Doug Jones delivered exactly the kind of Fourth of July message most Alabamians would expect from someone running for governor.

The question isn’t what he said.

It’s what he didn’t say.

As national Democrats continue making headlines with controversial rhetoric and policy positions, Jones has remained noticeably quiet about the direction of his party.

That raises an important political question:

How different is Doug Jones from the national Democratic Party?

As the governor’s race moves into high gear, Alabama voters will likely want more than patriotic campaign videos.

They’ll want to know where he stands when his own party dominates the national conversation.

Silence may work in a primary.

It becomes much harder in a general election.

Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.