December 8, 2023

>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

AND YES, WE ARE FINALLY BACK IN OUR STATE HOUSE HOME AFTER ABOUT A MONTH AWAY AS THE STUDIO GOT SOME MUCH NEEDED TECHNICAL UPGRADES.

THANK YOU AGAIN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE FOR PROVIDING THE FUNDS SO WE CAN KEEP THE NEWS COMING TO YOU.

>>> IT WAS A BIG WEEK IN ALABAMA, AND SPECIFICALLY, IN TUSCALOOSA.

YOU PROBABLY SAW SOME OF THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES FROM BRYANT DENNY STADIUM BROADCAST HERE ON APT.

BUT ON WEDNESDAY, THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA ALSO PLAYED HOST TO THE STATE'S FIRST EVER PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

IT WAS A BIG PRODUCTION PUT ON BY NEWSNATION, SIRIUS XM RADIO AND THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON.

FOUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES TOOK TO THE DEBATE STAGE: FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS, FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR NIKKI HALEY, FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE AND TECH BILLIONAIRE VIVAKE RAMASWAMY.

THEY SPARRED WITH EACH OTHER AND COMPETED TO GET THEIR POINTS ACROSS, ALL WHILE THE MODERATORS TRIED TO GET ANSWERS TO DIRECT QUESTIONS.

AND FOR ALL OF IT, ALABAMA HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT.

I WAS THERE FOR THE DEBATE AND LET ME JUST SAY KUDOS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOR HOSTING AN EXCELLENT EVENT AND SHOWING OUT WITH THE EYES OF THE NATION ON OUR STATE.

HERE'S A TASTE OF WHAT THE CANDIDATES HAD TO SAY.

>> I'M SICK OF REPUBLICANS WHO ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK ON WHAT THE LEFT IS DOING TO THIS COUNTRY.

YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO STAND STRONG AND BEAT THESE PEOPLE.

I'M THE ONLY ONE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT THAT HAS BEATEN THESE PEOPLE ISSUE BY ISSUE.

WE BEAT THEM ON SCHOOL CHOICE, FAUCI ON COVID GEORGE SOROS AND INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.

>> IT WILL TAKE A LEADER WITH FRESH LEGS TO UNITE THIS COUNTRY NOT THE POLITICIANS THAT ARE PUPPETS OF THE PUPPET MASTERS.

JEFFERSON WAS 33 WHEN HE WROTE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND I THINK IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE WITH THEIR BEST DAYS AHEAD TO SEE A COUNTRY WITH THE BEST DAYS AHEAD OF ITSELF AND I THINK I CAN DO THAT BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THIS RACE.

>> I HAVE BEEN A CONSERVATIVE FIGHTER ALL OF MY LIFE.

I WAS A TEA PARTY CANDIDATE WHEN I BECAME GOVERNOR.

WE OPPOSED EVERY CORPORATE REFORM.

WE PASSED PRO-LIFE BILLS, MOVED UNEMPLOYMENT FROM 11 TO 3%.

WE TOOK ON THE UNIONS AND OBAMA, WHEN IT CAME TO THE UNIONS, SYRIAN REFUGEES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

>> WE'RE 17 MINUTES INTO THIS DEBATE AND EXCEPT FOR YOUR LITTLE SPEECH AT THE BEGINNING WE HAVE HAD THESE THREE ACTING AS IF THE RACE IS BETWEEN THE FOUR OF US.

THE FIFTH GUY, WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE GUTS TO SHOW UP AND STAND HERE, HE'S THE ONE WHO IS WAY AHEAD IN THE POLLS AND YET I HAVE THESE THREE GUYS SEEMINGLY TO COMPETE WITH VOLDEMORT, HE THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED.

THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

WHEN YOU SAY THE TRUTH ABOUT A DICTATOR, BULLY WHO HAS TAKEN SHOTS AT EVERYBODY, WHETHER THEY HAVE GIVEN HIM GREAT SERVICE OR NOT OVER TIME, WHO DARES TO DISAGREE THEN I UNDERSTAND WHY THESE THREE ARE TIMID TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> I WILL SPEAK WITH KELLIE MEYER NEWS NATION LATER IN THE SHOW.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN ANY OF THE REPUBLICAN DEBATES, INCLUDING THIS ONE.

BUT, HE DID GET A BIG BOOST THE SAME DAY WHEN U.S.

SENATOR KATIE BRITT OFFERED HER ENDORSEMENT TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

THE SENATOR SAID QUOTE, "“RESULTS MATTER - AND THE RESULTS OF HIS STRONG LEADERSHIP AS THE 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ARE CLEAR FOR ALL TO SEE.

THESE PAST THREE YEARS HAVE FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY, BUT I'M SURE YOU RECALL HOW MUCH BETTER OFF WE WERE UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S WHY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS MY ENDORSEMENT TO BE OUR 47TH PRESIDENT.

"” END QUOTE.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR TOMMY TUBERVILLE WAS ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK.

ALABAMA'S SENIOR SENATOR ENDED HIS 10-MONTH LONG HOLD ON MILITARY PROMOTIONS AS A WAY TO PROTEST AND TRY TO CHANGE THE PENTAGON'S NEW POLICY OF PAYING FOR THE TRAVEL EXPENSES OF SERVICE MEMBERS SEEKING ABORTIONS OUT OF STATE.

TUBERVILLE BEGAN THE HOLD IN FEBRUARY AND EVENTUALLY IMPACTED MORE THAN 400 MILITARY OFFICER PROMOTIONS.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE HAD BEEN PLEADING WITH TUBERVILLE TO END HIS BLOCKADE AND FIND A DIFFERENT WAY TO COMBAT THE ABORTION POLICY.

THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY HAD ALSO THREATENED TO CHANGE THE SENATE RULES TO WEAKEN THE MINORITY'S INFLUENCE, WHICH IS PART OF WHY TUBERVILLE FINALLY RELENTED.

>> I'M RELEASING EVERYBODY.

I STILL HAVE A HOLD I THINK ON 11 FOUR-STAR GENERALS.

EVERYBODY ELSE IS COMPLETELY RELEASED FROM ME.

NOW, THERE ARE A FEW OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HOLDS ON ONE OR TWO OR THREE PEOPLE BUT OTHER THAN THAT IT IS OVER.

IT WAS PRETTY MUCH A DRAW.

THEY DIDN'T GET WHAT WE WANTED.

WE DIDN'T GET WHAT WE WANTED.

WHEN YOU CHANGE THE RULES IT'S HARD TO WIN.

THEY CHANGED THE RULES AND WE DIDN'T GET TO FIGHT AND LEAVE IT IN THE SENATE.

JUST UNFORTUNATE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DIDN'T GET A VOICE.

>>> BACK HERE TO THE CAPITAL CITY, WE'VE BEEN REPORTING ON EFFORTS TO BUILD A NEW STATE HOUSE TO REPLACE THIS CURRENT, OUTDATED BUILDING.

THIS WEEK WE FINALLY GOT AN ESTIMATE ON WHAT THAT NEW CONSTRUCTION IS GOING TO COST.

DR. DAVID BRONNER, CEO OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS OF ALABAMA TOLD HIS BOARD THE NEW STATE HOUSE SHOULD COST $325 MILLION AND NO MORE THAN $350 MILLION.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO EXECUTE THE PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES FINANCING THE CONSTRUCTION AT A LOW INTEREST RATE.

THAT ESTIMATED COST DOES NOT INCLUDE DEMOLITION OF THE CURRENT STATE HOUSE OR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PARKING STRUCTURES.

SITE PREPARATION IS WELL UNDERWAY ON THE LOT BEHIND THE CURRENT STATE HOUSE, WHICH USED TO BE A PARKING LOT, MAKING PARKING EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE JUST TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS.

WITH THE SESSION COMING UP, THERE WILL BE NEW FACES ON SENATE COMMITTEES.

LAST MONTH, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CLAY SCOFIELD STEPPED DOWN TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP POSITION AT THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA AND SENATOR STEVE LIVINGSTON WAS ELECTED TO REPLACE HIM.

THAT OPENED UP SOME PRIME COMMITTEE SEATS THAT THIS WEEK WERE FILLED.

STATE SENATOR APRIL WEAVER OF BRIARFIELD WILL NOW CHAIR THE SENATE CONFIRMATIONS COMMITTEE.

THAT'S THE PANEL THAT HANDLES ALL OF THE APPOINTMENTS MADE BY GOVERNOR KAY IVEY AND OTHERS THAT REQUIRE SENATE CONFIRMATION.

STATE SENATOR SAM GIVHAN OF HUNTSVILLE WILL NOW SERVE ON THE EDUCATION FINANCE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, WHICH CRAFTS THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND BUDGET EACH YEAR.

AND STATE SENATOR KEITH KELLY OF ANNISTON WILL NOW SERVE ON THE RULES COMMITTEE.

THAT'S THE COMMITTEE THAT DECIDES WHICH BILLS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE BODY EACH DAY.

THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE WILL CONVENE FOR THE 2024 REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6.

>>> FOR MANY, THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS ALSO TRAVEL SEASON.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" RANDY SCOTT CAUGHT UP WITH SOME TRAVELERS WHO ARE FINDING THE BEST WAYS TO GET AROUND THIS DECEMBER.

>> THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS GETTING INTO MOTION, LITERALLY AS MILLIONS TRAVEL ACROSS THE NATION PREPARING TO GIVE THEMSELVES A GIFT -- THE GIFT OF TRAVEL.

>> EXCITING.

EXCITING.

VERY EXCITING.

>> THIS GROUP OF FUTURE MILITARY PERSONNEL ARE PART OF THE MILLIONS EXPECTED TO FLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY OVER THE NEXT MONTH.

>> WE'RE EXCITED.

NO ONE'S WORRIED, RIGHT?

THE TEAM IS GOOD.

>> ARE YOU SCARED OF PLANES?

>> WHERE ARE YOU GOING.

>> OKLAHOMA.

>> I AM HERE AT THE AIRPORT AND IT IS SMALLER YOU WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE PASSENGERS COMING THROUGH MGM.

THERE'S GOING TO BE AN UPTICK AND CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINES TO MAKE SURE THE FLIGHTS HAVE NOT CHANGED AND KEEP UP WITH THE SERVICES SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> THE MARKETING MANAGER FOR THE AIRPORT SAYS THEY ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THE SECOND HALF OF THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON AND WAYS TO KEEP IT FLOWING SMOOTHLY.

>> PEOPLE ARE FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT TRAVELING AND FEELING COMFORTABLE TRAVELING WITH FAMILY MEMBERS.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK TO THE SKIES.

MGM PROVIDES A LOCAL EXPERIENCE FROM THE PARKING LOT TO TSA.

IT'S ABOUT A SEVEN-MINUTE EXPRESS.

YOU CAN'T GET THAT ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> JONES DABNEY SAID THERE ARE RULES TO KNOW TO HELP KEEP PLANS ON SCHEDULE.

>> SOME SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WE WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE OF IS THE LIQUIDS.

IF YOU ARE BRINGING IN GRAPH I HAVE AND DRESSING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, PUT THEM IN THE FREEZER.

GOING THROUGH TSA, YOU DON'T WANT THAT EXPERIENCE TO BE DELAYED BUT MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER THOSE LIQUID RULES.

>> THE MONTGOMERY REGIONAL AIRPORT IS ADDING NEW TOOLS TO KEEP PASSENGERS MOVING ALONG.

>> WE HAVE A NEW CT SCANNER INTRODUCED TO THE AIRPORT LAST MARCH.

THE CT SCANNER BASICALLY ALLOWS YOU TO PACK YOUR LAPTOP, LIQUIDS ALL INTO ONE CARRY-ON.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE EVERYTHING OUT.

LEAVE IT IN YOUR BAG AND IT GOES THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

>> THE GOAL, A BETTER TRAVELING EXPERIENCE BY HELPING TRAVELERS GET AND STAY READY.

>> PACK YOUR ESSENTIAL MEDICATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, PACK YOUR PATIENCE NUMBER ONE AND CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINE SERVICES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOING TO BE OPERATING.

WE DON'T FORESEE ANY CANCELLATIONS HERE AT MGM, EVERYTHING WILL BE OUT AS EXPECTED BUT CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINE PROVIDERS.

>> SO HOLIDAY TRAVELERS CAN ENJOY THEIR ADVENTURE.

>> IT IS FASTER AND YOU GET TO SLEEP.

>> YEAH, I WANT TO SLEEP.

I'M TIRED.

>> OR SOME R AND R. FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>>> WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL BE TALKING WITH KELLIE MEYER, WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT FOR NEWS NATION, WHO WAS PART OF THE TEAM PUTTING ON THE DEBATE IN TUSCALOOSA.

THEN I'LL BE JOINED BY KATHERINE ROBERTSON, CHIEF COUNSEL FOR ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF TOPICS, INCLUDING POTENTIAL ETHICS CODE REVISIONS AND GAMBLING.

AND CONTINUING OUR EFFORT TO GET TO KNOW CANDIDATES IN THE NEWLY REDRAWN 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH SHOMARI FIGURES WHO IS RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT FOR THAT SEAT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT VIDEO@APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON APTV'S FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE AND LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

♪ >> THIS WEEK'S GOP PERSONAL DEBATE IN TUSCALOOSA WAS THE FIRST IN ALABAMA AND FIRST FOR NEWS NATION, THE CABLE NEWS NETWORK THAT TELEVISED THE DEBATE.

AND JOINING ME NOW IS WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT KELLIE MEYER.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> I KNOW IT WAS A LONG WEEK IN TUSCALOOSA FROM YOU ALL'S PERSPECTIVE.

IS EVERYTHING GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

DOES IT FEEL NORMAL TO BE BACK IN DC YET?

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M STILL IN A LITTLE BIT OF A BLUR.

IT WAS SUCH AN EXCITING WEEK.

IT FEELS LIKE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF SAD, TOO, FOR IT TO BE OVER BECAUSE IT WAS SO MUCH PREPARATION AND SO EXCITING TO BE A PART OF THIS.

REALLY FOR US TO BE THERE AS A TEAM.

SO MANY PEOPLE FROM NEWS NATION I HADN'T SEEN IN PERSON AND MET THEM IN REAL LIFE.

EVEN BEYOND THE DEBATE AND BEING THERE WITH MY TEAM AND SEEING SOME FOR THE FIRST TIME IT FEELS LIKE A DREAM.

WE'RE SO HAPPY AND PROUD.

IT'S NICE TO BE BACK IN DC AND I'M EXCITED TO GET BACK TO WORK.

DOING MORE POLITICS HERE FROM OUR NATION'S CAPITOL BUT IT IS A BLAST TO BE IN ALABAMA.

THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR WELCOMING US WITH OPEN ARMS.

>> WELL, Y'ALL HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF.

I WAS IMPRESSED WITH NOT JUST THE DEBATE BUT THE PRODUCTION, FROM VISITING WITH YOUR CREW ON SET AND ELIZABETH VARGAS WHO DID A GREAT JOB AS THE MODERATOR.

TOP TO BOTTOM IT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE PRODUCTION.

TALK ABOUT WHAT GOES INTO PLANNING AN EVENT LIKE THIS.

IT MUST BE MONTHS WORTH OF PLANNING HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE ORCHESTRATED.

>> MONTHS.

AND REALLY JUST EVEN PLANTING THE IDEA AND PITCHING IT TO, YOU KNOW, GET THIS DEBATE ON THEIR RADAR WITH THE RNC, TO PITCH THAT AND MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHO WE ARE AND SAY WE WILL DO A DEBATE WITH NEWS NATION.

THAT'S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT IN ITSELF.

I KNOW OUR MAIN LEADER, CHERI, SHE TOOK THE HELM AND MADE IT POSSIBLE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE AT NEWS NATION.

ONCE THE WHEELS WERE IN MOTION AND ONCE THEY GOT IT OFF THE GROUND, IT WAS PLANNING.

I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING THEY MUST HAVE PUT INTO THAT BUT THE SET, THE PROMOTION, THE GETTING THE WORD OUT, JUST BEYOND, NOT ONLY THE DEBATE HALL SET, YOU HAD THE SPIN ROOM WHERE THE CANDIDATES GO AFTERWARDS AND TALK ABOUT HOW THE DEBATE WENT AFTERWARDS AND THE MEDIA FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

AND THE SET AT THE QUAD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA WAS BEAUTIFUL.

WE HAD A DRONE WITH DRONE SHOTS GOING OVER.

IT WAS BEYOND ANYTHING I COULD HAVE IMAGINED.

I KNOW WE HAD A LOT OF HELP FROM LOCAL VENDORS, AS WELL, WHICH WAS AMAZING FOR THEM TO COME AND PITCH IN AND HELP OUT.

IT WAS TRULY A TEAM EFFORT BUT I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM FOLKS OF OTHER NETWORKS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND SAYING THAT'S THE BEST DEBATE TO BE SEEN.

NOT TO BE BIASED BUT I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE COULD DO.

>> I THINK IT WAS THE BEST.

I WOULD AGREE.

YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE SET ON THE QUAD THERE.

THE LAST HIT I DID WAS AT SUNSET LAST NIGHT -- OR, I GUESS THURSDAY NIGHT AT SUNSET.

THERE ON THE QUAD WITH DENNY CHIMES IN THE BACKGROUNDS AND LITTLE BIT OF THE STADIUM AND A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET.

EVEN THIS AUBURN GUY CAN ADMIT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL BACKDROP ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DEBATE ITSELF.

I THINK IT WAS PROBABLY THE BEST QUALITY DEBATE IN TERMS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES AND ALL OF THAT.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR TAKEAWAYS AS A REPORTER FROM THE DEBATE ITSELF?

>> I THINK A LOT OF MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THE MODERATORS FIRST OFF DID A GREAT JOB AND LET THE CANDIDATES TALK AND DIDN'T INTERJECT TOO MUCH WHEN THEY NEEDED TO BUT ALSO LET THE CONVERSATION FLOW AND GO.

IT WASN'T SO MUCH FIGHTING.

THERE WAS SOME OF THAT BUT IT WAS ALSO ALLOWING THEM TO DEVELOP INTO THAT DISCUSSION OVER THESE POLICIES.

I THINK THAT WAS GREAT.

I THINK IT DID HELP THERE WERE FEWER CANDIDATES ON THE STAGE BECAUSE IT GAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EACH OF THEM TO HAVE THEIR QUESTIONS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS ON SET ON THURSDAY, ELIZABETH CAME ON AND WE WERE TALKING TO THE PRODUCERS, AS WELL.

THEY WERE KEEPING TRACK OF HOW MANY CANDIDATES GOT HOW MANY QUESTIONS AND HOW MANY TIME EACH CANDIDATE WAS GETTING AND MAKING SURE IN THE CONTROL ROOM EACH CANDIDATE HAD A FAIR SHAKE AND ENOUGH TIME AND GOT THE QUESTIONS.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY THOUGHTFUL.

BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAD A CHANCE TO ANSWER.

I THOUGHT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HEARD FROM CANDIDATES, CHRIS CHRISTIE REALLY CAME OUT AND HAD A LOT OF FACE TIME IN THAT DEBATE COMPARED TO OTHERS, REALLY CAME AFTER TRUMP AND ALSO THE OTHER CANDIDATES AND CAME TO THE DEFENSE OF HALEY WHEN RAMASWAMY WAS COMING AT HER.

>> YEAH, IT'S A TOUGH JOB THE MODERATORS HAVE.

I WAS IN THE HALL AND FEELING SYMPATHY FOR THEM BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT THE CANDIDATES WITH THEIR FANS IN THE CROWD, RIGHT.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN SEATS.

WE WERE SITTING NEXT TO SOME OF THEM.

THEY AREN'T SUPPOSED TO CLAP OR BOO BUT THEY DID IT.

THE MODERATORS HAVE TO MODERATE THE CANDIDATES AND ALSO THE CROWD.

IT'S A TOUGH JOB BUT I THOUGHT THEY DID REALLY WELL, ALL THREE OF THEM.

WELL, THE 800-POUND GORILLA IN THE ROOM WAS DONALD TRUMP.

HE OBVIOUSLY DECLINED TO COME TO THIS DEBATE JUST AS HE'S DECLINED THE PREVIOUS THREE.

WE PROBABLY WON'T SEE HIM ON THE DEBATE STAGE.

DO YOU THINK IT MAKES IT TOUGHER FOR OTHER CANDIDATES TO MAKE A DENT INTO HIS REALLY BIG LEAD RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S TOUGH.

THEY HAVE HAD TO COME OUT TO SHOW VOTERS THERE WAS ANOTHER OPTION BESIDES TRUMP.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

IT WILL BE UP TO THE VOTERS WHEN IT COMES TO THE EARLY NOMINATING SEATS.

HE HAS SUCH A LEAD AND YOU HEARD CHRISTIE SAYING THEY COULD CALL OUT TRUMP AND SHOW THEY ARE DIFFERENT IN THESE WAYS BUT THERE IS SUCH A DANGER OF ALIENATING YOUR BASE WHEN YOU DO THAT AND ALIENATING PART OF YOUR VOTERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

MY CAT IS TRYING TO JUMP IN THE SHOT HERE.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET BACK TO DC.

MY CAT IS IN THE SHOT.

WE WILL SEE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO TAKE ON TRUMP.

RIGHT NOW HE HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT, STILL DOMINATING IN ALL OF THE POLLS AND WE REALLY DON'T SEE THEM COMING OUT AND ATTACKING TRUMP TOO MUCH.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.

>> IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE.

DESANTIS WAS GIVEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY HIS POSITION ON TRUMP'S AGE AND FITNESS AND ALL OF THIS STUFF AND HE WOULDN'T SAY HIS NAME.

THAT WAS AN INTERESTING MOMENT.

>> HE DOES IT ON THE TRAIL BUT NOT ON THE DEBATE STAGE.

>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT ON THE SET.

SEAN SPICER WAS COMMENTING ABOUT IT.

IT WAS A HEAD SCRATCHER BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOING TO RUN AN AD LIKE THAT, CALLING INTO QUESTION TRUMP'S FITNESS AND MENTAL ACUITY AND ALL OF THAT STUFF WHY NOT JUST SAY IT.

IT MADE IT AWKWARD BUT I GUESS THEY HAVE A REASON FOR IT.

SO IT STRIKES ME THAT ALABAMA SOMETIMES CAN PLAY AN OUTSIZED ROLE IN PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.

I MEAN, I'M THINKING BACK TO 2015 WHEN THEN SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS HAD THE BIG ENDORSEMENT OF TRUMP THAT REALLY WAS A MEANINGFUL MOMENT FOR THEM.

YOU HAD THE TWO BIG RALLIES IN MOBILE AND HUNTSVILLE.

SO ALABAMA, SOMEHOW WE'RE NOT USED TO THAT, WAS PLAYING A BIG ROLE IN PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.

I'M CURIOUS FROM YOUR TIME IN TUSCALOOSA IF YOU GOT TO INTERACT ALABAMA VOTERS AND WHAT YOUR PERSPECTIVE WAS HEARING FROM THEM?

>> WE GOT OUT THERE AND TALKED TO A LOT OF YOUNGER COLLEGE STUDENTS.

OBVIOUSLY ALABAMA HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR TRUMP.

HE WON THERE IN THE LAST TWO ELECTIONS.

WE SAW SENATOR BRITT COMING OUT, THE DAY OF DEBATE ENDORSING TRUMP.

BUT SOME VOTERS I HAVE HEARD FROM IN ALABAMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ENGAGED AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE TO OFFER.

I HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED FROM THE VOTERS FROM ALABAMA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, SOUTH CAROLINA, THEY ARE WANTING TO HEAR THE MESSAGE AND ARE MAKING A CONCERTED EFFORT AND THEY ARE THOUGHTFUL WITH THEIR QUESTIONS AND WITH KEEPING IN MIND THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF MINDS THAT MAY NOT BE MADE UP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE BLAME TRUMP FOR WHAT HE DID TO THE COUNTRY BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING IN WITH AN OPEN MIND, AS WELL.

>> WE REPORTED ON POLLING BACK IN FEBRUARY.

THIS IS ALMOST A YEAR AGO.

TRUMP HAD A LEAD BUT IT WASN'T INSURMOUNTABLE.

HE HAD 49% AND DESANTIS WAS 36%.

THIS IS IN ALABAMA BUT IT WAS THOSE INDICTMENTS THAT REALLY STARTED TO MAKE REPUBLICANS RALLY AROUND TRUMP AND REALLY HURT THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

YOU KNOW, THAT HADN'T WANED AND WE WILL SEE IF IT DOES.

LOOK, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT NEWS NATION.

SOME VIEWERS WERE PROBABLY TUNING IN TO YOUR NETWORK FOR THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE IT'S ONLY BEEN AROUND A LITTLE WHILE.

TALK ABOUT NEWS NATION AND ITS STORY, WHERE IT CAME FROM AND HOW IT IS GOING.

>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING US A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND I'M SO PROUD TO, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE WEEK WE HAVE HAD AND LETTING PEOPLE GET TO KNOW WHO WE ARE.

WE HAVE NOT ONLY A GREAT TEAM OF JOURNALISTS AND THEN THOSE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES BUT REALLY HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL ASPECTS OF TELEVISION JOURNALISM AND JOURNALISM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THEY REALLY CAME TOGETHER OFF OF REALLY WANTING TO BE SOMETHING DOWN THE MIDDLE.

ESPECIALLY IN WASHINGTON, THINGS ARE DIVISIVE AND SO FAR RIGHT OR LEFT.

THE BRAIN CHILD AND THOUGHT PROCESS WAS LET'S CREATE SOMETHING.

EVERYBODY IS SAYING WE WANT TO GET BACK TO THE NEWS AND HEAR BOTH SIDES BUT LET'S GO DOWN THE MIDDLE AND TALK TO ALSO PEOPLE WHO AREN'T HEARD FROM AND MIDDLE AMERICA AND WHAT ARE VOTERS REALLY SAYING.

I THINK THAT WAS THE MISSION BEHIND NEWS NATION.

WE SAY OUR SAYING IS NEWS FOR ALL AMERICA AND WE BELIEVE THAT.

WE ARE TRYING TO PRESENT THE NEWS WITHOUT BIAS.

I TRY TO DO THAT IN MY REPORTING, ESPECIALLY IN WASHINGTON WHERE THE STAKES ARE SO HIGH AND WHERE THE INFORMATION MATTERS SO MUCH.

WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER THAT AND I THINK THE MORE PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT US AND COME AND WATCH I THINK THEY WILL SEE THAT AND HOPEFULLY BECOME A LIFE-LONG VIEWER.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE GOT A LOT THIS WEEK.

IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE AFTER THE DEBATE AND CONVERSATIONS ABOUT NEWS NATION -- AGAIN, I'M SITTING AND INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE WHO HADN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT THE NETWORK FOR A WHILE, WERE SAYING, MAN, I HAVE TO GIVE THEM A SHOT, I AM GOING TO GIVE THEM A WATCH.

I THINK YOU PICKED UP A LOT OF VIEWERS IN ALABAMA AND THE NATION.

THAT'S THE MISSION OF NEWS AND WHAT WE TRY TO DO HERE AT APT AND YOU SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR THAT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND THE RNC AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND PREPARING FOR THE DEBATE AND GETTING IT EXECUTED.

CONGRATULATIONS.

A TOP-NOTCH EVENT.

YOU ALL HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF AT NEWS NATION.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT MEANS SO MUCH.

AND SO APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME ON AND TALKING ABOUT NEWS NATION AND IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE IN ALABAMA.

THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME THERE.

IT WAS SUCH A MEMORABLE TIME AND I CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

SAINT STEPHENS WAS CHOSEN AS ALABAMA'S FIRST SEAT OF GOVERNMENT AND SERVES AS THE TERRITORIAL CAPITAL BETWEEN 1817 AND 1819.

THE FIRST ASSEMBLY MET AT A HOTEL.

TODAY THE LONG ABANDONED TOWN IS REFERRED TO AS OLD SAINT STEPHENS AND IS A HISTORICAL PARK AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE.

>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ >> WE HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT, BUT I WANT TO START WITH THE MOST TOPICAL AND THIS IS THE FOSTER CARE ISSUE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL MARSHALL SENT A LETTER TO CONGRESS.

DURING THIS COMMENT PERIOD OF THIS NEW RULE AT HHS HAVING TO DO WITH FOSTER CARE AND NEW RULES REGARDING LGBT CHILDREN AND HOUSEHOLDS RULES THERE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR POSTURE?

>> THIS IS A PROPOSED RULE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION VIA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

IT IS A PROPOSED RULE SO THIS IS THE COMMENT PERIOD UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES ACT.

WE LED AN EFFORT TO SUBMIT A COMMENT WITH 18 OTHER STATES ASKING THEM TO RECONSIDER THEIR POLICY ON DESIGNATING FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS AS SAFE OR UNSAFE BASED ON THEIR EMBRACE OF LGBTQ IDEOLOGY.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN THIS KIND OF THING COME OUT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

IT REALLY HURTS RED STATES WHOSE CONSTITUENTS TYPICALLY DON'T BUY INTO THAT.

WE THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO THE FOSTER CARE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS FAITH BASED IN OUR STATE.

WE WANTED TO STAND UP FOR THEM AND ASK THE ADMINISTRATION TO RECONSIDER THE POLICY.

IT WOULD DEEM THE STATE-BASED ENTITIES UNSAFE FOR CERTAIN CHILDREN IN NEED OF A HOME.

>> WAS OF THEIR RELIGIOUS OR IDEOLOGICAL STANCE?

HOW DOES THAT WORK PRACTICALLY?

HOW DOES A FOSTER ORGANIZATION -- WOULD THEY TREAT A CHILD ANY DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT'S THE DEAL THERE?

>> I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION IS REALLY SPECIFIC AND REALLY AGGRESSIVE IN THE LANGUAGE THAT TALKS ABOUT AFFIRMING THESE CHILDREN.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK OF A CHILD THAT MIGHT BE STRUGGLING WITH GENDER DYSPHORIA, A FAITH-BASED FAMILY MAY HANDLE THAT DIFFERENTLY THAN FOLKS IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WRITING THESE POLICIES.

>> SO YOU ARE SAYING IF YOU ARE AN ORGANIZATION THAT DOES NOT BELIEVE IN AFFIRMING AND ALL OF THAT THAT YOU WOULD BE DEEMED UNSAFE AND NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ACCESS TO GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THEY WANT YOU TO UNDERGO TRAINING AND COMMIT TO AFFIRMING THE CHILD IN WHATEVER THEIR LEANINGS ARE AT THE MOMENT.

WE'RE CONCERNED THAT COULD LEAD UP TO MEDICAL INTERVENTION FOR SOME OF THESE CHILDREN STRUGGLING WITH GENDER IDENTITY.

IT REALLY SEEMS TARGETED AT FAITH-BASED ENTITIES.

THERE'S A UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT CASE THAT SAID THEY ARE ENTITLED TO DEFERENCE FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

THIS SEEMS LIKE A WAY TO GET AROUND THAT.

AS FAR AS OUR ROLE AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, IT IS REALLY TELLING STATES -- LIKE OUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES THEY HAVE TO BE THE ONES TO LABEL THESE ENTITIES WHICH PUTS OUR STATE GOVERNMENT IN A DIFFICULT POSITION AS WELL.

>> LIKE YOU SAID, THIS IS A COMMENT PERIOD BUT IF THE RULE GOES FORWARD, IN THE LETTER, YOU ALL THREATENED LITIGATION, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS LIKE WE WILL SUE.

DO YOU SEE IT COMING DOWN THE ROAD?

>> I HOPE THEY WILL CHANGE COURSE.

WHEN HALF OF THE STATES ARE TELLING YOU THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT, HOPEFULLY IT IS SOMETHING THEY WILL BE ATTUNED TO.

UNFORTUNATELY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T ALWAYS SEEM THAT INTERESTED IN WHAT RED STATES THINK.

SO WE WILL CERTAINLY DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO DEPENDING WHERE THEY GO WITH THE RULE BUT LITIGATION IS CERTAINLY ON THE TABLE.

>> LET'S SWITCH GEARS TO ETHICS.

THERE'S A COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW HERE IN THE STATEHOUSE LOOKING AT, ONCE AGAIN, REVISIONS TO THE STATE'S ETHICS CODE.

THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES.

THE FIRST BIG REWRITE WAS BACK IN 2010 AFTER THE REPUBLICANS TOOK OVER.

PLENTY OF PROBLEMS HAVE SPROUTED FROM THAT LAW AS WELL YOU ARE AWARE.

DIFFERENT COMMISSIONS AND TASK FORCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT BUT THIS NEW EFFORT LED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON AND CYNTHIA ALMOND, WHAT IS YOUR OFFICE'S INVOLVEMENT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN NOT JUST LITIGATING THIS AS AN ISSUE BUT ALSO, I MEAN, ULTIMATELY YOUR OFFICE COULD BE CHARGED WITH PROSECUTING ETHICAL VIOLATIONS.

WHAT'S YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THIS WORK?

>> OUR OFFICE IS THE LEAD ENTITY IN PROSECUTING ETHICS ACT VIOLATIONS.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL UNIT, THE SPECIAL PROSECUTIONS DIVISION OF OUR OFFICE THAT REALLY LEADS ALL OF THE STATE PROSECUTIONS THAT RISE TO A CERTAIN LEVEL AND THE DAS HANDLE THE CASES, AS WELL.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS AND EFFORTS WHERE THE LEGISLATURE DECIDED THEY WANTED TO TAKE A CRACK AT REWRITING THE ETHICS CODE.

MOST RECENTLY IN 2018, THE LEGISLATURE ESTABLISHED A COMMISSION TO REVIEW THAT AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND I PUT IN A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY IN THAT AND NOTHING REALLY CAME OF IT.

I THINK IT IS A ROBUST STATUTE.

IT HAS A LOT IN IT.

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES ACT IS PART OF THAT AND IT IS A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING TO TRY TO REWRITE IT.

I THINK OUR FEELING IS JUST FROM A DRAFTING STANDPOINT, THERE'S CERTAINLY ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR CLARITY BUT, OF COURSE, WHEN YOU OPEN UP A CONVERSATION LIKE THAT, IT CAN GO IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS AND A LOT OF TIMES OUR OFFICE HAS NOT BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF SOME OF THOSE EFFORTS.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT WHOLESALE REVISION, REWRITING THE ENTIRE THING OR TAKING IT PIECE BY PIECE.

ONE THING I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT IS THE COMMISSION ITSELF, THE ETHICS COMMISSION BECAUSE GOING BACK TO 2010 AND I WAS AROUND FOR ALL OF THAT.

I REMEMBER IT VERY WELL.

IT REALLY HAD -- THE REVISIONS HAD MOSTLY TO DO WITH LOBBYISTS INTERACTIONS WITH LAWMAKERS, WHAT THOSE LIMITS AND RULES ARE AND SURE THERE'S STILL SOME CLEARING UP THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BUT SORT OF THE STRUCTURE OF HOW THE ETHICS COMMISSION WORKS REALLY DIDN'T CHANGE.

I'M WONDERING IF IT MAY BE TIME FOR SOME OF THAT.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOMETIMES SOME GRAY AREA AND, YOU KNOW, GRAY LINES, DIVIDING LINES BETWEEN WHAT THEY DO, WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES.

HAS THERE BEEN ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE STRUCTURE OF THE ETHICS COMMISSION AND HOW THEY WORK?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE THAT'S BEEN A HUGE POINT OF DISCUSSION SO FAR.

I'M NOT SURE THAT IT WON'T BE.

I THINK THAT LAST SESSION YOU SAW THEM TAKE UP EXCULPATORY EVIDENCE ISSUE THAT CAME RESULT OF THE ETHICS.

AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION IS UNIQUE ENTITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE IT BUT THEY ARE VERY INDEPENDENT.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY THERE TO BE HONEST.

THE ETHICS COMMISSIONERS ARE APPOINTED AND SERVE FIVE-YEAR TERMS, WHICH ARE LONGER THAN THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEM THERE.

THEY CAN'T BE REMOVED BY ANYONE UNLESS THEY ARE IMPEACHED.

THEY HIRE THEIR DIRECTOR, WHO'S THEIR AGENCY HEAD.

HE REPORTS ONLY TO.

THEY CAN'T BE REMOVED BY THE GOVERNOR, LIKE ANOTHER CABINET AGENCY HEAD FOR INSTANCE.

AND ON TOP OF THAT WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNIQUE IS THEY HAVE A GUARANTEED BUDGET.

THE LEGISLATURE TIED THEIR HANDS IN 2011 WITH THE ETHICS ACT AND GUARANTEED A PERCENTAGE OF THE GENERAL FUND EVERY YEAR UNLESS THEY HAVE A TWO-THIRDS VOTE TO CHANGE THAT IN SOME WAY.

SO, THEY ARE VERY, VERY INSULATED FROM ACCOUNTABILITY IN A LOT OF WAYS.

I THINK IT HAS LED TO PROBLEMS.

CERTAINLY LED TO ISSUES ON OUR END.

>> I CAN SEE THAT INDEPENDENCE, THAT INSULATION BEING REALLY VALUABLE WHEN IT COMES TO ETHICS BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BECOME A POLITICAL ENTITY THAT IS BEHOLDEN TO THE GOVERNOR OR THE AG OR ANYBODY ELSE.

AS A POLITICAL OFFICER OF THE STATE DON'T YOU NEED INDEPENDENCE ON THAT ETHICS COMMISSION?

>> I THINK YOU DO WHEN IT PERTAINS TO THE COMMISSION ITSELF.

THINK OF THE PARDONS AND PAROLE BOARD.

WE WENT THROUGH A E REFORM OF THAT AND WHAT YOU HAD IS A SEPARATION OF PEOPLE VOTING ON PAROLE FROM THE AGENCY ITSELF AND NOW THE AGENCY HEAD OF THAT ORGANIZATION IS A CABINET MEMBER AND IT OPERATES LIKE ANY OTHER STATE AGENCY SEPARATE FROM THE PEOPLE ACTUALLY CASTING THOSE VOTES.

SO, YES FOR THE COMMISSIONERS THEMSELVES, SOME INDEPENDENCE IS GOOD BUT FOR THE WHOLE AGENCY, BEYOND THE REACH OF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, EXECUTIVE OR LEGISLATURE IS A PROBLEM.

>> DO YOU SEE IT -- WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE WITH DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS AND COMMISSIONS, IN YOUR FOLLOWING OF THE NEW COMMITTEE'S WORK, DO YOU SEE IT HAPPENING THIS SESSION?

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE LEGISLATION?

WE ARE COMING UP ON FEBRUARY?

>> I KNOW THEY ARE WORKING TOWARD LEGISLATION.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A DRAFT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

TO THE DEGREE THAT WE'RE WEIGHING IN, IT WILL PROBABLY BE TO GET THEM TO CONSIDER HOW THE ETHICS COMMISSION IS STRUCTURED, REALLY HOW ETHICS ENFORCEMENT IS DONE.

I THINK YOU'LL HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THERE ARE A FEW TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN WHEN IT COMES TO ENFORCING THE ETHICS LAW AND WE THINK THERE'S SOME TRUTH TO THAT.

WE THINK BONA FIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD BE HANDLING CRIMINAL MATTERS.

THE ETHICS COMMISSION IS PROBABLY BEST SUITED TO HANDLE THESE CIVIL RESOLUTIONS, CIVIL ADVISORIES, AND OPINIONS AND THAT KIND OF THING AND WHEN YOU CROSS OVER THE CRIMINAL ANGLE, THE INVESTIGATIONS FOR PROBABLE CAUSE IS WHEN IT STARTS TO GET MESSY.

>> INTERESTING.

SWITCHING GEARS TO THE CARLY RUSSELL SITUATION.

PEOPLE WILL RECALL THAT NAME.

THIS IS -- WHAT MONTH WAS IT?

WAS IT LAST YEAR?

I CAN'T REMEMBER.

BUT PEOPLE WILL RECALL THIS NAME AS THE WOMAN WHO WENT MISSING, QUOTE UNQUOTE, IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA, I GUESS IT WAS A COUPLE OF DAYS' WORTH OF FRONT PAGE HEADLINES, LEADING THE NEWS, EVERYONE WAS CONCERNED THAT CARLY RUSSELL WAS MISSING.

IT TURNS OUT SHE WASN'T.

A FALSE POLICE REPORT.

FAKED HER DISAPPEARANCE KIND OF THING.

A LOT OF DETAILS PROBABLY I'M MISSING OUT ON AND NOW SHE IS FACING PROSECUTION.

YOUR OFFICE IS INVOLVED AND IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF RESOURCES THAT WENT INTO THAT.

TELL ME ABOUT THIS CASE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> I'M A MEMBER OF THE PROSECUTION TEAM.

IT IS SET FOR TRIAL IN MARCH AND EVERYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH THE FACTS OF THE CASE.

THE REASON WE ARE HEARING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN A LULL AS FAR AS THE CASE GOES BUT YOU'LL RECALL THE HOOVER POLICE CHIEF, WHO IS A FRIEND OF MINE CALLED ON THE LEGISLATURE TO RE-EXAMINE PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH FALSE REPORTING TO POLICE.

I THINK IN THIS CASE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN IMAGINE A SCENARIO WHERE A FALSE REPORT TO POLICE MAYBE LEADS ONE OFFICER TO KNOCK ON A DOOR, NOTHING TURNS UP AND THERE'S NOT A LOT OF HARM.

I THINK YOU SAW HERE SORT OF AN EXTREME SITUATION WHERE IT WAS MULTIFACETED LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE, LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, AND IT WAS EXPENSIVE.

I THINK WHEN THE POLICE WENT TO LOOK AT WHAT CHARGES MIGHT BE AVAILABLE, THEY WERE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT OUR STATUTE ONLY PROVIDES FOR A MISDEMEANOR.

HE CALLED ON THE LEGISLATURE TO LOOK AT THIS.

SENATOR APRIL WEAVER, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE SHAW HAVE BEEN LEADING THE EFFORT AND WE HAVE BEEN CONSULTING WITH THEM ON SENTENCING POLICY RELATED TO THAT ISSUE.

>> YEAH.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

A LOT OF RESOURCES.

THERE'S ALSO THE IDEA THAT IT IS THE CRYING WOLF SITUATION.

YOU WANT THESE ALERTS THAT GO OUT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

IN THIS CASE EVERYBODY DID.

WE REPORTED ON IT.

EVERYBODY WAS BECAUSE EVERYBODY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND YOU DON'T WANT THE NEXT ALERT THAT GOES OUT FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, HMM, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT.

I REMEMBER THIS OTHER SITUATION.

ISN'T THAT PART OF IT?

>> LOOK, ANY CRIMINAL PENALTY SHOULD BE A DETERRENT OF SOME TYPE AND THE QUESTION IS WHAT LEVEL OF DETERRENT DO YOU NEED AND SHOULD IT ESCALATE BASED ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE REPORT AND WHAT THE POLICE PERCEIVE THE THREAT AND WHAT IS THE PROPORTIONATE PENALTY FOR THAT.

I THINK THERE IS A FINANCIAL ISSUE HERE, WHETHER THE FINE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MISDEMEANOR AND RESTITUTION.

WE SAW $18,000 IN RESTITUTION IN THIS CASE OR ARE SEEKING THAT.

THAT IS FOR OVERTIME.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER STATES THAT EXPAND RESTITUTION AVAILABLE FOR A SITUATION LIKE THIS.

I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER ANGLE THEY WILL BE CONSIDERING.

>> WE WILL CERTAINLY FOLLOW THE LEGISLATION WHEN THE SESSION STARTS.

ANYTIME YOU START CHANGING FELONIES, MISDEMEANORS, PENALTIES AND THAT STUFF, IT IS INTERESTING AROUND HERE, AS YOU KNOW.

REAL QUICK AS I HAVE YOU, I KNOW WE HAVE GONE LONG BUT THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING.

THE ETHICS CODE, WHAT YEAR OR DECADE IS IT, WE ARE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THIS.

BUT TWO THINGS, Y'ALL, YOUR OFFICE HAD AN ENFORCEMENT EFFORT AT WHITE HALL RECENTLY.

THAT IS VERY FAMILIAR.

IT'S BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

IT'S ALL HAPPENING AT A TIME WHEN WE KNOW THERE'S A GROUP OF LAWMAKERS LOOKING AT REVISING ALABAMA'S GAMBLING LAWS REALLY TO ALLOW LEGALIZATION OF A LOT OF CASINOS, LOTTERY AND SPORTS BETTING.

FIRST, START WITH WHITE HALL.

WHAT'S THE CASE THERE AND WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN?

>> THAT I CAN'T REALLY ANSWER.

THE CASE IS WE HAVE A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST WHITE HALL CASINO IN LOWNDES COUNTY.

THAT'S THE SECOND ENFORCEMENT WE HAVE DONE AGAINST THAT ENTITY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THE ALABAMA SUPREME COURT, QUITE CLEARLY, GAVE THE STATE THE AUTHORITY TO SHUT IT DOWN.

THEY REOPENED AND NOW THEY HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN PENDING FURTHER ACTION IN THE CASE.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT OUR OFFICE IS REALLY GOOD AT IS TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE LARGER CASINOS WHERE THERE'S SUPPORT FROM LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THE GROUND.

I THINK WHAT YOU SEE NOW IS THAT YOU SEE THESE SORT OF SMALL-TIME ENTITIES POPPING UP AROUND THE STATE.

YOU KEEP HEARING WILD NUMBERS.

SOMETIMES IT IS JUST A GAS STATION WITH A MACHINE IN THE BACK BUT CLEARLY OUR OFFICE IS NOT CAPABLE OF POLICING THE ISSUE OURSELVES.

WE DEPEND ON LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS.

THAT'S THEIR INSTITUTIONAL DO YOU THINK AND OATH OF OFFICE AND IN LOWNDES COUNTY WE HAD THAT.

IT WAS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN LOCAL COURTS AND OUR OFFICE AND WHEN YOU HAVE THAT IT IS EFFECTIVE.

>> THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, THOUGH.

I REMEMBER IN MACON COUNTY, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS FUNDED BY VICTORYLAND AND SOMETIMES THERE IS CONFLICT THERE.

>> IT IS NOT EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE ISSUE TO ENFORCE.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PARTS OF OUR STATE WHERE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER OR LEADERSHIP, I SHOULD SAY DECIDED TO TURN A BLIND EYE.

OF COURSE, WHEN YOU DO THAT, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE.

>> AS THESE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ARE HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE STATE -- I'M DESCRIBING IT AS A WHACK-A-MOLE YOU SHUT ONE DOWN AND ANOTHER POPS UP.

AS THAT IS HAPPENING YOU ARE SEEING THIS LEGISLATION DEVELOPED.

HAVE YOU OPINED ON THIS OR ASKED ABOUT IT FROM THESE LAWMAKERS THAT ARE LOOKING AT A BIG EXPANSION?

>> NO, I WOULDN'T SAY WE HAVE BEEN VERY ENGAGED IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

>> OKAY.

WHILE I HAVE GOT YOU, I KNOW WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN A SCHOOL UP IN BIRMINGHAM, A VERY COOL STORY, CORNERSTONE SCHOOL.

THE REASON IT IS TOPICAL, IT IS IN PART FUNDED BY THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

THIS IS WHERE TAXPAYERS CAN OFFER MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND GET A TAX WRITE OFF AND ALSO SUPPORT FOR SOMEONE GETTING AN EDUCATION, GETTING OUT OF A BAD SITUATION INTO A BETTER ONE.

TELL ME ABOUT CORNERSTONE SCHOOL AND HOW THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT HELPS IT EXIST.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU FOR ASKING ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE TOPICS TO DISCUSS, WAY MORE FUN THAN THE REST OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE ASKED ME ABOUT.

IT IS AN INNER CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN WOODLAWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED PART OF BIRMINGHAM.

AND SOMETIMES A DANGEROUS PART OF BIRMINGHAM BUT CORNERSTONE IS A SHINING LIGHT IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND EXPANDED UNDER THE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

ESSENTIALLY, COMING UP ON THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR YEAR-END GIVING THERE'S A WAY TO GIVE TO SCHOOLS LIKE CORNERSTONE WITH THE TAXES YOU ALREADY OWE TO THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

YOU ARE BASICALLY TRANSFER YOUR TAX LIABILITY TO ONE OF THESE SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT WILL THEN GO DIRECTLY TO THE CHILDREN WHO ARE WANTING TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE SCHOOLS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

JUST SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE IN CORNERSTONE I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED THERE FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS AND THE RESULTS ARE TRULY INCREDIBLE.

IT IS A GOOD DEAL FOR THE TAXPAYERS AND FOR THE STATE.

THERE'S $40 MILLION THE LEGISLATURE SET ASIDE.

IT IS ALREADY EARMARKED AND NOT TAKEN OUT OF ANYBODY ELSE'S BUDGET.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLAIM IT AND DIRECT IT TO A PARTICULAR SCHOLARSHIP GROUP AND KIDS THAT GO TO CORNERSTONE AND A LOT OF SCHOOLS LIKE IT ARE THE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES.

>> WE WILL BE COVERING MORE BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS SHOMARI FIGURES, CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS IN THE ALABAMA SECOND DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> YOUR LAST NAME IS WELL KNOWN IN THIS BUILDING AND TO A LOT OF VIEWERS.

I WAS HOPING YOU COULD SHARE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND CAREER AND WHAT LED YOU TO THIS POINT TO RUN TO CONGRESS?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, TODD, I WAS BORN AND RAISED AND GREW UP IN MOBILE.

I GREW UP IN MY GRANDFATHER'S CHURCH AND WHERE MY PARENTS ARE FROM, BOTH PARENTS AND THE PLACE THAT REALLY GROUNDED AND MOLDED AND SHAPED ME INTO THE PERSON THAT I AM.

GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL THERE AND WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AND FOLLOWED IN MY FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS AND WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF LAW.

FOLLOWING THAT I SET OUT ON A CAREER THAT'S TAKEN ME TO ALL CORNERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING IN ALL THREE BRANCHES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SERVING AS A LAW CLERK, SHORTLY AFTER LAW SCHOOL AND THEN GOING ON TO DC WHERE I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND ALSO IN CONGRESS.

I SPENT SEVERAL YEARS WORKING IN CONGRESS AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO NAVIGATE AN INTERESTING PLACE AND A PLACE THAT HAS SUCH GREAT POTENTIAL TO DO SO MUCH GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I LOOK AT MY CAREER THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE TO THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, I COME BACK TO A QUESTION OF HOW DO YOU BEST USE THE EXPERIENCES AND THE SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GAIN THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU CARE MOST ABOUT.

FOR ME, THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN ALABAMA.

ALABAMA IS HOME AND WILL ALWAYS BE HOME.

IT'S THE PLACE THAT I HAVE ALWAYS HELD NEAREST AND DEAREST TO MY HEART.

WHEN WE ANALYZED ALL OF THE STAKES THAT WERE PRESENT IN MAKING THIS DECISION, WE FELT IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, TO TAKE WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY THAT PUTS YOU ON THE PATH TO HAVE THE CAREER YOU HAVE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> HAVING WORKED IN CONGRESS AND NOW JUST LEFT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, YOU HAVE A FRONT-ROW VIEW OF WHAT CONGRESS HAS BECOME.

IT'S KIND OF A MESS, RIGHT?

YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION.

YOU HAD THE WHOLE SPEAKER SITUATION GROUND TO A HALT.

A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY I NEVER WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT AND OTHERS LOOK AT IT AS A CHALLENGE.

I'M ASSUMING YOU ARE THE LATTER.

>> I THINK I LOOK AT IT THROUGH A LENS OF OPTIMISM.

CONGRESS IS ULTIMATELY THE PLACE WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE RESOURCES AND CERTAINLY SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE RESOURCES THAT COME HOME TO ALABAMA FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE STATE, WHETHER IN INFRASTRUCTURE, EDUCATION, MILITARY SPENDING, DEFENSE SPENDING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPENDING, THAT'S THE PLACE IT ORIGINATES.

BECAUSE OF THAT FUNCTION OF CONGRESS, THERE'S SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY THERE TO DO SO MUCH GOOD, DESPITE THE NOISE THAT'S AROUND THE NATIONAL ISSUES AND THE PERCEIVED DYSFUNCTION ON CAPITOL HILL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS A PLACE WHERE SO MUCH GOOD CAN HAPPEN.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THE DISTRICT WAS CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE IT WAS CREATED VIA LEGAL CHALLENGES BROUGHT THROUGH THE ACT OF LEGISLATION, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND THAT HAPPENED IN CONGRESS.

THE CULMINATION OF A LOT OF HARD WORK THAT HAPPENED IN MONTGOMERY AND IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I STILL VIEW IT AS A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT.

OPTIMISM IN CONGRESS.

WHAT ISSUES ARE YOU HOPING TO HIGHLIGHT?

WHAT ARE TWO OR THREE ISSUES YOU ARE HOPING TO HIGHLIGHT AND CONNECT WITH VOTERS OVER?

>> FOR ME, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HEALTHCARE SPACE, WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND LOOK AT EXPANDING MEDICAID TO GET MORE HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO 300,000, ARE THE ESTIMATES THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM MEDICAID EXPANSION IN THE STATE AND THOSE ARE 300,000 OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT GENERAL STATISTICS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, A PERSON BORN IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA, BLACK OR WHITE, IS EXPECTED TO BARELY LIVE PAST THEIR 60S.

THAT'S PURELY UNACCEPTABLE.

IN A LOT OF CASES IT IS A VERY SOLVABLE ISSUE.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST LIFE EXPECTANCIES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS CRITICAL TO ADDRESS THAT.

I WANT TO WORK DILIGENTLY ON ENHANCING AND INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, LOOK, TEACHERS ARE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT PROFESSION TO THE FUTURE OF THIS NATION.

THEY PREPARE EVERY OTHER PROFESSION THAT COMES THROUGH.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WE HAVE TO TREAT THEM LIKE THAT AND PRIORITY THEM THAT WAY THERE'S A ROLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PLAY IN THAT.

WHEN WE PAY THEM AND TREAT THEM WELL WE CAN KEEP OUR TEACHERS K-12.

THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS SEEN A LOT OF GROWTH RECENTLY.

WE CAN CERTAINLY DO MORE.

WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON EVERY ASPECT OF THIS DISTRICT, EVERY ASPECT OF THE STATE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HISTORICAL MIGRATION PATTERNS IN THE STATE, ECONOMIC PROGRESS AND TALENT POOLS HAVE GENERATED FROM RURAL ALABAMA.

PEOPLE, EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT'S FROM ALABAMA, WHEN THEY TRACE THEIR ROOTS BACK, ONE, TWO, THREE GENERATIONS THEY ARE IN SOME RURAL COUNTY IN ALABAMA.

WE CAN'T FORGET THAT.

WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS OUR POPULATION CENTERS IN THIS DISTRICT FROM AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDPOINT.

I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY TIES BACK INTO EDUCATION BECAUSE THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE ARE NOT THE JOBS OF THE PAST AND WE HAVE TO TRAIN UP OUR TALENT POOL.

THE TALENT POOL IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE TO COMPANIES WHO ARE CONSIDERING COMING INTO ALABAMA AND THIS DISTRICT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THOSE WHO CAN STAY IN THIS DISTRICT.

WE KNOW COMPANIES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER RATE WHEN THEY INVEST.

YOU NOT ONLY NEED A WORKFORCE TO HELP THEM STAND UP BUT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE JOBS THEY ARE CREATING FOR DECADES AND DECADES AND DECADES.

THAT'S WHERE MY FOCUS WOULD BE.

BRINGING HOME RESOURCES AND USING THE PLATFORM OF CONGRESS TO PROMOTE THIS DISTRICT IN A WAY THAT WILL PRIORITIZE THOSE ISSUES.

>> A LOT OF TALK IN THIS BUILDING ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

IT HAS BECOME THE TOP ISSUE.

YOU MENTIONED THE DISTRICT BECAUSE IT'S CHANGED A LOT.

YOU ARE FROM MOBILE.

SO WELL-KNOWN NAME IN MOBILE.

BUT ALSO INCLUDES HERE IN MONTGOMERY, ALL THE WAY TO THE GEORGIA LINE.

PRETTY BIG FOOTPRINT.

>> YEAH, IT'S BIG.

>> TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF HAVING TO COVER THE DISTRICT AND MAYBE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW THE FIGURES NAME.

>> LOOK, THE DISTRICT ITSELF IS ENORMOUS.

IT SPANS LITERALLY THE WIDTH OF THE STATE FROM MOBILE TO RUSSELL AND BARBER COUNTIES, BORDERING THE GEORGIA LINE.

IT TAKES A LEVEL OF DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO THOSE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

IT CAN'T BE A DISTRICT THAT'S SIMPLY BASED, AS A LOT OF TALK HAS BEEN AROUND MOBILE AND MONTGOMERY.

YOU HAVE TO GET TO CLARK AND WASHINGTON AND MACON AND BULLOCK.

YOU HAVE TO GET IN AND SHOW YOUR FACE ONCE ELECTED YOU CAN'T FORGET THOSE PLACES.

NOT JUST WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING.

WHETHER THEY VOTED FOR YOU OR NOT THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES YOU ARE IMPACTING EVERY DAY AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT.

YOU HAVE TO ADOPT A STRATEGY DURING A CAMPAIGN AND AS A CONGRESSMAN TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN AND INCORPORATE THOSE PEOPLE INTO THE DECISIONS YOU ARE MAKING, KEEPING THEM INFORMED AND HAVING A PRESENCE IN YOUR DISTRICT.

THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY BOILS DOWN TO YOUR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO DOING IT AND YOU HAVE TO SHOW THAT THOUGH PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT AND INVITE THEM TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND VOICE IN THE CONVERSATIONS THAT IMPACT THEIR DAILY LIVES.

THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE OF AND FROM THIS DISTRICT WHILE YOU ARE RUNNING FOR A CAMPAIGN AND CERTAINLY IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO SERVE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT DIRECT TOUCH POINT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT.

>> WELL, IT'S ALSO CHANGED DEMOGRAPHICALLY.

IT STRIKES ME THAT SO MANY DISTRICTS AROUND THE COUNTRY -- MOST OF THEM PROBABLY -- ARE SO LOPSIDED THAT REALLY ALL YOU HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IS WINNING THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AND NOT WORRY ABOUT THE GENERAL OR WINNING THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A REPUBLICAN OPPONENT.

THIS SEEMS MORE COMPETITIVE.

IT PROBABLY LEANS DEMOCRAT BUT IT WILL STILL BE COMPETITIVE.

THAT BRINGS UP A SPECIAL CHALLENGE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO WIN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND APPEAL TO THE BASE BUT THEN COME THE GENERAL ALSO APPEAL TO THE INDEPENDENT, MORE MODERATE VOTERS.

ARE YOU THE KIND OF CANDIDATE THAT CAN APPEAL TO BOTH?

>> YEAH.

I THINK IT IS ABOUT APPEALING TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE AND NOT TRYING TO CATER TO ANY ONE SIDE OR IDEOLOGY OR ANOTHER.

THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA THE PEOPLE I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO AND HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO TALK TO THROUGHOUT THIS CAMPAIGN TO THIS POINT, THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES WE CURRENTLY DISCUSSED.

THEY WANT TO KNOW THEY WILL HAVE GOOD JOBS, THAT THEIR CHILDREN WILL HAVE A BETTER FUTURE AND AS THEY GROW OLDER IN LIFE THEY WILL HAVE MORE ACCESS AND LONGER LIVES THAN THEIR PARENTS DID.

I THINK WHEN YOU ANALYZE IT THROUGH THAT LENS, YOU KNOW, YOU BRING TO THE TABLE -- OR I WOULD BRING TO THE TABLE THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF BEING ABLE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF ALABAMA FOR THE INTEREST THEY CARE MOST ABOUT.

FROM A GENERAL ELECTION STANDPOINT, I THINK THAT BOILS DOWN TO EXPERIENCE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE TO GET THINGS DONE.

I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO WORK IN THIS BODY THAT WE'RE SITTING IN TO GO BACK AND REPRESENT AND BUILDING THOSE NETWORKS, BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE SKILL SETS AND ALLIANCES.

I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT OVER THE CAREER I HAVE HAD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT REALLY CARE ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO GO TO WASHINGTON AND GET THINGS DONE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR COMING BY.

IT WILL BE A FASCINATING RACE.

21 CANDIDATES, COME ON.

GOOD LUCK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ESTABLISHED IN 1953, ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION WAS THE FIRST EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION NETWORK IN THE UNITED STATES WITH MUCH OF THE STATES STRUGGLING TO SUPPORT STAND-ALONE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS.

GORDON PERSONS ENCOURAGED THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH APT TO ENSURE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOR ALL ALABAMIANS.

AMONG THE EARLY CHILDREN PROGRAMS BROADCAST IN THE 1950S WAS "CABBAGES AND KINGS," WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY.

APT ADDED PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, TEACHER INSTRUCTION AND ADULT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WERE SCHEDULED IN THE EVENING HOURS ALONG WITH NATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

SINCE THEN 25 OTHER STATES HAVE ESTABLISHED ESTABLISH TELEVISION NETWORKS, ALL BASED ON ALABAMA'S MODEL.

ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S EDUCATIONAL MISSION AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONTINUE TODAY.

♪ >> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.