The Scoop for Mississippi Politics | www.MagnoliaReport.com
The Magnolia Political Report for November 6, 2001

Magnolia Report #10

Magnolia Report November 6, 2001
(Number 10) - Web Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

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Magnolia Note
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Remember to check out all the features at www.MagnoliaReport.com in addition to this political report. On the front page you can see frequently updated news links. The political link, media link and candidate link pages are great resources for online Mississippi news. Check out the Magnolia Report several times a week to keep updated from across the state in between political report issues!

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Redistricting Rumors
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On Monday, Speaker of the House Tim Ford and House Apportionment and Elections Chairman Tommy Reynolds blasted Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck and the Senate for failing to come up from their 35% BVAP. The House adjourned but the Senate recessed until Thursday, potentially forcing their House colleagues to return.

Ford and his supporters in the House want a district for Congressman Ronnie Shows with a 38% BVAP, but appeared to be willing by the end of the day Monday to come back to the table and look at a 36-37% BVAP compromise in some variation of the "Moody Plan." While Rankin County appeared to be off the cutting board, Madison County was still under consideration for some slicing. The Democrats tried to argue that the 38% BVAP goal is not too high due to the high performance of Republican precincts in Madison and Rankin Counties; Republicans countered that success in turning out the vote should not be punished by separating those voters.

Ford appointed Steve Holland to replace Bobby Moody on the Conference Committee when Moody had "previous commitments."

Some dissatisfaction in the House membership could spell bad news for Speaker Ford. Rumors from the Capitol say one Representative told Ford that he represents Northeast Mississippi, not Northeast Jackson. Another Democrat Representative - this one from South Mississippi - when expressing support for the Senate Plan was told if he liked it so much, he should change parties. GOP Chairman Jim Herring has extended an open invitation to Democrat to do just that.

Meanwhile, an economic development group from Meridian has filed a lawsuit naming the Mississippi Democratic Party, Mississippi Republican Party, and the State Election Commission as defendants. The suit asks the federal courts to draw new congressional district lines, apparently as an end-run around those who want to hold the suit in the Hinds County Court. Some commentators are suggesting that the legislature is afraid to tackle difficult issues (e.g. State Flag, Redistricting) and take any opportunity to shift the responsibility of action to the people of Mississippi or the courts, which ever will take the controversy away from these elected officials.

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Democrat Update
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This year, Secretary of State Eric Clark once again sponsored Promote the Vote. Since November 2001 is not a regular election year, the historic 1800 Election for President was chosen for the High School Mock Election. Thomas Jefferson upset incumbent John Adams 9477 votes to 6766 votes or 58.3% to 41.7%. Aaron Burr won the Vice Presidency over Charles Cotesworth Pinckney with 2755 votes to 1973 votes or 58.3% to 41.7%. Before Pinckney supporters become outraged at the severe undercount and demand a recount, consider that some schools elected to allow their students to vote for one candidate, while others chose to allow voting for both President and Vice President, as was the method in 1800. This year's project included 46,311 students from 209 public, private and home schools.

A correction from last week, the Mike Moore sponsored fundraiser at Dancing Rabbit was not a political fundraiser, rather an event to raise money for the Boys Club of Mississippi and Boys Clubs of America.

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Republican Update
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Republicans were the Grand Ol' Party on November 1 at the Agriculture Museum in Jackson. First they gathered at a fundraiser for Friends of Phil Bryant. Bryant's special guest for the night was Haley Barbour. The room was packed with other political notables from Hinds, Rankin and Madison County. Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring read letters addressed to Phil Bryant from both Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott. Bryant read a letter thanking him for his service and acknowledging the hard work of Barbour and Congressman Chip Pickering from President George W. Bush. Bryant spoke of Barbour as a Mississippian from Yazoo City that doesn't make it to the Tri-County Area near enough; but that could be remedied if Barbour moved into the Jackson Metro area, alluding of course to the Governor's Mansion. Later Bryant called the Republican mass to the front of the room to sing Happy Birthday via cellular phone to Rankin County Republican Bob Anthony who due to ill health was unable to make it to the fundraiser. Anthony told Bryant to tell the crowd "thanks" and also to contribute to Friends of Phil Bryant.

Afterwards, many Republicans (including Haley Barbour) moved to another building at the museum complex for the Hinds County Republican Party Fundraiser. The event was an oldies rock dance with a catfish dinner.

In other news, Brenda Wood, Immediate Past President of the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women was successful in her bid for 2nd Vice President of the National Federation of Republican Women at their September convention in San Antonio, Texas.

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Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page
October 22 to November 4: 17,363
Since Launch (July 6): 98,739
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Round-up and Quick Notes
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The Governor's Conference on High Technology sponsored by the Communication Information Technology Organization of Mississippi, the Mississippi Economic Council and the Mississippi Technology Alliance was held on November 1 in Jackson. Among those of note speaking were Governor Ronnie Musgrove, Billy Mounger, Charles Doty, and Randy Russell.

In spite of the questionable accusations by the Congressional Black Caucus of Federal Judge Charles Pickering's civil rights record, it appears he will be confirmed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Mississippi Leadership Forum met on November 1 to hear Joe Loconte of the Heritage Foundation address President George W. Bush's Faith Based Initiatives. The MLF group has leadership and membership across party lines but is known for its study of conservative public policy. Haley Barbour, in town for his appearance at a Phil Bryant Fundraiser later that day made an appearance at the luncheon, as did former Mississippi Development Authority Director J.C. Burns.

Burns Strider, Chief of Staff for Congressman Ronnie Shows sent out a quick FYI to the press this week saying, "Our DC office has been unsealed and the Shows' staff is back in place... no more three makeshift offices spread across DC!" Things can get back to normal in Washington in spite of anthrax concerns.

Now that the Sun and Sand has closed down, legislators have been forced to find new places to stay while in Jackson. The Clarion Hotel and Microtel off High Street are two of the haunts during the special session.

Congressional redistricting, and which factions win, could in large part determine the shape and disposition of state legislative districts. The 2003 election will be run on new districts and will have its share of retiring legislators in the mix as well. Two names rumored as possible retirees include Senator Tommy Gollott of Harrison and Jackson Counties; and Representative Eloise Scott of Lee County. Gollott has served in the Senate since 1980 and before that was first elected to the House in 1968. Scott has been in the legislature since 1988. Both are Democrats, neither has made official announcements as to future political plans.

It is almost certain that George Irvin, ex-Rural Development Director for Mississippi, is running against Congressman Bennie Thompson for the Delta District. While Irvin expects to garner support from the "Espy Crowd" in the Delta, it yet remains to be seen whether former Congressman Mike Espy will actively support his former pick for the USDA.

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Musgrove Appointees
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It has been a good few weeks for Governor Ronnie Musgrove in utilizing the true power of the Mississippi Governor's Office - that of appointing and thus shaping the judiciary. These are his recent appointments.

James E. Graves to Mississippi State Supreme Court to fill the slot of Fred Banks Jr. who retired for private practice.

Winston Kidd to Circuit Court Judge of Hinds County to fill the vacated slot of James Graves.

George R. Carlson to Mississippi State Supreme Court to fill the slot of Mike Mills who was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Federal Judiciary.

Ann Lamar to 17th District Circuit Court Judge to fill the vacated slot of George Carlson.

John Champion to 17th Circuit District Attorney to fill the vacated slot of Ann Lamar.

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Magnolia Report Poll
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Every two weeks, the Magnolia Report front page hosts a new poll. The past poll asked, "Which of our congressional delegation seems most like the typical Mississippian?" An interesting question because a populist might like their congressman to be 'typical' while someone else might want their congressman to be exceed what many would consider the average voter. A total of 321 people participated with the following results.

Thad Cochran 25%
Trent Lott 7%
Roger Wicker 9%
Bennie Thompson 2%
Chip Pickering 22%
Ronnie Shows 27%
Gene Taylor 5%

In the comments section, one Magnolia Report reader described a congressman as a typical Mississippi redneck while the next reader, speaking of the same person called him a perfect Southern gentleman. Thanks for voting and writing.

The current poll up asks "Who benefited the most from redistricting?" Vote today.

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Special Elections
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Today in over 20 counties there are over 150 Mississippians on the ballot from coroner to supervisor. Five counties will choose new sheriffs: Benton, Lee, Montgomery, Simpson, and Winston.

Hinds County sees a race between Republican backed Bryan Buckley and Musgrove appointee Faye Peterson for District Attorney. Buckley has been utilizing a surgical campaign with direct mail and phone banks, including calls made on his behalf by the National Rifle Association. Peterson expects to turn out traditional Democrat voters to defend her current job.

Madison County voters have a choice between Democrat Charles Weems, the appointee of the Board of Supervisors; Mike Crook, a Republican activist and reform candidate; and John Washington. This race looks to be the Canton Courthouse Crowd versus the voters from Madison and Ridgeland in the Southern portion of the county.

The Rankin County School District Bond Issue on ballot today has the backing of a notable coalition of political figures including Secretary of State Eric Clark and Senators Dean Kirby, Charlie Ross and Rob Smith. Clark resides in Rankin County and the Senators all represent a portion of the county. Representatives John Moore, Ray Rogers, Clayton Smith and Tom Weathersby are also on board with five of the county's mayors, 27 aldermen, six county elected officials and the Rankin First Economic Development.

A good dozen of the counties going to the polls today will likely have run-off elections in two weeks.

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Final Word
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"Jack Gordon says Republicans supporting the Kirksey plan amounts to -- quote - 'an unholy alliance.'" --Associated Press: October 30, 2001

"Its hearings, meetings and debates are usually fractious. But last week [Republican Congressman] Sensenbrenner's attempt to pass the [anti-terrorism] package quickly was derailed by an unholy alliance of right and left, members who were worried about possible infringements of civil liberties." -Beverly Lumpkin for ABCNEWS: October 9, 2001

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Magnolia Political Report, 2001
Brian Perry, Editor
www.magnoliareport.com
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© Magnolia Political Report 2001 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225
FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com
Brian Perry, Editor