The Scoop for Mississippi Politics | www.MagnoliaReport.com
The Magnolia Political Report for October 23, 2001

Magnolia Report #9

Magnolia Report Oct. 23, 2001
(Number 9) - Web Version
www.MagnoliaReport.com

*****************************************************
Magnolia Report
*****************************************************

Due to several computer glitches, Magnolia Report Number 8 did not get sent out by e-mail on October 10, although it was available for download at the website, just like every edition.

So, this week's issue is abbreviated with a link to last week's issue following below. Sorry for the delay; we should be back up and rolling at full political speed for the next issue on November 5.

For this week's issue, keep reading For the previous issue, go on the web to www.magnoliareport.com/report8.html

*****************************************************
Redistricting Rumors
*****************************************************

Ike Brown, a member of the Mississippi Democrat Party State Executive Committee announced publicly that he would actively work against Democrat Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck and any Democrat Senators who support her, if they pass their currently proposed redistricting map.

He told the Clarion Ledger, "It's time for them to be Democrats. If they want to act like Republicans, then they should run on the Republican ticket." Word has it Brown has made his views on redistricting and his expectation that all Democrats should follow the party line position even more clear in private, even suggesting that those Democrats that do not fall in line should resign from the party.

On October 11, Henry Barbour called in to the Mary Wieden Show on SuperTalkMS to announce that Chip Pickering's campaign fully supports and endorses former Senator Henry Kirksey's redistricting plan. Barbour serves as the Pickering campaign director. In the past, the Pickering group appears to have been partial to the "Economic Development Plan" as well as the "Stennis Institute Plan" and the "Regional or Block Plan." All of these plans maintain regional integrity and prevent Republican voters from being divided into majority Democrat districts or grouped into a super Republican district leaving Democrats in the rest of the seats.

Pickering challenged who many expect to be his opponent in 2002, Ronnie Shows, to join him in opposing sending redistricting into the courts. Instead, Pickering suggests, Shows should support a legislative decision. A judicially created plan was compared by Pickering in a statement to the same confusion caused in Florida during the past presidential election.

State Republican Chairman Jim Herring is expected to call a press conference and ask that the legislature live up to their responsibility and approve a redistricting plan. Many believe the Democrat House of Representative hardliners, unable to get the Tornado Plan through the Senate, may press for gridlock forcing the decision into the judiciary. Sources say Herring will speak out against such a conspiracy.

*****************************************************
Democrat Update
*****************************************************

Don't count Attorney General Mike Moore out of politics quite yet. Some say he plans to retire to the public sector, others that he will run for governor, other that he will run for reelection. Last week he held his annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser at the Dancing Rabbit Course in Philadelphia. Those in the private sector don't usually hold fundraisers.

Talk of a return to politics by Dick Molpus continues to circulate as does the speculation that someone like Secretary of State Eric Clark might challenge Ronnie Musgrove for the Democrat nomination for governor in 2003. Speaking of Molpus, when he ran in 1995 then and still now Mayor of West Point Kenny Dill had his name circulated as a possible Democrat candidate for the Mansion. That name is floating around again.

*****************************************************
Republican Update
*****************************************************

Republicans gathered together on October 12 for the Annual Statesman's Dinner with event chairman Haley Barbour and special guest US Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Congressman Chip Pickering was unable to make it due to security related votes on Capitol Hill. State Auditor Phil Bryant made several remarks but he too had to duck out before the event was over in order to see his daughter and her date off to their Homecoming Dance. Republican state legislators Billy Denny and Mike Cheney gave an update on redistricting and suggested that the Senate would likely go with some version of the block plan.

The event was the first large audience of Republicans in Mississippi Haley Barbour had spoken to since rumors that he might run for governor began to circulate. A potential opponent in the primary, Dave Dennis of Gulfport, also made the event with his family and demonstrated his attraction to many present in one-on-one situations.

On October 10, Republicans gathered at Hal and Mals in Jackson for a Grand Ole Party with event Chairman and Hinds County Board of Supervisors President Charles Barbour. Also attending were former Governor Kirk Fordice, USDA Under-Secretary Bill Hawks, and special election candidates Mike Crook from Madison County and Bryan Buckley from Hinds County.

Hawks entertained the crowd by sharing a few lighter moments of an interview he had with the FBI in the standard procedure of being appointed by the Bush Administration. The FBI agent told Hawks they were there to discuss, "Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll." Hawks replied, "Seldom, never and occasionally." The FBI agent, Hawks said, was not amused. By the time they finished the questionnaire Hawks, having answered "no" a lot remarked that he must be a boring person. The agent replied that there were a lot like him in this administration.

Hawks thanked all for supporting him in his campaign for lieutenant governor but did not discuss a possible run for governor in 2003 - although others, including GOP Chairman Jim Herring, did raise such a possibility to the crowd.

Following the gathering in the brewpub, the Republicans gathered with the rest of the Wednesday night crowd to listen to a performance by Caroline Herring from Austin, Texas. Caroline is the daughter of GOP Chairman Jim Herring and one of the founders of Thacker Mountain Radio in Oxford, Mississippi.

*****************************************************
Hits to Magnolia Report Web Page
October 8 to October 21: 12,154
Since Launch (July 6): 81,402
*****************************************************

*****************************************************
Round-up and Quick Notes
*****************************************************

Former Democrat Executive Director Alice Skelton's lawsuit against the Mississippi Democratic Party was delayed again shortly before the scheduled trial dates of October 2 and 3. The new date for her lawsuit for unpaid salary has been scheduled for May 15, 2002. The lawsuit was first filed in February of 1997.

On November 6, 2001, the Stennis Institute of Government, the Stennis Center for Public Service, the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans, and the Mississippi State University College Republicans will be hosting the 2001 College Republican Legislative Luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Jackson, MS. This event will bring together College Republican chapters from across the state and Republican members of the Mississippi Legislature. The luncheon will be take place shortly after the conclusion of Impact Mississippi, a statewide voter registration drive on campuses across Mississippi. College Republicans expect that project to bring 2500 new, college-age voters to Mississippi.

The Trial Lawyer Association and Mississippi's business community are expecting to go head to head with each other in the legislature and in judicial races in 2002. Rumors place former Natchez legislator Ayers Haxton as the trial lawyers' lobbyist, a group from Little Rock to do grass roots works, and the possible retention of their former lobbyist Stan Flint to do public relations for the trial lawyers. Meanwhile, the NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) is taking the lead for the business community in their pursuit of a legislative means for tort reform. State Director Ron Aldridge made a tour last week of Tupelo, Meridian, and Hattiesburg in a public relations campaign to draw attention to the issue.

*****************************************************
Magnolia Report Promotion
*****************************************************

The Magnolia Report was featured in the Mississippi Family Council's October 18 edition of Family Snapshots, the organization's e-mail newsletter. You can subscribe to Family Snapshots by requesting it at mail@msfamily.org for free. Visit www.msfamily.org to learn more about the MFC.

Also, the Magnolia Report will be listed in the Planet Weekly KIOSK for the next few issues. Planet Weekly is a free weekly newspaper focused on Jackson with a readership of 20,000. For more on Planet Weekly visit www.planetweekly.com or pick one up downtown next time you are in the Capital City's metro area.

*****************************************************
Movers and Shakers
*****************************************************

Matthew Moeller, a native of Jackson, MS has been promoted to Vice President of Wilson Research Strategies. WRS is a nationally recognized opinion research and Republican consulting firm based in Virginia.

Sarah Hemleben is the new Projects Coordinator for the Mississippi Republican Party. Hemleben, a graduate of St. Joseph Catholic High School and Belhaven College was previously executive assistant to Republican Congressman Charlie Norwood of Georgia.

Mississippi's Southern District Federal Judge Charles Pickering had an amiable hearing on Capitol Hill in his process of being named to the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. His confirmation and other judicial appointments are expected to be allowed by Democrats once Republicans agree to increase the speed of passage for foreign aid. 14th District Circuit Court Judge Keith Starrett is reported to be at the top of the list to fill Pickering's current seat.

Jimmy Palmer, an environmental law attorney for the Jackson firm Butler, Snow, O'Mara, Stevens and Cannada, was named by the Bush administration to a top post in the Environmental Protection Agency. He has accepted appointment as administrator for EPA's Region IV, which encompasses eight states in the Southeast. Palmer led Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality through the administrations of Democrat Governor Ray Mabus and Republican Governor Kirk Fordice.

*****************************************************
Magnolia Report Poll
*****************************************************
Every two weeks, the Magnolia Report front page hosts a new poll. The past poll asked, "In his prime, who would you most want to be governor today?" A total of 315 people participated with the following results.

Ronnie Musgrove (117) 37%
Kirk Fordice (114) 36%
Ray Mabus (5) 1%
Bill Allain (13) 4%
William Winter (27) 8%
Cliff Finch (7) 2%
Bill Waller (21) 6%
Other (11) 3%

In the "other" section, Magnolia Report readers suggested Ross Barnett, Paul Johnson Sr. and JP Coleman. Some interesting comments this time as well. One voter asked, "Run another poll and ask the people who voted for Mustgo how many are employed by the state or are dependent on Mustgo for some other form of aid!" Another said, "This question is so blatantly ridiculous. A right wing Republican web site, of course Fordice would have the most votes." An Allain supporter said, "Bill Allain would never have gotten the fiscal affairs in the mess they are in now," and a Winter Republican said, "Although I'm a conservative Republican, I would vote for William Winter from this group." There were many more comments, too many to include all here. Thanks for voting and writing.

The current poll up asks "Which of our congressional delegation seems most like the typical Mississippian?" Choices are both US Senators and all five US Representatives from Mississippi. Vote today.

*****************************************************
Election Updates
*****************************************************

First suggested in a column by Meridian Star Editor Buddy Bynum, more consideration in Republican circles is being given to the possibility of a run for governor by Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith.

E.J. Russel, former Assistant Secretary of the Senate under Republican Eddie Briggs and a judicial appointee of Governor Kirk Fordice may challenge Tyree Irving for his seat on the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Although a conservative, the demographics of the district could respond to a black woman with her experience.

Clinton B. LeSueur, 32, of Holly Springs and Greenville, is exploring the possibility of challenging Bennie Thompson in 2002 for his Delta based Congressional seat. LeSueur is a graduate of Rust College and currently a candidate for a master's degree in political science from American University in Washington DC. He has a journalism background working as a writer for USA Today, the Washington Afro-American (in DC), and the TV Technology Magazine (in VA).

*****************************************************
Final Note
*****************************************************

Remember to check out all the features at www.MagnoliaReport.com in addition to this political report. On the front page you can see frequently updated news links. The political link, media link and candidate link pages are great resources for online Mississippi news. Recently the site added a few new pages including a Political Calendar, Reasonably Right Columns, an expanded About the Magnolia Report, and the Features Page has added a 2003 Rumor Mill reference and a list of Mississippi Special Elections for this year (in addition to a list of Bush appointees from Mississippi). Check out the Magnolia Report several times a week to keep updated from across the state in between political report issues!

*****************************************************
Upcoming
*****************************************************
Get your political event listed - email it to Magnolia Report

***November 1 (Thursday)***
---Mississippi Leadership Forum Meeting---
Speaker: Joe Loconte of the Heritage Foundation
Subject: Faith Based Initiative
Details: Jackson Hilton Hotel, Madison Meeting Hall, 11:30am-1pm, Cost $20
Contact: Nick Walters at nick@nickwalters.org
---Hinds County Republican Party---
Annual Golf Tournament
Eagle Ridge Golf Club, Raymond
Shotgun starts at Noon
$50 per person (includes lunch, prizes, refreshments)
Contact: Ken Avery 601-856-4311
---Hinds County Republican Party Fundraiser---
Golden Oldies Classic - Dance Until You Drop!
Music from the 50s, 60s and 70s
Agriculture Museum, Jackson Mississippi
Catfish Dinner - $25 per person
Contact: Ken Avery 601-856-4311
---Phil Bryant hosts "A Gathering of Friends"---
With Special Guest Haley Barbour
Ethnic Centre, Agriculture and Forestry Museum, Jackson Mississippi
5:30pm till 7:00pm
$100 a couple, $500 a host couple, $1000 a dinner host couple

***November 5 (Monday)***
---Magnolia Report #10 Uploaded---

***November 6 (Tuesday)***
---Special Elections---
---2001 College Republican Legislative Luncheon---
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jackson Mississippi
Sponsored by the Stennis Institute of Government, Stennis Center for Public Service, the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans, and the Mississippi State University College Republicans.

************************************************************
Magnolia Political Report, 2001
Brian Perry, Editor
www.magnoliareport.com
************************************************************

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