Formerly the Nick Walters Political Report

Magnolia Political Report

July 30, 2001 (#3)
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Neshoba Notes

Ronnie Musgrove introduced his plan to use the tobacco trust fund for state employee benefits. He said he spoke to Amy Tuck, Tim Ford, and Mike Moore about it and they were all open to consider it as an option. Talk about commitment. On Wednesday night, Musgrove feasted on filet mignon at Bill Yates' cabin. On Thursday night, he was guest to a fundraiser at Senator Gloria Williamson's cabin. Jim Giles was invited to neither event.

Amy Tuck announced her desire to restructure the College Board earning her big points at the Fair on Hattiesburg Day. Possible candidates for governor from South Mississippi could use the Horace Fleming situation as an issue to run with. Phil Bryant, with a degree from USM would have the legs with this as well. But Tuck's legislative proposal was brilliant politics and policy.

Mike Moore gave a team theme speech with baseball players as visual aids. He said we need more teamwork in state government. Could this be a trial balloon for a gubernatorial campaign theme?

According to one source, Eric Clark will absolutely not run for a higher office in 2003.

George Dale further distanced the trial lawyers as supporters as he continued his recent tort reform rhetoric. Word has it, trial lawyers are willing to invest up to $1million to defeat Dale in 2003. If Dale runs again, it is assumed the trial-lawyer backed candidate will run as a Democrat meaning Dale would need to run as a Republican to take advantage of his conservative voters in the primary. Word is he might not run again and a few interesting names are floating about in both parties to replace him.

Nielsen Cochran told the crowd that depending on what the legislature does in redistricting, not to be surprised if he is "in the political hunt" in the next couple of years. A run for lieutenant governor or governor would be interesting following the year his brother is reelected to the US Senate.

Dick Hall settled any speculation that he might run for a higher office by telling a reporter that he would either run for reelection or go on home.

Supreme Court Judge Jim Smith made the rounds to several cabins and despite rumors to the contrary, appears to be healthy as always. He didn't knock on every cabin door like last year, but then again, he isn't running for reelection this year.

As far as the 2003 governor's race, there was a lot of Haley Barbour talk, quite a bit of Trent Lott talk, some strong Bill Hawks talk, and even some Dick Molpus buzz as he puts out feelers for another run.

Dems hold Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

Democrats hosted the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day fundraising dinner on July 28. Ticket sales were light even despite featured guest DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe, Bill Clinton's top fundraiser and political friend.

Published reports place attendance at around 500, actual numbers reflect closer to 300 with many of those not paying for their attendance. Commissioner of Agriculture Lester Spell and Insurance Commissioner George Dale did not attend. Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck and Senator Travis Little did attend, which was a surprise for some. Also in attendance were Attorney General Mike Moore and Secretary of State Eric Clark.

The Jim Eastland Award was presented to Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, to the dismay of many old conservative Democrats.

Terry McAuliffe, flanked on one side by 2nd District Congressman Bennie Thompson and on the other side by Fourth District Congressman Ronnie Shows, announced that next time Mississippi would go Democrat for President and would send George W. Bush packing.

Speaking of packing, the Republicans sent out a press notice to the media along with toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and other items needed for an overnight stay. A reminder that McAuliffe organized the Lincoln Bedroom sleepovers during the Clinton Administration.

Governor Ronnie Musgrove told the crowd that Mississippi Democrats are more conservative than in many areas of the country, and that the DNC need to understand that.

Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page July 6 to July 29: 9072

Movers and Shakers

Gregg Harper of Rankin County has been selected by John Kaisch to head up his organization and PAC, the New Century Project, for Mississippi. Harper is the Chairman of the Rankin County Republican Party.

Former Governor William Winter will teach part-time and direct research at the Delta Research and Culture Institute at Mississippi Valley State University. Winter continues to practice law in Jackson.

Kathy Henry of Rankin County was presented with the National Teen-Age Republican Sponsor of the Year Award at the recent TAR National Convention. Henry serves in the office of Congressman Chip Pickering.

Donna Jill Johnson, Circuit Clerk for Lauderdale County, was named Circuit Clerk of the Year for Mississippi.

State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ed Pittman awarded former Chief Justice Armis Hawkins, former Mississippi Bar President Grady Tollison, state Supreme Court Justice Mike Mills, and the late Senator Hainon Miller of Greenville with the Chief Justice Award for their work to create the Court of Appeals and the Administrative Office of Courts.

Brad White of Braxton resigned as Simpson County Republican Party Chairman to become the new Mississippi Republican Party Chairman of County Development.

Tchula Inauguration

Tchula mayor Yvonne Brown is making quite a name for herself. After speaking to a Republican panel in Boston on Republican minority involvement, she discussed faith-based initiatives with the Republican National Committee in Washington, DC and has received invitations to speak to other groups across the country.

But on July 28 she was honored in Tchula at her inauguration ceremony. Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring was the master of ceremonies, Director of Rural Development Nick Walters read and presented a letter to Brown from President Bush, and Postal Commissioner Danny Convington also addressed the crowd. Republicans present included State Auditor Phil Bryant, National Committeewoman Cindy Phillips, and rank and file leadership including those from Adams, Hinds, Lauderdale, Madison, Rankin, Pike, and Warren Counties.

Redistricting Rumors

Not that Gene Taylor has as much to worry about as Ronnie Shows or Chip Pickering, but if he did need to lobby the legislature for redistricting information or suggestions he has the perfect person to do it. Steve Peranich, one of Congressman Taylor's aids is son to Representative Diane Peranich (Harrison County, District 121) who serves on the Apportionment and Elections Committee.

Musgrove plans to not call a special session until the new district maps are ready, leaving some to complain that this limits discussion, debate and compromise and instead gives a "railroading" appearance.

There is a new web page up dealing with Mississippi Redistricting. It includes a close up of three possible maps as well as editorials, news, and contact information for all those on the redistricting committees. Visit www.FairRedistricting.com to see the scoop.

Shameless Self Promotion

The Magnolia Report is now listed at Politics1.com as a Mississippi News Source.

The Magnolia Report also received a mention in the July 16th Issue of "The Almanack: An Internet Journal."

Finally, this from a subscriber, "Brian, I'm a recent reader and love the work!!!!! This is badly needed and I can't think of a better guy to do it."

Remember the title, shameless self-promotion.

Magnolia Report Poll

From time to time the Magnolia Report front page will host a poll. The past poll asked, "Who should challenge Ronnie Musgrove for the 2003 Democrat nomination for governor?" A total of 174 people participated with the following results.

Mike Moore (33) 18%
Jim Roberts (28) 16%
Lester Spell (12) 6%
Gene Taylor (24) 13%
Amy Tuck (47) 27%
No one - Musgrove Unchallenged (7) 4%
Musgrove Won't Seek Second Term (18) 10%
Other (5) 2%

The current poll up asks "What is your favorite source of political news?" Vote today.

Quick Notes

Supertalk Mississippi, the four-station FM talk-radio network in Jackson (97.3), Hattiesburg (97.3), the Delta (96.9) and Oxford (105.5) has a new line-up. Gone is Imus in the Morning, replaced by more attention on Mississippi news and politics.

US Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao is expected to be on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the Republican Party's annual Founder's Day Dinner.

Not everyone voted for removing the 5% trigger in the teacher pay raise bill. House members voting against the measure were Andrew Ketchings (R-Natchez), John Moore (R-Brandon) and Charlie Smith (I-Eupora). Senators joining these gentlemen were Charlie Ross (R-Brandon), Bill Cannon (R-Columbus) and Tommy Moffat (R-Gautier). Senator Walter Michel (R-Jackson) voted "present" on the bill.

A recent article in Roll Call compared recent financial reports of Chip Pickering and Ronnie Shows. In the last six-month period, Pickering "dramatically outraised Shows" and had "five times as much cash on hand." Pickering raised $459,000 and had $936,000 on hand; Shows raised $244,000 and had $189,000 on hand. Said Shows spokesman Burns Strider on the differences, " A pickup truck beats a Cadillac any day in Mississippi. He's ready to go."

The Mississippi Statewide Environmental Justice Summit will be held August 2-4, 2001 at the Quality Hotel and Conference Center in Jackson. Visit www.ejsummit.com for details on the event.

Nuts and Bolts

Republicans hosted a "Nuts and Bolts" seminar at Jones County Junior College on July 28. Between 50 and 55 people showed up. Many of these participants were young people looking to be active in the upcoming 2002 Congressional Campaigns as well as a few potential legislative candidates. District Attorney Buddy McDonald, who recently switched to the Republican Party, also made an appearance and spoke to the participants. The session was cosponsored by the Mississippi Republican Party and the Republican National Committee.

Rumor Mill and Whispers

How long until lawsuits are filed concerning DDT related health concerns in the Delta?

A couple of statewide elected Democrats have begun to discuss the need for tort reform, but word has it the trial lawyers are moving in on the party power structure. Stan Flint, Government Relations Liaison for the Mississippi Trial Lawyer Association could be named the next Democrat Party Chairman at their August 18th meeting.

Round-Up

In a case with potentially 50 million plaintiffs, trial lawyer Richard Scruggs of Pascagoula and David Boies, Al Gore's attorney during the Florida election recount, are suing HMOs Aetna, CIGNA Corp, Prudential Insurance, United Health Group Inc and Human Inc. The outcome of the case could involve billions of dollars.

At a reception for Simpson County Republican Elected Officials, Phil Bryant spoke on the issue of party switching, "Some people worry about those that switch parties, they wonder if they are really conservative enough. Well, they are kind of like son-in-laws, you don't get to pick them all, but you welcome them into your family."

Tax refund checks will be coming into Mississippi over the next several weeks to 735,000 individuals totaling $310 million dollars. The Clarion Ledger estimates that $74 million of that cash will come into the tri-county Metro-Jackson area.

On July 17, ten Mississippi Hispanic business leaders met with President George W. Bush to discuss small business, education, and immigration concerns. The event was coordinated by the Mississippi Republican Hispanic Assembly.

Former Nixon official Chuck Colson will visit Parchman Prison on August 17, and on August 20 will visit Bolivar County Correctional Facility. Colson will be in Mississippi with Operation Starting Line, a prison ministry he is coordinating.

Race for 2003

The latest news for 2003 sprouted from the pages of the Clarion Ledger as Sid Salter wrote about the possibility of a run for governor by Haley Barbour. The thoughts keep emerging and have been profiled by the Washington Post and the Associated Press, as well as other local Mississippi newsources. He remains mum on the word. Another Republican name floating about is that of Trent Lott who could run in 2003 and, if he won, would be able to name his successor. Perhaps this is the real job Barbour is lobbying for.