A different tone

The recount is over, Tim James has dropped out of the race, and Robert Bentley will face one-time heavy favorite Bradley Byrne in the Republican primary runoff for governor July 13.

What makes this somewhat unique in Alabama politics is that Bentley, a two-term state legislator, ran a positive campaign while spending a fraction of the funds Byrne and James expended in attacking each other. Bentley has promised to stick to issues and continue delivering a positive message. This surely concerns Byrne, who undoubtedly would rather be facing James, whom he attacked repeatedly in the primary.

Byrne inexplicably kicked off his campaign by launching relentless attacks on AEA. The teachers’ organization did not take the bait and wage a public battle as Byrne must have hoped would occur, instead working behind the scenes with its considerable resources in opposition to Byrne.

Bentley also seems unlikely to respond to attacks, which must frustrate opposing candidates in this day and age. Whether Bentley wins the runoff or not, his showing so far, with relatively little money and name recognition, should be an example for future candidates. A discussion of real issues rather than a constant barrage of character attacks would be a welcome change in state political races.