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The Magnolia Political Report for March 15, 2002

Magnolia Report 18

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Magnolia Political Report
March 15, 2002
(Number 18) - Web Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

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Pickering Confirmation
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Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted in block to reject Judge Charles Pickering as a candidate to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday. The 10 Democrats voted against the 9 Republicans in a party line vote to defeat three motions: to recommend Pickering to the full senate, to refer Pickering to the full senate with no recommendation and to refer Pickering to the full senate with a negative recommendation. With the switch of Senator Jim Jeffords (I-VT) last year, Republicans lost control of the US Senate and thus the committee structure; yet, they believed, were Pickering to reach the full US Senate, his nomination would have been approved. Democratic Senators Zell Miller (GA), Ernest Hollings (SC) and John Breaux (LA) had all said they would have considered voting for Pickering in a full Senate vote.

Miller from Georgia took to the Senate floor following the vote with a few words on the matter. "This action may very well elect a Republican governor in Mississippi," he said, calling Pickering's rejection an example of "the Terry-tail wagging the Democratic donkey," in reference to Terry McAuliffe, DNC Chairman.

So what is the impact on Mississippi politics?

Some will say Republicans, particularly Congressman Chip Pickering, son of the rejected judge, will be able to use this issue as a rallying cry against the Democratic Party. To transfer to the congressional race, the argument goes that while Congressman Ronnie Shows may have endorsed Judge Pickering, his votes in electing leadership in Congress gives power to those of the stripe that stood against and defeated Judge Pickering. Therefore a so-called conservative Democrat in Mississippi, fuels the power of liberal Democrats in Washington DC.

Others will say Judge Pickering could take his bipartisan Mississippi support that crosses racial lines, with now nationally recognized conservative credentials, and resign from the bench to run for governor in 2003. But he wouldn't challenge Haley Barbour in the Republican Primary, and he still has his position as a Federal District Court Judge.

Judge Pickering's plight before the US Senate garnered him support from Mississippi Republicans, as well as Democrats Attorney General Mike Moore, former Governor William Winter and former Congressman Sonny Montgomery.

Whether or not the vacancy on the Fifth Circuit is filled with another Mississippian, or someone from Louisiana or Texas, remains to be seen. One name floating around as a possibility is Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Leslie Southwick. Southwick is 52, twelve years younger than Pickering. He is Catholic instead of Baptist. He was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under the first Bush Administration. As a young lawyer, Southwick clerked for Judge Charles Clark who served on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Some suggest that while Pickering was Lott's top choice, Southwick is on the list by Senior Senator Thad Cochran.

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Campaign 2002
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Race of the Year

Roll Call Daily has pegged the Pickering-Shows Campaign as one of the top races to watch in the nation. On March 7, it ran a piece called, "Shows vs. Pickering Shaping Up as Race of the Year." It reported, "But the redistricting-inspired race in Mississippi -- between Reps. Ronnie Shows, a folksy Blue Dog Democrat, and Chip Pickering, the scion of a prominent Republican family -- has got to be No. 1 with a bullet. It will test a pair of conservative, anti-abortion Baptists: one a rural Democrat willing to buck his own party but who draws enthusiastic support from African-American voters, the other a poster boy for the new Southern Republican establishment." Roll Call Daily throws in a few remarks concerning Judge Charles Pickering's fight for confirmation to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, throws in some race cards, the Justice Department, Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, Presidential politics with criticisms of Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, and all this framed in the context of the national battle for control of the House of Representatives.

Economic or Campaign Stimulus

The Natchez Democrat reported last week that the House Republican Leadership accused Congressman Ronnie Shows of playing political games with a recent claim. Shows had claimed he was ready to force a discharge petition on HR3090 - the economic stimulus package. A discharge petition is used to prevent legislation from being stopped in committee when the House at large wants to vote on the issue. The Natchez Democrat reported, "Cassie Sheldon, press secretary for Shows, said Thursday the congressman was reacting to delays from the House leadership, who she said were threatening to keep the bill from a vote. 'The congressman was preparing to lead the charge with a discharge petition to force a vote on this important issue,' Sheldon said. With a simple majority from the full House, congressmen can force a vote on a bill even if it is not passed from a committee. Following the passage of the recession relief package, Shows claimed victory." The article continued, "Shows never officially filed a discharge petition on the matter. Nonetheless, Sheldon said the threat of the discharge petition is what drove Hastert and other GOP leaders to allow the bill for a vote. 'Basically the leadership heard the discharge petition was coming, and they threw up their hands and allowed the vote,' Sheldon said Thursday. But [Speaker of the House Dennis] Hastert spokesman John Feehery called Shows' moves 'pretty ridiculous.' 'We've been working on this since October. We never had any intention not to vote on it this time,' Feehery said. Feehery also charged Shows with being inconsistent with his stance on the issue. 'The thing is, Congressman Shows voted once for it and once against it (previous to Thursday's vote). So it's hard to judge exactly where he is on the measure,' Feehery. Shows voted against the original House version on Oct. 24. The measure passed 216-214, largely along party lines. Feehery blamed Shows and other Democrats for delaying passage of the bill."

The House passed the legislation 417-3. Interestingly enough, the three votes against the measure all came from "Blue Dog" Democrats: Reps. Alan Boyd of Florida, Charles Stenholm of Texas and Mississippi's own Gene Taylor. Shows voted for the bill.

Pickering for Congress Campaign Manager Henry Barbour commented on the story saying, "Do you ever get tired of politicians taking credit for something they had very little or nothing to do with in the first place? How about taking credit for something that doesn't exist? Al Gore's gross exaggerations during the 2000 Presidential campaign are a good example of what I'm talking about...and so is Ronnie Shows' latest political stunt, what can be appropriately called 'The Case of the Missing Discharge Petition.'" He continued, "Sadly, Ronnie Shows thinks people in Mississippi are not smart enough to know what he does in Washington, so he regularly pulls these sorts of stunts. In years past, he has gotten away with it. I am not sure the Clarion Ledger is ready to run with any of these stories, but our campaign will hold his feet to the fire every time he says one thing and does another or takes credit for something he opposed until it became obvious it was about to pass and would be popular in MS."

Hunting Big Fox Bennie

March 5 marked Bentonia's annual Great Fox Hunt; a must attend good ol boy event featuring elected officials from the Southern Delta, as well as statewide such as the governor and lieutenant governor. This year, making rounds in the crowd were Congressional hopefuls George Irvin (D) and Clinton LeSeur (R). Both have primaries and are seeking the nomination for November, but both seemed to be aiming at the same person, Democrat incumbent Bennie Thompson.

LeSueur continues his campaign against Bennie Thompson. Last Sunday he was the keynote speaker at Revels United Methodist Church in Greenville. Thompson speaks at Revels this Sunday for their Men's Day. LeSueur, who is a member of Revels will also be participating in the service. This morning, LeSueur appears on the Paul Gallo Show on SuperTalk Mississippi.

Justice in Coahoma County

Coahoma County Court Judge Joe Webster served five terms with no opposition. Now the he is retiring, the race is filling up to replace him. So far Bill Gresham, Lawrence Magdovitz and Philip A. Sherman have filed for the race to be held on November 5, with a possible runoff two weeks later. The qualifying deadline for judicial races is 5pm on Friday, May 10.

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Campaign 2003
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Sid Salter's March 10 piece in the Clarion Ledger on Attorney General Mike Moore's potential run for Governor in 2003 also suggested that Moore was looking at the 2006 Senate campaign. Most observers look to 2008 as the next open seat, which will be the end of Thad Cochran's next term following the November election. But a persistent rumor arising from time to time suggests Lott may not seek reelection to another term, possibly dependent on his future in the Republican Senatorial leadership and the GOP's success or failure in retaking control of the Senate. Perhaps Moore, a close political ally to Lott's brother-in-law Dickie Scruggs, has heard the rumor through the grapevine as well. Conventional wisdom places Moore in an open Senate seat campaign rather than challenging Lott. But we have yet to determine Moore's plans next year, much less four or six years from now.

Haley Barbour continues to meet voters around the state, particularly in those counties that make and break the Republican Primary. Earlier this week he made stops in Laurel and last night he attended functions in Harrison County and along the Coast.

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Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page
February 25 to March 14: 23,145
Since Launch (July 6): 243,771
E-mail Report Subscribers: 631
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On the Web
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The Pickering for Congress campaign has added to their web page a map of the new Third District, the battleground between incumbents Chip Pickering (R) and Ronnie Shows (D). An interesting feature of the map includes a zoom-in on split-counties so voters can determine if their particular precinct was drawn into or out of the district. See the map at www.pickeringforcongress.com/3/3rd.htm today.

MagnoliaReport.com thanks to Greg Snowden (Republican H-83) for making us his "Link of the Month" at his web site. Visit www.gregsnowden.com today.

John Mayo (Democrat H-25) has launched a statewide campaign to encourage restaurants to be smoke free during Lent 2003. Go to http://shell.gmi.net/~crnrhous on the web to see his proposal.

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Quick Notes
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Bowles Likes Lott, Not Clinton

Erskine Bowles has launched a major advertising campaign highlighting his ties to Republican Senator Trent Lott. The news? Bowles is a Democrat, former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton during the Lewinsky saga, and is running for senate in North Carolina against presumptive Republican nominee Elizabeth Dole. The ad downplays Bowles connection to Clinton and attempts to portray him as bipartisan.

An unhappy Lott wrote to Bowles, "The use of my likeness in your ads could leave the impression with voters that I am backing your candidacy. I respectfully request that you pull this television ad and cease any further use of my image or name in your campaign. We had to work together when you were Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton, but obviously my candidate to be the next senator of North Carolina is Elizabeth Dole, who has my enthusiastic support."

Mike Parker Fired

Some Mississippi Republicans, critics of Mike Parker from his failed run for Governor in 1999 and before, say his temperament has again cost Mississippi. This time, by taking a budget dispute with the Bush Administration into public and siding with Democrats opposing the Bush Plan, he was fired as Undersecretary of the Army, Chief of the Corps of Engineers. Word is Parker got 30 minutes to decide if he would resign or be fired. Mississippi Congressmen Roger Wicker (R-1) and Gene Taylor (D-4) both came to his defense, with Wicker even contacting the White House to seek a second chance. It was too late. While campaigning for the Republican nomination for Governor in 1999, Parker would sometimes begin his speech by saying, "I'm Mike Parker, and I'm unemployed." Things have come full circle.

Activating Young Democrats

Around 30 Mississippi Young Democrats met in Jackson for their State Convention and pledged support for Congressman Ronnie Shows in his bid against fellow incumbent Chip Pickering in the new Mississippi Third District. Shows and State Treasurer Marshall Bennett met with the YDs that, in addition to political activity, also conducted organizational business. Senator John Edwards (D-NC) had been invited but did not make the trip, possibly due to conflicts with Mississippi trial-lawyers over his grilling of Judge Charles Pickering during the confirmation hearings.

With Friends Like This

In related news, Representative Erik Fleming (District 72) accused Governor Ronnie Musgrove in a letter-to-the-editor of being "so ashamed of his ties to the party that he canceled a reception for the Young Democrats of Mississippi at the Governor's Mansion to be held this week." But he didn't stop his criticisms of his fellow elected Democrats there. He attacked Attorney General Mike Moore and Congressman Ronnie Shows for supporting Judge Charles Pickering. He also slammed Moore on the redistricting issue and the Ayers Case. Hitting two other statewide elected officials, Fleming said, "Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, after her inauguration, has done everything she could to disassociate herself with the Democratic Party, including the fiasco of this state's congressional redistricting. Insurance Commissioner George Dale has even come out to say that he believes his constituents in Holmes, Jefferson and Claiborne counties are not smart enough to render decisions in civil trials." The letter-to-the-editor was sent to several newspapers statewide.

Lott in the Fast Lane

RollCall's "Heard on the Hill" reported some interesting details of Senator Trent Lott's earlier days in Washington. The March 14 issue said, "Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) may have gotten high on secondhand smoke at a KISS rock concert a couple of decades ago." Lott told the press corps of a time in the 1970's, while a congressman, when he chaperoned his son to a KISS concert along with then Louisiana congressman John Breaux and his son. RollCall reports, "But Lott apparently got more than he bargained for. 'I got high on all the pot that was being smoked around me, yeah,' he joked. Breaux, whose legendary party reputation has preceded him for decades, assured HOH that there was no long-lasting impact on the future Republican leader's mental health. 'You'd expect me to be there; you wouldn't expect Lott to be there,' Breaux said. 'He got right back to normal afterward.'"

RollCall continued its report discussing Lott's early days. "Lott recalled that when he arrived in Washington in 1968 to work as a Hill aide, he left his wife back home in Mississippi and moved into a Georgetown group house with five bachelors, including [Lamar] Alexander. Lott, who was then 26, wasn't much for life in the fast lane - a sharp contrast to Alexander and the other roommates. 'They worked hard, they partied hard,' Lott recalled with a bit of wonder at how his roommates pulled it off. Alexander, now known for his calm demeanor and plaid shirts, even partied on work nights. 'Those guys - they partied hard [late] at night, including during the week,' Lott said. So Lott didn't stick around long. Within three months he was off to another, quieter apartment. 'I said, 'You guys are crazy. I'm married. I'm too old for this, and I'm leaving.'"

New Faces and Voices

Earlier this month, the Mississippi Republican Party hosted a GOP Minority Leadership Summit titled "New Faces, New Voices." Speakers included State Auditor Phil Bryant, Haley Barbour, Ruben Barrales from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Cari Dominguez who is the Chair for the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and RNC grassroots and field representatives.

Also present on the program was Walter Scott, Vice Chairman of the Hinds County Republican Executive Committee; Walley Naylor, member of the Mississippi Republican Party State Executive Committee; Clinton LeSeuer, Candidate for the 2nd Congressional District; Tchula Mayor Yvonne Brown; and Colorado Lieutenant Governor Joe Rogers.

The afternoon session included Ken Avery, Chairman of the Hinds County Republican Executive Committee; Barbara Rooks Jackson from the Office of Senator Thad Cochran; Dr. Leonard L. Haynes, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education; Manuel Rosales, U.S. Small Business Administration; Charles Doty, CEO/President of Lextron; Rosemary Barbour, President of Quik Internet and Vivian Berryhill, Publisher of the North Mississippi Herald.

Congressman Chip Pickering made the closing remarks that followed a presentation by Clay Hardy, Chairman of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans, on how to start Republican youth clubs.

Chip Pickering Honors

Three national organizations recently presented awards to Congressman Chip Pickering. The Partners for Rural America presented him the "Champion of Rural America" Award to recognize his extensive efforts to improve the quality of life in America's rural communities. Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), issued a "Hero of the Taxpayer" award to Pickering for scoring a rating of 95% for his votes in 2001. The Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC) awarded Pickering their "Champion of Small Business" Award for voting in support of small business on 100% of the key small business votes in 2001.

Booneville Voters Choose School Bond

Booneville voters decided in favor of a three point three million dollar school bond issue by a vote of 700 to 93. School administrators say the funds will be used for renovations to existing buildings and construction of a gym and auditorium. Booneville has one of the state's strongest school district's academically but spends less dollars per student that most school districts in the state.

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Magnolia Report Notes
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Now that congressional qualifying is official, Rumor Mill 2002 has become Campaign 2002. Visit the Campaign 2002 page for a run down of candidates, past incumbent performance by district, and related web links. Judicial and additional elections occurring in 2002 will be added in the future.

We have also slightly redesigned our Candidate Links page, visit it to see web pages of candidates across the state both past and present. More changes will be coming to this page soon.

A new picture is up on the Images Page showing Third District Congressman Chip Pickering and former Third District Congressman Sonny Montgomery with students from Mississippi State University who were visiting Washington, D.C.

Remember to check out the Political Calendar page to stay updated on upcoming politics related events.

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E-Bytes
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"But this action doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's part of a concerted Republican strategy, going back to the 2000 election, to turn back the clock on civil rights and voting rights...In state after state, Republicans are persisting in efforts to dilute minority political voting strength. And the President has nominated several anti-civil rights reactionaries, including Judge Charles Pickering, who just happens to be the father of the Republican Congressman who benefits from the federal redistricting plan in Mississippi." - Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe On Mississippi Redistricting, DNC Release: February 27, 2002

"Lots of people in the state have called me, come by to see me; contingencies of people have come here from various parts of the state. I am considering it. You know you have to consider it. If [my wife and son] don't want me to do it, I won't run for governor." - Mike Moore to Bert Case on running for Governor, WLBT: March 4, 2002

Republican Challenger Karl Mertz: "Gene Taylor is from South Mississippi, but he acts like he represents south Massachusetts. He's as out of touch with South Mississippi as Tom Daschle is with South Dakota. He's a closet liberal." Incumbent Democrat Congressman Gene Taylor: "I think Mr. Mertz should look at the election returns from 2000. I got 80 percent of the vote, and he got about 1,000 votes (in the Republican primary). I think that shows I'm very in touch with the people of the district. Mr. Mertz should be careful about what he says. I've already voted to impeach a man who told a half-truth." - Sun Herald: March 5, 2002

"There is really no good black leader in this state right now that is looked up to. We had a fair chance of electing one (black governor) when Espy was still a viable political figure - because he could reach out to white people, but there are none now that can build a racial coalition between blacks and whites." - Bill Minor in a Speech to Ole Miss Journalism Students, Daily Mississippian: March 7, 2002

"All of this is pointing toward the 2003 state elections. We must elect legislators who are willing to fight for the region and not just go along to get along with the big shots. But the really important thing is going to be the election for statewide officials. South Mississippi is very likely going to be the key to these elections, so beginning now we must identify and hold to a regional agenda that becomes the litmus test for candidates for governor and lieutenant governor and the rest." - Stan Tiner, Executive Editor, Biloxi Sun Herald: March 10, 2002

"That brings us to the big-time Washington lobbyist. As the young upstart who unsuccessfully challenged John Stennis for his U.S. Senate seat in 1982, Barbour helped wage what was then the most expensive race in Mississippi history. His return would guarantee wheelbarrows of cash. Let's hope none of it comes from Hong Kong. 'I think the Republicans are crazy to want Haley Barbour,' Joseph Parker says. 'If there is anybody that Musgrove could beat, it is Haley Barbour. He looks like a Washington influence peddler, fat, jolly. I don't think he would get three black votes and not many redneck votes.' That's not something Pappy O'Daniel would've worried about, but then again he's not running." - Joe Atkins, Professor at the University of Mississippi Department of Journalism in the Clarion Ledger: March 10, 2002

"Whatever the perception, Musgrove said he's not going to overspend if given the chance to revamp Medicaid. 'I think that I'm the most conservative person we've got in the state capital today. (There was a roar of laughter.) You can be progressive, you can be innovative but you can also be conservative,' Musgrove told about 15 journalists from around the state in one of the first such gatherings in decades." - Jim Prince, Publisher of the Neshoba County Democrat: March 13, 2002

"House Speaker Pro Tempore Robert Clark, D-Ebenezer, is the highest ranking black lawmaker. Having been at the Capitol since 1968, he's also one of the most senior legislators. Asked if the Black Caucus has maximized its influence, Clark offered a roundabout answer. He recalled attending a black political conference in Gary, Ind., in 1972. 'My main purpose then, as now, was creating a proper environment in which African-Americans would become a part of the mainstream life in Mississippi and in America,' Clark said. 'We didn't have an agenda then, and we don't have one today.'" - Emily Wagster for the Associated Press: March 14, 2002

"I would have to say the number one concern in real terms for Mississippi has to do with about five venues in Mississippi where the perception is a plaintiff can go and get whatever figure an attorney writes on the board. That is not justice." - Governor Ronnie Musgrove on tort reform, Bolivar Commercial Appeal: March 15, 2002

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Final Words from Mike Parker
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"After being in the administration and dealing with them, I still don't have warm and fuzzy feelings for them." -Former Army Corps of Engineers head, Republican Mike Parker (Chicago Tribune, 3/7/02)

"If I were Dick Gephardt, I'd kick me out of the caucus in a heart beat. Sam Rayburn never would've put up with a sucker like me." -Former Congressman, Democrat Mike Parker (The Hill, 6/28/95)

[Thanks to March 7 PM HotlineScoop.com for today's Final Words]

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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