Cochran thanks black voters; Childers camp blasts PAC

Republican Sen. Thad Cochran on Thursday thanked African-American voters who helped him pull off a win in the GOP primary runoff and asked for their continued support against Democrat Travis Childers on Nov. 4.

"I certainly am hopeful I get support from the black community," Cochran said after speaking to a sparse crowd of about 40 at a block party in his honor in downtown Jackson. "… Soliciting votes from all segments of the community. That's what my practice has been since I first ran in '72 (for the House)."

The event was sponsored by the All Citizens for Mississippi PAC. This group was created by black religious and political leader Bishop Ronnie Crudup. But it was funded by the Mississippi Conservatives PAC, a pro-Cochran outfit created by former Republican Gov. Haley Barbour and his nephew, political operative Henry Barbour. All Citizens ran ads and campaigned in the black community to help Cochran pull off a hail Mary primary runoff win against tea party challenger Chris McDaniel.

"We wanted to give (Cochran) an opportunity to thank the many people that supported him," Crudup said, "and ask for their continued support. I think he's going to get really good, strong support from the African-American community."

McDaniel, who is still challenging his loss to Cochran in court, called All Citizens' ads race-baiting and cried foul over the Barbours funneling money to get thousands of Democrats to cross over to help Cochran win a Republican primary.

On Thursday, the Childers campaign voiced similar complaints.

Childers campaign manager Dustin Todd pointed to a new campaign-finance report that shows Mississippi Conservatives PAC in September received $200,000 from a company linked to Tower Loan CEO Franc Lee.

"If the Barbour PAC is taking this hidden money from a predatory lending company, then funneling that money to an effort aimed at Democrats and African-American voters, then the people of Mississippi should be outraged," Todd said. "I think it's a disgrace. It seems questionable at best, what's occurring here."

All Citizens received about $160,000 from the Mississippi Conservatives PAC, most recently $10,000 in August, according to federal campaign finance reports.

Henry Barbour said the August payment to All Citizens was for work during the runoff, and that Mississippi Conservatives recently "haven't made any expenditures to speak of for (Childers) to know what we are or aren't doing." He didn't rule out the pro Cochran PAC helping fund get-out-the-vote efforts by All Citizens in the black community as the general election nears. But he blasted the Childers campaign for the criticism.

"I think this is just people who need an issue and are wanting to stir up the tea party people," Barbour said. "…Obviously that campaign has nothing to talk about, if this is the best they can come up with. It's a laughable comment.

"What's (Childers) going to do for Mississippi other than keep Harry Reid a majority leader? … I am very upbeat that the people, white and black alike, will vote for Thad again. Because he can do more for Mississippi."

Lee could not be reached for comment.

Crudup responded to the Childers' campaign complaint on Thursday night.

"America is a wonderful country, where someone can start a political PAC and engage with people that some people would think we would not typically, for a common interest," Crudup said. "We can strongly disagree with those who oppose our political positions. … I have a lot of respect for Mr. Childers. But Thad Cochran has always had a lot of support from our community, and he has done a lot for this entire state."

While Republican Cochran continues to campaign for support from black Democrats, Democrat Childers has been trying to win support from tea party Republicans. Many of McDaniel's supporters angered over his loss have vowed to cross over and vote for Childers on Nov. 4.

Jackson business leader Socrates Garrett was among those at the All Citizens event for Cochran on Thursday.

"I am here supporting Sen. Cochran," Garrett said. "I think we have the opportunity to see a Mississippi senator become chairman of the Appropriations Committee. … Experience and influence matters and can help improve the quality of life here in this state."

Cochran, a six-term incumbent in the Senate, met privately with Crudup and a few others briefly Thursday evening, then gave a brief speech to the small crowd and left with little gladhanding.

In his speech, he reminisced on his start in politics, first with his 1972 election to the House, and the racial and political climate in Mississippi at the time.

"It was time for a change, as Bill Waller said as he was running for governor, one of the first races held back then where there was more participation by the black community," Cochran said. "… All of you who are taking an active role in our political life, in our state and our nation — I can remember when you were denied that right, and it was wrong. We are still working to break down those prejudices and barriers and open up our society to participation by everybody."

Contact Geoff Pender at (601) 961-7266 or gpender@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @GeoffPender on Twitter.