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The Magnolia Political Report for February 14, 2002

Magnolia Report 16

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

Magnolia Report February 14, 2002
(Number 16) - Web Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

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Magnolia Report Note
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Remember to check the Magnolia Report headlines daily to stay up on Mississippi political news. Today's headlines include: Bill Minor on Mike Moore running for governor; Mississippians testify on Enron; Musgrove orders budget cuts in education; Virginia joins MS on "In God We Trust"; Grenada city council discusses de-annexing whites; Bolivar County schools say Valentine's Day balloons are too dangerous; the latest on the Charles Pickering confirmation debate; session news; Clarksdale's police crisis; John Grisham spells trouble for Harry Potter; and much more.

There is always interesting news in Mississippi and if it is online it is linked at the Magnolia Report Headlines page. Share the news; forward the Magnolia Political Report to your friends.

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Pickering Confirmation
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The confirmation battle over Mississippi Federal Judge Charles Pickering's nomination to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has become the first major judicial confrontation in the George W. Bush Administration. Before Pickering's latest hearing, the Senate had confirmed 32 Bush judicial nominees while 57 (including Pickering) awaited full Senate or committee consideration.

Pickering, a former county prosecutor, state senator, and Chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, was appointed to the Federal Judiciary in 1990 by George HW Bush and was confirmed unanimously by the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as the Senate as a whole, both controlled by the Democrats.

Today, following Senator Jim Jeffords (VT) departure from the Republican Party, Democrats control these institutions again, and with a different tone toward Pickering.

The ten Democrats in the majority on the committee are Chairman Patrick Leahy (VT), Ted Kennedy (MA), Joe Biden (DE), Herbert Kohl (WI), Diane Feinstein (CA), Russ Feingold (WI), Chuck Schumer (NY), Dick Durbin (IL), Maria Cantwell (WA), and John Edwards (NC). The nine Republicans in the minority are Ranking Minority Member Orrin Hatch (UT), Strom Thurmond (SC), Charles Grassley (IA), Arlen Specter (PA), Jon Kyl (AZ), Mike DeWine (OH), Jeff Sessions (AL), Sam Brownback (KS) and Mitch McConnell (KY).

Republicans need to hold all their members in the committee vote, and persuade one Democrat to vote with them, in order to send the nomination to the full Senate for vote. However, it appears that liberal Republican Arlen Specter will oppose Pickering on the basis of an abortion litmus test, in this case rejecting Pickering's conservative anti-abortion beliefs. With Specter voting against Pickering, Republicans now need two Democrats to come over to their side.

US Senator Thad Cochran could likely call in a political chip from Russ Feingold in partial exchange for Cochran's support of in the Senate of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance legislation. Cochran's vote broke the hold in the Senate and enabled the controversial bill to pass to the House of Representatives. Cochran may have mixed motivations though, remembering that it was Charles Pickering that challenged him in the primary during his first run for the US Senate in 1978. However, a Feingold vote for Pickering would not be unprecedented. He was the lone Democrat that supported sending Attorney General John Ashcroft's nomination to the full Senate for approval, although he voted against him during the final vote. Pickering's supporters hope Democrats do likewise here, voting to send his nomination to the full Senate even if they then oppose his confirmation.

Cochran certainly supports Pickering saying, "I think he would be totally fair to everyone. He has demonstrated his exceptional capabilities as a U.S. District Court judge, and he deserves this promotion." But if any Senator is going to the deck for Pickering, it is friend and political ally Trent Lott.

Another potential vote from the Democrats comes from Joe Biden. Lott has said that the Pickering nomination should go through, or else. Biden may be willing to do some legislative horse trading on some Vermont dairy issues in exchange for his vote for Pickering.

John Edwards from North Carolina is one more possible vote for Republicans. A freshman Senator elected in 1998 with a small majority, he may be persuaded to send Pickering to the full senate as well. However he grilled Pickering during the hearing, raising an accusation of a possible ethics violation against Pickering.

Liberals on the committee have made it clear they intend to scuttle the Pickering nomination. "This particular seat is as important to us as a Supreme Court seat," said Dianne Feinstein.

Democrats from Mississippi are split on the issue. Congressman Bennie Thompson has joined the Congressional Black Caucus and other liberal groups in opposing Pickering. But he makes no firm prediction on the outcome, "It's going to be close. It could be 10-9 or 9-10 in favor or against on the committee. It's going to be real tight."

Pickering's son, Congressman Chip Pickering, had choice words to say about his colleague opposing his father's nomination. "Bennie Thompson is trying to extort a commitment for who the next federal judge from Mississippi is going to be, and he's holding my father hostage. He's impugning the record of a good man with a 40-year record of fighting the Klan, standing up to racists, pushing for racial reconciliation."

Former Governor William Winter has written a letter to the committee in support of Pickering, along with 10 former presidents of the Mississippi Bar Association.

Meanwhile Lott has downgraded his previous expectation of a sure confirmation to a close vote. Pickering supporters are confident the full Senate would approve him and acknowledge the committee is the highest hurdle to pass. That vote will occur later this month.

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Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page
January 28 to February 11: 20,138
Since Launch (July 6): 206,102
E-mail Report Subscribers: 612
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Get Your Political References
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Two publications are out that any Mississippi political observer must have in their library. First, the "2000-2004 Mississippi Official and Statistical Register" has been published by the Secretary of State. Commonly known as the "Blue Book," this standard reference guide on Mississippi's government contains complete information on the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government, all state agencies, and election results, as well as information on county and municipal government and the media. Single copies of the "Blue Book" are available free of charge to individuals. To order a copy, call 601-359-6344 or e-mail publications@sos.state.ms.us. On the Internet at http://www.sos.state.ms.us/policy_admin/BlueBook the entire "Blue Book" is also available.

The second publication is to politics what the "Blue Book" is for government. Published jointly by Capitol Resources (a Jackson based lobbying firm) and Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens & Cannada (Mississippi's largest law firm), the new "2002 Handbook of the Mississippi Legislature" is full of statistical information previously unpublished in any other form. With two pages on each Mississippi legislator including 1999 election results, opponents, a campaign finance summary, district election profile, and census and redistricting data - this book goes far beyond the typical biographical listing, although it has that information as well. Also valuable are the appendices with data on top performing voting precincts, top Republican and Democrat precincts, and top Senate and House districts that went to George W. Bush or Al Gore, Jr in the 2000 Presidential Election. This is the most valuable handbook with the most current information I've seen published for Mississippi. All Republican and Democrat leaders and operatives, as well as government relations professionals and members of the media should get a copy of this handy reference. There are only 1000 copies available, but it is free through Capitol Resources at 601-948-6020 at a first come, first serve basis.

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Quick Notes
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Mississippian Ronald Francis Mason Jr was appointed by President George W. Bush to the official Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Rebecca Anthony has resigned as Finance Director for the Mississippi Republican Party with plans to pursue work in North Carolina. Sarah Hemleben, former Special Projects Director at the MSGOP will take over as the new Finance Director.

Republican Congressman Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who is running to replace Senator Strom Thurmond (retiring in 2002), will be in Laurel, Mississippi on March 2 for a fundraiser. See Magnolia Report's Political Calendar for more information.

As a special tribute to President Ronald Reagan's 91st birthday on February 6, the Mississippi Republican Party is asking for participation in a project on their web site. They are compiling and posting thoughts on President Reagan's legacy. Visit www.msgop.org to participate or read others' comments.

Jim Perry, Congressman Roger Wicker's legislative director, received noted attention at President Bush's State of the Union Address. Perry also does advance work for Presidential Events at the Capitol including the Inaugural activities and the September 20 Address. This time, advancing the State of the Union Address, Perry occupied the President's podium shortly before the address to do lighting and sound checks, as well as verifying that the teleprompters were working and the correct speech was loaded.

Democrats have expressed concern that the Justice Department could be delaying approval of the Hinds County Map in order to give the Federal Court Map the opportunity to be enacted. They want all communication concerning the issue between Justice and Mississippians opened up to the public. Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring welcomes such an action saying that the GOP is the party of sunshine in government actions. Meanwhile, the Hinds County Map is still on appeal at the State Supreme Court and the Federal Court Map may be appealed as well. In correction to my column in the Madison County Journal concerning redistricting, the federal appeal does not go through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals but directly to the United States Supreme Court. Some decision should be enacted within the next couple of weeks in anticipation of the early March congressional qualifying deadline.

With either the Hinds County Map or the Federal Court Map, the new Third District and the likely battle between Chip Pickering and Ronnie Shows, will be a battle in part for conservatives. Pickering and Shows have both come out for protecting children from television violence, both want to make sure 2nd Amendment issues are excluded from campaign finance reform, and both have their anti-abortion positions clear. Pickering has more to fear of Shows cutting into his conservative base as Shows can hope to hold liberals by being the Democrat in the race. However, some on the left have begun to search for a protest candidate complaining that Shows is pandering too much to the right. Others suggest this is ridiculous with Shows' continued alliance with Bennie Thompson and liberals in Washington DC. Sid Salter of the Clarion Ledger and Sam Hall of the Natchez Democrat both discuss the "conservative Ronnie Shows" in columns this week. Check them out at the Magnolia Report Headlines Page.

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Scuttlebutt
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If Haley Barbour doesn't run for Governor in 2003, he won't be short on work. CongressDaily reported on February 3 that Bay Harbor Management has offered Haley Barbour a multi-million dollar incentive to win a 6-year lobbying fight for its NextWave Telecom Inc. If Barbour's firm can prevent the FCC from reauctioning the 90 wireless licenses that NextWave bid $4.7B for, then Bay Harbor has promised to keep Barbour Griffith and Rogers on the payroll for several more years. Barbour Griffith and Rogers managing principal Douglas Teitelbaum said, "The deal was if he succeeded, he got signed up for another $1 million or $2 million for a year or two. [Barbour] wouldn't be sitting around, he'd be working for me."

Another Republican name floated for a 2003 Mansion Run, Dave Dennis of Gulfport, also has other job opportunities. As reported in the Biloxi Sun Herald, he is a new member of the board of directors of the New Orleans branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. His term runs through December 2004. Dennis, president and chief executive officer of Specialty Contractors & Associates Inc., replaced Dwight Evans, former Mississippi Power president, who moved to Atlanta last year. The board of governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., appointed Dennis. The board of governors appoints three of the directors of the New Orleans branch, and head office directors appoint four. While his term runs through 2004, he has suggested that he would consider resigning in order to run for governor.

Congressman Bennie Thompson had two opponents take the first steps to actively challenging him in 2002. George Irvin qualified at State Democratic Headquarters to run against Thompson in the primary. Irvin is the former state director of Rural Development and a political ally of former Congressman Mike Espy. See a picture of Irvin on the Magnolia Report Images Page in the Features Section. On the Republican side, Clinton LeSueur, announced on February 5 that he would seek the Republican nomination for the Delta District. The 32-year-old community projects leader and former Washington DC journalist announced his intentions on the Courthouse Lawn in Greenville.

Other names floating around for possible challenges include former Mayor of Hattiesburg Ed Morgan as a Republican challenger against Coast Congressman Democrat Gene Taylor; and Republican Representative Greg Snowden (Dist 83) as a conservative candidate in the Central Supreme Court race against Musgrove appointee James Graves and Vicksburg attorney Ceola James.

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FEC's Congressional Candidate Cash-On-Hand
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Chip Pickering $1,083,390
Ronnie Shows $369,357
Gene Taylor $156,679
Bennie Thompson $421,394
Roger Wicker $363,241

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E-Bytes
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"Trial lawyers, vigorously fighting efforts to reform Mississippi's civil justice system, say show us the proof that Mississippi's legal climate is detrimental to the welfare of this state. How's this for evidence? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released last week a survey it commissioned on the perceived fairness or reasonableness of the litigation environments in all 50 states. It asked 824 senior corporate attorneys to give letter grades to each state. Mississippi got the worst ranking of all." -Greenwood Commonwealth Editorial: January 29, 2002

"All Mississippians must have confidence that our elections are fair, honest and open. I'm working to bring together legislators who have been divided in the past on voter identification. I'm optimistic that the Legislature will address a number of important election reforms this year, and voter identification should be one of them." Secretary of State Erick Clark in Press Release: January 25, 2002

"The man needs to quit lying to folks. I'm tired of it." - House Public Health and Welfare Chairman Bobby Moody speaking of Governor Ronnie Musgrove over Medicaid issues, Associated Press: January 30, 2002

"Gov. Ronnie Musgrove shed his cloak of 'fiscal conservatism' last week with his shell game of a budget proposal, and ultimately proved the future of healthcare in our state should not be entrusted to him. - Managing Editor Sam Hall in the Natchez Democrat, Jan 30, 2002

"Charity Hohm-Whaley, R.N. and former UMC employee, testified about her experience in the labor and delivery area of the University Hospital in 2000. She compared her experience at UMC to her eight years in a U.S. Navy hospital and commented that she was very surprised to find that the abortion policy of the Federal government was more conservative than that of the state of Mississippi. When questioned she estimated that she saw at least one abortion on every shift that she worked at the hospital. She observed that not all abortions were coded as abortions. She also described a situation where a 21 week Down syndrome baby was born alive when delivered by C-section and then left in a pan unattended until it died." - Jackson Right to Life E-mail Alert discussing testimony at a state legislative hearing on 'no tax money for abortions' bill: January 31, 2002

"'What really bothers me is, to a large extent, the media determines what's on the public's mind, the public determines what's on Congress' mind,' Taylor said, adding that he believes the culprit would be caught sooner if people were asking more questions. Taylor said he believes the person or people behind the anthrax letters either worked for the U.S. Department of Defense or were linked to it." - Hattiesburg American: February 5, 2002

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Pickering Confirmation Quotes
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Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: January 28, 2002: "Pickering simply isn't the racist, anti-civil rights, deceptive demagogue the opposition groups are attempting unsuccessfully to portray in their frustration that a conservative president and a conservative senator, Trent Lott, picked a conservative judge....We believe Pickering is a capable, fair and impartial judge and should be confirmed."

Hattiesburg American: February 3, 2002: "Our conclusion: The fuss over Pickering is motivated by efforts to keep a conservative judge from being placed on the 5th Circuit bench. And the 'charges' are little more than smoke and mirrors designed to obscure Pickering's impressive record and personal character."

Meridian Star: February 3, 2002: "Judge Charles Pickering is an honorable member of the federal judiciary and, as a distinguished man of integrity and reasoned judgment, is ideally suited for a seat on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans."

Greenwood Commonwealth: February 3, 2002: "Truth be known, the biggest black mark - at least in the eyes of his opposition - on Pickering's record is his longtime affiliation with the conservative Southern Baptist Convention, which he once served as national president. It shouldn't be a sin, even in Washington, to be a Baptist. The judicial confirmation process should be about analyzing a judge's moral, ethical and professional fitness for the job, not political ideology. On those counts, Pickering rates a winner. He should be confirmed."

Los Angeles Times: February 6, 2002: "The Judiciary Committee should send his nomination back to Bush. Pickering's decisions in voting rights, discrimination and prisoner rights cases display indifference if not hostility to those asking the courts to remedy injustice....His tendency to interject his personal opinions, biblical quotations and other extralegal materials into judicial opinions demonstrates that he lacks the open mind and equanimity that Americans require of their judges."

The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL): "Judge Pickering is the first appellate court nominee of this administration with a clear anti-choice record to have a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee."

The Feminist Majority: Action Alert: "Pickering is anti-women's and anti-civil rights....If Judge Pickering is confirmed, women's rights and the rights of Latinos and African Americans will suffer....Judge Pickering is a staunch opponent of legal abortion and women's rights....Pickering's reluctance to answer these questions clearly threatens a repeat of the Clarence Thomas hearings: a nominee who dodges crucial questions on legal and constitutional matters that affect women and minorities, and then proceeds to vote along with the right-wing when confirmed to the Court."

Nan Aron, President of the Alliance for Justice: Commercial Appeal, February 7, 2002: "If he is confirmed, however, Pickering will surely prove a reliable ally in moving the Fifth Circuit further to the right, and further away from the issues and concerns of ordinary Americans."

Bob Herbert: New York Times, February 7, 2002: "Some things never change. Mr. Pickering's nomination is an affront to black people from coast to coast. But in a Bush White House, when civil rights come up against the Republican right, it's not even a close call. Judge Pickering's racist past, his problematic present and his apparent difficulties with the truth have not been enough to persuade the president to reel in this nomination."

Charles Evers: Wall Street Journal: "As someone who has spent all my adult life fighting for equal treatment of African-Americans, I can tell you with certainty that Charles Pickering has an admirable record on civil rights issues. He has taken tough stands at tough times in the past, and the treatment he and his record are receiving at the hands of certain interest groups is shameful....Those in Washington and New York who criticize Judge Pickering are the same people who have always looked down on Mississippi and its people, and have done very little for our state's residents. I urge the Senate to confirm Judge Pickering."

Enterprise Journal: February 7, 2002: "Last we checked, conservatism alone is not a disqualifying characteristic for judicial service. Other than a few liberal litmus test issues on which Pickering has made contrary rulings, opponents have not cited a single thing, in our view, that would render the veteran judge unfit for service on the appeals bench. Suggestions by some national civil rights leaders that Pickering is a racist simply don't hold water. It's been heartening to see black leaders in Pickering's home region of Laurel come to the judge's defense with letters of support, despite what must be intense political pressure to toe the party line of opposition to his nomination."

Clarion Ledger: February 8, 2002: Charles Pickering is a deeply religious man of the highest integrity. His political career prior to the bench is solid when it comes to public service and leadership. The claims by members of the Black Caucus that he is insensitive to minority and women's rights is simply not borne out in his record. In fact, his political career suffered because of his stand against the Ku Klux Klan in the 1960s in Jones County, where he served as a prosecutor. If senators want to oppose Pickering because he is a Republican and a conservative, that is their political right. However, they cannot oppose him based on his record on race in Mississippi. Pickering is a capable judge and a person of utmost integrity who has carried out his duty to uphold the Constitution. He should be confirmed."

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Upcoming Events
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***February 15 (Friday)***

Oktibbeha County Republican Party "President's Day" Dinner
6:15pm at Starkville Ramada Inn
Featured Speaker: Congressman Chip Pickering
Tickets: $25 a person; Table Sponsors: $125
Details: Bob Daniels 662-323-1275 or bobtimber@hotmail.com
('Reception with Chip' at 5PM before the dinner: $75 a person; $100 a couple)

***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

***February 18-22***

MSU College Democrats: Annual Democratic Pride Week
Details: 662-325-1724

***February 21 (Thursday)***

Marion County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet
First Baptist Church Family Activity Center; 7:00pm
Guest Speaker: Trent Lott
Details: Marion County Chamber 601-736-6385

State Senate Reunion
Jackson, Mississippi

***February 22 (Friday)***

Chip Pickering Fundraiser
Greenville, Mississippi

***February 25 (Monday)***

MSU College Democrats: Beans and Greens
Bost Extension Center, MSU: 6PM
$10 adults; $5 students; $2 children
Details: 662-325-1724

***February 27 (Wednesday)***

Mississippi Federation of Republican Women Legislative Day
and No Child Left Behind Program
State Capitol at 9AM - Lunch at Clarion Hotel, Jackson at Noon

***March 1 (Friday)***

Congressional Campaign Filing Deadline

***March 2 (Saturday)***

Lindsey Graham Fundraiser
Ramada Inn; Laurel: 6PM
Tickets: $50
Contact Rudolf Ishee: 601-649-6649

***March 5 (Tuesday)***

Great Fox Hunt - Bentonia

***March 9 (Saturday)***

"The Soiree" Gala Democratic Fundraiser
Hilton Hotel: Jackson, Mississippi
Formal Attire

Mississippi Young Democrats State Convention
Jackson

***March 22-24***

Mississippi Republican Women Federation State Convention
Grand Casino Oasis Hotel - Gulfport, Mississippi
Convention Registration Early $100.00 - After March 7, 2002 Late $120.00

***April 12 (Friday)***

TeenAge Republicans of Mississippi State Conference
Ramada Inn - Laurel: 9am till 2pm
$10 Per Participant
Details: Amy Gonzales barnett@c-gate.net

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Final Words - Moore Words on Governor
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"So, the wise-men of the state Democratic Party, including former Governors William Winter, Bill Allain and Bill Waller and House Speaker Tim Ford have been appealing to Moore not let the chance to become governor slip away from him this time. Furthermore, they are making the case that Moore is the only Democrat who can win. Moore evidently is finding the appeals difficult to resist. While not yet committing himself, Moore last week admitted to this writer, 'I'm thinking about it (making a race for governor),' adding: 'I'm really getting a lot of encouragement.' Then he insists: 'I'm going to take my time to decide. That's the part which bothers those anxious to get a commitment from him.'" - Bill Minor, Neshoba County Democrat: February 13, 2002

"For the first time in my life I am giving it serious consideration," Mike Moore told the DeSoto Times earlier this month, noting that he thinks his wife would make an excellent first lady. - February 3, 2002

"Attorney General Mike Moore confirmed Wednesday that he'll run for governor in 1999. 'I made the decision this past weekend after prayerful consideration and consultation with friends and family and supporters,' said Moore, 46, a Democrat who has been attorney general since January 1988." - Clarion Ledger: October 29, 1999

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Magnolia Political Report, 2002
Brian Perry, Editor
www.magnoliareport.com
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© Magnolia Political Report 2002 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225
FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com
Brian Perry, Editor