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CCA News

Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama and Mitch Hescox, president of the Evangelical Environmental Network will be joined at the Wharf by Congressman Bobby Bright to discuss a joint resolution recently entered into congressional record to recognize Sunday as a National Day of Prayer for the Gulf Coast. Other speakers will include gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Robert Bentley; candidate for agricultural commissioner, John McMillian; Mayor of Gulf Shores, Robert Craft; and Mayor of Orange Beach, Tony Kennon.

Those participating in the press briefing will outline details of the weekend including participation by Mara Vanderslice, who serves as a Deputy Director at the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, as well as Eddie Middleton of the well-known contemporary Christian music group, NewSong. A pastor's breakfast will be held at the Perdido Beach Hilton at 8AM on Saturday, followed by live music, prayer and fellowship in South Mobile County with a performance by Eddie Middleton in the afternoon at 1PM.

"We're very excited about this weekend's events to call on all Christians across the country and the world to join us in prayer for our Gulf Coast," said Dr. Randy Brinson. "So many families are suffering that rely on the water in the Gulf to provide for their families, whether they are one of my many that fish these waters for a living or owners of one of the many businesses that look to capitalize on tourism."

Christian Coalition of Alabama and the Evangelical Environmental Network are partnering with the Galilean ministry for the sunrise praise and prayer service on the Gulf at the pavilion at Gulf State Park at 6:30AM. Following the sunrise service at 9AM, the group will travel to Romar Beach Baptist church to join their congregation for prayer and worship.

"This entire weekend is focused on offering prayer for the coast and its people," said Dr. Brinson. "These Gulf families have already been through so much, and we want them to know that we're here for them and we'll continue to be here for them in prayer."

Christian Coalition of Alabama

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August 15, 2010 CCA
Evangelicals, Physicians Key to Bentley's Victory
In a recent article published in the Birmingham News, there was a great deal of speculation regarding the factors that led to Dr Robert Bentley's victory over Bradley Byrne in the recent republican gubernatorial runoff. Much of the speculation arose over the last minute surge in the polls that Bentley experienced after Byrne had cut the margin between the two of them from 29 points in some polls down to 6 or less in other polls such as the one conducted by the AEA.

Byrne's relentless efforts to tie Bentley to the AEA and their political agenda seemed to be effective as the election neared. Mary Orndorff, of the Birmingham News, opined that possibly it was the open endorsement of Mr. Byrne by the governor, and members of the Alabama Congressional Delegation such as Mike Rogers, Jo Bonner, and Spencer Bachus, over the weekend prior to the runoff, may have created an establishment entitlement to Byrne that served as a grassroots political backlash. However, I believe this to not be the case for a number of reasons. First of all, all of these elected officials are extremely popular, including Governor Riley. It seems unlikely that voters suddenly moved to Bentley because of these last minute endorsements. Secondly, few if any of the voters were even aware of these endorsements beca use there was no time in which to circulate these endorsements throughout the state.

A much more plausible explanation lies in Dr Bentley's ties to both the evangelical grassroots and his physician colleagues across the state. The evangelical community was solidly behind Dr Bentley's candidacy early in the race. In an online poll that Christian Coalition did in early January, both Tim James and Bentley were tied, at that time, behind Judge Roy Moore. Bentley had cultivated a following among evangelicals beginning in early 2009, even before he formally announced his candidacy, by using email messaging targeting evangelicals on a number of issues that he triumphed as a legislator both in 2009 and 2010. At the same time, he sought out Christian Coalition to promote our legislative initiatives and asked for our input with crafting some of his own legislative priorities. By the end of the republican primary, Dr Bentley had sent over 8 million individual email communications, with over 116,000 voters ( of the 123,000 that voted for hi m in the primary ) stating that his communications helped influence their votes. Similarly, pastors openly questioned the assaults on Dr Bentley by the Byrne campaign, which was communicated via email to over 900,000 Alabamians in the waning days of the campaign, which corresponded to a widening of Bentley’s poll margin.

At the same time, physicians across the state were unified in their support. A number of physicians led by fellow classmates Dr Bob Mullins, former President of the Medical Society of Alabama and Dr Gillis Payne, along with others across the state, formed Physicians for Bentley which used cards, letters, and direct communications with patients to encourage them to support Dr Bentley. Thousands of voters ultimately voted for Dr Bentley, because of their faith in their doctor's opinions and their strong support for Dr Bentley. The effort was spearheaded by Dr Wayne Peters of Albertville, a close friend of campaign manager David Ferguson, who personally mailed over 1600 letters.

In the end, several myths about traditional political campaigns were put to rest. Money obviously won't by itself win elections, with Byrne spending over 8 million dollars in his quest for the governor's mansion. Secondly, television ads by themselves, will not win elections. Clearly, they help with name identification, but little else as Alabamians want to understand who you are and what you will do for Alabama. Even in the case of Dr Bentley, if ads had won the race, his poll numbers would not have fallen from 29 to 6 points prior to the runoff, when he spent more on television than during the entire election. Finally, personal relationships win elections. Dr Bentley did several things right, one he met people all over the state for almost 18 months. He was relentless on the campaign trail. Secondly, he used email and new media effectively to talk to voters across the state about his agenda and used it effectively to turn out voters to his cam paign events using targeted email communications, identical to the Huckabee presidential campaign. Finally, he stayed upbeat and positive, was perceived to be genuine, and was able to relate directly to the average voter in Alabama. That’s what won the race for him.

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July 18, 2010 al.com
Developments today in the fight against the Gulf oil spill: A federal official said Sunday that scientists are concerned about a seep and possible methane seen near BP's busted oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. The official is familiar with the spill oversight but would not clarify what is seeping near the well. The official said BP is not complying with the government's demand for more monitoring. BP spokesman Mark Salt declined to comment on the allegation, but said "we continue to work very closely with all government scientists on this." A small band of worshippers gathered at Gulf State Park Pavilion on Sunday to pray for the Gulf and those affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Organized by the Evangelical Environmental Network in concert with the Christian Coalition of Alabama, the dawn service was part of the National Day of Prayer for the Gulf. "People all over the world are praying," said Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian coalition. more

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July 17, 2010 foxnews
Praying for Divine Intervention in the Gulf. The Christian Coalition of Alabama is preparing for a day of prayer in Gulf Shores, AL as Gulf Coast residents await test results from the containment cap on the BP well. The Coalition, led by Dr. Randy Brinson, is also working to partner 10,000 churches from across the country with 100,000 gulf residents to provide aid. Dr. Brinson is in the Gulf working to mobilize local residents, and spoke to Fox’s Brian Wilson on Saturday. In addition to the day of prayer, Brinson said the coalition is developing a website where “churches can adopt people in need and meet every need that families have.” more

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July 18, 2010 cbnnews.com
BP's latest attempt to plug the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico is holding up so far, but sadly, damage has already been done for many coastal cities and residents. Because of that, churches across the country will gather to pray for the Gulf, Sunday July 18. Learn more about the day of prayer for the Gulf Coast here. The national day of prayer was put together by the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Environmental Network. more

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July 17, 2010 usatoday
Evangelical leaders call for 'National Day of Prayer' for Gulf communities hit by oil spill. While prayers have been answered for those who asked for the oil to stop flowing into the Gulf, evangelical leaders say the praying must continue. Workboats operate near the Transocean Development Drilling Rig II at the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, July 16. The wellhead has been capped and BP is continuing to test the integrity of the well before resuming production.This Sunday, churches across the USA plan to hold a "National Day of Prayer for the Gulf" where people will pray for the families impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as well as the wildlife struggling to survive in the polluted waters. Churches along the Gulf Coast -- including those in Port Sulphur, La., and Bayou La Batre, Ala. -- planned to participate in the event to support their congregants who are directly affected by the BP spill. Several congregations in Gulf Shores, Ala., were expected to gather on the beach at Gulf State Park for an inter-denominational service at sunrise July 18. more

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July 16, 2010 cnn.com
Change of prayers in the Gulf.
For the past 60 years, each Sunday from Mother's Day to Labor Day, Foley United Methodist Church has met for a beach service at the state park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. This year the service has been interrupted by the oil disaster. Clean-up efforts forced the congregation from the sandy beach up to a concrete pavilion, "partly due to the relief workers basically taking away our beach. We’re glad they are, but that is the situation," said the Rev. Lance Moore, who has pastored the congregation for six years. “We’re down there praying every week," Moore told CNN's Belief Blog by phone on Thursday. "It’s important for us to pray every week, every Sunday since we’ve been out there since it has happened. Every day we’re down there, we’re praying for some relief.” more

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July 15, 2010 statesman.com
Evangelicals call for day of prayer for Gulf communities this Sunday. Even though this afternoon brings news that the oil spill has been contained completely for the first time in three months, another day of prayer for the residents along the Gulf Coast who will have to deal with the psychological and financial fallout from the spill is scheduled for Sunday. The National Day of Prayer for the Gulf has been organized by the Evangelical Environmental Network and the National Association of Evangelicals. more

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July 18, 2010 wkrg.com
About 100 people gathered in a beach pavilion at Gulf Shores early Sunday to pray for people and wildlife on the Gulf Coast.
They also prayed for an end to the oil crisis. The participants said God, not BP or the government, holds the key to resolving the disaster. The president of Evangelical Environmental Network, Mitch Hescox, said it was God that gave engineers the wisdom to finally cap the spewing oil. The chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, said it wasn't a coincidence that BP announced the cap was working shortly after Congress called for a national day of prayer for the gulf. more

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July 19, 2010 AssociatedBaptistpress
Evangelicals pray for those economically affected by Gulf oil spill The National Association of Evangelicals and Evangelical Environmental Network set aside Sunday, July 18, as a "National Day of Prayer for the Gulf." Mitch Hescox, president and CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network, said he realized a national day of prayer was needed after traveling to the Gulf Coast a few weeks ago and visiting with fisherman concerned about their future. "Real people, everyday people, will continue to be ravaged in the aftermath of Deepwater Horizon," Hescox said. "We realize that the oil spew may be ending, but the effects will last for decades." more

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JULY 12, 2010 CCA
See Beyond Labeling: Democrat, Republican and Independent

As Christians, especially born-again Christians - we are sometimes subject to labeling. It occurs on occasion by detractors of our faith. It happens when people are uninformed or fearful or filled with hate. It can come in the form of a joke or an off-handed remark.

As a member of the Christian Coalition we are labeled as well. Some see us as a monolithic force intent on taking over government and imposing our religious views on Christians and non-Christians alike. Some see us as agents of the Republican Party. A few go even further than that.

Labeling can be a form of laziness. It's an easy way to judge a person (or an organization). It doesn't force us to note the diversity that exists within all of us God's creatures. It doesn't allow for exceptions or variations or diversity.

In political campaigns we start with labels that are often difficult to see beyond: Democrat, Republican and Independent. These labels allow us to prejudge the person and as a result we often misjudge the person or the candidate. We short-change ourselves and the person we pre-judge.

An example is the Alabama Education Association. If you believe Bradley Byrne, the AEA is a monolithic Democratic organization whose sole intent is to block education reform. Worse yet, anyone who ever received support from the AEA is an enemy of the Republican Party.

That kind of labeling is lazy and disingenuous. Here is why.

First, Bradley Byrne has accepted money from the AEA, both when he was a Democrat and then as a Republican. Indeed, he took $20,000 from the AEA in 2004 when he headed the Alabama Leadership Foundation... as a Republican. Mike Hubbard, the chairman of the GOP Party, has received more than $100,000 from AEA via his leadership PAC. Is Mike Hubbard an agent of the Democratic Party or of the AEA?

Second, take a look at the membership of the AEA. Each year the membership of the AEA is surveyed and one of the questions asked is their party affiliation. In the 2010 survey forty percent identified themselves as Republican and twenty percent identify themselves as Independent. That equates to a membership of 40,000 Republicans and 20,000 Independents. That doesn’t sound very monolithic to me.

These are but a couple reasons why I find offensive the "guilt by association" charge leveled at Robert Bentley by Bradley Byrne in regards to the AEA.

First, Bradley Byrne is guilty of an association by his own standards. He has taken their money and he certainly has sided with the AEA on occasion during the course of his political career.

Second, it "labels" Robert Bentley in a manner intended to deceive voters - as though he were a lapdog of Paul Hubbert instead of a Christian, a true conservative, and very fine man. Such labeling is wrong, in my opinion, both morally and factually.

Over the centuries Jesus Christ has been labeled many things by his opponents with the intent of misleading, deceiving or lying to people about his role as our Savior. As a result I am always cautious about labels assigned by others to people or organizations.

Labeling does not allow us to see into the heart and soul of a person. God did not go to the trouble of making us diverse in form and character to be prejudged by those who seek to label us for their political gain. Bradley Byrne should remember that...

Dr. Randy Brinson, MD
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June 30, 2010 CCA After the recount, Christians Need to Be United in the Runoff. In one of the most improbable election years in recent history, it seems the Republican Party is finally learning and listening to the grassroots. At least, most self identified Republicans. After deserting middle class America after the landslide victory of President George W Bush in 2004, Republicans are beginning to embrace the folks that are essential to bringing them back to power. In communities and state primaries across the country, incumbents and the establishment elites of the party are being cast aside for new, upstart candidates, unbridled to the lobbyists and business powerhouses that have typically funded the republican political machinery. Tea party activists, gun owners, doctors, nurses, health care workers, fishermen, and blue collar workers of various trades and crafts, have bonded in to a united front to take back their country from both the big government liberals and the big business power mongrels that seek to control both sides of the political spectrum in order to maintain their stranglehold on power at the expense of the hard working middle class taxpayers. more

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Faith and Politics
By Dr. Randy Brinson Chairman CCA.
The merger of evangelical faith activism and politics has grown exponentially since the early 1980's. The galvanization of Catholic prolife activism with the social activism of the growing evangelical church in the 1970's which was the genesis of today's evangelical movement. Today, I will discuss the highlights of the movement and the implications for Alabama politics. more

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Candidates talk about homeowner insurance at forum

SPANISH FORT, Saturday night, Baldwin County residents had a chance to hear what most of the Alabama gubernatorial candidates had to say about the state of coastal homeowner's insurance and what they would do to fix it if elected.

All but three candidates showed up for the forum presented by the Alabama Christian Coalition and Homeowner's Hurricane Insurance Initiative, and attended by more than 200 residents, according to a count by the organizes. The dais chairs reserved for Republican candidate Tim James and both Democrat candidates, Artur G. Davis and Ron Sparks, were vacant at 7 p.m. when the forum began at The Gathering Place of Spanish Fort United Methodist Church.

http://www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2010/05/28/local_news/doc4bfc18a00d2a9167779511.txt

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May 27, 2010 CCA
The Candidates Record, Not Their Rhetoric, Is What Counts

As the gubernatorial primary race for both the republicans and democrats wines down to the last week, there still remain a substantial number of undecided voters, particularly republicans. This is partially understandable, with the race for the republican nomination seemingly more like an episode of the reality show, “Survivor”, rather than a substantial debate over the issues and who is best qualified to address the vexing problems that are facing our state.

The democratic contest has become increasingly hostile, with both Ron Sparks and Artur Davis making charges and countercharges over the influence of gambling within their campaign. With the ongoing federal investigation over influence peddling, it is difficult to see any clarity on the issue until the investigation is closed. One thing they both did agree on was the need for finality on the issue of the legality of gambling within the state, with Sparks specifically calling for a legalized lottery to fund education.

In the crowded field of 7 republican candidates, we have seen deals made between candidates, attacks and counterattacks, and even third parties weighing in on messaging to the voters about who they think would make the best governor. In reality, the “special interests” are in the fight with their resources and manpower for only one thing, to get power and control of state government, and make their priorities and funding issues go their way. As a result, we have seen the polls tighten to a point where the top 4 candidates, Bentley, Byrne, James, and Moore, are within the margin of error of most reliable polls, with undecided voters still in the balance.

Sadly, we have seen the accusations by Bradley Byrne and Tim James take center stage. Solely based on this war of words, the media declared the battle for the nomination between them, with none of the issues debated having to do with how either of them would address the serious problems of unemployment, health care, environmental issues, and taxes. To their credit, each of them has addressed one problem, education. However, the discussion has been so generic, ranging from expanding the reading initiative, to work force development to expanding the two year college system, it is difficult for the voter to see how they would fund these efforts. Tim James has addressed a few issues, which is taxation, literacy, and immigration, particularly in regard to issuing drivers licenses, but has not given any specific indication as to how he would address falling tax revenues and their impact on the education trust fund or the general fund and how other initiatives would be funded.

Roy Moore has been more visible in recent weeks and combined with television advertisement, has risen back to compete in the top tier of candidates. His emphasis on moral values and confronting the federal government on unfunded mandates has resonated among some of his more ardent supporters, yet policy issues beyond the scope of constitutional issues has been limited.

Bill Johnson has made some credible and meaningful policy statements on economic development, experience he gained as head of the Alabama Dept of Economic and Community Development and tangible ways to reach those goals. He has also brought a spotlight to serious and egregious actions by the governor on issues such as gambling and misuse of state funds, particularly the Capital Improvement Fund, which was to be used for job creation rather than spending of limited taxpayer funded bond money for pork projects. He also was one of the only candidates to address the coastal insurance crisis early on, when homeowners were losing their coverage for no apparent reason. Despite this, his campaign has been hampered by the lack of significant funding which has limited his messaging.

Dr Robert Bentley has benefited from the lack of leadership on issues by most of the remaining candidates. He has steadily moved up in the polls due to his concentration on the primary issue to the voters, job creation. His bill that was signed into law that would create 5,000 new jobs as estimated by the legislative fiscal office by creating tax credits for businesses that employ those presently receiving unemployment benefits from the state. It was the only job bill that passed the legislature. In addition, his proposals on health care access and health care spending on insurance would save hundreds of millions of dollars from the state budget, allowing for alternative funding for a number of new initiatives. His knowledge of the budgetary process would be valuable to anyone serving as governor and his ability to get bills passed in a bipartisan way would prevent the polarization between the governor’s office and the legislature that has plagued the last 8 years of the Riley administration. In a recent forum hosted by the Christian Coalition of Alabama, Dr Bentley was the only candidate to call for a special session to deal with the issue of coastal insurance and make it affordable for all the people of Alabama.

In the end, voters need to look beyond the 30 second sound bites and examine the records and experience of the candidates and examine who they are really beholden to, the people of Alabama or the lobbyists in the legislature. We have several fine candidates for governor, each with unique qualities and characteristics that have served them well in business and in their political careers. Voters need to be discerning as they determine what issues are most important to them and who is best prepared to address them.

Randy Brinson, MD
Chairman, Christian Coalition of Alabama

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May 27, 2010 CCA
Whose Really For Coastal Insurance Reform?

I was extremely honored and privileged to be a part of the recent gubernatorial forum on coastal insurance held at Spanish Fort last weekend. The Christian Coalition of Alabama applauded the work of ACT II and the Hurricane Homeowners Insurance Initiative for helping to organize local churches for the forum and the ongoing work they do to make this issue a priority among political leaders.

The Mobile Press Register has also been extremely helpful in bringing awareness to the issue. The fact that the majority of the homeowners in Baldwin and Mobile county that are having serious increases in their homeowners insurance rates are middle class families and live in their primary residence is probably news to most of the citizens of the rest of Alabama. People being forced from their homes, not because they bought a home they couldn’t afford the mortgage payments, but losing their lifelong home because of unaffordable insurance rates.

The forum brought together most of the republican candidates for governor, with each promising significant action on the issue of insurance reform. However, of all the candidates in attendance, we have the greatest concern over the commitment of Bradley Byrne on this issue. At first glance, this may seem strange. Mr. Byrne is a resident of Baldwin County and has a home that has had its wind coverage canceled. Yet, he unlike a lot of other residents, was able to secure wind coverage outside the wind pool, quite a feat in itself. But, more striking, is the revelation that he has received a total of close to $196,000 in contributions from EdPAC, FaxPAC, Balanced Court PAC, Ed PAC and many others, contributed directly to Bradley Byrne’s campaign immediately after receiving payments from ALFA, with the total reaching over 200,000 dollars and 197,000 going to Bradley Byrne. Much of these donations, along with the maximum donation from Jim Ridling, the existing insurance commissioner, raises questions about his commitment to the issue.

ALFA has directly lobbied to stop any insurance reform bill, even the most modest offered by the Mobile and Baldwin County Republican Legislative Delegation. They have been even singled out by other insurers for stopping insurance reform that is agreeable to all parties. Thus, the contribution to Byrne, if he was to become governor, would raise serious conflict of interest problems for Byrne or his administration if he was governor.

While there are a number of issues that are going to be of importance to the next governor, if insurance reform is foremost on the mind of voters in Baldwin and Mobile County, then it is important that you know the facts regarding those potential conflicts of interest.

Randy Brinson,MD
Chair, Christian Coalition of Alabama

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May 26, 2010 CCA
The Mocking of Christians with Strongly held Beliefs

Recently the national media has focused a great deal of attention on a television ad by the True Republican PAC critical of Bradley Byrne for his support of evolution while on the state school board, as well as his statement in the Mobile Press Register that the Bible is only "partially true."

The television ad can been seen by clicking here.

Most of the news coverage has been mocking of Alabamians who believe in the literal interpretation of the Bible and their belief that it was the hand of God-not evolution-that is the foundation of human life.

The mocking of Christians with strongly held beliefs is nothing new. It started with Jesus Christ who was mocked on the way to Calvary.

While religious beliefs alone do not determine how I vote, I take great comfort in knowing that any candidate I support has a strong set of Christian values that will help guide them when making decisions as a public official. I think it is entirely appropriate to explore the nature of a candidate's relationship with God, knowing full well that each of us is unique in the eyes of God and in our relationship with our Maker.

3byrne Given the controversy over the nature of Bradley Byrne's record on a number of matters of faith, I thought I would lay out the facts as I know them to be and allow the reader to make their own judgments.

Regarding evolution: It is absolutely clear that while on the State School Board, Bradley Byrne authorized the teaching of evolution in our schools. There is no wiggle room on that. And the Birmingham newspaper does summarize Mr. Byrne as having said, "Evolution is clearly the dominant theory that best explains the origin of life on earth."

In fairness to Mr. Byrne, while on the school board, he did encourage the discussion of "creationism" as an alternative view to evolution.

Regarding the Bible: In a story published in the Mobile Press-Register the following two paragraphs are the source of the controversy:

Byrne was an exception, saying it is unimportant whether some details of the Bible, such as people living for hundreds of years, are factually correct.

"I think there are parts of the Bible that are meant to be literally true and parts that are not," Byrne said.

Two months later, Mr. Byrne stated he was misquoted and that he believes every word of the Bible is true. He has repeated that on several occasions since.

The Mobile Press Register reviewed the note from the original interview and adamantly stands by its story. And one has to wonder why it took Mr. Byrne two months to try to correct the record. Was there a recent "conversion" based on political expediency?

The radio ad is critical of Mr. Byrne for working at a law firm (of which he is a partner) that made millions of dollars representing the gambling industry. It is a fact that his law firm made millions of dollars representing the gambling industry - they promote the fact that they represent the gambling industry on their web site. And undoubtedly Mr. Byrne profited from these earnings through profit sharing that occur in such law firms.

However, Mr. Byrne is on record stating he is opposed to gambling. It is unclear whether he supports a referendum on the legalization, regulation and taxation of gambling. Mr. Byrne has been against a referendum that would clarify gambling laws. In addition, he failed to support an amendment by Senator Scott Beason that would have eliminated all gambling.

Finally, the radio ad is critical of Mr. Byrne for sponsoring legislation (which became law) that allowed the Sunday sale of hard liquor in Baldwin County. Everyone, including Mr. Byrne, acknowledges the law did exactly that: permit the sale of hard liquor on Sunday in Baldwin.

In a news story around the time the law went into effect, Mr. Byrne stated he was not aware of this provision in the bill that he sponsored. He admitted he was ultimately responsible for the passage of the bill, but that he only intended to allow the sale of wine and beer on Sunday; not hard liquor.

These are the facts as best I now them. You be the judge.

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May 23, 2010 Montgomery advertiser
$1M ad buy had some hopefuls worried.

It may have wound up being much ado about nothing, but the combination of the state laws that make it easy to conceal where political action committee funds originally came from and a mysterious $1 million fund had candidates worried earlier this week. Before the mysterious New Sons of Liberty group announced it had decided not to go ahead with a proposed $1 million ad buy concerning Alabama's gubernatorial campaign, candidates on both sides of the aisle had expressed concern about the out of state group and its intentions. Politicos wanted to know whom the group was targeting and widespread rumors had been circulating for two weeks. more

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May 22, 2010 al.com
Candidates discuss coastal insurance crisis at forum
By Kim Lanier

SPANISH FORT, Ala. -- More than 200 people turned out at the Gathering Place in Spanish Fort Saturday evening to hear six of the nine gubernatorial candidates discuss south Alabama's skyrocketing homeowners insurance rates.

The forum was hosted by the Christian Coalition of Alabama and Homeowners Hurricane Insurance Initiative. Participating candidates included Robert Bentley, Bradley Byrne, Bill Johnson, Roy Moore, James Potts and Charles Taylor.

"This is important to all of us," coalition chairman Randy Brinson told the Press-Register.

Because coastal counties play such a large role in the state's economy, what bodes badly for residents here also is bad for the state's economy, he said.

"This is a moral issue. This isn't about people with condos on the beach. Here is a problem where average people are in danger of losing their homes" because they can't afford homeowners insurance, he said.

Key points among the candidates were the need for the state Department of Insurance to be able to collect specific data from insurance companies on such things as premiums, payouts, losses and profits, and where the money goes. Candidates also touched on the need for insurance commissioners to remain at arm's length with insurance companies rather than coming from their ranks, and forming a coalition with other coastal state governors that can go up against the federal government and the insurers. more

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May 25, 2010
Press-Register Commentary Opinions, Editorials, Columns and Letters to the Editor from the Press-Register Editorials
Editorial: Prepare for some action on insurance

THE six gubernatorial candidates who showed up for a coastal insurance forum in Spanish Fort over the weekend got a glimpse of the human cost of the crisis in south Alabama’s homeowners’ insurance market. More than 200 local residents attended the event, which was sponsored by the Christian Coalition of Alabama and the Homeowners Hurricane Insurance Initiative. Christian Coalition Chairman Randy Brinson undoubtedly spoke for most of the attendees when he said, "This isn’t about people with condos on the beach. Here is a problem where average people are in danger of losing their homes" because of skyrocketing insurance premiums. more

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May 21, 2010 HHI
Farmers Insurance Company just announced dumping half of its business clients in our area.

As hurricane season approaches, we have tens of thousands of families functionally uninsured.

If we're hit by a hurricane this summer, the insurance companies will pull out.
The Wind Pool will be busted.

There are solutions.

A Transparent Alabama Department of Insurance that's aggressively consumer-oriented is the first step.
A transparent, consumer-oriented DOI is good for ALL Alabama.

How well do the Gubernatorial candidates grasp this? What will they do about Transparency and consumer-power in the DOI?

Who will continue to run away from this?
Who will declare headline-grabbing, do-nothing platitudes?
Who will role up their sleeves and fix it?

This crisis is much too serious to allow any shenanigans. We must require clear, present answers
Attend and learn who can be relied on.

Saturday, May 22. Prayer meeting starts at 6 p.m. Forum starts at 7 p.m.
The Gathering Place, 2530 Spanish Fort Blvd, Spanish Fort

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Christian Coalition of Alabama warns about flurry of ads coming in final days of gubernatorial primaries
By Chuck Dean -- The Birmingham News
May 19, 2010, 2:24PM

The chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, Randy Brinson, today warned Alabama voters to be on the lookout for an attempt by "outside influences" to sway Alabama's upcoming party primaries.

Brinson said research he has done into a group called New Sons of Liberty show that its money is coming from interest groups outside the state who are attempting to influence issues in Alabama including gambling. more

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2010
Contact: Collier Craft
colliercraft@gmail.com
205-757-6927

Christian Coalition of Alabama Holds Press Conference Highlighting Gubernatorial Poll
Candidates will be asked to Sign a Pledge Regarding Curious Out-of-State Ad Buy of $1 Million

Montgomery, AL – A press briefing regarding a recent gubernatorial poll commissioned by the Christian Coalition of Alabama will be held on the front steps of the state Capitol this Wednesday, May 19th at 1PM. Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, will discuss the results of the survey that was conducted May 13th and 14th.

“We commissioned this poll to determine how conservative Christians were responding to these candidates and their campaigns for Governor,”
said Dr. Brinson. “Our poll included 3,700 households randomly selected from across the state pulled from our database of contacts that our organization has compiled over the years.”

In addition to discussing the poll results, Dr. Brinson will request that all gubernatorial candidates sign a pledge that they have not solicited, nor are they aware of the source of the curious $1 million ad buy that has been placed from an unknown, out-of-state interest in all media markets across the state. The ads appear to be planned for the last 10 days leading up to the June 1st primary – May 21st through May 31st.

“We have a critical election this year, as the next Governor will be faced with many challenges – some that we already know are just over the horizon and others not yet known,” Brinson stated. “It’s important that we, as the citizen’s of Alabama, do our job in vetting every candidate and make sure we elect the most experienced person for the job. The last thing we need is to allow special interests from out of state to influence the election of Alabama’s next governor.”

Who: Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama

What: Press Briefing to Discuss Recent Gubernatorial Poll and Pledge

When: Wednesday, May 19th at 1PM

Where: Front Steps of the State Capitol

**To schedule an interview with the Christian Coalition of Alabama’s Chairman, Dr. Randy Brinson, please contact Collier Craft at
205-757-6927 or colliercraft@gmail.com .

About the Christian Coalition of Alabama:
The Christian Coalition of Alabama is a 501c4 nonprofit organization committed to promoting and pursuing the application of Christian principles to public policy that is devoid of partisan politics and convey reasonable conservative solutions to issues that confront government at both the state and federal level. For more information, visit the Christian Coalition’s Web site at: www.ccalabama.org.

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Ken Barnett Ray Boles Brian Taylor

We sent the following questions to the candidates:

1. Why are you seeking the office of State Senate and what specific policy issues or legislative items do you plan to address ?

2. In recent sessions, gambling has dominated the session because the legislature has failed to act to define gambling laws or draft a constitutional amendment that would answer the issue once and for all, in addition, the Indian casino operators have benefitted from the lack of clarity which with the closure of the private venues, Indian gambling operations have expanded, would you support a referendum that would define gambling in Alabama including a referendum that would eliminate the legality of paper bingo since this is the only way that Indian gambling operators could be stopped ?

3. Job creation is the most important issue based on polling of evangelicals across the state. Previous constitutional amendments including the Capital Improvement Projects Amendment has been used for a number of purposes such as the closure of Bryce Hospital and other pork projects instead of long term job creation, Would you agree with the present utilization of the Amendment 666 money and how would you recommend it be used differently?

4. What experience do you bring to the state senate that would be valuable to the voters as you represent them ?

5. What other qualities and issues would you embrace to limit the control of the legislature by special interests ?

See their responses here

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Christian Coalition of Alabama and the Hurricane Homeowners Insurance Initiative Gubernatorial Forum

coastalflood The Christian Coalition of Alabama, along with the Hurricane Homeowners Insurance Initiative, a 501c3 nonprofit ecumenical organization dedicated to advocating for insurance reform in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, will be hosting a gubernatorial forum and prayer service on Saturday, May 22, 2010 starting at 6:00 PM and the forum starting at 7:00 PM at the The Gathering Place at 6530 Spanish Fort Blvd., Spanish Fort, Alabama

Gubernatorial candidates Ron Sparks, Artur Davis, Robert Bentley, Bill Johnson, Judge Roy Moore, and Charles Taylor. The candidates will be questioned by members of the HHII, and the media including the Mobile Press Register.

3sparks 3davis 3bentlley 3johnson 3moore 3taylor

With the impending oil crisis hitting the Mobile area and the rising cost of insurance for primary homeowners, coupled with the economic impact of the crisis, we feel that the voters need to know where the candidates and local officials seeking office stand on the issue.

You can reach us by phone
334-328-0957 or Dan Hanson of HHII at 251-767-0106

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April 28, 2010 Baldwincountynow.com
Christian Coalition getting involved in insurance crisis. Chairman says meetings with gubernatorial candidates will be held.

The Christian Coalition of Alabama is taking up the cause of thousands of coastal property owners who are facing rising insurance rates and wind and hail cancellations.

Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of Montgomery-based CCA, said Friday that between now and the political primaries in June he hopes to spend time with some of the gubernatorial candidates and discuss the insurance crisis that has plagued tens of thousands of homeowners in Baldwin and Mobile counties since 2004.

Brinson said the meetings would hopefully be held at his condo in Baldwin County. Among those he said have shown interest in meeting with CCA and discussing the insurance crisis are Tim James, Robert Bentley and Bill Johnson. Bradley Byrne has not said he would sit down and discuss the issue with CCA to date, Brinson said.

CCA is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote and apply Christian principles to public policy matters on both the state and federal levels.

Asked why CCA has chosen to address the insurance crisis which began locally with the landfall of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Brinson said there is a Biblical mandate to do so. more

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April 5, 2010 CCA
The Evolution of Bradley Byrne and the Leadership of the Alabama Republican Party
By Dr. Randy Brinson, Chairman of Christian Coalition Alabama

It should be no mystery to anyone in the state of Alabama why the Republican Party is so dysfunctional in so many ways. While the grassroots citizenry of our great state identify with the Republican Party on the national level, it frequently fails to translate into support on the state and local level. The actions of the state Republican Party steering committee this past weekend have only further codified these impressions.
BByrnesm
Over the past weekend, the state party steering committee made a series of rulings that were supported by the Bradley Byrne campaign and voted by his supporters within the party machinery. First, they disqualified State Senator Harri Anne Smith from running in the republican primary. Her transgression was her support of Democratic candidate Bobby Bright for Congress .After she had lost in the republican runoff for the Congressional seat vacated by Terry Everett , she chose to support Bright over Jay Love. The party cartel had anointed Jay Love, another Byrne supporter, to be the nominee and actively worked to ensure that he was the nominee, despite the fact that every republican candidate in the race refused to endorse him because he failed to represent the values of the second district. Ultimately, the voters of the district agreed and rejected Mr. Love. So, if they want to sanction Senator Smith, they really need to sanction all the republicans in the district who felt that it was more important to elect a congressman who could relate to them rather than the Republican Party making the choice for them. Their actions ensured victory for Congressman Bright, in one of the most republican districts in the country. more

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Olavo_de_Carvalho March 30, 2010 CCA
Olavo de Carvalho on Communism in Latin America.
Last week I had the distinct pleasure of hosting two of the most renowned pro democracy leaders in all of Latin America. Alejandro Pena of Venezuela and Olava de Carvalho of Brazil were guests of Christian Coalition of Alabama for most of the week as we traveled across our great state to meet and discuss the volatile situation in our neighbors to the South. Alejandro was further honored by an address to the State House of Representatives and honored with a proclamation and joint resolution to be presented to him by Dr Robert Bentley of Tuscaloosa and gubernatorial candidate. Alejandro also spoke to the students and faculty of Auburn University of Montgomery, University of West Alabama, and the University of Alabama. Olavo spoke to the Dothan Rotarians and business leaders in the Wiregrass. Most importantly, these men have risked their lives to fight and defend freedom and courageously have taken on the Marxists dictators and drug lords in Latin America. We must support their efforts to defend freedom lest these foes of democracy seek to harm us and our way of life. If these men are silenced, the Islamic jihadists, drug lords, and Marxists will threaten our security and way of life, just across our southern borders instead of remote areas of the Middle East. more

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The CCA congratulates Dr. Bentley on the passage of his Jobs bill
February 24, 2010 Montgomery Advertiser

The Alabama House has passed a bill sponsored by a Re¬publican candidate for governor that's designed to get state resi¬dents off unemployment rolls. More

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Alabama House approves PACT bailout package
February 25, 2010 Al.com

The Alabama House passed three bills Thursday that supporters say will ensure classroom costs are paid for 45,000 children whose parents bought contracts in the state's PACT. More
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CCA Mourns the Passage of Warren Beck
25 February Newstalk1079

A moment of silence was held in the House of Representatives Thursday in memory of Representative Warren Beck of Geneva County. more
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Legislator seeks state song
February 6, 2010 Gadsen Times

Is Alabama's state song going to be “Sweet Home Alabama” or “Stars Fell on Alabama?”

State Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay, played versions of both at last week's House Tourism and Travel Committee and challenged committee attendees to sing the praises of both songs. He wants one to be used to help promote Alabama as a tourist destination.

Jimmy Buffett, a Mobile native, sings “Stars Fell on Alabama” and that's the version of the 1934 song that Morrow played. The “Sweet Home Alabama” version he played was Lynyrd Skynyrd's version.

“Most (other states) have state songs,” Morrow said. more

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Liberty, Justice, and Gambling
March 1, 2010 CCA News

The first salvo in the battle over electronic bingo in the state of Alabama was fired today at the State House here in Montgomery. At a press event today, several members of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, along with Jimmy Jackson, Dan Ireland, and others, renewed their opposition to the expansion of gambling and introduced a previous resolution calling on the Legislature to likewise oppose any expansion of gambling.

As the Legislature and the people of Alabama ponder the most prudent route to take on the issue of gambling, the issue has taken an even more politically precarious posturing due to the recent opening of Country Crossings in Dothan. Thousands of electronic bingo machines, that the Houston County Commission and local law enforcement have deemed legal pursuant to a local constitutional amendment allowing bingo operations, are now operating at the venue. Recently, the governor’s anti-gambling task force has threatened to raid the newly opened facility, and the county has responded by opposing Riley and requesting an injunction from the local district judge to block the raid, allowing the task force search warrant to expire. The Alabama Supreme Court recently overruled the trial court on the issue. read more

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Gambling Must Be Controlled by Referendum.

In a recent op-ed piece by Gary Palmer of the Alabama Policy Institute, a number of assumptions are made and incorrect case law is cited in his critique of the Christian Coalition of Alabama's examination of the legal parameters that affect the operation of electronic bingo and other forms of bingo within the state of Alabama and that conducted by the Poarch Creek Indians in Atmore and Elmore County.

Needless to say, the interpretation of the legality of bingo and the intent of the numerous constitutional amendments dealing with both paper and electronic bingo needs definitive clarity in order for those who oppose expansion of gambling to have any comfort reducing access to gambling. Simply closing casinos operating at Victoryland and Country Crossing doesn’t achieve that ends, as has been reported recently in the Wall Street Journal, in which thousands of patrons are simply going to Indian operations and spending their money at these institutions instead.
read more

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ALABAMA VOICES: Referendum essential
February 15, 2010 Montgomery Advertiser

In a recent Alabama Voices column by Gary Palmer of the Alabama Policy Institute, a number of assumptions are made and incorrect case law is cited in his critique of the Christian Coalition of Alabama's examination of the legal parameters that affect the operation of electronic bingo and other forms of bingo within Alabama and that conducted by the Poarch Creek Indians in Atmore and Elmore County. more

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James, Bentley Shake on Policy
Ivey "Burns" Byrne on Solutions to PACT

The Christian Coalition of Alabama hosted a lively debate among the leading candidates for governor Tuesday in Montgomery, AL at Taylor Road Baptist Church. The format was the first true debate, although the candidates rarely took the opportunity to go on the offensive with each other.

At least until later in the questioning, when Kay Ivey scolded Bradley Byrne over his suggested solution to the PACT funding crisis. Ms. Ivey opined and presented to the audience her 3 point solution to the PACT plan which included prepaying the universities that participated in the PACT payments based on a 5 year rolling average of payments and then requiring the universities to honor the PACT recipients in the future based on the number of contracts that they had been prepaid. Mr. Byrne stated that the next governor needed to sit down with the university presidents to come to a solution. Ms Ivey retorted that "Mr. Byrne, you were on the board for the last 5 years, and know that the 4 year universities only say NO, NO, NO...." Mr. Byrne was in fact a board member during the time of the decline in the PACT receipts and no solution had been reached during that time period.

Artur Davis and Ron Sparks both got into a dispute over solutions to the state budget. Davis stating that Sparks was the only one on the stage that supported the Obama health care plan with Sparks firing back that Davis had received thousands of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry to stop his support. Davis also chided Sparks with banking on gambling to support the state budget shortfalls, while Sparks challenged the rest of the field to remedy the nearly 600 million potential budget shortfall, without raising individual or corporate taxes.

Tim James and Robert Bentley both supplemented the debate with specific policy initiatives that would help fund the state budgets and also create jobs. Dr. Bentley had introduced legislation, HB 260, which would give a business tax deduction of up to 50% of an employee’s salary if he remained in that position for one year. It has been projected to generate over 5,000 new jobs. Mr. James highlighted the problem with the growing state budgets and specifically, the education trust fund growing to over 6 billion dollars from 3.5 billion in 2003, with the same number of students, which was unsustainable. He also supported the specific job tax credits and health care proposals outlined by Dr. Bentley, stating during the forum, "I defer to Dr Bentley's expertise" and then embracing him.

Bill Johnson highlighted his experience with the Alabama Dept of Economic Development and his partnerships with faith based institutions as means to be an economic stimulus and promote jobs. Dr. Bentley highlighted his experience as a physician, veteran, small business man, and the only lifetime Republican, except Tim James, who was too young to remember Alabama being all Democrat and proclaimed the state is sick and they need a doctor... It might be the best remembered phrase of the campaign.

http://vbuttons.com/vbutton.php?clip_id=6327

Bradley Byrne - CCA Forum Statement

http://vbuttons.com/vbutton.php?clip_id=6328

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For Immediate Release:
February 4th 2010

"The Christian Coalition is involved in dozens of issues across the state that have nothing to do with gaming and receive support from many, many organizations. We have not solicited contributions from the gaming industry, directly or indirectly through PAC. In fact, to insure that this is not an issue in the future we will no longer accept any contributions from any PAC for any purpose."

Dr. Randy Brinson
Chairman, Christian Coalition, Alabama

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February 2, 2010 Montgomery Advertiser
Alabama Supreme Court defines 'electronic bingo'
The lack of clarity over the type of electronic gambling that Alabama does or does not allow is finally being cleared up by the state Supreme Court, but don't expect that to bring an end to the midnight raids on gambling establishments around the state. more

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For Immediate Release:
February 2nd, 2010
Media Contact
Collier Craft
205-757-6927

Christian Coalition of Alabama to Host Gubernatorial Forum

All Candidates Slated to Attend

Montgomery, AL - The Christian Coalition of Alabama will host its second gubernatorial forum at 7:00 PM, February 8th, 2010 at Taylor Road Baptist Church located at 1685 Taylor Rd. in Montgomery, AL. Candidates for the Democratic nomination Congressman Artur Davis and Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks will be in attendance, as will candidates for the Republican nomination Robert Bentley, Bradley Byrne, State Treasurer Kay Ivey, Tim James, Bill Johnson, and Judge Roy Moore. The forum is expected to last approximately 90 minutes, and candidates will answer questions posed to them by a panel.

"We're thrilled with the opportunity to have all the candidates on one stage," said Dr. Randy Brinson, Chairman of the CCA. "Alabamians want to know what issues matter most to the candidates, where they stand, and how their values shape their policy decisions. This forum provides the perfect chance for candidates and voters to come together and discuss the issues."

The forum will cover a wide range of topics but will focus on the economy, jobs, education, health care, and moral issues. Members of the panel are Dr David Lanoue, Chairman, Dept of Political Science, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL; Ms. Cheryl Ciamarra, Alabama United for Life, Birmingham, AL; Rev. John Ed Mathison, John Ed Mathison Ministries, Montgomery, AL; Ms. Eileen Jones, WSFA, Montgomery, AL; Dr Leon Davis, Community Care Network, Practicing Internist, Montgomery, AL; Dr Allen Gribben, Chairman, English Dept, Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, AL.

Asked why he decided to host this forum, Dr. Brinson said, "Many of issues that we discussed in the previous forum began conversations that should be taking place over the course of this campaign. We want to continue these discussions to remain engaged in the process and to see where these candidates stand today on issues important to the Christian community."

WHAT: Gubernatorial Forum
WHO: Candidates for Governor
WHERE: Taylor Road Baptist Church, 1685 Taylor Rd., Montgomery, AL
WHEN:Monday, February 8th at 7PM

**To schedule an interview with Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, Dr. Randy Brinson, please contact Collier Craft at 205-757-6927 or colliercraft@gmail.com.

About the Christian Coalition of Alabama:
The Christian Coalition of Alabama is a 501c4 nonprofit organization committed to promoting and pursuing the application of Christian principles to public policy that is devoid of partisan politics and convey reasonable conservative solutions to issues that confront government at both the state and federal level. For more information, visit the Christian Coalition of Alabama’s Web site at www.ccalabama.org .

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Statement on the early morning raids of Country Crossings and Victoryland.
wtvynews4 - Jan 29, 2010

The incidences today both at Country Crossings and Victoryland in Macon County further substaniate the need for both sides in the debate over the legality of gambling in the state to pause and step back so that a reasoned and thoughtful approach to addressing gambling can be formulated. I was terribly grieved by the fact that at a time when there is limited resources to address both public safety and job creation in the state, the governor dispatched hundreds of troopers and other public safety officials to conduct these operations, with little regard for the exposure of the public to dangerous drivers or other potential public safety hazards across the state.

The Attorney General correctly asserted that he is the dutifully elected official to deal with the enforcement of the laws of our state, including those that deal with gambling. The actions by the governor if found to be in violation of the Constitution, further exposes the taxpayers to litigation and costly damages that would be borne by all of us. The statement by DA John Tyson that the state statues prohibit the operation of slot machines is irrelevant if there is a constitutional amendment that allows for electronic bingo.. This particularly relevant since recognized experts in the field of gambling legislation have asserted that as long as any bingo operations are allowed, including paper bingo in the state of alabama, then the state will have no legal recourse to deal with Indian gambling on Indian sovereign land, where the same electronic bingo machines have not been designated slot machines by the federal government.

Endless court challenges and legal maneuvers are clearly not the answer to solving these differences, It is clearly the need for a vote of the people to either allow or eliminate gambling in the state, and do so in a responsible manner. I fear that the continued activity by the governor with little regard for settled case law, only lends more credibility to those that want to see gambling proliferate and weakens the public support for those of us that seek its elimination.

Regards,
Dr. Randy Brinson

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Jan 26, 2010, al.com Christians fight back over bingo: Etowah church tries to join suit; rally held in Dothan. more

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RobertBentley2010.com Thank you for Attending Pro-Life Legislative Day. more

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Jan 22, 2010 southunionstreet.blogspot.com Moore camp claims lead in GOP primary. more

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January 22, 2010 Montgomery Al.
What the candidates say about Dr Randy Brinson and Christian Coalition of Alabama
Judge Roy Moore Campaign Press Conference – Jan 22, Montgomery Alabama
http://www.moore2010.com/?p=885

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Dec 22, 2009 dothanfirst.com
Are They Bingo Or Slot Machines?
There are over 1700 gaming machines at Country Crossing. Red Hot 7's, Double Diamond, White Ice, Triple Strike, Quick Hit, Double Dollars---wait a minute. Aren't those slot machines that you would find in Las Vegas, Biloxi, and Atlantic City?. Yes they are! Or are they? more

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Seen on US Hwy 15-501 at Lamm’s Grove intersection near Durham, NC

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Media Alert
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 2nd, 2009
Contact: Collier Craft
colliercraft@gmail.com
205-757-6927

The Christian Coalition of Alabama Supports Kay Ivey’s PACT Partnership

Montgomery – Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, is supporting the recently proposed plan by state treasurer, Kay Ivey, known as the PACT Partnership. The proposal is a funding solution to Alabama’s PACT program that was significantly reduced due to investments in the stock market, which crashed last winter.

“A partnership is by far the most effective way we can solve this crisis in a timely manner for all parents of children preparing to attend college, as well as those already enrolled by means of PACT funding,” said Dr. Brinson. “It’s encouraging to see Secretary Ivey come forward with a real solution that will work and one that all of us can play a role.”

During the last legislative session, Dr. Brinson worked with Senator Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) and Representative Robert Bentley (R-Tuscaloosa) to encourage all lawmakers to come together to solve the PACT crisis. Thousands of Alabamians have been investing in the PACT program since 1990 with the understanding that their children’s college tuition costs would be covered.

Brinson stated, “The Christian Coalition of Alabama cares deeply about our state’s families – and especially for children. People need to know that the ‘Partnership for PACT’ is the best proposal yet for making sure tens of thousands of PACT students get the education their families paid for, and to protect hardworking Alabama taxpayers so they don’t get stuck with the bill.”

**To schedule an interview with Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, Dr. Randy Brinson, please contact Collier Craft at 205-757-6927 or colliercraft@gmail.com .

About the Christian Coalition of Alabama:
The Christian Coalition of Alabama is a 501c4 nonprofit organization committed to promoting and pursuing the application of Christian principles to public policy that is devoid of partisan politics and convey reasonable conservative solutions to issues that confront government at both the state and federal level. For more information, visit the Christian Coalition of Alabama’s Web site at www.ccalabama.org.

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November 22, 2009
Politics4all.com
Gambling Sucking All Political Air in Alabama
more
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Nov 22, 2009
Nativebiz.com
Riley, officials disagree over slot definition
more
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November 21, 2009
WashingtonPost.com
Christian leaders take issue with laws
Same-sex marriage measure in spotlight . more
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November 21, 2009 Baldwincountynow.com
Riley’s tilting at gambling wind mills. Whil
e we have been strolling down memory lane reminiscing about our past governor’s races, the ever-present electronic bingo issue has been percolating around Goat Hill As always, our current governor, Bob Riley, has been engrossed in the issue.more
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Washington Post Staff Writer
Christian leaders take issue with laws
Defense of beliefs urged Same-sex marriage measure in spotlight
By Michelle Boorstein and Hamil R. Harris

Conservative Christian leaders unveiled a declaration Friday calling on Christians not to comply with rules and laws forcing them to accept abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideals that go against their religious doctrines.
The declaration urges Christians to practice civil disobedience to defend their convictions, even though some signers of the document backed away from the strong language.

The Catholic Archbishop of Washington, Donald W. Wuerl, was among the first signers of the Manhattan Declaration. He appeared at a news conference in the District on Friday to announce it, even as the church was considering a city-proposed compromise on its same-sex marriage measure. Church officials say the bill, as it stands, would require faith groups, such as the church-run Catholic Charities, to extend benefits to married same-sex partners, an example of what the declaration's authors see as a violation of religious liberty law.

"We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them," the declaration says. It lists the "fundamental truths" as the "sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife, and the rights of conscience and religious liberty."

The declaration is signed by more than 125 Orthodox, Catholic and evangelical leaders. Other leaders at the news conference at the National Press Club included Cardinal Justin Rigali, outgoing chairman of the U.S. Catholic bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities; Pentecostal leader Harry Jackson, pastor of a Beltsville church, and evangelical activist Tony Perkins. Other signers include evangelical leader and Watergate-era figure Chuck Colson and academics Timothy George and Robert George.

The leaders are urging the public to sign the online document.

The declaration notes that Christianity has taught over the centuries "that civil disobedience is not only permitted, but sometimes required." People who signed the declaration, however, were vague about how they hoped Christians would respond to it.
Wuerl's office downplayed the civil disobedience wording, saying he wasn't urging Catholics to "do anything specific," said his spokeswoman Susan Gibbs. "That wasn't something we had talked about."

Asked if appearing at the news conference seemed at odds with the spirit of negotiation over the same-sex marriage measure, Gibbs said no. "There's a difference between working out language in a bill and compromising our belief system."
D.C. Council member David A. Catania (I-At Large) said, "It's a shame they don't extend the same efforts to issues that really matter, like health care and homelessness."
The declaration was more than a year in the making, starting with meetings in Manhattan, and comes amid other efforts by conservative religious leaders around the world to coalesce. The most obvious sign of that came this fall, with an overture by Pope Benedict XVI to orthodox Anglicans who have left the Episcopal Church over the issue of homosexuality.
Some political activists said the declaration was evidence of evangelical leaders trying to lure back Catholics who voted Democratic in 2006 and last year.

"Privately they're saying, 'look what happened when we let Democrats, even pro-life Democrats get into power,' " said R. Randolph "Randy" Brinson, a conservative activist who founded Redeem the Vote, a national effort to get young evangelicals to vote. "They're trying to re-poach that territory."

Although the declaration's positions are hardly new for religious conservatives, it says social ills have been exacerbated by the election of pro-choice President Obama, as well as a general erosion of what it calls "marriage culture" with the rise of divorce, greater acceptance of infidelity and the uncoupling of marriage from childbearing.
Staff writer Tim Craig contributed to this report.
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Nov 18, 2009
The Annison Star
by Randy Brinson
Reform we really need. more
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Nov 18, 2009
Prattville Progress
Steve Flowers: Localized bingo repeatedly ruled legal; lottery talk again stirs beehive
more
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November 18, 2009
The Atmore Advance
Riley pushes himself into electronic bingo debate. more
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November 17, 2009
Mountaineagle.com
Riley's obsessive irrationality with the gambling quagmire
more
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On November 14 the Christian Coalition of Alabama and the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network held a food drive for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. It was a tremendous success. We had 50 volunteers which gathered a trailer full and truck load of food. Also, raised around $3,000. A very good day.
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October 29, 2009 montgomeryadvertiser.com
ALABAMA VOICES: Battling over bingo.
By Randy Brinson

The recent federal court ruling in Madison County is constructive in understanding the complexity of the gambling laws within the state and particularly how state laws would apply to Indian gaming operations within the state of Alabama.more

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Oct 29, 2009
montgomeryadvertiser.com ...
Dr. Randy Brinson
ALABAMA VOICES: Battling over bingo more
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October 23, 2009
WTVY News4
AL Christian Group Calls for Gaming Vote. more.

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Oct 23, 2009,
wtvynews4.com
AL Christian Group Calls for Gaming Vote
The Christian Coalition of Alabama sent a letter to every Alabama lawmaker, calling for a statewide vote on gambling.more
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Oct 21, 2009,
The Annison Star
Rolling the dice on gambling.
The recent federal court ruling in Madison County helps explain the complexity of Alabama's gambling laws and how they would apply to Indian gaming operations within the state.
Judge Linwood Smith, in ruling that the gambling operation in Madison County was illegal, went to specific lengths to say the court was not ruling on the legality of electronic bingo and was ruling only on how bingo was operated. This is important since Gov. Bob Riley's gambling task force has repeatedly asserted that if a federal or state court ruled that electronic bingo was illegal, then all bingo operations, both private and those operated by Indian tribes in Alabama, would be illegal. read more
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For Immediate Release: October 16th, 2009
Contact: Collier Craft / colliercraft@gmail.com / 205-757-6927

Gubernatorial Candidates Sign Pledge To Uphold Integrity of Office if Elected

Montgomery, AL “ A press briefing regarding the signing of the Governor’s Integrity Pledge was held on the steps of the state capitol today.Â The pledge, which Christian Coalition of Alabama chairman Dr. Randy Brinson asked each gubernatorial candidate to sign, states that any person holding the office of governor shall uphold the integrity of that office and ensure that the trust of Alabamians not be violated by the governor’s office.Â Candidates Robert Bentley, Bill Johnson and Ron Sparks were in attendance, as were representatives from the Bradley Byrne, Artur Davis, Kay Ivey and Tim James campaigns.Â All candidates have stated their support for the pledge.

This pledge is a commitment by these candidates, running for the highest office in the state of Alabama, to uphold the integrity of the office and responsibilities vested to them by the people of Alabama, said Dr. Brinson.

Specifically, the pledge states: The Office of the Governor, being the highest and most visible position in state government, sets the tone for leadership, trust and integrity for the great State of Alabama.Â If elected Governor, I pledge to uphold the highest integrity of this Office and ensure that the trust of the citizens of Alabama in this Office is not violated or brought into question by any action, inaction, or decision in the discharge of my official duties which would materially impact the financial interest of me, my spouse, my siblings, my children or the spouses of my children whether residing within or without my immediate household.

Dr. Brinson said he hopes the pledge will help bolster the prestige of the governorâ€™s office and give the candidates an opportunity to make a tangible agreement with each other and Alabama voters.Â â€œWe want to try our best to guarantee that our state’s next governor is committed to the ethical values that will help lead Alabama and its citizens in a positive direction, Dr. Brinson said.

MORE on the Gubernatorial Pledge

**To schedule an interview with the Christian Coalition of Alabamaâ€™s Chairman, Dr. Randy Brinson, please contact Collier Craft at 205-757-6927 or colliercraft@gmail.com.
About the Christian Coalition of Alabama
The Christian Coalition of Alabama is a 501c4 nonprofit organization committed to promoting and pursuing the application of Christian principles to public policy that is devoid of partisan politics and convey reasonable conservative solutions to issues that confront government at both the state and federal level. For more information, visit the Christian Coalitionâ€™s Web site at CCAlabama.org

Quotes from Joseph Hollis:
Joseph Hollis, is a member of the board of Christian Coalition of Alabama
and member of Fresh Anointing Church, in Montgomery Al
Regarding: Christian Coalition of Alabama
The absolutely NEW Christian Coalition (of Alabama) has begun the business ofÂ breaking stereotypes and solidifying the tone for the conducting of business in Alabama. As walls are broken, real Christians will emerge with a single, real voice that will permeate culture and motivate social revival and renewal.
Regarding: Dr. Randy Brinson
Dr. Randy Brinson has accepted the call to guide the winds of change in the State of Alabama. His practical display of the gospel of Jesus Christ through public policy will revolutionize American thinking and challenge all Americans to live both righteous and just lives.
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October 11, 2009. AL.com
Rolling the dice on bingo in Alabama
By Randy Brinson

The recent federal court ruling in Madison County is instructive in understanding the complexity of the gambling laws in Alabama, and particularly how state laws would apply to Indian gaming operations within Alabama. more
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Christian Coalition of America supporters gain victories and suffer losses in Obamacare bill
Press Release
Christian Coalition of America
Roberta Combs, President
Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Yesterday, supporters of Christian Coalition of America gained several victories during a Senate committee debate on Obamacare, including the defeat of the two "government option" proposals and a 12-11 victory for Senator Orrin Hatch's amendment restoring the $50 million for abstinence-only education which had been eliminated by the Democrat-controlled Congress.Â Christian Coalition thanks its supporters for all their calls, faxes, emails, etc. to their Senators to gain these victories.Â

Today, in the Senate Financial Services Committee, an amendment to prevent federal funding for abortions was defeated by a 13-10 vote.Â Democrat Senator Kent Conrad from North Dakota voted for Senator Orrin Hatch's amendment and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe from Maine voted against the Hatch amendment.Â

The Democrat majority on the Senate committee also defied the will of the overwhelming majority of the American people and voted 13-10 against a Hatch amendment providing conscience clause protections for health care workers who do not want to participate in abortions.

"The defeat of both 'government option' amendments and the bipartisan vote in the Senate Financial Services Committee on the Hatch abstinence amendment yesterday is a good start.Â We are disappointed in the defeats of both Hatch amendments today ensuring no federal dollars will go to pay for abortions and ensuring conscience protections for health care workers," said Roberta Combs, President of the Christian Coalition of America.Â "The committee majority defied the will of 75% of the American people who do not want their tax dollars going to fund abortions, even including many of those who support abortions."

Christian Coalition of America supporters need to keep up their opposition to the government-run health care legislation as proposed by the Democrats in Congresss and to make sure that abortion and assisted suicide are not funded and to ensure abstinence-only education is funded.Â Indeed, opposition to such a plan has now reached an all-time high in the national polls; a paltry 41% of Americans now support government-run health care.Â Senator Max Baucus' bill needs to be soundly defeated.
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The Christian Coalition of Alabama provided the citizens of our state
a quality opportunity to see and here the candidates for governor answer
hard questions on big issues. I hope everyone will take the time to watch
this video below so they can judge for themselves who is the best person to
lead this state in 2010

Watch a replay of the webcast here
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6 of 8 gubernatorial candidates show for early forum

Montgomery Advertiser August 25, 2009
Markeshia Ricks • mricks@gannett.com •

A candidate forum Monday night was the first formal opportunity for Montgomery residents to see six of the eight candidates running for governor in 2010. It will be far from their last.

The Christian Coalition of Alabama forum is part of the growing list of public appearances the gubernatorial candidates are making - and there are still 10 months before the primary elections.

Candidates have participated in forums sponsored by the Business Council of Alabama and by various local clubs of their respective parties. The invitations have come so fast and furiously that the gubernatorial hopefuls say their strategy is to try to get to as many forums as they can while juggling jobs, family and other political responsibilities.

There are five Republicans and two Democrats running for governor. Only Democratic candidate and current State Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Ron Sparks and Republican candidate and current State Treasurer Kay Ivey did not participate in Monday's forum.

Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, said that it's amazing that candidates are campaigning this early, but he believes there is a reason for that.

"One thing is that there is a political void in the state and people are yearning to find a voice in politics," he said. "The other thing is that one of these men or the woman who is running is going to be our next governor and people want to hear from them."

Republican candidate and state Rep. Robert Bentley, R-Tuscaloosa, said that candidate forums have been good for him because they level the playing field with candidates who are perceived as frontrunners.

"If you excel in forums, people look at you in a different light," he said.

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, said because candidates made their announcements so early, there is an expectation that they must face the voters early and often. That's a challenge for Davis since he still is a sitting member of Congress, but he's already prepared to miss some votes, particularly as the primary approaches next year.
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Davis said it's been good that some of the forums have been bipartisan.

"The truth is some of the people who come to this event wouldn't come to watch just Democrats debate and some wouldn't come just to watch Republicans," he said. "I think that is a positive for my campaign.'

Brinson said the coalition made it a point to bring together a diverse crowd of people to see the candidates in person, but also via an Internet broadcast. More than 1.2 million people were able to see the forum using their computers.

Several candidates said they had concerns that voters might tire of constantly hearing about the governor's race, but noted that because campaigning started so early it's unavoidable.

Republican candidate and former state community college chancellor Bradley Byrne said he questioned whether he should have started campaigning as early as he did, but so many candidates were working so hard that he had to jump in.

"The level of interest and the intensity I've seen so far makes me think this is a special election to people," he said. "They are very concerned about the issues and are coming out in large numbers. This might be one of those years where early campaigning and frequent appearances are just what the doctor ordered."

That's the perspective that Republican candidate and Greenville businessman Tim James is taking.

He was the first candidate to announce his intentions to run for governor, and he, like the rest of the candidates, has been crisscrossing the state participating in forums and meeting voters.

"The public is paying attention for a lot of reasons, like the economy," he said. "There is a lot of anxiety among people about what's happening and what's coming out of Washington."
Brinson said bringing people together to hear from those who want to lead the state is exactly what the coalition's forum was created to do, and it won't be the last.

"We'll probably have a series of forums," Brinson said. "We'll definitely have one closer to the primaries, and one with the two candidates who ultimately win those primaries."

Republican candidates Bill Johnson and former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore said they're not concerned that people will grow tired of gubernatorial politics before Election Day comes next year.

Johnson said he's scheduled to attend as many forums as he can get to because it's an opportunity to get his message out to the people.

"I'll alleviate (voter fatigue) by presenting new and refreshing ideas," he said.

Moore, who ran for governor in 2006, said forums are important, but they often are tinged by the agenda of the people who are hosting them.

He said as a candidate, he tries to maintain a balance between forums and getting out to meet voters. Moore added that while campaigning has started early, 9 or 10 months can go by pretty quickly.

"If you look at it, you've got a few months and then it will be Christmas," he said. "After that it starts up again. It's not a long time at all."

Davis said it's been good that some of the forums have been bipartisan.

"The truth is some of the people who come to this event wouldn't come to watch just Democrats debate and some wouldn't come just to watch Republicans," he said. "I think that is a positive for my campaign.'

Brinson said the coalition made it a point to bring together a diverse crowd of people to see the candidates in person, but also via an Internet broadcast. More than 1.2 million people were able to see the forum using their computers.

Several candidates said they had concerns that voters might tire of constantly hearing about the governor's race, but noted that because campaigning started so early it's unavoidable.

Republican candidate and former state community college chancellor Bradley Byrne said he questioned whether he should have started campaigning as early as he did, but so many candidates were working so hard that he had to jump in.

"The level of interest and the intensity I've seen so far makes me think this is a special election to people," he said. "They are very concerned about the issues and are coming out in large numbers. This might be one of those years where early campaigning and frequent appearances are just what the doctor ordered."

That's the perspective that Republican candidate and Greenville businessman Tim James is taking.

He was the first candidate to announce his intentions to run for governor, and he, like the rest of the candidates, has been crisscrossing the state participating in forums and meeting voters.

"The public is paying attention for a lot of reasons, like the economy," he said. "There is a lot of anxiety among people about what's happening and what's coming out of Washington."
Brinson said bringing people together to hear from those who want to lead the state is exactly what the coalition's forum was created to do, and it won't be the last.

"We'll probably have a series of forums," Brinson said. "We'll definitely have one closer to the primaries, and one with the two candidates who ultimately win those primaries."

Republican candidates Bill Johnson and former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore said they're not concerned that people will grow tired of gubernatorial politics before Election Day comes next year.

Johnson said he's scheduled to attend as many forums as he can get to because it's an opportunity to get his message out to the people.

"I'll alleviate (voter fatigue) by presenting new and refreshing ideas," he said.

Moore, who ran for governor in 2006, said forums are important, but they often are tinged by the agenda of the people who are hosting them.

He said as a candidate, he tries to maintain a balance between forums and getting out to meet voters. Moore added that while campaigning has started early, 9 or 10 months can go by pretty quickly.

"If you look at it, you've got a few months and then it will be Christmas," he said. "After that it starts up again. It's not a long time at all."
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August 25, Al.com Six candidates for Alabama governor participate in Christian Coalition forum
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/08/five_republicans_and_one_democ.html

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August 25, wsfa news 12 wsfa.com Voters get early look at gubernatorial candidates
http://www.wsfa.com/global/story.asp?s=10984210

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Christian Coalition of Alabama is pleased to announce that it is hosting a gubernatorial forum on August 24, 2009 at 7 pm at Taylor Road Baptist Church, in Montgomery, AL, located at the corner of Taylor Road and Berrington, next to the Shoppes at EastChase.

The attendees will be Artur Davis and Ron Sparks, candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor, and Robert Bentley, Bradley Byrne, Tim James, Bill Johnson and Judge Roy Moore seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

The forum will last approximately 90 minutes, covering topics such as health care, education, the economy, and moral issues, with candidates given rotating questions from a distinguished panel representing the faith community.

Those interested in attending can obtain tickets can download it right here, or from Taylor Road Baptist Church or from the Christian Coaliton of Alabama directly at 451 St Lukes Drive, Montgomery, Al 36117

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