Magnolia Political Report

The Scoop for Mississippi Politics | www.MagnoliaReport.com
The Magnolia Political Report for May 22, 2002

Magnolia Report 22

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

Magnolia Political Report
May 22, 2002
(Number 22) - E-mail Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

***Editor’s Note - It has been a while since the last report, so some of the news is for review’s sake. Expect a special report next week to discuss and review the Judicial Elections of 2002, the recent actions and reactions involving the US Chamber of Commerce, and a few other brief topics as well.***

*****************************************************
Rumor Mill
*****************************************************
Rumors continue to circulate that Pascagoula trial lawyer Richard Scruggs may be in line for an appointment as ambassador by the Bush White House. Last week, there were reports that CNN was calling around Mississippi to find out more on the story. As reported by the Magnolia Report earlier this year, Scruggs' law firm was the largest Mississippi soft money contributor during the 2000 Election giving $250,000 to Republicans and only $20,000 to Democrats.

Rumors from the Coast, given strength by a recent column by Bill Minor, place Representative Randy "Bubba" Pierce (D-Leakesville) in the hunt for future higher office. The rumors mentioned the Governor's Mansion, but those closer to Pierce think Lieutenant Governor may be more realistic - even as a potential challenge in the primary to incumbent Amy Tuck. Also on the Lieutenant Governor front is news from Southaven that Mayor Greg Davis (R) recently conducted a successful fundraiser bringing in over $32,000. While billed as a reelection fundraiser, Republicans in DeSoto County continue to mention Davis as a possible challenger to Tuck in 2003.

Mississippi Supreme Court Justice William Waller Jr. told the Times of South Mississippi that "there is no factual basis to reports circulating across the state that he will be a candidate for the office of governor next year." Waller told the Times, "At this point my plan is to offer for re-election to the Supreme Court in 2004."

*****************************************************
Politics in Brief
*****************************************************
---Lott’s Leadership---

Roll Call reported on May 2 that Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott and Minority Whip Don Nickles (OK) have both turned up their fundraising schedules and appearances in an attempt to retake the US Senate for Republicans, in what many believe to be a preliminary campaign for the top Senate Republican leadership position. Says Roll Call:

Nickles' "Republican Majority Fund has been more active this year than ever before, raising $874,215 in the first 15 months of the 2002 cycle, a 17 percent increase from the same period in the 2000 cycle. And the PAC has dished out $276,996 in contributions to Congressional candidates and GOP party committees, a more than 5 percent jump from the same period last election. Nickles raised $164,000 in the second half of 2001 for the soft-money, 527 account of the PAC, more than double what he had raised in soft dollars during the previous 12 months."

Lott's New Republican Majority Fund "has begun to re-energize itself after a drop-off in activity during the 2000 cycle. In the first 15 months of the 2002 election cycle, Lott had raised $3.1 million for the PAC, a 27 percent increase from the previous cycle, and given out $244,500 in donations to candidates and committees, a 9 percent hike from 2000. The New Republican Majority Fund is on pace to approach its 1998 election cycle performance, when Lott's PAC was the preeminent Senate leadership PAC, raising $6.4 million for the two-year period and doling out $771,000. Lott's 527 account has also been active, dishing out $185,000 in soft dollars to the NRSC in the second half of 2001."

---Musgrove on the Phone---

An Associated Press report examining the usage of state cellular phones went all the way to the top. It showed that "a review of state records found that from July to December, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove averaged 93 calls and 580 minutes a month to Donna Simmons, his former deputy chief of staff who stepped down last April. His cell phone records detailed outgoing calls only. Musgrove spent 135 minutes in one call that lasted past midnight, the records show. A spokesman said that the governor works 24 hours a day. Musgrove called Simmons' number 124 times in July, 114 times in August, 80 times in September, 72 times in October, 114 times in November and 56 times in December."

The report led to many discussions and calls on the state's talk-radio programs and critical editorials in the Greenwood Commonwealth, the Natchez Democrat, Pascagoula's Mississippi Press among others.

Simmons formerly served as Musgrove's top political aid and as his Deputy Chief of Staff. She currently works as director of Senator Mary Landreau's (D) reelection campaign in Louisiana. Whether the story was newsworthy because of the nature of the calls (presumably political advice on a state provided phone) or the receiver of the call was never clarified.

---Not a Nickel for Edwards---

On April 25, Roll Call reported that while Senator John Edwards (NC) has been able to bring in a lot of campaign contributions from his fellow trial lawyers around the country, Mississippi is now dry - at least for him. He has raised $1.39 million for his New American Optimists PAC: 86% from lawyers, their employees or their family members. But, Roll Call says:

"In the last months of 2001, when Edwards was raising only hard dollars for New American Optimists, Mississippi lawyers, their employees and their families accounted for $177,000 in contributions to the PAC, more than 20 percent of his total haul. During the past three months, Mississippi's legal community gave just $5,000 to Edwards - less than one-tenth of one percent of the hard and soft dollars the Senator raised during that time. The last check from Mississippi arrived Feb. 5, two days before [Judge Charles] Pickering's [Senate] hearing, during which Edwards delivered a blistering cross-examination of the judge that many Judiciary Democrats cited as critical in their decision to oppose the nomination."

Pascagoula trial lawyer leader Richard Scruggs, "said he tried in vain to get Edwards to hear his arguments in support of the judge. But Edwards didn't return his calls, and Scruggs, who has never contributed to the Senator's campaigns, vowed to rally opposition to the North Carolinian's presidential ambitions. 'He's probably seen his last nickel out of here,' Scruggs said Wednesday. While there have been no formal votes among Mississippi bar members, Scruggs said he has raised the issue and has found a generally positive response to his anti-Edwards crusade...Scruggs, however, insisted there is more money to be had in Mississippi, funds that are now waiting for one of the other Democratic contenders...'Had [Edwards] been more responsive, he could have gotten a lot more of it,' he said of the campaign cash, vowing to find a way to exact more revenge in the future. 'I'm just waiting for the opportunity to be relevant in his life again.'"

*****************************************************
Pickering v Shows (3rd District)
*****************************************************
The Pickering-Shows race has had a few issues worth mentioning during the past few weeks. The Shows Campaign announced it had received the endorsement of both the Mississippi and National Right to Life organizations. The Pickering Campaign followed with a release affirming that, but noting that BOTH Shows and Pickering had received the endorsements. The Shows Campaign criticized Pickering for not standing up to the US Chamber of Commerce. The Pickering Campaign called the criticism "juvenile" noting that Shows had not consulted Pickering's Campaign on his position, which indeed was critical of the Chamber. Congressman Shows joined with five other congressmen in sponsoring an amendment to the US Constitution that would define marriage as between one man and a woman and would deny marital benefits to other civil unions. In response, Equality Mississippi, "Mississippi's statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization" announced that their endorsement for the Third District race will go to Libertarian candidate Brad McDonald. Most of the conversation between the Pickering and Shows campaigns have revolved around their debate schedule. What could be THE debate of the campaign could be brewing for this year's Neshoba County Fair. This last weekend in Meridian on the Truthmaster Radio Program, the two debated with the highlight, according to the Pickering Campaign web site, centering on who each would choose as Speaker of the House.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) was in Jackson for the Black Mayors' Association meeting, and while not making a campaign event stop for Congressman Ronnie Shows, has already made a contribution to the Mississippi Democrat's campaign. DASHPAC (Dedicated Americans for the Senate and the House) is Daschle's leadership PAC that made a gift to the Shows Campaign of $1000 on March 30. This is the second high profile Democratic Senator to make a gift to Shows. In February, it was reported that New York Senator Hillary Clinton's HILLPAC made a gift of $5000 to the Shows campaign. Another contributor of political note on Shows' latest report is that of Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) whose committee gave $1000 on March 25 of this year.

*****************************************************
Delta Congressional District Challenge
*****************************************************
George Irvin's challenge against Bennie Thompson picks up intensity with the endorsement of the Policemen's Benevolent Association, which is expected today. Coming up on May 29, Irvin is hosting a meet and greet town meeting in Vicksburg at the courthouse at 6pm. Thompson has been invited so voters are able to meet both, but he may not be in town to make the meeting. Irvin has opened a headquarters in Jackson at 2600 North State Street at the intersection of Old Canton Road and North State Street. See his photo album, sign up to help and read his positions at www.irvin4congress.com at his campaign web site.

Clinton LeSueur, a Republican candidate for the Second Congressional District, has launched his online headquarters at www.lesueurforcongress.com where you can read about LeSueur, his campaign issues and sign up to help his campaign. His opponent in the Republican Primary, Charlotte Reeves, has also launched her own campaign web page at www.charlottereeves.com where you can print a campaign flyer to hand out.

*****************************************************
Party Lines
*****************************************************
Senator Videt Carmichael of Meridian has left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party. Of the 52 state senators, Democrats maintain their majority with 33 seats to the 19 Republican seats. Republicans believe they can gain at least two more seats in this manner before the 2003 legislative elections. The House of Representatives’ disparity is greater with 86 Democrats, 33 Republicans and 3 Independents in the 122-member body.

Representatives from the Mississippi Reform Party, and their counterparts from Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, New Hampshire and Tennessee attended a gathering on April 15 following their departure of the National Reform Party, to create the America First Party. The AFP is headquarted in Boulder, Colorado and according to a resolution passed by attendees, the new party's purpose "shall be the restoration of life, faith, freedom, responsibility and the Constitution." AFP held its first national committee meeting on April 20 and will hold its founding convention in August.

*****************************************************
Campaign 2003
*****************************************************
The 2002 Mississippi Poll - From the Survey Research Unit of the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University, released in April. In the Democratic Party primary for governor, Mike Moore leads Ronnie Musgrove 48.4% to 32.2% with 13.1% undecided and 6.3% choosing neither. In the Democratic Party primary for governor, Ronnie Musgrove leads Amy Tuck 44.9% to 25.5% with 19.7% undecided and 9.9% choosing neither. In the General Election, Democrat Ronnie Musgrove led Republican Haley Barbour 49% to 28.9% with 22.1% undecided/refused. In the General Election, Democrat Ronnie Musgrove led Republican Phil Bryant 46.8% to 28.4% with 24.8% undecided/refused. Musgrove's favorable rating dropped from 69% in 2000 to 44% in 2002. The legislature's favorability also dropped from 28% two years ago to 20%, its lowest level since 1994.

Sidney W. Bondurant, a physician from Grenada, plans to run for House District 24 against incumbent Donny Ryals (D-Grenada). Bondurant cites tort reform, the economy and education as his primary issues. He plans to run as an Independent saying he cannot stomach the Democratic Party's position on abortion, or the Republican Party's position on managed health care.

Buck Clarke (Hollandale) may be considering a run for State Treasurer in 2003 as a Republican. Clarke is a CPA with strong Delta political ties.

*****************************************************
*****************************************************
Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page
April 23 to May 21: 27,202
Since Launch (July 6): 328,593
E-mail Report Subscribers: 668
*****************************************************
*****************************************************

*****************************************************
Quick Notes
*****************************************************
USA Today reported on April 30 that Southern Democratic governors are concerned about their national party's stand on gun control. "The Democrats' intraparty divide on guns surfaced Saturday night when [Georgia Senator Zell] Miller, a conservative Democrat, told the National Rifle Association that gun owners in states like Arkansas, Tennessee and West Virginia had cost Al Gore the 2000 election against George W. Bush. He touted the NRA's 4.2 million members as the epitome of 'mainstream America.'" Most of the governors in the conference call with reporters (Roy Barnes-GA, Don Siegelman-AL, Jim Hodges-SC, Mike Easley-NC, Ronnie Musgrove-MS and Parris Glendening MD) "agreed that guns played at least some role in Gore's defeat. And they made clear that they are comfortable with the gun culture. 'My two children, 14 and 16, are avid hunters, as I am,' Musgrove said. Democrats have looked to Virginia Gov. Mark Warner's campaign as a model of how to defuse the gun issue. Members of 'Sportsmen for Warner' stressed his support for hunting across rural Virginia. This month, Warner signed a law overturning a Virginia city's ban on concealed handguns in city buildings."

The Hotline recounts that a letter by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee mailed to Democratic donors across the country announced that "strengthening the Democratic Senate Majority in 2002 depends on re-electing all 14 of our outstanding incumbent(s)." One incumbent was identified as Senator Jean Carnahan of Mississippi. Unfortunately, Carnahan is from Missouri.

Roll Call reports that Tennessee Rep. Bob Clement (D) has hired the Nashville-based media-consulting firm Fletcher & Rowley to be his media consultants for his campaign for the open Senate seat vacated by Republican Fred Thompson. Among Fletcher & Rowley's other current clients is Mississippi Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck (D).

Republican Karl Mertz, who is challenging Fourth District Congressman Gene Taylor (D), has launched a campaign web page. Visit www.mertznow.com to read his entertaining thoughts.

A group of Hinds County citizens have formed the Citizens Action Committee (CAC). It is a non-partisan, privately funded organization dedicated to inspiring citizen participation in local government and encouraging excellent local government. Their membership goal is 10,000 people within six months. Part of CAC's mission statement reads, "Citizens have the right to high quality, business-like execution of local government responsibilities. CAC is therefore dedicated to inspiring and facilitating citizen support, assistance, and scrutiny of city and county public officials in order to encourage the excellent performance of their duties." It is to be a watchdog group for elected and appointed officials of local city and county governments. Leading organizers include Bryan Buckley, Daryl Neely, Liz Carroll, Dave Fulcher and Rebecca Pittman.

*****************************************************
Movers and Shakers
*****************************************************
On April 30, David Bryant won the run-off for alderman-at-large in Hollandale with 320 votes to Mamie Warren's 274 votes (unofficial). The race filled the seat of Alderwoman Bernice Wardale Lucas who died in March. There were six candidates in the April 23 special election.

Sam D. Habeeb, an attorney for the Mississippi State Tax Commission, was appointed special judge for Warren County by the Mississippi Supreme Court, replacing suspended Judge Gerald Hosemann. Habeeb is formerly a special assistant attorney general and special assistant general counsel to the Mississippi Bar. He is also a former Vicksburg Republican alderman.

Marilyn Hansell of Greenville, Washington County field director for U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, has been named interim Chancery Clerk for Washington County by county's Board of Supervisors. Hansell replaces Margaret Tucker who retired. Hansell said she will resign her position on Thompson's staff to take on the full-time duties of chancery clerk.

Elzena Johnson (D) defeated James Stearing for Terry alderman in the April 23 run-off. The seat was vacated by the late Fred Garrett. At age 87, this is Johnson's first run at elected office. She has been a columnist for the Hinds County Gazette and served as a caller for all elections in Hinds County District 5.

Former Congressman and Assistant Secretary of the Army Mike Parker has joined the Russ Reid Company as Vice President for Federal Affairs. Russ Reid Company is a leader in providing marketing, communications and government relations services to non-profit organizations. It is part of the Omnicom Group, a global marketing and corporate communications company with 5000 clients in more than 100 companies.

In preparation for the upcoming election, Congressman Chip Pickering has named John Rounsaville his new Legislative Director. Rounsaville (Big Creek) served Pickering as Legislative Assistant for Agriculture for 3 years.

Andy Taggart, who served as chief of staff to Governor Kirk Fordice, has withdrawn from the Butler Snow firm and has commenced his own law practice in business, strategic and political counseling and government (legislative, regulatory, administrative) trouble shooting.

*****************************************************
*****************************************************
Now on the Magnolia Report Images Page are four new pictures. First, see Third District Congressman Chip Pickering participating in the International Bible Reading Association's U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon, where the entire Bible is being read aloud from the steps of the Capitol Building. Second, see the meeting of two Williams: William Forrest Winter and William Fereday. Third, see the newest member of Trent Lott’s Gulfport Office, Clay Williams. Finally, longtime Mississippi political operative Steve Guyton appears with Vice President Dick Cheney at his recent stop in Mississippi for a Congressman Chip Pickering Fundraiser.
*****************************************************
*****************************************************

*****************************************************
E-Bytes
*****************************************************
"With encouragement from Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster, about 25 Natchez, Miss., doctors continue to look seriously at moving their practices to Concordia Parish to escape high malpractice insurance rates. Dr. Kenneth Stubbs said he and several other doctors have gone so far as to put their homes up for sale and are preparing to move...Under Mississippi law, doctors practicing in Louisiana could still be sued under Mississippi malpractice laws if they continued to live in Mississippi. Concordia officials have said they may seek funding for a 250-bed medical center to be built in Vidalia or Ferriday to accommodate the Mississippi doctors. The Natchez doctors say Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove is indifferent to their problem and blames the Legislature for not taking action to curb high malpractice insurance rates. The doctors said Louisiana's governor has contacted them and encouraged the move. 'Gov. Foster told me he wants to promote business opportunities in Louisiana,' Stubbs said." -The Town Talk (Alexandria, LA): April 5, 2002

"I grew up in Mississippi where my parents taught me that money didn't grow on trees. Maybe there's some special fertilizer in Vermont." - Education Secretary Rod Paige criticizing Governor Howard Dean (D-VT) for considering rejecting federal school aid to avoid school testing.

"The only big hitter will be me. We run our own campaign." - Congressman Ronnie Shows on the Mary Wieden Shows, SuperTalk MS: April 26, 2002

"It's been a long while since I've gotten such a warm welcome from a Mississippian." Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) speaking of Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr, Clarion Ledger: April 27, 2002

"A judge has ruled that the secretary of state was wrong to try to claim nearly nine acres belonging to Imperial Palace casino. In a ruling that stops just short of ridiculing the secretary of state's actions, retired Chancery Court Judge Donald Patterson said the state agency is bound by its own map, which it drew years ago to set the lines between public trust lands and that of private property owners. 'This construction will undoubtedly appeal to a banana republic dictator,' Patterson wrote about the secretary of state's position in the lawsuit, 'but it doesn't appeal to this court.' Patterson also cited 'Oliver Twist' in the 10-page decision, likening the state agency's interpretation of state law to 'Mr. Bumble.'" - Sun Herald: April 27, 2002

"Democrats don't have an agenda. What they are for is the stuff that we have been doing and what we have been pushing for. They are on our agenda. We are on the offense." - Republican Minority Leader, Senator Trent Lott in Roll Call: April 29, 2002

"Here's a place to start: More physicians should seriously consider running for the Legislature in 2003. Why should the state Capitol be the exclusive province of lawyers? Are doctors going to let a Legislature run by plaintiff's lawyers keep sticking it to them, or are they going to try to do something about it?....As would many small-town doctors, who have spent a lifetime building good relationships with patients. There are several in this area, at or near retirement age, who would make fine candidates. Here's hoping some of them decide to get involved." Enterprise Journal Editorial: May 5, 2002

"Economic development money is not a Democrat thing, and it's not a Republican thing. If you think otherwise, you're wrong." - 2nd District Democratic Candidate George Irvin, Greenwood Commonwealth: May 9, 2002

"He's going to be able to serve as Republican leader of the Senate as long as he wants to. I don't know of anyone who is planning to challenge him." - Thad Cochran on Trent Lott's leadership, WLBT: May 13, 2002

"Our state is in the worst financial mess than it's been in decades, probably since the Depression, and it's getting worse. We have to set our priorities and stick to them-borrowing from the state's trust funds is not the answer. Some of these funds will have to be paid back." - Haley Barbour in Daily Sentinel Star: May 14, 2002

*****************************************************
Magnolia Report’s Political Calendar
*****************************************************
May 25 (Saturday)
Simpson County Democratic Executive Committee
Fundraising Dinner
South Fork Fish House, Magee
Guest Speaker: Ronnie Shows
Contact Daniel Ware at 601-849-9551 or Wiley Magee at the Circuit Clerk's Office at 601-847-2474

May 28 (Tuesday)
Mississippi Republican Party and Chip Reno
Red, White and Blues
5:30 to 7:30pm: Upstairs at George Street Grocery, Jackson
$25 per person; $100 per host

June 4 (Tuesday)
Congressional Campaign Primary Election

June 10 (Monday)
Hinds County Federation of Democratic Women
Meeting and Workshop for New Members
Eudora Welty Library, Jackson: 5:30pm
All interested persons 18yrs of age are encouraged to attend

June 28 (Tuesday)
Simpson County Economic Foundation
Annual Meeting
Key Note Speaker: Haley Barbour

July 26-August 2
Neshoba County Fair

September 25-26 (Wednesday-Thursday)
Court Date of Skelton v MS Democratic Party

November 5 (Tuesday)
General Election

November 19 (Tuesday)
General Election Run-Off

*****************************************************
Final Word - Political Attack Rhetoric
*****************************************************
"I am concerned with the terrorist rhetoric uttered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its leader, Tom Donohue bin Laden....Just as President Bush declared war on the terrorists who threatened the United States, I urge the leadership of this state to declare war on the terrorist organization doing business as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce....Mississippi will not bow to terrorism." - Letter to the Editor by Representative Erik R. Fleming (D-Jackson): May 14, 2002

"Sixty years after America's greatest generation withstood Pearl Harbor, the Bush Social Security Commission has launched a sneak attack on America's retirees. 'The generation that won World War II and the generations have responded so magnificently to 9/11 all face an uncertain retirement if the Bush Social Security plans became law....This sneak attack upon the most vulnerable of Americans shall not stand,' said Cole." - Release by Democratic Party Chairman Ricky Cole: December 7, 2001

****************************************
Magnolia Political Report, 2002
Brian Perry, Editor
www.magnoliareport.com
****************************************

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