WHY Might Alabama Have A Special Session?

As you've all no doubt heard by now, the Governor is considering calling a special session of the legislature to deal with ethics reform and campaign finance reform. There's a lot of speculation being thrown around as to why this may happen, and I came out last week against it.
http://politicsalabama.blogspot.com/2010/11/special-session-for-ethics-reform.html

First, let's look at how it will work. Such a special session can include, by statute, no more than 12 meetings days in a 30-day period. And since the newly elected legislators took office immediately, the session would be called with the Republican majorities in place.

Now let's look at motivations. Bentley has said ethics reform is a priority with his office, and has already announced that he would seek to call a special session next year DURING the regular session to deal with ethics and campaign finance reform.

So why should Riley call a special session now? It's quite simple. Bob Riley is seriously considering a Presidential run in the future, and being able to say "I cleaned up corruption in Montgomery" would help him out a great deal.


That's part of what the whole bingo flap was about, Riley's attempt to acquire a crown jewel in his legacy. That failed, so he'd really like to have something else to set in its place. Ethics and campaign finance reform are perfect.

I believe that Riley will, sometime within the next year, announce he's running for President in 2012... Those southern Governor's do fairly well on the national stage. And, if the special session is held and the Republicans pass the ethics and campaign finance reform bills, I believe he will be bragging about how he cleaned up the corruption in Montgomery.

It's POSSIBLE he's waiting until 2016 to run, but I don't think so. He just finished his second term this year, leaving him two years before the next election... The timing is perfect. If he waits, what will he do for the next four to six years to keep himself in the public eye, to keep his experience current?

And THAT is why we have to spend roughly $300,000 of taxpayer money to deal with ethics and campaign finance reform NOW, instead of waiting until next year when the legislature convenes normally.

You might not agree with my analysis, and it's certainly possible that I'm wrong... though I don't think I am. Only time will tell.