When you are a Republican and even Glenn Beck is joining the chorus of liberal critics about something you have said, you know you’re in trouble.

Count the Fox News and radio talk meister among those upset by Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley’s inauguration day remarks that non-Christians are not his brothers.

Beck replayed Bentley’s comments for his nationally syndicated radio audience last week. Beck also played Bentley’s apology, in which he said he needed to choose his words more carefully.

Beck said the problem was with the sentiment, not the wording. A true messenger of Jesus Christ, he said, must consider every person a brother or sister.

"Even Luke Skywalker recognized that Darth Vader was his father," Beck said.

Later, he added, "Governor, you are sadly mistaken about your Christianity."

Beck did not go so far as to retroactively endorse defeated Democratic candidate Ron Sparks. But he did suggest it could be a deal-breaker if he could not convince Bentley that he was wrong.

"If I were in your state, I couldn’t vote for you," he said.

Bonner wins spots on congressional panels

U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, has won spots on two congressional panels that could give the area a greater voice on defense contracts and economic policy, Bonner said in a news release.

Bonner, who remains a member of the influential House Appropriations Committee, will now join that group’s defense and financial services subcommittees.

"With an increasing emphasis on the growth of the defense industry in south Alabama, and given Alabama’s substantial military infrastructure and defense-related employment statewide, I believe my new assignment on this subcommittee will provide significant benefit to our state and region in the coming years," he said in the statement.

"I’m also pleased to have been selected to serve on the financial services subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over a number of federal agencies playing key roles in our economy, including the Treasury Department, Office of Management and Budget, Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission, to name but a few," he said.

Bonner continues his role on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. In addition, he has been named chairman of the House Ethics Committee.

Area senators land key assignments

Mobile-area Republicans landed key leadership positions in the Alabama Senate under a series of committee assignments announced recently by the GOP.

State Sen. Trip Pittman of Montrose will serve as chairman of the Finance and Taxation-Education Committee, which has responsibility for the state education budget.

Sen. Ben Brooks of Mobile will serve as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Brooks will also serve as co-chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and vice chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee.

State Sen. Rusty Glover of Semmes will serve as chairman of the Business and Labor Committee and vice chairman of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

The upcoming session of the state Legislature begins March 1.

Constitution Party seeks candidates



While Democrats have shown little enthusiasm to run for the state House seat being vacated by former Rep. Spencer Collier, R-Irvington, Republicans could still face a challenge from another party.

The Constitution Party of Alabama announced Thursday that it was searching for candidates to run for House District 105.

"We believe it is an opportunity for fresh, bold and new leadership for District 105 and south Mobile County," the party said in a news release.

The release asked interested candidates to contact JHolland@CPAlabama.org or JCassity@CPAlabama.org.

No special election date has been announced for the vacancy, created when Collier left the seat to join Gov. Robert Bentley’s administration.

Four Republicans have said they will run for the seat, while another two are considering it.

Leaders with the state and local branches of the Democratic Party have said they know of no candidates planning to join the race as Democrats.

Political announcements

Editor's Note

"The Political Skinny" is an inside look at Alabama politics prepared by the staff of the Press-Register. For more information, e-mail Jim Van Anglen or call 251-219-5608.

• The first meeting of the new year for the Azalea City Republican Women’s organization will be Tuesday at Wintzell’s Oyster House on Airport Boulevard, starting at 6 p.m., according to a news release.

Women from the Mobile area are invited to attend, according to the release.

Kyle Callaghan, chairman of the Mobile County Republican Executive Committee, will be the guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting. For more information, contact one of the ACRW officers at 251-689-3303.

• The January meeting of the Baldwin County Young Republicans will be Tuesday at Wintzell’s Oyster House at the Eastern Shore Centre in Spanish Fort, according to a news release.

Election of officers for 2011-12 will take place at the meeting.

The following candidates have been nominated for office, according to the release: Chairman: Chris Elliot, Daniel Dyas; vice chairman: Derek Boulware, Stephen Quinlivan; secretary: Stephen Quinlivan; treasurer: Dayne Haygood; state committeeman: Daniel Dyas; state committeewoman: Marina Simpson.

In order to vote in the election, you must be a dues-paying member, the release said. They are due for 2011 at this meeting and will be collected before the vote.

• The South Baldwin Republican Women’s organization will meet Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in Foley at the Gift Horse Restaurant, according to a news release. There will be a buffet luncheon for $10.

This month’s speaker will be newly elected Baldwin County Republican Executive Committee Chairman Matt Simpson. The public is invited to attend, and no reservations are required.

Also at this meeting, plans for the club’s Armed Forces Day Celebration will be discussed. The event, which will include a silent auction, will raise money for military families. The wives of the military men serving overseas will be the honored guests.

The event will take place May 21 in Foley at the Spirit Center next to the Foley Methodist Church, according to the release. For further information call, Linda Noffsinger at 251-948-6172.

(Today's column includes contributions from the following staff members: George Altman, Brendan Kirby and George Talbot. )