Republicans hold SEC meeting, no fireworks, no resignations
The Mississippi Republican Party's State Executive Committee met on Thursday July 12 for their regularly scheduled meeting. Beyond the typical agenda, discussions centered on upcoming redistricting, appointments to the primary integrity committee created by legislation during last year's session, and a by-laws amendment requiring any county or municipal committee to get prior approval from the State Central Committee before turning over party primary operations to a locally elected official.
Buddy McDonald, District Attorney for the 15th Mississippi Circuit District; and Pearl River County Sheriff Joe Stuart; both Democrats who switched to the Republican Party this month, spoke to the committee.
McDonald shared that he had been better received by Republicans in the past ten days than he was by the Democrats during the past ten years. He and Stuart laughed that the Democrats couldn't even begin a meeting with a stated agenda without getting into arguments. What turned out to be a long meeting for the Republicans, would have been a short meeting for the Democrats they said. McDonald had served on the Democrat State Executive Committee and resigned not only from that leadership post but also the party entirely.
Those close to McDonald suggest he will become very active in the Republican Party because "that's just the kind of guy he is." He has key South Mississippi counties (Lawrence, Jefferson Davis, Marion, Lamar and Pearl River) and is known as a strong conservative regardless of party. Back in the 1960s, McDonald reportedly was a member of College Republicans.
George Fondren officially passed the position of executive director to Kim Gallaspy. Other than this previously announced job movement, there were no resignations.
In related news, about fifty grassroots activists met at the State Republican Party Headquarters on Saturday July 14 for a 'Nuts and Bolts' Seminar put on by the Republican National Committee. The 'Nuts and Bolts' program is a nationwide training project originally created and instigated by Mississippian Evelyn McPhail. The Republicans will host another seminar in Ellisville at Jones County Community College on July 28.
Dems get ready for Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner
Now is the time for all good Democrats to come to the aid of their party. The Democrat's main fundraiser - The Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner- has become all that more important with the backdrop of the recent internal bickering. The event begins at 7PM on July 28 in Jackson: the cost is $100 per person, $50 per person if a part of the "Yellow Dog Democrat Organization," $25 per person if a "Young Democrat," and free for those on the Democrat Finance Committee. The guest speaker will either be Lottie Shackelford, DNC Vice Chair or Terry McAuliffe, DNC Chair; depending on who you ask. Shackelford, who in 1987 became the first female mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, is a long time Clinton operative and appointee. Contact the MS Democrat Party for more details: 601-969-2913.
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Movers and Shakers
Michael Marks of Magnolia, outgoing President of the Mississippi Association of Educators, was elected to the executive committee of the National Education Association on July 7.
House Speaker Tim Ford will receive the William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award at the National Conference of State Legislatures in August.
Former Musgrove Deputy Chief of Staff and campaign consultant Donna Simmons has taken a position as Vice President for Development and Policy at the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta. Board members of the ECD include William Winter and Mike Espy.
Governor Musgrove appointed A.J. Pitts of Mooreville to replace Bill Gresham on the Mississippi Gaming Commission. If confirmed by the State Senate, he will take office on October 1.
President Bush sent the nomination of Mike Mills (of Fulton) to replace MS Northern Federal District Judge Neal Biggers to the US Senate on July 10 for confirmation.
On July 9, President Bush nominated Bill Hawks of Hernando to serve on the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation and appointed Bernie Ebbers of MCI Worldcom to the President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.
Trouble in Tchula
Four of the five Tchula alderman presented new Republican Mayor Yvonne Brown a statement of principles announcing that they were going to override her vetoes and effectively eradicate the influence of her office in all aspects of the city government including issues like the police chief and city services. The rumors from Tchula are that this is retribution by 2nd Congressional District Congressman Bennie Thompson who was nearly challenged by Brown's husband in the 2000 election. Brown's father is also the Holmes County Republican Chairman and has fought against the Democrat control in the Delta. Brown is the first Republican mayor of Tchula and the first black female Republican mayor in Mississippi.
NAACP sues paint industry, Mississippi connection?
The NAACP announced at their recent national convention in New Orleans that they would be suing the paint industry for the still existing lead paint in some houses and structures from decades ago. Is there a Mississippi connection?
On April 7, 1999 Attorney General Mike Moore, Pascagoula trial-lawyer Richard Scruggs, and Charleston S.C. lawyer Richard Motley, a leader in the national asbestos suits, appeared before law students at the University of Mississippi. They discussed suits against the beer industry and the paint industry. Motley said, "Keep your eyes open and ears open for the litigation. I'm sure you'll see Mr. Scruggs in front of a camera, and I'll be doing all the work." Concerning suing either of these groups, Moore said, "There's no conclusion about it, but we've all analyzed it pretty well."
A year later, Scruggs and Jackson Mississippi attorney Dennis Sweet (who won the $400 million settlement in the 'phen-fen' case) joined up with Johnnie Cochran, Alexander Pires (who won a $1 billion discrimination settlement for black farmers against the USDA), and others to form the Reparation Assessment Group to consider a class action lawsuit against states and the federal government to demand payment to the descendents of slaves. This group became very close to black leadership including the Black Congressional Caucus and the NAACP, holding meetings with each other and making plans for the possible litigation.
Speculation exists that out of those meetings came this decision for the NAACP to be the organizing force for the paint industry lawsuits. We will keep our eyes and ears open.
Magnolia Report Comments
A few short comments recently received from readers:
"You are doing a super job - keep up the good work." -GH, Calhoun City
"Speaking of disarray….Washington is in disaray under the "leadership" of Governor Bush." --JB, Louisiana
"Great job! We are lucky to have such a great resource! I like the fact that it is updated almost daily! Keep up the good work!" --JP, Jackson
"Whose side are you on, anyway?" --KM, Waveland
Quick Notes
Has anyone noticed that Marshall Ramsey's editorial cartoons have given Governor Musgrove a longer and longer nose over the past few weeks?
All 82 counties have turned in their expenses for the Statewide Flag Vote. The total cost, about $400,000 over the funds the legislature set aside for the election, came to about $1.4 million dollars. The cost per person that vote averages to about $1.83 each.
Best recent political move: The Clarion Ledger hires Sid Salter to be Perspective Editor. Quality, balance, knowledge and information have improved on the editorial and opinion pages. Good job guys.
Not only were State Auditor Phil Bryant and Congressman Chip Pickering well received at the Pentecostal Campground Meeting earlier this month, but a Bush plan was also applauded. Pickering, who served as a Baptist Missionary before his political career, spoke on the Bush Faith Based Initiative Plan. The preacher following Pickering praised the Bush Program.
Special Session Feedback
Governor Ronnie Musgrove began his column this week saying, "A lot of ink has been used in the newspapers in the past week discussing why we should or shouldn't have a special session on the teacher pay raise issue."
Let me share some of that ink, digitally speaking.
The Greenwood-Commonwealth described Musgrove's actions as further tearing down fences rather than taking an opportunity to mend some. The Columbian-Progress pointed out the irony that Musgrove "is faring even worse than Fordice in his dealings with lawmakers." The Clarion Ledger called the governor's decision "perplexing" while the Hattiesburg American used the adjective "foolish." The Natchez Democrat said that even Charlie Brown would scream "good grief" at the antics going on at the Capitol.
And these are just newspapers, the legislators across the state are not too satisfied with Musgrove's leadership either. Their primary belief is that Musgrove should combine the special sessions for teacher pay raises and redistricting in order to save money in the state budget, or just wait until the regular session for the teachers since they are already getting a pay raise this year.
Republican Representative Roger Ishee of Gulfport summed up the opinion of many legislators, "It looks like he just doesn't give a damn. As long as he makes the headlines and the 6 o'clock news, that's what he wants. This dog is going to come back and bite him."
Rumor Mill
Reported Seen: Moving boxes at former Governor Kirk Fordice's Madison County home
Word Has It: Amy Tuck Communications Director Patsy R. Brumfield may be leaving her office soon to take a position with the University of Mississippi.
Overheard: Did Musgrove buy more stuff with his emergency spending?
Round-Up
The Mississippi Leadership Forum will be hosting Kevin Cherry of Empower American at the July 20th meeting to be held from 11:30 to 1:00 at the County Line Hilton's Madison Room. Cherry will discuss updates on 'The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators.' Contact Nick Walters at nick@nickwalters.org for more details.
Observers don't expect a lot of fireworks from the speeches at Neshoba County this year, but expect to read between the lines to see who is campaigning more than usual, who has operatives making the rounds, what is being said around the pavilion during the speeches, and who is invited or not invited back to specific cabins this year. A typical off year at the Neshoba County Fair.
Legislators expect Musgrove will call a special session in August to deal with redistricting. The debate comes down to regional integrity or political expediency. Vote on the issue at the Mississippi Republican Party web site where you can see a map of four typical plans.
Bob Waller, brother of Mississippi Supreme Court Justice William Waller, Jr., and son of the former governor, may be looking at a run for Hinds County District Attorney against Eleanor Faye Peterson. Peterson was appointed by Governor Musgrove on April 27 to fill the vacated post of Ed Peters. Jackson attorney and Republican activist Brian Buckley is also considering a run.
Race for 2003
There is never a shortage of rumors and gossip pertaining to the 2003 statewide races. The latest rumors include variations of the following details.
Either Lt. Governor Amy Tuck or Agricultural Commissioner Lester Spell challenges Musgrove for the Democrat nomination (assuming he runs again) for Governor. If Tuck runs, then Secretary of State Eric Clark runs for Lieutenant Governor opening up his seat for interested parties. If Spell runs, then Paul Ott runs for Ag Commissioner as a Republican.
However, rumors are that a well known conservative consultant met with Ott's in-laws at the Wesson Café recently, to discuss a possible run by Ott for governor, presumably as a Democrat.
If this isn't enough, throw the name of Wayne Burks into the list of possible Republicans looking for a statewide run. Some say his age may become an issue, but others say what has he got to lose?
We'll see what the rumors are in a couple of weeks, by then these will be outdated and a new list of names running for a new list of offices will be floating around. Also, look in the next couple of weeks for a comprehensive 2003 Rumor List at the Magnolia Report web page.
Upcoming
Simpson County Republican Party Dinner: July 19
Mississippi Leadership Forum Lunch: July 20
Special Legislative Session: July 23
Neshoba County Fair Political Speeches: July 25
Neshoba County Fair Political Speeches: July 26
Democrat Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner: July 28
Republican Ellisville Nuts and Bolts Seminar: July 28
Qualify Deadline for Puckett Election: August 3
Puckett Municipal Special Election: August 14
Mississippi Leadership Forum Lunch: August 15
Final Word
April 30 -- From 'Washington Whispers' in US News: Dem govs 'are already lining up to run for president and vice president' in '04. Top Dem sources put GA's Roy Barnes, IA's Tom Vilsack and VT's Howard Dean in the 'presidential hunt,' while NH's Jeanne Shaheen and MS's Ronnie Musgrove are 'eyeing' the VP slot.
May 31 -- Ronnie and Melanie Musgrove separate
© Magnolia Political Report 2001 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225
FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com
Brian Perry, Editor