By Scott Buttram, publisher
Commentary
TRUSSVILLE –It’s over. Robert Bentley is finished as Alabama’s governor. Regardless of rumored negotiations for his resignation, regardless of criminal prosecution, regardless of impeachment proceedings, the man is done. He’s just another footnote in the embarrassing political history of Alabama.
Bentley, whether by his own hand or the hand of others, has joined the ousted former Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, who has been sentenced to prison, and ousted – for the second time – Chief Justice Roy Moore for the trifecta of shamed branches of Alabama state government.
Some will be hailed as heroes for their testimony against Bentley. Some will claim victory for filing charges. Some will take credit for bringing down the governor. But the reality is Bentley was done in by Bentley.
The list of those who tried to save him is long. His former wife of 50 years, Dianne Bentley, tried to save him. Her chief-of-staff Heather Hannah tried. His sons tried. His preacher tried. The top law enforcement officials in the state, Bentley’s staff members, former legislative colleagues and longtime friends from Tuscaloosa all tried.
The bumbling, fumbling, arrogant narcissist didn’t want to be saved. Overcome by delusion and generic Viagra, the clown governor has hung on to his fantasy of relevance.
Wednesday, the Alabama Ethics Commission found probable cause that Bentley had misused state resources for personal benefit and repeatedly violated the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Those charges were immediately referred to the Montgomery district attorney for possible criminal prosecution. On Monday, the district attorney sent to charges to the state attorney general.
Barely 48 hours later, Jack Sharman dropped the Alabama House Judiciary Committee report on impeachment which provided thousands upon thousands of documents and sworn testimony supporting the Ethics Commission’s charges. Monday morning at 10 a.m. the impeachment process will begin.
Sworn testimony shows Bentley threatened state employees who he thought threatened his love interest. He used state law enforcement officials to intimidate witnesses, state cars and state planes to further his personal affair, and was derelict in his duties as governor by spending countless hours of his work week locked behind closed doors playing slap and tickle with a married staffer half his age.
It was over and everyone but the state commander-in-denial knew it.
So, how did Alabama, the state that re-elected Bentley by an overwhelming margin, reach this point? Gullibility. It is our unfortunate heritage.
We elected George Wallace, who stumped on a state’s rights platform while repeatedly handing state rights over to the federal government, four times. The segregation forever governor even carried the majority black vote in Alabama. Gullibility.
Alabamians love a bargain and Bentley’s “no salary” pledge sounded like a great deal.
But voters forgot the first two rules of a great deal. You get what you pay for. And, as my grandfather was fond of saying, a bargain is not a bargain unless you need it. Alabama didn’t need another worthless governor.
Bentley was deeply flawed from the beginning. He was catapulted to the Governor’s Mansion by lies.
When he made the Republican run-off against Bradley Byrne, Bentley crawled in bed with Paul Hubbert and AEA. Hubbert ran attack ad after attack against Byrne under the guise of a Republican PAC. Alabama voters took it hook, line and sinker.
Hubbert didn’t love Bentley. Hubbert hated Byrne who had cleaned up the Alabama two year college cesspool.
Hubbert understood the gullibility of Alabama voters like no other. It would be Paul Hubbert and AEA’s last political win and the Republicans only loss of an otherwise clean sweep of Montgomery in 2010.
Byrne has gone on the a stellar career in the Untied States Congress. Alabama got stuck with the Love Gov and enough egg on our face to supply every Waffle House in the heart of Dixie.
Bentley is a political dead man walking. The only remaining suspense is which pallbearers will be listed in Bentley’s political obituary and will Alabama voters finally take elections seriously and stop being gullible.
Related stories
Read the Impeachment report here
Bentley resigns, Ivey sworn in
After Bentley pleaded guilty, here’s the punishment
Kay Ivey, Alabama’s 54th governor
Trussville’s state senator, representative react
141 Comments
David Graves
https://youtu.be/rY0WxgSXdEE
Chuck Biddinger
“The list of those who tried to save him is long. His former wife of 50 years, Dianne Bentley, tried to save him. Her chief-of-staff Heather Hannah tried. His sons tried. His preacher tried. The top law enforcement officials in the state, Bentley’s staff members, former legislative colleagues and longtime friends from Tuscaloosa all tried.”
You can save a 70 year old man, who has a hot chick. Sex over common sense.
Question is, will he go to prison?
Alicia N Casey
Bedeah Waters
Bedeah Waters
I read the report when it came out, this article tells me nothing I don’t already know lol
Jennifer Chinnis Lawley
I couldn’t love this commentary more! Well said, Scott Buttram!! I’m glad to see this clown go.
Scott Buttram
Thank you, Jennifer. We’re now hearing an official resignation could come as early as this afternoon. We’re staying on top of the story.
Randall Ray Pearcy
Now if he’ll just go ahead and resign and save the state the trouble of impeachment
Jennifer Chinnis Lawley
Vaughn Harris
One of the first quotes I learned when I entered into the world of sales 22 years ago was, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” Grocers mark down meats for a reason: it’s outdated and about to go bad. Such was true of our bargain governor. Best op/ed I’ve read this far on the topic. Great work, Scott!
Joe Cochran
Well said Scott, Alabamian’s like most around the country typically are disengaged from the actual goings on with politics and only have slick adds and rhetoric to use to disseminate their choices.
Insane social media and saber rattling have landed us in this embarrassing scenario and it only gets worse from here, Kay, really? Sad.
Ian Maddox
“The bumbling, fumbling, arrogant narcissist didn’t want to be saved. Overcome by delusion and generic Viagra, the clown governor has hung on to his fantasy of relevance.”
That. Says. It. All.
Jamie Lankford Chappell
The rumor mill has it that will happen by mid week.
Lori Chandler Pruitt
Well-written article.
Sharon Mcclung Bahm
Why do voters in Alabama continue to vote republican each and every time without looking at the candidate? Yes, I’m republican but this is ridiculous
Kathryn Smith
Prayers for our state.
Your sins will always find u out. How we need good leadership.
I’m republican but the democrats don’t put up good candidates either.
Debbie Chamblee
Sometimes our options are just limited
Michelle Quick
I could really care less about his sex life. If he’s committed any theft of funds etc, he should be prosecuted.
Reggie Wright
Reports are he will resign this week if he can work out a deal
Dale Humes
Yeah
Bill Dooley
Why print he is finished he ain’t gone nowhere. Wait till it happens then print it.
Lenard Rutledge
Hate to break this to you, republican’s don’t have a lock in corruption. Remember Don Sigleman?
I just wish we had a better lot to choose from.
Sharon Mcclung Bahm
I do believe in looking at the individual not party. Republican democrat or independent who cares. ? How about someone who just won’t embarrass this state any further.
Janice Palmer McMunn
Resigns today.
Scott Wheeler
Now well get a governor to push the lottery bill,legalize gambling, and then the real corruption begins,,
Mark Spitzer
Lynyrd Skynyrd says that Birmingham loves the governor, listen to the song Sweet Home Alabama.
Ryan Fitzwater
He got Jeff Sessions in the White House. That is all he wanted to get accomplished anyway wether it was himself or Sessions.
Bill Dooley
They were singing about George Wallace
Robb Nestor
Where’s positivity at?
Scott Wheeler
I have none for the state and local government
Robb Nestor
I’m on the fence about the lottery… I mean if it’s going to be used for it’s intended purposes I’m all for it, but if it is going to be where everybody has their hand in the pot like Siegelman and his cronies then I am against it.
Robb Nestor
I thought Trump wanted sessions? Watch him get pardoned…
Robb Nestor
Scott Wheeler, Tubbs ain’t looking so bad now is he?
Scott Wheeler
I’ll take,Tubbs over any of then any day
Scott Wheeler
And you know all the rest of those tater heads going to stick their hand in the pot and as usual,The schools end up broke again..
James D. Dunn
The shame is that Jezebel, the defacto governor walks free!
Robb Nestor
My wife is a teacher. I know how much I spend every year on classrooms and sponsoring the occasional student for athletics etc…
Scott White
See Don Seigleman.. Question answered
Scott Wheeler
Then you know everyone the,state raises ad valorem taxes for roads and schools,teachers salaries, some politician is not going to vote for it until he gets his cut for his district and,so on and so on, till there is,nothing left for the teachers,schools,and roads..then it all starts over next election time the endless worthless promises…
Robb Nestor
The state allots money every fiscal year to counties and cities for road repairs and bridges etc…, but they can opt to use it for something else like if they so choose.
Robb Nestor
Bentley was pushing for the downtown and malfunction junction bridges, i-20/59 and I-65 to be complete before his term is up, so he can put his name on it when the 2019 world games comes to Alabama. Someone is probably going to be parking their Bentley in his garage…
Scott Wheeler
Yea, in jail they will be parking the ” Bentley”
Scott Crooks
Look at state and cities run by Democrats….
Sharon Mcclung Bahm
Or republicans,or independents. The only solution is term limits that the voters impose.
Diann Payton Fulton
He had nothing to do with Jeff Session being the AG…He actually supported Kasich…In the long run, a State has been embarassed, a family has been torn apart, a man has been ruined all by his own hand. He has no one to blame but himself. And at this point he has no one to lean on. A party that has turned on him. A state that has turned on him.
Lewis Allen
Should’ve never been crooked mr burns looking ass.
Janice Geeter Bunt
Maybe now our schools and teachers can get some help
Luis E Toro
#HEDIDITTOHIMSELF
Ellis Lewis
Good riddance POS
Edwina Glass Williams
Good!
Bedeah Waters
He’s about to resign now! 😁
Kimberly Chrisenberry Trull
ACCORDING TO THE NEWS THIS MORNING ALABAMA’S HAS THE MOST CORRUPT POLITICIANS AND SOME COUNTY’S ARE CORRUPTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH ITS SO SAD , PRAYING FOR ALABAMA
Cynthia Lowery Layton
He is a joke and an embarrassment . He should be sent to prison!
Rita Wall Wilson
They are pretty bad here in NC too
George Duke
I don’t want to hear another Republican talk about family values. He should be in jail.
Phillip Allen Hickman
Roy Moore for Governor
Richard Rice
Another Alabama governor with a mugshot. How special for us…..NOT
Diane Davis Hebert
We rank right up there with the 3 political crooks from Illinois who are in jail.
Ruth Hudson
Dude…it crosses party lines.
Ruth Hudson
He is in jail…
Lisa Overton Champion
Corruption has no boundaries or party preferences
Scott Reed
Democrats are crooked ,too. Crooks are in all parties.
Jacob Allen Hudson
Lets elect nothing but democrats and shutdown this state already. Heck we can be as good as chicago. Or maybe if were lucky detroit. Heck. Theyll throw flint michigan water into the picture if we elect them next round
Brandon J McArthur
Conservative values
John Otter Workman
When are people going to realize we have a 1 party system in alabama? If a democrat wants to win all he has to do is run as a republican. People will vote for him either way.
Virginia Kelser Jones
Good bye
Shirley Jackson Grimmett
Maybe worse than Bill Clinton?!?
I see what he saw in the mistress but I can’t for the life of me see what she saw in him.
Debra Champion Trent
About time
Laura Motes
Alesha Motes Poarch…these comments and memes!
Laura Motes
Alesha Motes Poarch…these comments and memes!
Shane Swann
Sounds wonderful! We need gambling and the lottery.
Shane Swann
Sounds wonderful! We need gambling and the lottery.
Shane Swann
Should have voted for sparks. This wouldn’t be an issue and we would have had a man that cares about our state
Shane Swann
Should have voted for sparks. This wouldn’t be an issue and we would have had a man that cares about our state
Shane Swann
I’d be on the first train out of Alabama. What a disaster that idiot would be. A man who doesn’t understand the difference between his personal beliefs and actual laws has no business in any office
Shane Swann
I’d be on the first train out of Alabama. What a disaster that idiot would be. A man who doesn’t understand the difference between his personal beliefs and actual laws has no business in any office
Emily Anita Reed
Alone! !!!
Emily Anita Reed
Alone! !!!
Emily Anita Reed
$$$$
Emily Anita Reed
$$$$
Susan Graham Reymann
That woman should pay also. Well just look at the Clintons then you should feel better.
Manant Palber
I told you mr governor….and you never called Alexander Shunara ..
Joann Marinaccio Mylius
See ya!
Angela McMillian Robertson
Dumb comment….
Angela McMillian Robertson
Get over it!!!
Susan Graham Reymann
I’m way over it.Just saying!
Gail Jordan Johnson
HE WAS A GOOD GOVERNER
Deborah Fazekas Clough
Did not come as a surprise to me at all.
Mattie Hambright Pleasant
Goodbye
Tjo Johnson
Well….one thing is for sure….ol Kay is going to bring the party……
Pat Atchley
He asked for forgiveness ❤️
Susan Graham Reymann
Yep he did wrong for sure but look at what the others have done. His wife will be better off without him. It’s sad.
Terry Johnson
He was hard to bring down. Lol
Vickie Persall
Good Bye !!!! You cheater !
Tricia Miller
Yaaas!
Connie Sharritt Ezekiel
As he should be . All he is is a two faced adulterer. Shame on him for doing his sweet wife that way. Good Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brent Rivers
Bentley, Trump, Obama. One of those men has family values. Guess which one.
Stephanie Amos
What a disgrace to his family.His poor kids.
Stephanie Amos
And his grandkids knowing their Grandpa is a perverte
Alison S. Moore
LaToya Hagler
Toni H. Ayers
You can’t get any worse than a democrat / communist!
Toni H. Ayers
In Montgomery Al, it’s all about “the good ole boys looking out for their friends”!!!!! Probably that way more than we know!!!
Kelly Fazekas
Now can we put someone in office who actually has Alabama citizen’s best interests at heart?
Carson Cairnes
THIS PERSON IS A SCUMG BAG HE IS LOWER THAN A SNAKES BELLY… I AM SO GLAD HE IS GONE .. I HOPE GOV. IVWY REINSTATE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFTEY AND DOES AWAY WITH ALEA AND APPOINTS ANOTHER DIRECTOR FOR THE DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY.GET THE STATE TROOPERS BACK TO NUMBER 1 IN THE COUMTRY…
David Lee
He denied poor people insurance by not expanding Medicaid. He should be hung.
David Lee
He and his girlfriend stand to make millions off of deals for private prisons in Alabama
Vicki Salter
Good
Vicki Salter
Obama💙💙💙
Donna Renee Godsey
Yay
Tracy Breitsprecher
This is just embarrassing for Alabama!! He should have bowed out gracefully, in the beginning!!
Ann Brown
Very well said Sir!
Meme Terrell
Sad 4 him.he doesn’t have anything 4 the choices he made.Sad….
Lisa Smith
Finally!
Allen Mccarty
Yeah, right……
Bernice Sanders
Obama baby
Patricia Paige
I’m glad it’s over. Why did it take so long for him to resign knowing he was GUILTY? My only disappointment is that he should have gone to PRISON like all the other corrupt officials did.
Pat Cannon
He is gutter garbage. I feel sorry for his former wife and all that he has put her and their children through.
Patricia Paige
You call a liar, adulterous and a thief a man of integrity. Look up the word integrity. Alabama judicial system give people too much authority. And some wonder why many refuse to vote. Ex governor Bentley and so many others are the reason. GOD will FOREVER be my LEADER whom I trust completely. This is just my opinion not for debate.
Tina Ross
Gail Jordan Johnson good governor?😂
Frank Davis
Now let go Luther Strange for helping him
Buddy Johnson
Be gone and thank u 4 nothing but more pain 4 Alabama??? U. Ass
Annette Merrill Linder
Should have been 2 ago before he trashed Alabama.
Mary Hagler
Well he will be ok he is not the first person in politics that made mistakes pray for all
Gene Ray
Again he is one of Alabama’s famous hypocrites.Dont do as I do,do as I say.I am so sick of the two face assholes in this state goverment.
Debbie Chapman
You nailed it, Joe Howle!
Nora Robertson
Why are people so quick to judge others the bible says who that is without sin cast the first stone and everyone of us have hidden secrets in our pass. There are some people out there have done worst are the same and got prison time and get nothing they allowed Trump to take office as the president he never paid taxes so what’s the difference but we have to sit back and wait on God to work it out he is the judge we are not wish them well and keep it moving there is a higher calling
Kecia Reese Clark
He needed to park his “Bentley” at home…..lol
Denise Andrews
Yes#
Glenda Reeves
Good needs to learn he was a married man and had no respect for anyone especially for the people of Alabama !!
Kecia Reese Clark
And you know for a FACT Trump never paid taxes? Your good maybe you should run for office..
Robb Nestor
Scott Wheeler
Susan Dashner
Wow. Talk about quick to judge. Didn’t you just do that to Trump. Talk about a hypocrite.
Fred Ward
He needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law… Politicians use the law for their personal gain, and when they break the law, they are not held to the same standards of the law… Don Siegelman was an example of Alabama Republican party abuse with the law. This state is REPUBLICAN CORRUPT.
Annie Jackson Thompson
Send him to prison like they did all the other ones. Corrupt Republican and thief and whore. His wife left him after 50 years. Using state money. Send Rebecca ass yo prison too. Her husband pimped both of them. All he wanted was money too.send him to prison take his retirement and pension that’s Ala money.
Michele Lykens Kornegay
Long overdue!!!!
Terry Bobo
Crook
Diann Carlton
He made a bad choice he did it his self got to pay the price
Brenda Hogeland
George Washington
Brenda Dudley
All is true well
Janice Y. Wilson
Interesting
Shirley Jackson Grimmett
Angela, nothing dumb about my comment. Bill Clinton was impeached, but not removed from office, for lying under oath about his afair with Monica Lewinsky, a 20-something White House intern.
Phillip Allen Hickman
Founding fathers couldnt understand the difference between their personal beliefs and actual laws as well. Thats why sodomy laws were on the books in ALL thirteen states. Even Thomas Jefferson recommend castration for homosexuals. You act like it would be ‘Thunderdome’ anarchy if we didnt have same sex marriage. Reality is it would be just like 2015 when gay marriage magically came into existence for the first time in forever. Its a johnny come lately institution. But your welcome to leave now.