Editorials

Madison wanted factions, political interests that would form alliances, pro and con, to deal with a particular issue; when the dealing was done the alliances would break apart. Another issue, new and different factions. And so on and so on.

Political parties attempt to do just the opposite. Their goal is to create a permanent organization and make sure members vote the party line when it counts. Coalition building outside the party is discouraged except in the most critical circumstances.

Apparently Alabama Republicans have looked at current circumstances and decided they are critical. After months, indeed years, of trying to force party discipline on members, GOP leaders are reaching out to selected Democrats to see if the two groups can agree on some sort of “power-sharing” arrangement.

The critical circumstance that brought Republicans to this point is the realization that despite a spirited (and negative and expensive) campaign, it is unlikely that in the upcoming election the state GOP will get control of either house of the Legislature. However, in the state Senate, there are enough disaffected Democrats to give Republicans considerable clout, in some cases make the GOP part of a majority, if Republicans can form an alliance with them.

The Democrats are disaffected over how current Senate President Pro Tem Lowell Barron (D-Fyffe) has operated the upper house and used his power to reward those in the party who agree with him and punish those who do not. Republicans, with no love for Barron, see here an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. If they can cut a deal with anti-Barron Democrats to replace the Pro Tem with someone friendlier to Republican interests, that might lay the foundation for future alliances that would help move Republican bills through the Legislature.

All of which is to recall what we have said on other occasions. Despite the best efforts of Republicans and Democrats to define their parties and enforce loyalty, Alabama is not a two-party state. We are a no-party state — factionalized and fluid.

James Madison would be proud.