I had my concerns about Butler. He’s not really a Conservative, he’s fairly old to embark on a Congressional career, and why would he switch parties to be a backbencher in the minority party when he likely has more power and influence in the majority as a member of the calcifying Democrat-run AL Senate ?
If Wayne Parker runs, this will be a 2nd tier perennial candidate, not a great recruitment for us.
I’m also worried about AL-2. That seat hasn’t elected a Dem since 1962 (the GOP predecessor of Terry Everett’s, Bill Dickinson, just died yesterday (Monday) — noteworthy in that until his passing, the 5-member class of AL Republican House freshman from 1964 were all still alive, one of whom is now the oldest current or former member of Congress, 99-year old Glenn Andrews), but with the huge crop of candidates, the ostensibly moderate Montgomery Mayor, Bobby Bright, may be the best bet for the Dems to recapture it. The GOP tried to recruit him. I’m leaning towards State Sen. Harri Anne Smith. No woman has ever won federal office in AL at a regular general election. Smith was also rated as its most Conservative State Senator in ‘04.
That applies to Bulter in Alabama and "John Kennedy" over in Louisiana (Kennedy is probably the only "major" candidate in a HIGHLY contested U.S. Senate race right now that has absolutely no issue positions listed on his website). These guys are craven opportunists who will stab the GOP in the back at a moment's notice if it gives them an advantage in a later election, and Bulter just proved it. Several reputable Louisiana freepers have told that JFK's namesake in Louisiana has never been a social conservative and actually ran to the LEFT of Chris John is his last primary campaign. The last thing we need is a "Republican" Senator from a conservative southern state voting with the Dems on social issues... though I suppose we got a taste of that when Richard Shelby and Thad "I only vote with the party on the social issues cuz I have" Cochran got elected.
Note this doesn't apply to party switchers who do so for principled idealogical reasons (even if becoming a Republican may HURT their future election prospects) after much soul searching, such as Ronald Reagan. Those types should be welcomed into the GOP with open arms.
The power-hungery types however, need to be scrutinized with a fine-tooth comb -- and have their feet held to the fire that they WILL support conservative values across the board if we give them our nomination. They should not automatically receive the GOP nomination for a major office on a silver platter without any vetting, but sadly John Kennedy appears to have already done so.
The fact is that just about any candidate with a clue in Cramer's district is going to run as a conservative to get elected, given the conservative-leaning nature of the voters. Whether they will actually vote that way once they become entrenched in office remains to be seen. By their fruits you will know them.
I agree that Wayne Parker had his shot before and hasn't proven to be much of a threat to the RATs in this district. We're better off running Ray McKee, he might be a second tier candidate but he can run as a Washington outsider and his strong stance on the FairTax might get some crossover Dem votes.
I'd be more concerned with keeping Alabama's 2nd district in GOP hands now that Terry Everett is retiring, than hoping for a pickup in the 5th.
The GOP brand name stinks big time. Woody Jenkins is trailing the Dem by 3 points in the La-06. Plus the Dem turnout slightly exceeded the GOP side in the MS-01 (Wicker’s old seat). Conservatives this year just are in no mood to win.