By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard is in deep trouble. His Storming the Statehouse political action committee—named after his vanity tome—raised only $1000 in July.
Hubbard’s Network PAC which was his big fundraising vehicle in 2010, didn’t raise a dime.
In June, Hubbard arrogantly proclaim he had $10 million for “incumbent protection,” but he misled the Young Republicans in Birmingham.
For years, Hubbard has built his reputation on his fundraising prowess.
As speaker, he has used money as a weapon to keep state legislators in line. From threatening to cut off financial support to promising lawmakers the moon if they did his bidding, Hubbard has used money as both carrot and stick.
However, with each financial report, the truth is being reveled that Hubbard cannot protect incumbents or finish them off because he doesn’t have the money-muscle he claimed. Like Saddam Hussein, he is all mouth and no missiles. The fact is Hubbard doesn’t have enough money to protect his own seat much less anyone else’s.
Hubbard is not going to be the savior of republican incumbents. He is a rotting corpse tied around their necks.
Hubbard’s troubles are of his own making, not some left-wing-liberal conspiracy as he would like for people to believe. He is a man on the verge of collapse because he has used his position to enrich himself and his cronies.
As Speaker, he has served as impresario over an orgy of greed and corruption. So ravenous has been Hubbard’s appetite for personal riches and power, that his gluttony is threatening the gains the GOP has made over the last several years.
Few people like Mike Hubbard, it is impossible to find anyone in politics who loves him. He is a man without friends and his allies are up to their greedy eyeballs in his mischief.
In reality, most members of the legislature despise Hubbard because he has used the state and his own party for his own ends.
Lobbyists, with few exceptions, feel extorted by Hubbard, others loath him for stealing their clients for his cronies.
Big donor’s don’t like Hubbard very much either. They are sick of his pay-to-play schemes, they are fed-up with is demands for tribute and, most of all, they are wary of giving big-campaign dollars to a man who is under the harsh-light of a criminal investigation.
From Hubbard’s bid-rigging contracts at Auburn to his contracts with the Southeastern Alabama Gas District and American Pharmacy Inc., those with political instincts know that Hubbard has gone over the edge. Whether lying about soliciting money from the Poarch Creek Indians or using his power to demand legislators and the state use his printing and media companies, in three short years, Hubbard has crossed every major political line of conscience and decency.
Abraham Lincoln said, “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Hubbard was given power he has been tried and found wanting. He is an example of what happens when a man of low character is elevated to high office.
Hubbard is not liked and not trusted, he is only feared.
Former President Gerald Ford said, “Truth is the glue that holds governments together, and not only governments but civilization itself.” Hubbard’s lies and abuse of people and power are evident, the truth is not to be found in him.
The pitiful numbers shown on recent financial reports point to the fact that major donors sense that Hubbard’s days maybe numbered. In fact, Hubbard’s failure is eminent.
Just how much the Hubbard scandal will blacken the republican brand in Alabama is yet unknown. So far, only insiders are aware of Hubbard’s dishonest and criminal behavior. But soon the state will become aware that the Statehouse under Hubbard’s leadership is more corrupt than his democrat predecessors.
One political consultant recently stated the obvious when he said, the failure of Hubbard “will be earth-shattering.” The fact is Hubbard as brought about this catastrophe and the republican leadership has stood by idly by. Far too many forgot the old saying, “He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon.”
The republican brand should suffer because good men and women stood silent as Hubbard administered his reign of greed and dishonesty. The republican establishment remained silent in the face of evil which is equal to consent.
It is time for Hubbard to go, and go he will, it is just a matter of when.
Hubbard once asked a state representative, “Why is Britt trying to crucify me?”
This is not about him, it is about the people of Alabama who deserve an honest government led by honorable individuals.
Hubbard has not provided either.
Sadly, Hubbard thinks everything is about him. We have exposed his crimes because he did them, and for that we have suffer his wrath.
But Hubbard is on his way out. It is now safe for the press and the republicans to stand up to him. Just as donors are by withholding funds.
