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The Magnolia Political Report for December 18, 2001

Magnolia Report 13

Be Sure to Visit the Magnolia Report Headlines for the Latest Mississippi Political News!

Magnolia Report December 18, 2001
(Number 13) - Web Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

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Magnolia Report Note
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Thanks for a very successful seven months since we launched in June. We expect our total hits to pass 150,000 by the first of the year. This will be the last regular edition of this year as the editor will be off for the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. Also, following this week the updates on the Magnolia Report's Headlines Page will be sporadic until January of 2002. We'll see you in the new year when updates will be back to normal and the report should return to its twice a month publication.

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Redistricting Trials and Tribulations
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The more things change, the more they stay the same. Such is the topic of redistricting. Daily new stories report on the Hinds Chancery Court Trial presided over by Judge Patricia Wise. Democrats and Republicans debate daily, but the fact remains Mississippi has no redistricting plan for the 2002 Election. There are still more questions than answers. Will any decision by Judge Wise require preclearance under the Voting Rights Act? Will the federal court claim jurisdiction over the case and effectively dismiss the current Hinds County Trial? Will the legislature act, as Speaker Tim Ford has said they have the power to do, and overrule Judge Wise? Will all the congressmen run statewide at-large? Check on the Magnolia Report Headlines page to stay updated by the state's media.

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Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page
December 3 to December 17: 17,072
Since Launch (July 6): 142,007
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Racing for 2003
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Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall told the Associated Press that he has been approached to run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2003. He said he would make a decision on the possible run by this time next year.

Another indication of a possible run for governor by Republican Haley Barbour comes from an interesting web site registration by the John Grotta Company. They have reserved barbour2003.com for possible development. The John Grotta Company is a political and direct marketing organization based in Washington DC with clients ranging from Senator Trent Lott to Governor Mike Foster of Louisiana to Mayor Rudy Giuliani to Senator Bob Dole's 1996 Presidential Primary to the Mississippi Republican Party. Other clients have included the National Republican Party, the Republican Congressional Campaign and Senatorial Campaign Committees, and dozens of other congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial and state campaigns and committees. However, barbour2003.com is still under construction.

Meanwhile in Meridian, Central District Public Service Commissioner Nielsen Cochran again raised the possibility that he might seek a different office in 2003. While not as interested in the race for governor, he suggested that if the legislature makes poor decisions in redistricting, he might campaign for lieutenant governor. This is not his first suggestion of such a move, making it clear in his Neshoba County Fair speech this past season that he might be in the 2003 'political hunt.' An Amy Tuck run for governor would greatly increase such a move by Cochran, but he could present a formidable challenge even to an incumbent.

Horace Fleming and Dave Dennis, both from Southern Mississippi, also made the press recently in consideration for possible runs for the Mansion. A "Hattiesburg American" article on the one thousand black and gold "Horace Fleming for Governor" bumper stickers circulating south of I-20 suggested that Fleming has not ruled out such an opportunity. He currently is a consultant and lobbyist in Washington DC, maintaining among his clients the University of Southern Mississippi. The Fleming article was picked up by the Coast "Sun Herald" the Jackson based "Clarion Ledger" and Tupelo's "Northeast Daily Journal," as well as talk radio across the state.

Dennis, a contractor from the Gulf Coast and Republican activist has recently been chosen to sit on the Federal Reserve Board. Refraining from addressing partisan or political issues while serving on the Fed, he spoke to the University of Mississippi Chapter of the College Republicans and encouraged them to develop leadership and activism in young people. Articles reviewing his presentation appeared on the Daily Mississippian and Snyder News Network web pages.

Finally, Mike Moore for Governor? We hear it all the time. The popular Democrat Attorney General who made a national name for himself by leading the crusade against the Tobacco Industry almost ran in 1999. In fact, he was certainly going to run, but backed out shortly before the filing deadline. Many say they will believe he is running when he has filed the papers, and not a minute before. But the question arises if he does run, who will take his place as Attorney General? A new name out and about for that role is Jim Roberts, former Supreme Court Justice and 1999 primary opponent for Ronnie Musgrove. Roberts served as Commissioner of Public Safety under Governor Bill Allain.

Speaking of Mike Moore, his work in developing the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi earned him praise from a national Republican. Barbara Bush, mother of President George W. Bush and wife of former President George H.W. Bush said of Moore at a fundraiser for the organization, "Mike Moore is so nice, he should be a Republican." Published reports place Moore's work for the group raising 1,002 matches of children and adult mentors, $250,000 from the national organization, matching funds from the state Legislature and $150,000 from two charity golf tournaments.

In what could be the biggest catalyst in 2003's political reaction, some prognosticators are suggesting that Governor Ronnie Musgrove might not run for reelection. Nothing else to say about that.

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E-Bytes
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I'm concerned, but not that concerned...

"Rep. Willie Perkins, D-Greenwood, says he is concerned about the growing number of obstetricians who have stopped delivering babies because of the risk of being sued for malpractice. He worries that the situation could present health dangers to expectant mothers who might have to travel long distances once they go into labor. Perkins, an attorney, said he would be receptive to legislation to put some caps on medical malpractice. 'I think I'm OK with that right now,' he said. Perkins, though, would oppose any sweeping tort reforms. He doesn't believe the contention of business groups that the legal climate is scaring industries from locating in the state." -- Tim Kalich, Editor: Greenwood Commonwealth, December 11, 2001

If this isn't scaring industries, then what is...

"Asking a company to write medical liability in Mississippi is like sticking someone in a gator-infested swamp with a pork chop tied around his neck." -- Dr. Hugh Gamble II of Greenville, President of the Mississippi State Medical Association: Associated Press, December 13, 2001

And if Mississippi had gone the other way this time, President Gore...

"Mississippi voters in 1976 gave Carter his margin of victory over President Gerald Ford. The former Georgia governor was the last Democrat to win Mississippi's presidential vote. 'If Mississippi had gone the other way, I would not have been president,' Carter said with a smile Wednesday. 'I've always been close to Mississippi.' -- Quoting Former President Jimmy Carter: Associated Press, December 13, 2001

Next, accusations that Bush is flying his tax-cuts into the towers of fiscal responsibility...

"Bush's Commission Launches Sneak Attack on Social Security. Sixty years after America's greatest generation withstood Pearl Harbor, the Bush Social Security Commission has launched a sneak attack on America's retirees." -- Statement by Mississippi Democrat Party Chairman Ricky Cole: Democrat Press Release, December 7, 2001

What about "New Coke?"

"Mississippi's Department of Human Services could lose $150 million in federal funds for failing to follow federal law in collecting child support, according to Sen. Bunky Huggins, R-Greenwood. Dr. Rusty Douglas, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, said the problems Huggins described would seem to call for an immediate change at the top. 'I'm dumbfounded that someone can make a $150 million error and still be able to keep their job. In private enterprise, they wouldn't be there at the end of the day.'" -- Tim Kalich, Editor: Greenwood Commonwealth, December 11, 2001

For people, not the law...

"With all that I do I'm trying to look at how you can do the most good for the most people. Whether it's how the law is to be applied, what the purpose of a law is. As a judge, that's part of what we have to determine. But I think you do all those things with the recognition that ultimately the laws affect people. Being on the Supreme Court means I have to look at what's in the best interest of people. The courts exist for people." Quoting Supreme Court Justice James Graves: Frizell Bailey in BlackMississippi.com

I might be a doofus...

"If you think Mike Moore is going to run for Governor, Amy Tuck is switching parties and Bill Minor would admit to listening to this show- You might be a Doofus!" --Gallo's Morning Diatribe for November 21, 2001: SuperTalk Mississippi

Representing the whirlwind...

"The First District congressman could get to Churchill Downs (in Louisville, Kentucky) as fast as he could get from the northernmost point to the southernmost point in his congressional district. Southaven is closer to Cario, Illinois than it is to Puckett, Mississippi." -- Quoting Republican Lawyer Keith Ball at Hinds County Redistricting Trial: Reed Branson of the "Commercial Appeal," December 15, 2001

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Mississippi Bush Appointees
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The swearing in ceremony for Dunn Lampton as US Attorney for Mississippi's Southern District yesterday was also an occasion for a campaign reunion. Many of the volunteers and staffers from Lampton's 2000 run against Congressman Ronnie Shows were on hand to watch the former District Attorney for Pike, Lincoln and Walthall Counties officially take on his new duties.

Mike Mills, will be sworn in as Mississippi's Northern District's newest federal judge this Friday, December 21, at a 2pm event in Fulton Chapel at the University of Mississippi. Senator Thad Cochran and former Congressman Sonny Montgomery are expected to attend. The event is open to the public. Mills served on the State Supreme Court from 1995 until this year and previously served in the state house of representatives.

President Bush officially nominated Nehemiah Flowers to be the United States Marshal for the Southern District of Mississippi and forwarded his nomination to the US Senate last week. Flowers worked as Executive Assistant to Senator Thad Cochran from 1973 to 2001. From 1968 to 1973, he was director of Public Affairs of WLBT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi. Flowers has a bachelor's in Business Administration from Belhaven College.

President Bush recently picked George Omas of Biloxi to lead the Postal Rate Commission. The Postal Rate Commission is an independent agency that has jurisdiction over postal rates. It also acts on appeals of U.S. Postal Service decisions to close or consolidate post offices. Omas was first appointed to the commission in 1997 by President Clinton and became vice chairman in 1999. Before serving in the US House of Representatives staff for more than 20 years he did price stabilization work for President Richard Nixon and then worked on President Gerald Ford's unsuccessful 1976 campaign.

Confirmation to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals of Judge Charles Pickering is still expected, although it has been delayed along with other Bush judicial appointees. While backtracking from the original attacks based on unfounded racial accusations, the Democrats on the Judicial Committee led by Senator Ted Kennedy of New York, are now concerned over Pickering's anti-abortion values.

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Quick Notes
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Gov. Ronnie Musgrove appointed Andrew K. Howorth of Oxford to fill Robert Coleman's vacated circuit judgeship in the Third Circuit District (Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah and Union Counties). Howorth was president of the Lafayette County Bar Association from 1990-91 and a Mississippi Bar Association commissioner from 1992-94. His brother Richard, owner of Square Books, was elected this year as Mayor of Oxford.

Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring takes a trip to Alcorn County tonight to meet with local GOP activists. Herring adds Alcorn to the many grassroots trips around the state including groups in Lauderdale, Jones, Lafayette, Noxubee, Lowndes, Prentiss, Chickasaw, and Hancock Counties. This is in addition to the "Meet the Chairman" fundraising events held in Gulfport, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo and Vicksburg with more planned for 2002.

Burns Strider, charismatic spokesperson for Fourth District Congressman Democrat Ronnie Shows will be moving into a new political role as spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. While certainly not an optimal departure from Shows' staff in the upcoming anticipated brawl with Republican Congressman Chip Pickering, it also won't hurt him to have such a close former aid in the DCCC during the 2002 campaign cycle.

The Hillcrest Christian School Teen-Age Republicans (TARS) and the Mississippi TARS raised over $12,000 for The American Red Cross relief effort for Pennsylvania, Washington DC and New York following the September 11 Terrorist Attack. The project was coordinated with the Mississippi Private School Association. A web page at www.mpsa.org/home/redcross.html was established to assist in this project.

The Mississippi Democrat Party has revised their web site located at www.msdemocrats.net to include links to the official government pages for all Mississippi Democrat congressmen, statewide elected officials, state representatives and senators, and Democrat Party County Chairmen.

Chris Myrick, the attorney and former congressional-aid exploring a run against Coast Congressman Gene Taylor has reportedly backed-off from that decision.

Republicans held several "grand ol' parties" this month. On December 6, the Madison County Republican Party held a fundraiser and surprise birthday party for Senator Thad Cochran. Cochran was unable to attend due to votes on agricultural issues. In addition to county executive committee members, those participating in the event included Representative Rita Martinson, Mayors Mary Hawkins-Butler of Madison and Gene McGee of Madison, Party Chairman Jim Herring and National Committeewoman Cindy Phillips. The Mississippi Chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly held their Third Annual Fiesta Navidena at the GOP Headquarters in Jackson two days later. The host committee was Rosemary Ramirez Barbour (wife of Hinds County Supervisors President Charles Barbour), Gristina Bermudez, Balbina Caldwell, Julio del Castillo, Rosemary Scott Fritt, Gabriel Herrera, Cecilia Sampaye and Maria Zarco. Then on December 13, Republicans gathered again for a United Republican Fund Party to recognize those that contribute monthly for the support of the Mississippi GOP.

A bipartisan party was held on December 1 at the home of trial attorney David Nutt in Flora for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity. The host committee listed all statewide elected officials and members of the Mississippi legislature. All contributions went to Habitat for Humanity.

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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, " What stage of Mississippi politics is least beneficial to citizens?" A total of 180 respondents gave the following results.

Local (City or County) (13) 7%
State Legislature (80) 44%
State Executive (41) 22%
US Representatives (8) 4%
US Senators (33) 18%
Other (5) 2%

Comments on the poll ranged from criticism and defense of the Mississippi Senators, to sweeping indictments of all forms of government. A few of the more thoughtful comments include:

1) Petty and selfish legislators have created an ineffective organization. If citizen's were considered first, Mississippi could address critical needs. 2) We have a weak governor who has all his vetoes overridden and can't appoint his own department heads. The division makes them all unable to be beneficial. 3) State is better off when Legislature is out of session. 4) I'd take the legislature over the Governor any day. Musgrove has been quite disappointing. What has he done?

Thanks for voting and writing. The current poll up asks responders to pick the biggest Mississippi political story of 2001. Vote today.

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Upcoming Events
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===2002 ===
==January 5 (Saturday)==
Legislative Forum with Representative Omeria Scott
10:00am; For details: 601-649-7677
==January 19 (Saturday)==
14th Annual Candlelight Vigil for the Unborn
6-7pm: First Floor Rotunda of the State Capitol
==January 21 (Monday)==
Rankin County Republican Banquet; 6:30 pm
Guest Speaker: Haley Barbour
==February 18 (Monday)==
DeSoto County Republican Party's "President's Day" Dinner
7:00pm at the DeSoto Civic Center on I-55 in Southaven
Guest Speaker: Haley Barbour

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Final Words - Ole Misgrove
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"Just when Gov. Ronnie Musgrove begins to gain some gubernatorial traction on real problems like economic development, the state budget and redistricting, his inner Gomer assaults him - yearning to be politically clueless, slow-witted and free. Shazam!...And while the Norwood incident isn't exactly the Mississippi political story of the year, it is likely the cherry on the sundae of the worst political year of Musgrove's life....Musgrove's good judgment has to begin to outshine his good intentions. He has to realize that he's governor 24/7. The Mansion is a glass house and everyone's looking in. The Norwood trip wasn't an evil recruiting conspiracy. It was just stupid." - Sid Salter, December 5, 2001 - Clarion Ledger

"The tragedy of the 'Ole Misgrove Incident' for our chief executive comes not from what he did, but whom he did it to. He could have been Mississippi's star quarterback, but instead may end up sitting on the bench....But it wasn't Louisiana or Arkansas or Auburn. It was Starkville. And instead of creating another Southern political legend, Musgrove fumbled. Turnovers can cost a team a post-season bowl bid. They can also cost politicians a second term." - Brian Perry, December 5, 2001 - Madison County Journal

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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