Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham came to the defense of Democratic Congressman Artur Davis today. Davis was publically and personally castigated by both the GOP Party Chairman and the governor in Alabama newspapers for his participation and remarks in this week's congressional hearings looking into the Republican political prosecution of Democrats, including former Governor Don Siegelman.

It is incredible that only now, when Congress is having formal investigations, and after months of debate on the subject of political prosecution, are Governor Riley and Rep. Hubbard dismissing and criticizing the legitimate process of oversight.

"The shrill and unprofessional personal reactions of Riley and Hubbard to Artur Davis' participation in this process are unbecoming and insulting to the Congressman," Turnham said in a press release. "Representative Davis is a former assistant U.S. Attorney, a prominent member of Congress and a member of the House Judiciary Committee. Not only is he uniquely qualified to speak to these issues, but he has a sworn duty to pursue truth, justice and to see that the rule of law through our constitution is followed.

"His remarks and actions in those roles have been only professional and indeed courageous,"
Turnham said. "He does not deserve the personal, partisan attacks from Alabama's top Republicans that are akin to 'killing the messenger' who seeks the truth."

The whole issue of political prosecutions is now a national one and part of a large-scale examination of the Bush Administration, he said. It is not a political sideshow in Alabama and it is not a partisan spin machine.

"In fact, the public statements of the last several days from the GOP and Governor Riley (their first and most significant comments to date on this year long subject) are serving to disrupt legal processes and only add fodder to a growing sentiment that the White House and prominent Republicans in our state may have been involved in incredible actions of misconduct."

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