Josh Moon…….WRONG!

Guest Opinion by Lynda Kirkpatrick

Democratic candidate for Governor of Alabama and former Senator Doug Jones is the topic of an article by Josh Moon, with the Alabama Political Reporter.  I have a lot of respect for Moon for his bravery to print his often unpopular opinions about the Democrats. As a political writer myself, I am well aware that when you step on toes that are attached to big feet, you can expect to be kicked.  So, I’m kicking!

Josh Moon was very critical of our candidates for governor and especially so after the debate on Friday evening.  Doug Jones was not at this debate and his absences disappointed me. First, let me say that Jones is a very qualified candidate as well as savvy and experienced in how to run a campaign.  If he wins the nomination, I will gladly be out there helping to give him the key to the Capitol.  My beef is not with Doug Jones. 

I will have to say that Josh Moon made some very agreeable points in his article. His opinion of the “pickle” trick is spot on. That was childish and uncalled for. One particular candidate’s insulting remarks towards Yolanda Flowers and Chad Martin were way out of line.  Outside of that, and the pickle, the debate was informative and each candidate answered the questions that let the voters know where they stand on issues.  

Mr. Moon’s article was very critical towards this debate saying that Doug Jones made the right decision not to attend based on his observation that our Democratic debates are a “laughing stock.”  I strongly disagree. I have followed Yolanda Flowers and Dr. Will Boyd for several years and they ARE serious candidates with a laid out plan to give to the people of Alabama. Chad Martin is also a man who is outspoken and to the point on his agenda for Alabama. 

Mr. Jones has a campaign idea that he doesn’t want to debate the other candidates and that is certainly his right to make that decision. It doesn’t mean that the other candidates are lame by no means. 

We have been having political debates since John Kennedy ran for President against Richard Nixon.  It allows the voters to see the difference in the candidates, their perspective on the issues and their idea of how to move forward. 

No, Mr. Moon, the Alabama Democratic Party is NOT a laughing stock and none of us find your opinion funny. We, the Democrats in Alabama, are very serious about this election. We know that a Tommy Tuberville administration would spell disaster for Alabama. Our candidates have put together formats and plans that will lift Alabama off the bottom in education, healthcare and rebuild an economy where Alabamians can make a decent wage.

For decades Alabama has been under the grip of the Republican regime that has choked our economy, destroyed women’s rights, ignored our Veterans, closed our hospitals, thrown millions off their healthcare and continued to bully, abuse and turn their backs on anyone who doesn’t believe that Donald Trump is Jesus!  We are not interested in debating on whether Trump is the anti-Christ or not. We are focused on saving Social Security, increasing Medicare and Medicaid, fixing our busted roads, raising the minimum wage, protecting the rights of minorities, supporting our military, improving education, providing healthcare to all Alabamians, bringing decent paying jobs to Alabama, and improving the conditions of our prison system. This is not a “laughing stock” or an embarrassment to those of us who really could not care less what Josh Moon thinks of our debate. 

Mr. Moon made this comment:   “In the room on Friday was a self-proclaimed pastor whose gubernatorial platform includes implementing “twerking Tuesdays” and who has admitted multiple times over the past few weeks to paying women’s power bills in exchange for sex.”  Let me make this clear that the “pastor” who may or may not have said that is NOT Dr. Will Boyd. It was careless of Moon to make that declaration and not be forthcoming with the facts. This leads to assumptions that start a false dialog that is damaging to a person’s reputation and an assault on their good character.  Moon also made the comment that Dr. Boyd has “zero chance” of winning this nomination. Again, Mr. Moon is reaching for a conclusion that is yet to be seen.  If Mr. Moon had ever been to a Boyd campaign rally then he would know how wrong he is.

The debate was not a “clown show” however Mr. Moon’s article is a circus of unproven assumptions and unsubstantiated opinions of one man who obviously did not get the point.   

Lynda Kirkpatrick

Marion County Democratic Party Chair

House District 17 State Democratic Executive Committee Alabama Democratic Party

Member of Alabama Democratic County Chairs Association 

*The content expressed in this article is solely the personal opinion of the author and does not imply endorsement of the views and opinions within. 

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