The Alabamafication of National Politics

Doug Jones’s candidacy for governor of Alabama is often dismissed as a long shot. His opponent, Senator Tommy Tuberville, has the backing of Donald Trump and the Republican Party, which hasn’t had a Democratic governor in over two decades. However, during my recent travels through the state, I sensed that Jones’s campaign was more than just a desperate bid to cling to power.

Jones’s strategy relies on voter fatigue with Trump’s influence and a growing disillusionment with Alabama’s Republican leadership. He’s counting on a collapse of support for Tuberville, who has been dogged by allegations of residency irregularities and embarrassing gaffes. This approach hinges on the idea that voters are tired of the same old politics.

The demographic makeup of Alabama’s population centers is changing, particularly in areas where voters are increasingly diverse and educated. In the suburbs south of Birmingham, I noticed a higher-than-expected number of Democratic signs. This trend towards modernity and progressivism could give Jones an opening if he can persuade enough voters to turn out on Election Day.

Jones’s campaign has roots in Alabama’s history of progressive activism. He is, in many ways, a direct descendant of the civil-rights heroes who fought for justice and equality in the state decades ago. His mentor, former Attorney General Bill Baxley, was instrumental in bringing down notorious Klansman Robert “Dynamite Bob” Chambliss, and Jones’s own record as U.S. attorney includes successful cold-case prosecutions against white supremacist groups.

Jones’s message of building a “crowded table,” where everyone has a seat and a voice, resonates with voters who are tired of being divided by party labels and ideological purity tests. In a state like Alabama, where racial tensions still simmer beneath the surface, Jones’s emphasis on unity and inclusivity could be just what’s needed to break through the partisan gridlock.

Tuberville’s strong ties to Trump and the Republican Party’s control of Alabama’s politics are significant obstacles for Jones. However, as I watched him deliver his stump speech in Scottsboro, I couldn’t help but feel that he might just be onto something. His long shot candidacy is more than just a pipe dream – it’s a reflection of Alabama’s own contradictions and possibilities.

Jones is counting on voter resistance to Tuberville’s baggage rather than any genuine conversion to the Democratic cause. This pragmatic strategy acknowledges the limits of his campaign while also highlighting its potential for impact. By focusing on the arithmetic of his previous campaigns and the national mood swing away from Trump, Jones may yet pull off an upset that would be felt far beyond Alabama’s borders.

Ultimately, Doug Jones’s candidacy is not just about winning or losing – it’s about what kind of politics Alabama wants to practice. Does it want to cling to the old ways of division and exclusion, or does it want to forge a new path towards inclusivity and progress? The answer lies in the hands of the voters, but one thing is clear: Jones’s candidacy has given them something to think about.

As the campaign heats up, Alabama’s politics will be put under the microscope like never before. Will it prove to be a case study in how not to lose an election, or a model for how to win with substance and style?