GOP nominee to tour Black Belt, hit Birmingham fund-raisers

Republican presidential nominee John McCain has returned to Alabama to lure voters in a state that went for Mike Huckabee in February. The Arizona senator will start in Selma this morning, which has already seen visits by Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

After a swing through the Black Belt, he’ll stop tonight in Birmingham for a fund-raiser at the Sheraton ($1,000 and $2,300 for tickets) and then to Soho in Homewood for a young professionals fund-raiser (a thrifty $100 per ticket).

The Black Belt is among the poorest regions in the nation, though U.S. Steel announced Friday that it would build a $150 million, 75-job plant in Sumter County later this year.

Just 197 days until Election Day.

Can McCain win over the evangelicals and traditional Southern Republicans who voted Huckabee? What do you think?

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The words of Harper Lee live on.

Since January, the Jefferson County Library Cooperative has pushed reading in a big way with Project Mockingbird. Everyone reads the same book, the classic “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

(We still have our well-worn, beloved copy from ninth grade.)

The end draws near, but not without a few events to celebrate:

• Mary Badham, the Birmingham-born actress who played Scout in the film version, will speak from 7 to 9 tonight at the Hoover Library Theatre. Free, but reservation required (205-444-7820).
• The 10th annual author festival Alabama Bound will focus entirely on the book. In between the seminars will be performances by the Four Eagles Gospel Singers and Red Mountain. Free, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Central library.

Plus more chances to discuss the book and see the movie, all on the events calendar.

Diana Ross, Flaming Lips set to headline

Ten weeks and counting until the 20th anniversary edition of City Stages. Organizers have announced the first round of acts performing on Father’s Day weekend (June 13-15) in downtown Birmingham, including:

• Diana Ross
• The Flaming Lips
• Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
• Buddy Guy
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• The Roots
• Citizen Cope
• Sean Kingston
• Galactic
• Will Hoge

Three-day passes go on sale Friday through Ticketma$ter for $37.50 ($45 and $50 closer to the event dates).

What do you think of the lineup? How does it compare to the Crawfish Boil or Bonnaroo? (Same booking agents as Bonnaroo, but also same restrictions on artist exclusivity.) Is it better than the 2007 lineup? Tell us in the comments.

Plus, video previews after the jump …

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In honor of the 10th year (more or less) of the Birmingham Area Music Awards, we present a sensational 18-track mix of the nominees. Tonight at the Carver Theatre, Birmingham Weekly will recognize the newest BAMA winners, as chosen by the readers.

Hip-hop, rock, gospel, classical, jazz and pop fill the mix (though it could use a few more ladies, cough). The full playlist will run you about $18 on iTunes.

Check it out for yourself …

1. “Ride On King Jesus,” by Dr. Henry Panion III
2. “You,” by Michael Warren
3. “Heart,” by Ryan Kinder
4. “Worldwide,” by Shonuff
5. “Groove U Baby,” by Mose Stovall
6. “Some Things,” by The Dexateens
7. “We Can’t Lose,” by LP
8. “22 Days Too Long,” by Adam Hood
9. “Mother to Son,” by Langston Hughes
10. “Les Saisons, Op. 37b: Barcarolle (juin),” by Yakov Kasman
11. “The Six Realm: V. The Human Realm,” by Justin Brown, Michaela Fukacova and Odense Symphony Orchestra
12. “Blue Eyed Savior,” by Oteil and the Peacemakers
13. “Horseshoes and Handgranades,” by Thed Weller and John Paul
14. “Favorite Sin,” by Within Reason
15. “Bese Me Mucho,” by Dan Sartain
16. “Sweet Tea,” by Eric Essix
17. “Tilt,” by Wild Sweet Orange
18. “Work,” by Caddle

Tickets for the 7 p.m. awards and concert — with performances by the Sixth Avenue Male Chorus, Thed Weller, Jason Bailey, Eric Essix and Feijoada — are $10 ($15 at the door).

Did your favorite local musician make the nominee list? Who should win tonight? Tell us in the comments.

It’s almost 4,000. That would be the number of U.S. military members killed during the war in Iraq, marking its fifth year today. The deadliest year, so far, was 2007, with 901 killed.

Among the fallen are 75 Alabamians, including those killed since the War on Terror began in 2001. To them, we pay this tribute.

	Staff Sgt. George T. Alexander Clanton (the 2,000th U.S. military death in Iraq)
	Sgt. Aubrey D. Bell Tuskegee
	Capt. Donnie R. Belser Jr. Anniston
	Pfc. Joseph R. Berlin Jr. Chelsea
	Pfc. Stephen D. Bicknell Prattville

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A burning car in the Georgia woods found six years ago today led back to a Hoover home. Convicted killers Jessica McCord and husband Jeff had set the car on fire, but not before putting the bodies of Jessica’s ex-husband Alan Bates and his wife Terra in the trunk.

The tale of murder and families torn apart served as fodder for an episode on the Oxygen show, “Snapped,” which premiered Oct. 14. The episode repeats at 8:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Check out the 10-minute Webisode …

Also:

• Feb. 19, 2003: Classmate’s conviction brings simpler times to mind

Bell wins Jefferson County Commission seat

Mike Huckabee has won the Republican primary in Alabama. He has 41 percent of the votes with 99 percent of the boxes counted. CNN says that he’ll win 14 delegates, while John McCain (at 37 percent) will win 13 delegates.

Barack Obama has won the state’s Democratic primary. He has 56 percent of the votes with 99 percent of the boxes counted. CNN projects that he’ll earn 20 delegates, while Hillary Clinton, with 42 percent of the vote, will earn 21(!) delegates.

Also, Birmingham city council member William Bell has won Place 1 on the Jefferson County Commission.

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Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Polls are open in Alabama, now until 7 tonight. Go vote.

• If you don’t know your polling place, you can find it through this online form. Or call Jefferson County, 325-5550; Jefferson County (Bessemer only), 481-4105; or Shelby County, 669-3913.
• If you have problems at your polling place:
  • Notify a poll worker immediately.
  • Obtain a complaint/evaluation form (or download jpgs of page 1 and 2). Print it, fill it out, copy and mail it.
  • Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
  • And notify the probate court for Jefferson County (325-5203) or Shelby County (669-3713).

We’ll have the results as they’re available tonight and Wednesday.

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

Super Duper Tuesday is almost here, your chance to pick a President. Are you ready to hit the polls?

Q: Where do I vote?

A: Don’t just guess the location: Make the call today to find out. Jefferson County: 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): 481-4105, Shelby County: 669-3913.

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out the sample ballots (PDF) by congressional district [map] and party …

• Democratic Party: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
• Republican Party: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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Four campaigns visit in next three days

Get ready for the last-minute push, Alabama, from the would-be POTUSes.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will stop by Birmingham on Monday, or in religious circles, Super Duper Tuesday Eve. Details to follow.

Bill Clinton, stumping for Hillary, added a Birmingham stop on Saturday at Knox-Windham Gym on the Miles College campus [map]. The free event takes place at 12:30 p.m.

As previously reported, Mike Huckabee returns to Alabama on Saturday, with a stop at noon in Tuscaloosa. And John McCain will be in Birmingham at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Sheraton. Both events are free.

A reminder: Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday. Because the rest of us vote on Tuesday.

Have you made up your mind yet? Who’s your pick for prez?

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Clinton (the other one), Huckabee to visit state

You know Alabama has hit the big time when not one but two former Arkansas governors come a’callin’ …

Former President Bill Clinton will attend a Hillary fund-raiser in Huntsville starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and $1,000 a head. To attend, call (256) 536-0770. He’ll also be at a public rally, but details have not been announced.

And candidate Mike Huckabee returns after a seven-day absence, hitting Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Shelby County, Montgomery and Dothan on Saturday (though not all at once, we assume). Times and locations have not been finalized. He previously visited Samford last Saturday.

Remember: Absentee voter registration ends today.

We vote on Tuesday.

Update: No Shelby County for Huck. The Tuscaloosa site will be noon at Open Door Baptist Church, 1761 McFarland Blvd. N.

Will you be rallying for Clinton (the other, other one), Huckabee or John McCain this weekend?

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Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

McCain coming to town; Edwards dropping out

Breaking: CNN.com reports that John Edwards plans to quit the presidential race this afternoon, meaning no trip to Birmingham on Saturday.

Arizona Senator John McCain, fresh from his victory in the Florida primary, will join the parade of presidential candidates courting Birmingham voters.

His free public event will take place 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton by the BJCC. [map]

Alabama votes Tuesday with 23 other states to select party nominees. Also, absentee voter registration closes Thursday.

Will the state pick McCain or Mike Huckabee for the Republicans?

The videos that McCain doesn’t want you to see, after the jump …

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Edwards to visit Birmingham Saturday, drops Huntsville

Use extreme caution: John Edwards (the former Senator from North Carolina, not the fake psychic) is coming to Birmingham on Saturday. He had originally planned to stop in Huntsville on Wednesday, but canceled for a jaunt to New Orleans.

Not only does he want to shake your hand, he wants to control your country.

Details remain sketchy at this point, but we’ll keep you posted as the situation develops.

The state’s presidential primary is Feb. 5.

Update: Edwards will visit Huntsville on Thursday. We call this a flip-flop.

Anyone for Edwards? Anyone?

The video that Edwards doesn’t want you to see, after the jump …

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Video highlights from this weekend’s visits by presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama …

Huckabee and Obama on Fox 6:

More after the jump …

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Huckabee, Obama barnstorm Birmingham

Today in politics … Dennis Kucinich dropped out of the presidential race … voter registration in Alabama closed for the primary.

And coming up this weekend, a heaping helping of handshakes and stump speeches.

First, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will speak at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Samford University’s Brock Hall [Google map | campus map]. This will be the first visit to Alabama for the Republican candidate. The event is free and open to the public.

Second, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama will hold a town hall meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday at UAB’s Bartow Arena [map]. This represents the Democratic contender’s third visit to the state. The event is free and open to the public — however, attendees must pick up tickets by 9 tonight from the campaign office at 1813 Fourth Ave. N. to be admitted.

The state’s presidential primary is Feb. 5.

Are you going to see Mike or Barack this weekend?

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Complete Vote 2008 coverage.