Strange love

That was the big story in Tuesday's Republican lieutenant governor runoff, where lobbyist Luther Strange, as expected, dealt long-time Montgomery fixture George Wallace, Jr., the sort of defeat that ends political careers. Big Luther -- who, in case you forgot, is really tall -- will face Little Jim (a.k.a. the Democratic nominee, former Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr.) this fall in what should be one of the state's most interesting races. The outcome proves once and for all that no name recognition handicap is insurmountable as long as you can buy enough television time.

On the Democratic side, unofficial returns from a very close race indicate that Patricia Todd will be the first openly gay legislator in Alabama history, a remarkable result in a state where 81 percent of voters decided to back a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage six weeks ago. (Insert obligatory sarcastic Gerald Allen and Hank Erwin references here.)

Our next-door neighbors in Georgia also had some eventful primaries Tuesday. The honors for most notable result go to former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed's humbling loss in his quest for the GOP lieutenant governor nod, with the silver medal going to the impending runoff for U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., who probably really wishes she hadn't hit that policeman right about now.