State Treasurer and Republican nominee for Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey says she’s “ready, willing and able to make this agenda pass.”

Reaction to the state GOP’s “Handshake with Alabama” is predictable.

House and Senate Republican leaders promoted the agenda Monday in their effort to claim control in one or both legislative bodies in November.

Dems say that’s all you’ve got?

GOPers argue a century of Democratic rule in the legislature has accomplished little.

Some spirited back-and-forth summed it up between Rep. Merika Coleman (D-Midfield) and Rep. Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood) earlier today on FOX6 News Good Day Alabama.

Over at the Birmingham News, Joey Kennedy writes Republicans “have some pretty good initiatives on their to-do list” in changing the budgeting process for the Special Education Trust Fund and ethics reform, but he observes “they had to start swinging the demagogue stick” in the proposal for an Arizona-style immigration law and attempt to block the federal government’s health care reform act.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blog here.

Republican candidate for governor, Bradley Byrne released this statement on Kay Ivey moving to the Lt. Governor’s race:

“Kay has not only been a tough opponent in this campaign, but her distinct character, insight, forthrightness, and quick wit have also made her a welcome presence out on the campaign trail. I don’t envy those she’s about to take on in the lieutenant governor’s race. Kay is a dedicated public servant, driven by a sincere love for her state and its people. I know I speak for our entire campaign team in saying that we wish her well and look forward to seeing her out on the road in the coming weeks and months.”

Now out of the race for governor,  lieutenant governor candidate Kay Ivey, posted this comment from Congressman Jo Bonner regarding the makeup of the primary election June 1.  Here’s the release from the Ivey campaign office:

_________________________

U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner Comments on Kay Ivey’s

Lieutenant Governor Candidacy

“Kay’s decision makes every race on the ballot truly competitive.”

(MONTGOMERY  – April 1, 2010)  State Treasurer and Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey released a statement today from U.S. Representative Jo Bonner. It says:  

“I’ve known Kay Ivey all my life. Her passion for public service has only taken a back seat to her love for the people of Alabama. While I know Kay was encouraged to stay in the race for governor, her willingness to put the state’s interest above her own shouldn’t surprise anyone. And Kay is right… November has the potential for being a red-letter day for the Republican Party in Alabama and in many other states as well. She understands how beneficial it would be to have the legislature — and especially the Alabama Senate — working with our next governor — not against him — to address the problems facing Alabama’s working families. In my view, Kay’s decision now makes every race on the ballot truly competitive.” 

Ivey said, “It is deeply gratifying to have the support and encouragement of my longtime friend, Congressman Jo Bonner. It means a lot that a statesman of his caliber stands with me as I begin my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. I am receiving a steady stream of encouraging support today from people all across our great state, from those in public office and the private sector alike. I am honored to receive that backing, and promise to wage an energetic, positive, forward-looking race for the Republican nomination.”

The North Carolina-based firm released the findings of its March 27th-29th poll of 1,270 Alabama voters this afternoon. View the complete poll here.

In a Davis- Kay Ivey matchup, Ivey leads 44%-33%.

Ouch! considering sources point to Ivey leaving the Republican field this afternoon to seek the nomination for lieutenant governor. PPP reported Tuesday she was tied for a distant third with Robert Bentley in the Republican primary (neither Bentley nor Bill Johnson were included in this survey).

PPP gives James a 42%-33% edge over Davis.

The Democratic congressman performs best in a matchup with Roy Moore, trailing the “10 Commandments Judge” 43%-37%.

Sure to be a Team Sparks email this afternoon, Ag Commissioner Ron Sparks fares better in hypothetical matchups by PPP (but still trails).

Byrne 43% Sparks 30%
Ivey 39% Sparks 33%
James 38% Sparks 33%
Moore 42% Sparks 37%

The survey also finds Gov. Bob Riley seeing a drop in his support. Fifty percent of voters now disapprove of him, compared to 36% who give him good marks.

Among the candidates, Davis has the highest “unfavorability” at 36% with Moore second highest at 34%.

Of those polled, 50% identify themselves as “conservative,” 37% as “moderate” and 13% as “liberal.”

On the topic of party id, 43% say they are Republican, 36% Democrat and 21% Independent/Other.

The margin of error is 2.8%.

Read more of Rick Journey’s political blogs here.

Several sources tell FOX6 News that Kay Ivey will suspend her campaign for governor and qualify for lieutenant governor.

The two-term Republican is term limited as state treasurer.

Ivey has scheduled a 3:30 news conference at party headquarters in the Birmingham-suburb of Homewood.

Her campaign would not discuss the topic of the news conference before it takes place, only calling it a major announcement.

Ivey has trailed in several polls in the race for governor. The most recent, a Public Policy Polling survey released Tuesday, shows her tied with Rep. Robert Bentley (Tuscaloosa) for a distant third with 10% support. The PPP survey finds Bradley Byrne leading the field (27%) with former judge Roy Moore (23%) in second. The margin of error was 4.7%.

Sen. Hank Erwin (R-Montevallo), Gene Ponder and Dean Young are also seeking the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.

The winner meets Democratic incumbent Jim Folsom Jr.

Read more of Rick Journey’s political blogs here.

Republican Kay Ivey asks fellow candidates to join in opposing the Obama administration’s healthcare legislation.  Here’s her release:

_________________________

(MONTGOMERY, AL – MARCH 12, 2010)

State Treasurer and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kay Ivey today invited her GOP rivals to unite in a statement opposing the Obama Administration‟s health care reform bill. National news reports said Democratic House leaders are poised to push for a vote in the House, possibly within a few days.

We, the undersigned Republican candidates for Governor of Alabama, hereby announce our united opposition to the current proposed health care reform legislation (H.R. 3590) before Congress, commonly known as “Obamacare.”

We are opposed to this bill because it raises costs for medical services which will require new, additional federal spending; it raises individual health insurance premiums by an average of $2,100 for every family; it includes far too many secret deals made to “buy” votes for support; it will result in dropped coverage for potentially millions of individuals who already have health insurance; it is a job killer at a time when the economy is bleeding jobs already; it creates severe financial distress on our states by placing even more “unfunded mandates” upon them; it utilizes “smoke and mirrors” accounting as budgetary gimmicks with no guarantee for future solvency; and it creates even more unwanted government bureaucracy that would impose price controls and micro-manage health insurance premiums.

We encourage the citizens of this great state to immediately contact our Congressional Delegation and elected officials of ALL parties and tell them to vote “NO!” to this disastrous takeover of our healthcare system.

Ivey says the statement will be sent to all members of Alabama’s congressional delegation to register the gubernatorial candidates’ fierce opposition to the bill as soon as she has received a reply from all of her rivals.

Republican candidate for governor Bradley Byrne was first today.

Byrne vows to “stand up” to Washington as he refers to “crazy healthcare legislation” and features an image of President Barack Obama with the text “Washington Power Play.” Watch the :30 spot here.

Fellow Republican Kay Ivey talks toughness and recalls her opposition to Gov. Bob Riley’s 2003 Amendment One initiative in “Pledge.” Watch here. The :30 spot started running today.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blogs here.

A campaign spokesman says the spots will run in TV markets across the state starting tomorrow morning. She follows Bradley Byrne to be the second candidate with TV spots more than three months until the Primary.

Read more of Rick Journey’s blogs here.