Governor Robert Bentley, now has two months under his belt as our state’s leader. Bentley is the right man for the job in these trying times. He is a meat and potatoes type of guy who works to solve problems rather than worrying about who gets the credit. He has gathered around him an excellent cabinet and they are not panicking or anxiously throwing chairs off the deck. Instead, they are resolutely rearranging the chairs in an effort to keep the ship afloat.

Though Bentley is not glamorous, he does have a way with communication that depicts and displays his down-home, country doctor persona. He aptly says that he applied for the job of governor for 18 months and the people of Alabama hired him.

Bentley also realizes what the issue is and that is Alabamians need jobs. This drawn out, deep national recession has rendered Alabama’s unemployment rate at about the national average of 9 percent. As promised, Dr. Bentley is not taking a salary as governor. In his inaugural address he implored his cabinet to make jobs, jobs, jobs their priority.

Some folks on the liberal side of the media sought to make a mountain out of a mole hill with the governor’s second speech on Inauguration Day. During his Inaugural address, in addition to harping on the issue of jobs, Bentley reiterated a common theme of inclusiveness and less partisanship. Soon after his Inaugural address, in an exemplary display of inclusiveness, he strolled down Dexter Avenue to the famous church of Dr. Martin Luther King to address a MLK Day celebration event. In his remarks he said to the predominantly black participants, “you are by brothers and sisters.” Speaking off the cuff he forgot to add “In Christ.” He further stated that if you are not a believer in Christ then you are not my brother.

Most of us who grew up as Southern Baptists know what Bentley was saying. It is common Christian vernacular to refer to your fellow Christians as brothers and sisters. Some folks of other faiths outside the South did not understand this statement or terminology. Bentley, to his credit, quickly called a conference the next day and in a sincere conciliatory way apologized if his remarks had offended anyone. However, he adroitly did not apologize for his faith.

Bentley has never backed down from his devout Christian convictions nor has he tried to exploit them.

Obviously Bentley is revered in Tuscaloosa. In both the Republican primary and general election he garnered an amazing 84 percent of the vote in his home bailiwick. That, my friends, is what you call friends and neighbors politics. Indeed, there was quite a Tuscaloosa flavor to the Inauguration. The folks from the Druid City turned out in masse. Deference was also given to Bentley’s home county. This allegiance was best exemplified by his alma mater the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band leading off the parade and playing “Yea Alabama” continuously throughout the march up Dexter Avenue. The first song was sung by the Stillman College Choir of Tuscaloosa.

Throughout the day Dr. Bentley and his wife Diane exuded sincere humility and appeared to be humbled by the coronation and regal deference bestowed on the governor and first lady on their Inauguration Day. Like Bentley said during his campaign, Alabama is sick and we need a doctor and that is exactly what we got in Dr. Bentley.

Steve Flowers’ political column appears weekly in 72 Alabama newspapers. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.