The Ballot Box
Discuss this year's local and national political races -- the candidates, the issues, the coverage.
The new Steve Meadows
February 21st, 2008, 8:42 am · 5 Comments · posted by Scott Kent
State Attorney Steve Meadows is a changed man. Well, he changed his political affiliation — from Democrat to Republican. He says it was for philosophical reasons — his beliefs are closer to local Republican Allan Bense’s than national Democrat Howard Dean’s. That’s what many moderate-to-conservative Southern Democrats have said over the years when they’ve either voted Republican or officially switched to the GOP.
Of course, the question to ask is: Why now? The Democratic Party didn’t suddenly become liberal after Dean (a 2004 presidential candidate) became party chairman in 2005. Why didn’t Meadows switch parties in 2005, 2006 or 2007?
Switching now allows him to avoid a Democratic primary contest in his quest to get re-elected as State Attorney this year. Hmmm, what other potential Democratic candidates could there be out there that he doesn’t want to run against? I’m sure if I think hard enough at least one name will come to mind.
Do many people support a State Attorney candidate based on party affiliation? Does it matter if a prosecutor has a D or an R after his name? I’ve always believed that party meant little at the local level, especially in smaller communities, mainly because the candidates are better known by the voters, both ideologically and personally; they don’t need a party ID as a shorthand. I certainly can’t imagine anyone who’s paid an ounce of attention to Meadows’ career or the upcoming race changing their vote (for or against) based on his new party.
Note: Original post has been edited to reflect the correction to the news story, published 2/22, about state law regarding returning campaign donations.
This just means Meadows doesn’t suffer a blow-out in the primary. He gets to dance at the general election.
Office should be non-partisan anyway. Maybe Meadows is trying to gain favor with the governor after getting burned over the medical examiner fiasco.
Steve: Your no Howard Dean, Mr. Meadows. He at least has the character to support his decision based upon his values. You Sir, do not have the Values or Character to support what you “Believe In.” This is a “Run but you can’t Hide” tactic. It simply won’t work for you, even if you Change Your Name, If it walks like a Duck, etc, etc, so just keep up the Waddle and We The People will still find you. What a “Quack-Up.” Mr. and Mrs. Public no longer “Believe in Steve” only the Good Ol Boys network do. Good-Bye Mr. Steven Hilton Meadows one term wonder. Note to those hired by Mr. Meadows, send out your resumes now, the best time to get a job is when you have one.
Mr. Meadows is clearly a switch hitter, as there is no distinction between the two parties. The rePUBICans have become green. Just take a look at the Terminator, Charlie Commie, Sugar Mccain. It’s no wonder that my family registered Independent since last summer, Can you blame them?
I think Meadows has a thorn in his side, and that is John Caylor. I would cringe if my last election had the same Homebuilder groups smearing Kreegel in the state Congress that donated to my campaign through the Millner group.
And how about the touch of Jeb and W Bush LOVE. The Northern Trust-the kiss of expose.
We might want to ask about that grand jury investigation that had all the pollution spill in Bay county years ago. The poor black juror challenged the evidence that asst Meadows would not submit . Later the juror DIED…and Democrat Meadows had all these REpublicans donating and helping out his campaign.
Tunnell was a good trooper for Jeb. Some FDLE people were saying they had to give Jeb a heads up if any of his people were being investigated. Like Lila Jaber with Marchall Criser helping her move. and the PSC chair had the Bellsouth billion dollar long distance petition before the PSC to review OSS issues…
Maybe there is a reason Seibert Meadows and Tunnell are all bear hugging each other. Nice big team.