Bentley should visit Black Belt during campaign

Published 10:18 pm Saturday, September 20, 2014

A few months ago, we wrote an editorial hoping — almost sounding desperate — that those running for governor of Alabama would not ignore Alabama’s Black Belt during the campaign season.

With less than two months left before election day, it seems our hopes for a date —our hopes of being asked out and courted — are quickly fading.

While the Democratic nominee, Dr. Parker Griffith made a quick, unannounced visit to Selma last week, Selma and the rest of the Black Belt have appeared to be off any campaign, especially that of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.

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Would a visit by the staunch conservative Republican to Selma and or the Black Belt win him any votes? Probably not. The Black Belt — and Dallas County in particular — will solidly support the Democratic nominee; Griffith in this case.

But, Bentley remains the governor of Alabama, and the last time we checked, Selma, Dallas County and the Black Belt are firmly position, right in the heart of Alabama.

It is a crying shame the sitting governor, who most experts say will easily win re-election in November, would not at least make a stop in the region. Even a lunch visit would comfort our delicate sensibilities.

During the last race for governor, which saw Bentley defeat Democratic nominee Ron Sparks, we chose not to endorse either candidate because they ignored Selma, Dallas County and the issues important to us.

Are we endorsing Griffith today because he at least spent a few hours in town last week? No.

But, it made us feel a little better.