. 

"Hypocrites are those whom pick and choose prejudices while giving accolades for their own..."

"It is what it is."  

http://blkindependent.blogspot...

---

by: kayman @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 15:41:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Voters being shut out (4.00 / 2)

I also disagree with the assessment that black politicians will be shut out for years if the Democrats lose the legislature for a few reasons:

1)  Majority/minority districts benefit black Democrats and Republicans.  Creating districts with a heavy minority population also means that you create districts with heavy Republican support to offset the population.  This is due to the fact that minority voters are concentrated in a particular district rather than spread across multiple districts.  It provides a baseline for each party to work with as they have a number of safe districts, and they have to wrok to swing other districts their way.  This is also why Republicans have joined the Black Caucus on various lawsuits to provide for these districts.  And, if Republicans win the legislature, they will preserve these districts.

2)  Part of your argument has been formed on the fact that the county networks in a number of counties will flip Republican if the legislature flips.  While this could happen in various parts of north Alabama (the New Deal counties), it still does not mean that they will be shut out.  Part of the reason is that minority voters do not make up a substantial part of the electorate in some of these counties.  In counties where black politicians are influential, they will maintian that influence.

3)  I agree with kayman--part of the thing we are seeing is the changing dynamics with coalition voting.  The influence of the ADC and New South is not the same as it was 15-20 years ago.  This can be seen with Arrington's role in not influencing Birmingham elections as well as the ADC's endosement of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.  The black political voters are shifting, and we are just starting to see the ways that this will play out.

---

by: csduke @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 16:29:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Oh I'm not saying they won't continue to have local government (0.00 / 0)

Because they will. And they'll certainly will have the legislative seats. The thing is though, if they are in the minority then they wont have any power. They may have a seat but if having those seats is like what being a Republican was in the legislature in the 1990s then what's the real point?

 

If the Republican Primary in Alabama because the election primary as the Democratic Primary was for most of this state's history, yes, black districts will still have black representation but black political power will be shut out.

 

If Republicans can break the Democratic Party in North Alabama (and taking the legislature would do it because half of it all is the county networks) then what that will do is draw more voters into the Republican primary meaning it does become the replacement for the white primary and if they can establish a statewide baseline for Republican candidates of 58-62% (or, results from '04 and '08 presidential) then in effect they can make the Republican primary the decisive factor and if the Republican Primary becomes the decisive factor in statewide elections then yes, that means black disenfranchisement in state elections and it means that state government will no longer need to be responsive to black concerns and there will even be a motivation for statewide officeholders to play up race and be anti-black to play up to whites

 

 

---

by: jacool @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 16:57:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Highly doubt this will (4.00 / 1)

Surpress the white or gay vote in Birmingham because they seem to the only ones who actually do turn out in municipal elections on a regular basis.  If anything this will just surpress other demographic groups, but not likely those 2.   

"Hypocrites are those whom pick and choose prejudices while giving accolades for their own..."

"It is what it is."  

http://blkindependent.blogspot...

---

by: kayman @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 15:35:36 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Mooncat.... I can't believe this! Almost seventy years on this planet (4.00 / 3)

 as a white, Christian, heterosexual male - not a minority reference in my whole resume... now I learn that (gasp) I'm gay.  I CAUGHT THE GAY! And I don't evn know when or how it happened.  I confess I love Rachel Maddow. I would walk a mile for Barney Frank.  I must be gay.

I should have known really.  I loved Judy Garland when everyone else was hot for Connie Francis.  I'll take Streisand or Minnelli over anyone else around. Can't abide war.  Hate guns, although I carried one for my country in many venues. Love pretty people of whatever gender.  AND i'M A THESPIAN! Hell yes, I must be gay. Don't tell my wife and kids, please.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead  

---

by: piggieheart @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:00:16 PM CST

I am so sorry, Piggieheart (0.00 / 0)

This must come as quite a shock.  Rest assured, your secret is safe with us here on the internets.

Work harder and work smarter!

---

by: mooncat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 15:42:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well, with these criteria (0.00 / 0)

Sometimes you're the last to know...

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

---

by: herding old cats @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 21:52:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You believe what you WANT to believe. (1.00 / 1)

Let's this straight. Bell is clearly behind this vile slam sheet because it was alledgedly produced and distributed by a person who is not employed by Bell? By that logic, the flyer is correct and Cooper must be gay because he's supported by the Stonewall group. Cooper is also a reporter since the received the News' endorsement today, and Bell is a cop (he's backed by the local FOP.) Cooper will win on his own merits and doesn't need Howard's "help" to get out the vote. Bayless and those around him are hacks using fearmongering against their own. It's deplorable. You people haven't just drunk the Kool-aid, but smacked your lips, belched and asked for more.

---

by: roooooolltideHEY @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:12:50 PM CST

No, Frank Matthews is clearly behind this vile slam sheet (4.00 / 1)

because it came from the same email used to send out his signed open letter to the citizens of Birmingham.  (And yes, I've seen both emails and the sender's address.)  Matthews is a homophobe from way back, and when he was fired from the mayor's office he said it would give him more time to campaign against Cooper.

Unless, of course, the all-powerful Howard hacked Frank Matthews' email address.  Yeah, that must be it.  That's why Frank's all over the news screaming about this fraud perpetuated in his name.

Oh, wait.  He's not.  Gee, I wonder why...

---

by: Kathy @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:41:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Bell hasn't denounced this attack, has he? (0.00 / 0)

Any reputable candidate ought to denounce Matthews and his tactics immediately.  Silence gives assent.

Work harder and work smarter!

---

by: mooncat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 15:44:12 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Frank Matthews and the rest of the spring (4.00 / 1)

I agree with the majority of posts that find Matthews's letter vile and disgusting.  Bell should be ashamed to be associated with you.

Will we see the same campaigning in the governor's race?  Based on Matthews's actions this fall, quite possibly.  Matthews has been a supporter of the Ron Sparks campaign, even showing up at various campaign events in the Birmingham area with the Sparks staffers.  Some have described him campaigning for Sparks in the Birmingham area.  It would not suprise me at all if he tries this play again later this spring.

So the question is not only for Bell, but for Sparks--do you want to be associated with this type of vile and disgusting campaigning?

---

by: csduke @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:39:13 PM CST

It's not going to work here... (4.00 / 1)

and it would not work against Davis.  As I have said, "teh gays" are not the most pressing issue for anybody right now and all this type of campaigning does is increase gay turnout (including the likely not insignificant number of closeted gay Alabamians) and gay donations to your opponent.

---

by: bluebearcat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:48:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This is likely borderline offensive but there is solid polling evidence for this... (4.00 / 1)

Most socially conservative African-American Democrats will not show up to the polls just to vote against "teh gays."  If they are already at the polls and there have the chance to vote against pro-LGBT legislation, they often will, but when it comes to candidates, they are usually focused on education and economic policy.

Most socially conservative white Democrats and independents will show up to the polls just to vote against "teh gays." They will vote against pro-LGBT legislation and will vote against what they perceive as pro-LGBT candidates in many cases.  They care about education and economic policy, but they often care more about abortion and gay marriage.

It's about priorities.  This anti-gay tack in a mayoral race is, I believe, outdated and ineffective. 

---

by: bluebearcat @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 14:54:03 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Weak sauce (4.00 / 1)

If it wasn't for that last one I'd be straight as the day is long. A miracle!

 

This whole debacle has made me terribly sad. I just got a facebook message from the Stonewall Dems about it - it's sad that something as simple as their endorsement, which they apparently didn't actually give, is being used as a weapon. Obviously it's not like it's surprising at all, but ... ugh. 

Here's the message from Stonewall: 

Subject: Birmingham Mayor's race

There are lies being put out about Patrick Cooper.  Some of you have seen the flier critical of his endorsement of Howard Bayless when Howard ran for School Board.  Now a power point is claiming he was endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats, among other things.

Alabama Stonewall Democrats did not make an endorsement in this race.  The power point claims the endorsement was announced at the Wine Loft event.  No endorsements were made at that event, and no vote was taken at any meeting regarding the mayor's race.

The parties behind these attacks will stop at nothing to prevent progress from being made in our city.

Please vote on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

---

by: mediagadfly @ Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 16:42:20 PM CST

From the horses mouth (0.00 / 0)

Sorry I would never be part of a campaign that is about gossip, innuendo, or bigotry.  I have always been about moving our city/state/country forward.  So to that end I ask each of you that read this site…what have you done to move this conversation forward?  What acts have you done today that make our city/state/country a better place to live?  Having the conversation about how we can all move forward together to change our city/state is what will start to change us.  We can no longer focus on the bigots other than to shine the light on them, but we must all act.  We must have the purpose and the intent that we shall not support or give energy to the actions of a few but concentrate on what is the best part of us all and figure out how that replaces the actions of the few.  Our actions speak louder than our words.  It is apparent through all of this that we still have a great distance to go and it will take us much longer to get there given that we always look backwards.  So today decide that for today I will only look forward toward a vision of what you want your city to be.  Every time your mind wanders to the words of a few mention three things that you can help attain to move us forward.  Because after today, we all be back in the same boat together rowing somewhere, hopefully with the right captain.  I hope you will join me today when I go to the polls and vote for Patrick Cooper.

---

by: howardbayless @ Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 06:44:43 AM CST

Thank you, Howard (0.00 / 0)

---

by: Kathy @ Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 10:10:34 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Matthews/Sparks Connection? (4.00 / 1)

Doesn't Frank Matthews work for Ron Sparks Campaign?  Why would he want someone on his team that spews this type of hate and vitriol. 

---

by: spville @ Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 09:42:34 AM CST

Sorry about this, mooncat, but... (0.00 / 0)

...that's the worst Jeff Foxworthy set I've ever heard.

---

by: Almoderate @ Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 11:18:22 AM CST