Bishop bests Barron in Senate Brawl
Most days, fighting metaphors in political reporting are just that — metaphors. But not today.
The last day of the legislative session is usually the most interesting, but this year might hit a new high, as State. Sen. Charles Bishop, R-Jasper, cold-cocked Sen. Lowell Baron, D-Fyffe, on the Alabama Senate floor this afternoon.
Until this year, Barron served as president pro-tem of the Alabama Senate, a title he lost after a bitter power struggle earlier this session. Regardless, he has retained much of the power of his seniority, with enough experience to (aggghhh … pun … can’t … help …) roll with the punches. (Sorry.)
The altercation took place in the Senate chambers just after the afternoon recess. According to al.com, Bishop (top right) says Barron (lower left) called him a “son of a bitch” and Bishop popped him one, living the dream of Alabama politicos everywhere. Bishop landed the punch in Barron’s face, hard enough to knock the senator backwards and over a desk. The two men were then pulled apart.The confrontation leaves us conflicted over who to root for: Bishop, the crotchety old blowhard who loves on slavery and hates on Mexicans, or Barron, the Democratic party boss who has killed more good bills than there are Mexicans in Alabama. (Earlier this year, in a rally against the legislative pay raise, Bishop asked the crowd if they thought all Mexicans should “go back to Mexico.” Albeit a complete non-sequitur, the crowd of course shouted “Yes!”)
More to come.
king
