Magnolia Report for September 24, 2001

Magnolia Report #7

Mississippi Terror Casualties

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Dickerson of Durant, 41, US Army, Missing at the Pentagon
James Joe Ferguson formerly of Durant, 39, Killed on American Airlines Flight #77

The Official Word on Terror

"We pledge today our wholehearted support for President Bush and his commitment to hunt down those responsible for these atrocities and to punish them in a way that is commensurate with their horrible acts."
- Senator Thad Cochran (R)

"This is an affront to humanity itself, just as threatening, immoral and evil as any perverted plan conceived by the likes of Hitler, or any of history's worst criminals. I am hopeful that each civilized nation on Earth will stand behind or assist America when our response comes. Those who would dare commit such crimes against the civilized world must know that even these heinous schemes cannot stop freedom."
- Senator Trent Lott (R)

"Our nation stands united in its resolve to respond swiftly, decisively, and with great force to these acts of war and to take the necessary steps to protect against this threat in the future."
- First District Congressman Roger Wicker (R)

"This attack and the horrible loss of life that has resulted impacts every aspect of our nation. I want to assure my constituents that the Federal government will do everything it can to find out who is responsible and hold them accountable."
- Second District Congressman Bennie Thompson (D)

"The terrorists attacked our symbols, but they have not shaken our foundation. We are united as one country. We will not accept the evil of terrorism. We have a great opportunity to rise to this challenge and continue the great legacy that has been left to us."
- Third District Congressman Chip Pickering (R)

"We must mourn and memorialize those we lost. And, we must seek total and complete retaliation against those who have carried out these terrorist acts against us. This must include the people and nations who acted as accomplices. Justice must and will rain down like mighty waters."
- Fourth District Congressman Ronnie Shows (D)

"War is a very serious word. It is usually war between nations. There is no nation that has said they did this. I think it is important that the message go out that those still living who are responsible will be brought to justice. That is the message. Now, it is our task to find those people."
- Fifth District Congressman Gene Taylor (D)

"These cowardly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon are unconscionable. This is a national tragedy."
- Governor Ronnie Musgrove (D)

"In these difficult days we have seen the strong and resilient American spirit that makes the United States the beacon of freedom in the world. We join with our fellow citizens in praying for the victims of Tuesday's vicious attack and their families. We stand united behind President George W. Bush and the leaders of our country as they seek to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this horrendous crime. On this day of Prayer and Remembrance, we urge all Mississippians to be mindful of the men and women of our law enforcement and armed forces who will likely be called upon to lead the pursuit for victory over terrorism."
- Joint Statement from Mississippi Democrat Party Chairman Ricky Cole and Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring

Redistricting Rumors

In Hernando recently, Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring told the DeSoto Times Today his concern that the legislature will pass the "tornado plan" for redistricting which he described as unreasonable gerrymandering. Such a district would put Ranking County in Central Mississippi, and DeSoto County in North Mississippi, into the same district. It would also combine Ole Miss and MSU into the same district, as well as most of the military bases in the state. Such a district could result in less federal funding for Mississippi educational institutions and military bases.

A joint legislative reapportionment committee is scheduled to meet on October 5 to make a recommendation, with Governor Ronnie Musgrove likely calling a special session on October 15 for final reapportioning.

According to Representative Ferr Smith (D-Carthage), "Members of the committee have been told to come prepared to vote on a plan." Smith indicated (at a special Legislative Forum sponsored by the Kosciusko-Attala Chamber of Commerce) that the Senate has been stalling the decision and that the House is ready to make a decision. He suggested the two plans most likely to be considered are the "tornado plan" backed by national Democrat strategists and the "Stennis Plan" introduced by the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University.

Names rumored to support the Stennis Plan include Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck (D-Maben), Senator Travis Little (D-Corinth) and Senator Mike Chaney (R-Vicksburg).

Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page September 10 to September 23: 15,425
Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page Since Launch (July 6): 55,854

Quick Notes

Mississippi has already held the 2001 election cycle with municipal campaigns held earlier this year. But more than a hundred Mississippians will be on November 6 special election ballots in more than a dozen counties. Fourteen candidates are vying for Sheriff of Lee County and twenty-four are looking to be the next Justice Court Judge for Winston County's East District. For a sample of the campaigns across the state, visit the Magnolia Report's Features Page.

Attorney Greg Stewart (Tunica) has dropped his effort to secure the Mississippi State Flag into the Mississippi Constitution. However, he says he has far more than the 90,000 signatures necessary to put the proposal on the ballot. Meanwhile, State Representative Earle Banks (D-Jackson) says he plans to introduce legislation in the 2002 Session to change the design of the state flag to that of the Magnolia State Flag.

Republican Chairman Jim Herring has been conducting a tour of Mississippi holding "Meet the Chairman" events in Hernando, Tupelo, Natchez, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport. In addition to motivating the GOP grassroots, he is aggressively recruiting for the 2003 election cycle. Last Friday he was at the home of Dave Dennis, the Republican Finance Chairman, in Gulfport. Dennis, who has been discussed as a potential Republican gubernatorial candidate told the crowd present that he has enjoyed his business life but is now ready to move into public life. Saturday, Republicans gathered again on the Coast for Dr. Martinolich's Annual Bar-B-Q with Senator Thad Cochran as a guest of honor. Meanwhile, Herring was back in Jackson to play host to Virginia Governor and Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Gilmore at a private fundraiser.

Brenda Scott, president of the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees, raised some eyebrows at a speech to the Greenwood Voters League last week. She called for an across the board payraise for state employees of $1500 to $2400 a year, even if it takes the tobacco trust fund money to do it. Then while praising the Voters League President, Senator David Jordan (D-Greenwood), she said "you hired Senator Jordan; you can fire Senator Jordan." Later she called the Mississippi legislature, "the best government money can buy."

State Auditor Phil Bryant has presented Bolivar County Circuit Clerk Rosie Simmons a bill for $23,117.14, which covers expenses incurred so far in the ongoing investigation of her office. Simmons' lawyer filed a motion for clarification on the day she should have paid the bill. The auditor's office expects to send a list of garnishments of around $110,000 to Simmons in a matter of weeks. Rosie Simmons is wife of State Senator Willie Simmons (D-Cleveland).

The Commission on Judicial Performance has recommended a 30-day suspension without pay for Yazoo County Justice Court Judge A.J. Peyton for reducing the bond of a criminal defendant without prosecutors present and for setting aside a civil judgment without conducting a hearing. The Mississippi Supreme Court will decide whether to reprimand Peyton.

By The Numbers

$310,000,000.00 - Estimated amount of tax-cut money returned to Mississippi taxpayers
210 - Members of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, Meridian Air National Guard - Mobilized
260 - Members of the 255th Air Control Squadron, Gulfport Air National Guard - Mobilized
$8 Million - Amount in the $189 million Mississippi Rainy Day Fund after the Ayers Settlement (-$19 million), state bills (-$130 million) and the budget contingency fund (-$32 million)
18 and 25 - Rank of Jackson, Mississippi in top cities nationwide for size of tax burden for income at $25K and $50K respectively

E-Bytes

"'You're not suggesting we're running out of money?' asked House Speaker Tim Ford. 'No,' responded [the state's chief fiscal officer Gary] Anderson. 'I'm just simply suggesting from a cash flow standpoint, we're utilizing the rainy day fund and we'll still have needs.'"
- From a Clarion Ledger article by Patrice Sawyer, September 13, 2001

"Over the past 200 years, the U.S. government under the Constitution has assumed expanding powers. The federal government has stayed its hand in welfare matters and in education. And we have to know that the federal government can best deal with what has come out of New York or Washington better than 50 separate states government could do. What most often strengthens the federal government is the failure of the states to act. I guarantee that our U.S. government is not our enemy. It's our friend. It's a great dual, sovereign system."
- Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Ed Pittman, September 19, 2001 at the Madison Forum Lecture Series at Delta State University.

"The whole hope in 1998 was that all of these states would take this money and spend it on what this fight was all about -- smoking prevention. That just hasn't happened. The fight was about protecting children and improving the public health ... not the political whims of the day. It's moral treason to me.''
- Attorney General Mike Moore, September 20, 2001 on states using tobacco money for other purposes.

"I think there is general recognition that the people of Mississippi having spoken as strongly as they did by keeping the old flag, that's probably going to resolve it for the time being."
- Former Governor and Chairman of the Mississippi State Flag Commission, William Winter, to the Associated Press, September 22, 2001.

Movers, Shakers and Appointments

Rebecca Anthony (Brandon) has been promoted to Finance Director of the Mississippi Republican Party. She formerly served as Special Project Coordinator.

Rosemary Barbour (Jackson) has been appointed Second Vice Chair for the Republican National Hispanic Assembly by George W. Bush. She also serves as Chair for the Mississippi Chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly.

Dunn Lampton (McComb) has left his job as District Attorney for Mississippi's 14th District (Lincoln, Pike and Walthall Counties) to fill the post of US Attorney for Mississippi's Southern District. President Bush based his nomination of Lampton on the recommendation of Senators Cochran and Lott. Governor Musgrove called Assistant District Attorney Danny Smith (Magnolia) just hours after Lampton was sworn in to notify him he would be appointed to replace Lampton. A special election will be held in November 2002 for the position and Smith has said he would be a candidate.

President Bush designated Dennis Earl Dollar (Gulfport) to be Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration. Dollar has served as a member of the National Credit Union Administration since 1997 and is a former two-term member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. Dollar served as President and CEO of Gulfport VA Federal Credit Union from 1992 to 1997, and was named CEO of the Year in 1994 by a leading credit union industry publication. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi.

President Bush nominated James E. Newsome (Flora) to be Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the remainder of a term expiring June 19, 2006, and upon confirmation the President intends to appoint him as Chairman. Newsome has served as a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission since 1998 and is presently the Acting Chairman. Prior to joining the CFTC, Newsome was Executive Vice President of the Mississippi Cattleman's Association and Beef Council for nine years. Mr. Newsome received his B.S. degree from the University of Florida and a Master's degree from Mississippi State University.

Pete Johnson (Clarksdale), former Mississippi Auditor, testified before the US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week as President Bush's nominee to head the Delta Regional Authority. If the committee approves Johnson, his nomination will be forwarded to the full Senate for confirmation.

On The Web

Two candidates for the November Special Elections in Mississippi have launched web pages for their campaigns. Check out Madison County Chancery Clerk candidate Mike Crook at www.mikecrook.org and Rankin County Supervisor candidate Jay Bishop at www.jaybishop.org or visit the Magnolia Report Candidate Page.

Mississippi State University's student newspaper, The Reflector, has revamped its web site. Check it out at www.reflector-online.com or see it on the Magnolia Report Media Links Page.

The Mississippi Democrat Party has launched an official web site maintained by staffer Keelan Sanders. Check it out at www.msdemocrats.net or see it on the Magnolia Report Political Page.

Magnolia Report Poll

Every two weeks, the Magnolia Report front page hosts a new poll. The past poll asked, "Who would you like to be the Republican nominee for Governor in 2003?" A total of 287 people participated with the following results.

Haley Barbour (62) 21%
Phil Bryant (75) 26%
Dave Dennis (33) 11%
Dick Hall (15) 5%
Bill Hawks (58) 20%
Trent Lott (12) 4%
Mike Parker (21) 7%
Other (11) 3%

In the "other" section, Magnolia Report readers suggested Horace Fleming and Delbert Hosemann as well. Thanks for voting and writing.

The current poll up asks "How has Mississippi's media reported on the Terror War?" Vote today.

Race for 2003

Names circulating for such a run against a supposed Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck re-election include State Senators Charlie Ross and Ron Farris.

Speaking of Ross, Sam Hall of the Rankin Record said in a recent hometown editorial on the senator, "His intelligence probably surpasses 99 percent of his colleagues under the dome. He is fair and balanced in representing his district�." But when asked by Hall of speculation that he may run for a higher office, Ross replied, "I'm of the opinion that the most important job you can hold is the one you have right now, and doing it the best you can." Like most politicians, that isn't a "no."

Farris, popular in the HUB City for his support of USM and Horace Flemming, has a natural South Mississippi constituency and has earned praise from conservatives for his opposition to homosexual rights while applauded by the left for his support of public education.

We'll have to add Ross and Farris to the list of potentials for GOP Lieutenant Governor including Wayne Burkes, Nielsen Cochran and Dick Hall.

Rumor Mill and Whispers

Governor Musgrove may schedule a press conference on Tuesday September 25 to discuss his plans for the tobacco trust fund. The original press conference scheduled for September 11 was canceled following the attacks on New York and Washington DC.

Second Congressional District Representative Bennie Thompson may face a challenge in 2002 within the Democrat Primary. Rumors place former MS Director of Rural Development George E. Irvin as a potential challenger to Thompson. Irvin, who earned his spot at the top of the state USDA agency thanks to support from then Congressman Mike Espy and Senator Thad Cochran, was shipped out of that role by Thompson who thought him to be a political threat. That threat may now become a reality.

Upcoming

[Note, to get your political event listed in Upcoming, email it to the Magnolia Report.]

September 27
Simpson County GOP hosts Thad Cochran
Fourth Annual Congressman Pickering Shoot in Flora

September 29
MSGOP Habitat Project, Jackson

September 30
Sun and Sand Closes, Jackson

October 6
MSGOP Habitat Project, Jackson

October 7
Jackson Right to Life - Life Chain

October 8
Fifth Annual Congressman Pickering Golf Classic, Philadelphia
Next Magnolia Report Uploaded

Final Word

"Governor Musgrove has appointed numerous judges. None have been scrutinized and criticized in the manner of Judge Osborne. Why should a different standard apply to the appointment of African-American judges? The scrutiny and criticism is nothing more than an attempt to discourage the voters of Leflore County from electing a good judge."
-Statement by the Magnolia Bar Association, September 11, 2001

"Give us an example of another attorney - black or white - who has been appointed to the state bench in recent history with as much baggage, and little or nothing was said about it. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove has filled a dozen judicial vacancies during his first two years in office. Name one of those who, like Osborne, has a stack of federal tax liens totaling almost $176,000, who has been barred lifetime from practicing in federal bankruptcy court, who has been publicly reprimanded by the Supreme Court - or a record that's similarly clouded."
- Tim Kalich, Editor of the Greenwood Commonwealth, September 13, 2001

© Magnolia Political Report 2001 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225
FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com
Brian Perry, Editor