Magnolia Political Report

The Scoop for Mississippi Politics | www.MagnoliaReport.com
The Magnolia Political Report for October 29, 2002

Magnolia Report 30

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

Magnolia Political Report
October 29, 2002
(Number 30) - Web Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

****************************************************
Rumor Mill 2003
*****************************************************
As reported first at MagnoliaReport.com, five-term Northern District Highway Commissioner Zack Stewart (D-New Albany) announced he will not seek reelection in November 2003. Stewart first took office in 1983 after defeating incumbent Bobby Richardson. Stewart said he made the announcement now to give potential candidates time to plan. Stewart has been unchallenged his past two elections. DeSoto County Supervisor John Caldwell (R-Hernando) had already announced his plan to challenge Stewart in 2003 and has begun raising money and campaign support. No other candidates have yet emerged, though they are expected. One name being mentioned is Senator Bill Minor (D-Holly Springs), a conservative Democrat close to the Tuck Senate Leadership.

Barring some unforeseen circumstances, Representative Randy "Bubba" Pierce (D-Leakesville) will not be a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 2003. Those unforeseen circumstances would be a major event such as a party switch by Amy Tuck, or her not seeking reelection. He also will not be a candidate for Attorney General, regardless of whether or not Mike Moore seeks reelection. Pierce will likely seek reelection and will make an announcement regarding that in November, after the congressional election. In other news, Pierce will be traveling to Miami in early November to appear before the Special Task Force that Florida Governor Jeb Bush has formed to study the medical malpractice issue in that state.

Some conservative Democrats suggest that former Supreme Court Judge Jim Roberts (D-Pontotoc) may once again challenge Musgrove for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2003. Musgrove defeated Roberts with 56.7% to 26.1% in the 1999 Democratic Primary for Governor, with 6 other candidates earning the balance. On October 21, supporters cheered Musgrove at the Lee County Democratic Fall Rally. State Chairman Ricky Cole described it as a kickoff of Musgrove's reelection campaign. Musgrove called for continued Democratic leadership in Mississippi, and for returning Democrats to power in Washington DC. An estimated 475 people attended. According to Tupelo's Daily Journal, "Musgrove also condemned GOP national leaders, contending they squandered eight years of unparalleled economic progress under a Democratic administration."

Haley Barbour (R-Yazoo City) is expected to announce his 2003 intentions shortly after the November election, before the New Year.

*****************************************************
Round Up
*****************************************************
Senate District 5 - Nine candidates qualified for the Special Election to complete the term of Senator John White (D-Booneville), who resigned in frustration during the recent special session. The election will be held on November 5 and if no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a runoff election between the two top vote getters will be held on November 19. The district lines are for the current and not newly redrawn Senate 5 District of Prentiss and parts of Itawamba, Lee and Tishomingo Counties. The winner will face reelection in November 2003. The candidates: Rodney Beasley (Booneville), high school teacher; Ken Floyd II (Booneville), attorney with Cadle & Floyd; Lin Floyd (Booneville), school teacher and Republican activist; Cliff Long (Booneville), President and CEO of B&W Furniture Frames; George A. Waddell (Marietta), farmer and former family physician; Charles E. Walden (Booneville), high school teacher; Christi Antillon Webb (Baldwyn), professor at Northeast MS Community College; Bill White (Booneville), real estate broker; and J.P. Wilemon Jr (Booneville), alderman and banker. Party affiliations will not appear on the ballot.

The Green Party of Mississippi has enhanced their web site. View their page and other political parties' pages at MagnoliaReport.com's Political Links. In addition to web pages for candidates Democrat Bennie Thompson and Republican Clinton LeSueur, the Second Congressional District Reform Party Candidate Lee Dillworth has a web presence. See all these at MagnoliaReport.com's Congress 2002 page.

The TCB Construction Company of Poplarville bought an advertisement in The New Orleans Times-Picayune during the recent hurricane trouble apologizing for the actions of Governor Ronnie Musgrove. Musgrove had refused to make I-59 a one-way hurricane evacuation route in Mississippi for Louisiana residents. Titled "An Open Letter from the Citizens of Mississippi!" it said, "We believe Governor Ronnie Musgrove's decision is lacking moral soundness and stewardship associated with good leadership."

Canton native and folk musician Caroline Herring will be returning to Mississippi for performances at Hal & Mals in Jackson on November 2, and the Canton Public Library on November 3. Herring is the daughter of Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring. She recently performed for President George W. Bush and Chinese Premier Jiang Zemin.

*****************************************************
Third Congressional District Race
*****************************************************
National Public Radio's Senior Correspondent Juan Williams recently made a trip to Mississippi to produce a piece on the 3rd Congressional District Race for Morning Edition. Airing on October 22, the piece aired segments of the Pickering-Shows Debate at the Neshoba County Fair. Interviewed for the piece were Dr. Robert S. McElvaine of Millsaps College, Editor of MagnoliaReport.com Brian Perry, and political columnist Bill Minor. The piece shows the national interest in this race.

The October 28, 2002 (#591) issue of Hastings Wyman's Southern Political Report looked over landscape of races in the South. On the Mississippi Third Congressional District race he writes, "The die was cast when the Democratic legislature drew a Republican 3rd District, giving US Rep. Chip Pickering (R) a major advantage over US Rep. Ronnie Shows (D). Shows is fighting hard, however, and is mounting a major GOTV effort, which includes conference calls with ex-President Clinton and Democratic activists. Nevertheless, 'It would be a pretty monumental upset if Shows won,' says an experienced journalist. Likely Republican." Read more at www.SouthernPoliticalReport.com.

Shows began a final election campaign push on Monday October 28 that runs through Election Eve. It will make a stop in 33 towns reaching 25 of the 28 counties in the new 3rd District, before ending in Shows' hometown of Bassfield. National pollsters expect a larger than normal turnout in the black community and also note that the AFL-CIO has turned their money from television to GOTV efforts. If these expected national trends hold to the district, it would benefit Shows. Evidence of grassroots activity can already be seen in areas like Noxubee County where Democrat activist Ike Brown has built a reputation of getting out the vote. There are over 500 absentee ballots in Noxubee County.

Shows has recently campaigned with Coast Congressman Gene Taylor to boost his conservative image. The Pickering Campaign says the conservative image is false, pointing to an endorsement from ultra-lib Barbra Streisand. In a release they say, "Streisand can take comfort in her endorsement of Ronnie Shows, because he has pledged to support pro-abortionist Dick Gephardt for Speaker of the House or whoever is the Democrat nominee. Shows has refused several challenges from Congressman Chip Pickering to support a Speaker who will protect the unborn and our 2nd Amendment rights. Streisand also endorsed Bennie Thompson, but failed to endorse Democrat Gene Taylor who refuses to vote for Dick Gephardt as Speaker of the House and voted for impeachment of Bill Clinton. 'Ronnie Shows has a real problem in this race,' commented Henry Barbour, Pickering's Campaign Manager. 'Shows has promised to put people in charge of our government who are hostile to our moral values and that is why the liberal elitists like Barbra Streisand, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore are fighting to make sure their ally Ronnie Shows defeats conservative Chip Pickering.' Streisand helped the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raise $6,000,000 on September 29, 2002 as she headlined the event that is helping fund the current media campaign attacking Chip Pickering on Ronnie Shows' behalf. 'I hope Shows remembered to send Streisand a thank you note for raising all of this money so the Democrats could attack Chip Pickering,' added Barbour."

While Shows has been campaigning with Taylor, Pickering has been campaigning with Senator Thad Cochran who is also up for election this year, but facing no real competition. The Pickering Campaign hopes that "Thad Country" (as the Senator's campaign commercials describe Mississippi) is also "Pickering Country."

In related news, the United States Supreme Court will hear Mississippi's Congressional Redistricting dispute at 10am on December 10. At a recent Clarion Ledger Editorial Board Meeting, Shows was asked about any "personal animosity" he might have toward Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck after she fought for congressional district lines that politically favored Pickering over Shows. "We'll just wait and see how the election comes out," Shows said. Rumors have circulated that if he loses this race, Shows may challenge Tuck in the Democratic Primary for Lieutenant Governor in 2003.

*****************************************************
Judicial Campaigns
*****************************************************
The race for State Supreme Court in the Southern District has heated up everywhere, now online as well. The Law Enforcement Alliance of America has attacked Incumbent Justice Chuck McRae in television commercials and repeats those accusations at www.leaa.org/NoCommonSense with documentation. They are also running commercials in support of McRae's opponent Jess Dickinson with references to www.leaa.org/commonsense. Dickinson, supported by the state's business community, has also been attacked on radio and television. These accusations are repeated at www.mississippitruth.com which is the web page of Citizens for Truth in Government.

Following the Federal Court ruling declaring Mississippi's prohibition against political parties endorsing or contributing to judicial candidates, the Mississippi Republican Party let its voice be heard. The GOP endorsed Jess Dickinson for the Southern District Supreme Court, Roger McMillin for the 1st District Court of Appeals and Kenny Griffis for the 3rd District Court of Appeals. The Hinds County Republican Party endorsed Senior Circuit Court Judge Swan Yerger.

The television and radio battles have increased in the 3rd District Court of Appeals race as well. The Griffis campaign has radio commercials noting the candidate's response to President Bush's call for a judicial system not controlled by trial lawyer special interests. But attacks against Griffis are expected soon from Citizens for Truth in Government, according to sources familiar with the race. Former Judge Mary Libby Payne appears in a commercial for Griffis' opponent Jim Brantley. Sources report Payne was upset that the Republicans had endorsed Griffis; but GOP activists point to Brantley's former position as President of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association and his appointment to the bench by Governor Ronnie Musgrove as clear indications that he is not the conservative in the race.

The pre-election round of campaign finance reports for judicial candidates are due today.

*****************************************************
Local Politics
*****************************************************
Guntown - George Micky Kuykendall won a special election to fill the post of the late Larry McCoy on the Guntown Board of Aldermen. Kuykendall won with 61 votes to the 52 votes of McCoy's widow Linda. They were the only two running for the position.

Calhoun City - Municipal elections will be held on November 12 under the new ward system. All aldermen candidates are running on the Democratic ticket and all mayoral candidates are running on the Republican ticket. With only two candidates in Ward Four, Ward Five, and the mayoral race, the primary election will determine who is elected to each position.

Saltillo - On November 12, voters will head to the polls to select a replacement for Police Chief David Blackwood, who resigned on Oct. 2.

*****************************************************
State House Leadership
*****************************************************
The passing of the medical malpractice bill not only created a policy shift in civil litigation, but also had a double political effect on the politics of the House of Representatives.

First, and bad for the business community still seeking general tort reform, the passage took the debate off the front pages of the reform-issue weary media and public. Pushed into a news cycle focused on elections rather than legislation, the energy of the medical malpractice debate has yet to be rekindled.

Second, it prevented a possible attempt at challenging Speaker Tim Ford's power in the House. News began trickling out about a push by Republican lawmakers and their conservative Democrat allies to block adjournment, a simple majority vote, which would have been a slap in the face of the House Power Structure.

The Hattiesburg American, after meeting with their local legislative delegation announced in an editorial that a House revolt was brewing. The editorial of October 6 said in part, "There's a revolution brewing at the state Capitol. For the first time in years, Mississippi lawmakers are openly discussing the possibility of revolt...the opportunity to challenge the leadership in the House of Representatives - the one chamber where leadership has consistently opposed substantive reform - could present itself this week when lawmakers return to Jackson to resume the special session on tort reform...[Fed up legislators] have discussed the unthinkable among themselves: Side-stepping House Speaker Tim Ford's authority by forcing a floor vote not to adjourn...Lawmakers must not leave the Capitol without enacting substantive reforms...And if the only way to achieve this goal is by openly challenging the speaker's authority, then legislators need to muster their courage and storm the barricades (figuratively speaking)."

Attending the meeting of the editorial board were Senators Tom King (R-Petal), Ron Farris (R-Hattiesburg) and Billy Harvey (D-Prentiss). Representatives Joey Fillingane (R-Sumrall), Herb Frierson (D-Poplarville), Lee Jarrell Davis (R-Hattiesburg) and Mike Lott (R-Petal) also attended and said they were in favor of the leadership challenge. Representative Percy Watson (D-Hattiesburg), lead House negotiator on the conference committee, did not attend.

The Clarion Ledger's Perspective Editor Sid Salter penned a column on the conflict the tort reform issue was having within House political structures. He suggested that while speculation continues that Speaker Tim Ford will not seek reelection in 2003, Ford would be hard pressed both in reelection to his seat and then to his leadership following the tort debate anyway. Salter says, "the potential 2003-2004 speaker's race is the major obstacle to the House's adopting a tort reform bill that works and works well."

If indeed Ford does not seek reelection to the House, opening up the Speaker's Chair, the names circulated as possible candidates for speaker include Billy McCoy (D- Rienzi), Bobby Moody (D- Louisville), Jim Simpson (R- Pass Christian) and other names who may be called in as consensus candidates. McCoy generally has the edge as of now, but legislators wonder what the 2003 election will bring. Adding to the political mix is speculation that Speaker Pro-Tem Robert Clark (D- Ebenezer) might retire and open up that position as well.

*****************************************************
Movers and Shakers
*****************************************************
State Auditor Phil Bryant has been appointed to the Internal Revenue Service's Taxpayer Advocacy Panel by U. S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill. Auditor Bryant was selected from over 1,300 applicants to serve as a member of this unique taxpayers' panel providing feedback and comments to the IRS. As with most Federal appointees, the Auditor went through an extensive interview process and FBI background check. Bryant is the sole representative from Mississippi on this voluntary panel of one hundred members from across America. Bryant was also selected to serve on the Wage and Investment Committee which represents the largest division within the IRS. The Wage and Investment Division serves approximately 122 million taxpayers accounting for 94 million returns. The Auditor will serve a two-year term on the Federal Advisory Committee.

The Greenville County School District (South Carolina) has hired Rhonda McGinnis to be the new coordinator of governmental affairs. McGinnis served as attorney and counsel to Mississippi's 122 House members in the areas of education, public utilities, and public administration. She worked with the Speaker and other House members to draft and analyze legislation. She previously worked with the Mississippi State Personnel Board and at a law firm in Florence.

*****************************************************
Final Word - 2 Out of 3 Branches of Government Agree...
*****************************************************
"I vetoed House Bill 1609 because it contained a provision to prohibit political parties from supporting judicial candidates with endorsements, fund raisers or contributions. House Bill 1609 told political parties that it would be illegal for them to publish their support for a candidate (by voice or in print), give money to a candidate or encourage others to give money - a clear violation of Section 13 of the Mississippi Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Throughout our history, the fundamental right of a group of citizens to associate together in a political party for the purpose of advancing political ideas had been protected by Section 11 of the Mississippi Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The advancement of political beliefs and ideas is protected by our Constitution and by our traditions as a free people. Money brings speech to listeners. Courts have ruled that the use of funds to support a political candidate is 'speech.' When the state censors the political speech a political party may share with its members, the state has crossed Constitutional boundaries and has directly impeded the free speech of its citizens." - Governor Kirk Fordice, Madison County Journal: April 30, 1998

"This Court finds the analysis of these decisions to be applicable to the statutory prohibitions at issue and that such analysis compels a determination that the prohibitions at issue are unconstitutional. In sum, it is well established, and the Attorney General does not disagree, that a state may not directly suppress core political speech of a political party concerning the merits of judicial candidates by prohibiting the party from endorsing or financially supporting judicial candidates." - US District Judge Henry T. Wingate, October 21, 2002

*************************************
Magnolia Political Report, 2002
Brian Perry, Editor
MagnoliaReport.com
*************************************

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