The 7-2 decision in the Alabama Supreme Court gives the governor’s task force on illegal gambling a clear edge in the legal battle over electronic bingo.

The court’s decision Thursday (view here)  led Gov. Bob Riley and his task force commander, John Tyson, to declare raids will continue. Watch Riley and Tyson comments here.

Track 2: Legislative

Birmingham Southern College political science professor Natalie Davis says the legal fight will only intensify the legislative battle.

“That is pressing forward and we may see more of that…  lots of money is on the table and it is an election year,” Davis says.

Still, Rep. John Rogers (D-Birmingham), who is sponsoring one of those gambling bills this session, does not believe it can pass.

Track 3: Perception

Davis says the battle for the “hearts and minds” of the people has become complicated because of the discussion of jobs and revenue in counties depending on these bingo facilities.

“People are conflicted. They love Bob Riley…. there is some evidence they don’t like the raids.”

If a constitutional amendment were to clear the legislature and go to the people, Davis dismisses claims from anti-gambling activists that they won’t have enough money to compete with pro-gaming powers in a campaign cycle.

“I think everybody will have enough to play.”

Watch the Natalie Davis interview here.

Rick Journey

Who has supporters with the “fire in the belly” to get to the polls?

The answers to those questions could provide the answer to today’s runoff vote for Birmingham’s next mayor. Right now, political observers expect a narrow margin of victory.

The December 8th frontrunner, attorney turned political activist Patrick Cooper, tells FOX6 News he is encouraged by the signs he sees today.

“People who have been coming to the polls have said the reason they are coming out is they want to see some change,” Cooper says, “they’re tired of the same faces, same names creating the same results.”

Sticking to his familiar themes, Cooper urged a vote against the “status quo.” Cooper says he will spend most of the day going from polling place to polling place, shaking voters hands and thanking them for their support.

“People get out and vote when they want to see change…we represent fresh ideas and a fresh approach to the city.”

William Bell sees it differently.

“You can’t be mayor if you are talking the city down,” Bell says, taking a shot at Cooper’s rhetoric.

“We are talking the city up and not only that, but talking about what we are going to do in the future,” the veteran Birmingham politician says.

Bell appeared with his wife this morning at the Legion Field polling site. He plans to spend the day “knocking on doors” and urging voters to support him.

Plenty of people expect a larger turnout than the December vote (24%). So far, campaign workers say turnout seems very similar to that December vote. Numbers dwindled as rain moved in late in the day then. With clear weather, the campaigns expect turnout to hold steady.

Birmingham Southern College political science professor Natalie Davis says “this will be close.” Watch her interview on Good Day Alabama this morning here.

“He’s typically optimistic, very Reaganesque,” says the Birmingham Southern College professor of political science.

A little posturing may have been playing into the speech as well as the governor suggested to the Alabama legislature that the “doom and gloom” of state finances came from lobbyists and gambling interests trying to grease the rails for electronic bingo legislation.

“A bunch of bull,” is the way Riley referred to those “doom and gloom” claims.

“I have no idea what he’s talking about,” Rep. John Knight (D-Montgomery) told the Montgomery Advertiser following Tuesday night’s speech. Read here.

Lawmakers, Republican and Democrat alike, already see a prorated education budget and Legislative Fiscal Office forecasts of a $600-million dollar shortfall for the General Fund.

So….”bunch of bull.” Really?

Sen. Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) says Riley’s message appears to be “don’t do anything drastic.”

“He is a good salesman and has an ability to put an optimistic spin on it,” Sen. Beason tells me, agreeing that this is part of Riley’s argument against gambling legislation.