Acropolis Endorsement: 2008 U.S. Senate (Mississippi)

Illness has postponed this endorsement far too long, but for those who didn’t vote this morning, here you are…

Special Election – Ronnie Musgrove

The campaign between Democrat Ronnie Musgrove and Republican Roger Wicker has been nothing short of ugly. The focus on attack ads was a great injustice to the voters of Mississippi, who were subjected to party propaganda instead of discussion of issues. The debate at Mississippi College may have been the worst in American political history (probably not, but you get the point).

If ever there was a time for a strong independent candidate, this election was it. Unfortunately, we have to choose between two men who have passed on character in favor of slinging mud.

If ever an actual election embodied the stereotypical, cartoonish state of American politics, this election was it. We have two men, separated by nothing but the letter next to their name. They stand for virtually the same thing on virtually every issue, which makes their attacks even more ridiculous. They once roomed together. They even look exactly the same:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAKING: Lott resigns; Bower fired

Just in to the Acropolis news room…

Trent Lott is retiring after 18 years in the United States Senate. Lott, the current Minority Whip, said he is ready to move on to other things. He is the only person in U.S. history to serve as the whip in both houses on Congress. He is also a former Senate Majority Leader.

Names are already surfacing to replace Lott, including Republican Chip Pickering, who announced his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year in order to spend more time with his family. Other names include Democrat Mike Moore, a former Mississippi Attorney General.

Pickering’s seat, on the Republican side of the Pearl River, is already hotly contested.

Despite some speculation, Senior Senator Thad Cochran will not retire, and plans to represent Mississippi into his 70’s.

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And add to that another coaching vacancy among the Mississippi Big 3. A stunning annoucement out of Hattiesburg, where Jeff Bower was fired after 17 years as the head coach of the University of Southern Mississippi. He had a 119-82-1 record in that time span. The Golden Eagles beat Arkansas State Saturday to move to 7-5 and clinch a birth in the Papajohns.com Bowl (Seriously, call it the Pizza Bowl, so much better). Southern Miss has now had 14 consecutive winning seasons under Bower and have made their mark as one of the elite mid-major teams in terms of consistent winning and ability to compete with power conference schools.

With Bower and Orgeron both out, look for Sylvester Croom and Mississippi State to reap the benefits recruiting wise in a state always ripe with athletic talent (as long as they qualify academically). This could mark a significant shift in Mississippi recruiting, because it is now open season in the Magnolia State.

As always, thoughts or comments on the many storylines presented here are appreciated.

Acropolis Endorsements – 2007 General Election

Governor
Haley Barbour (R-i)
John Arthur Eaves (D)

Barbour has his demons. Eaves pushes school prayer. Barbour’s positions on tobacco and grocery taxes are not well liked by most Mississippians. Eaves pushes school prayer. Barbour has significant connections in Washington to “move Mississippi forward,” though some wonder who is more important to the governor – his constituents or his Washington friends. Eaves pushes school prayer. John Arthur Eaves’ religious campaign, as a democrat mind you, has garnered the attention of national media. It blows their mind. It blows mine too. While I may not adore Barbour, Eaves has not given me a single reason to vote otherwise. His ideas, from prayer to healthcare, don’t seem feasible and he has yet to explain how they are.

Lieutenant Governor
Phil Bryant (R)
Jamie Franks (D)

Both men seem about equally unqualified to lead the Senate – since neither of them have ever been in the Senate. There is only one policy that really matters here. Bryant promises to do whatever Haley Barbour wants. Franks promises to stand up to Barbour on issues that warrant resistance. Congress must check the Governor’s power, not write him a blank check.

Attorney General
Jim Hood (D-i)
Al Hopkins (R)

I was an Al Hopkins fan entering the general election. His speech at Neshoba County was a fun attack on Jim Hood. “You’re fired!” said Hopkins in a Trump-esque tone. Sadly, I’m no longer sure Hopkins exists. I see tons of commercials burying Hood put out by the Republican party, but where is Al? What does he stand for? What will he do? Attacks don’t work when the claims are weak and it’s all you do.

State Auditor
Stacy Pickering (R)
Mike Sumrall (D)

Sumrall is the Cinderella story of this year’s elections. No analyst had him making it past the democratic primary. However, he is exactly the kind of person we need to fill the office. First, just as in the democratic primary, he is the only candidate that is actually an auditor. Second, the state auditor position has turned into a springboard to higher offices. That means rather than doing what the office calls for, auditors (Phil Bryant) perform flawed studies on hot-button issues (illegal immigration) to earn political points. Sumrall accuses Pickering of running for the same reason as Bryant – to move on to bigger and better things. I’d rather have a state auditor who is an auditor who plans to audit. Simple, right?

Insurance Commissioner
Gary Anderson (D)
Mike Chaney (R)

This should be one of the closest races in the state this year. Unlike some of the other positions we’ve looked at, both men are qualified, independent thinkers. I’ll give a slight edge to Chaney for his ability to step outside his platform’s talking points, but I can honestly say either candidate should do a good job.

Transportation Commissioner (Central District)
Dick Hall (R-i)
Rudy Warnock (D)

I think Rudy Warnock has run the most expensive transportation commissioner campaign in our state’s history. My goodness he is on television often, accusing incumbent Hall of corruption and joyriding in the MDOT helicopter. Hall obviously denies the claims, but he does it in a sincere way. Both men are promising the moon; I have to go by impressions, and something just rubs me the wrong way about Mr. Warnock.

Public Service Commissioner (Central District)
Charles Barbour (R)
Lynn Posey (D)
Lee Dilworth (Reform)

Charles Barbour’s campaign is based around him being a cheapwad. I’m a frugal fellow myself, so I’m all about keeping things cheap. Barbour’s ads, though attempting to be serious, are absolutely hilarious. Posey is an experienced senator who has written great legislation in this department. I typically side with experience. Plus, it means one less Barbour in power. Basically a pick-‘em.

Secretary of State
Delbert Hosemann (R)
Rob Smith (D)

Hosemann has been attacked for overemphasizing voter fraud, including illegal immigrants and dead folks. Overblown or not, I figure the integrity of our elections is a pretty good thing for the secretary of state to work on. Meanwhile, Smith can’t be accused of overblowing anything. He has been far more quiet about what his plans are for the office. Score one for Inglebert.

Commissioner of Agriculture
Rickey Cole (D)
Lester Spell (R-i)
Leslie Riley (Const)

Someone’s got to take the fall for the beef plant fiasco. That someone will be Lester Spell.

 

House District 71
John Reeves (R-i)
Adrienne Wooten (D)

 

Senate District 29
David Blount (D)
Richard White (R-i)

 

And for those of you who are determined to label me liberal/conservative, democrat/republican, the endorsements are as follows: 6 elephants, 5 donkeys.

 

>If you agree with all of the endorsements, vote Tuesday.

 

>>If you disagree with all of my endorsements, there is a simple way to voice that displeasure – go vote Tuesday.

 

>>>If you could care less about all of this, suck it up, do a little research and vote Tuesday.

Duck Tape

I was talking to a friend of mine (who is involved with the MSGOP) last week about Governor Haley Barbour. The conversation went something like this:

> You know, Haley Barbour has this election in the bag. For the most part, Republicans and Democrats alike think he has done a good job.
>> Exactly.
> The only way he can lose is if he does something incredibly stupid.
>> Right.
> Y’all should probably duck tape his mouth shut.

If there was ever a time to shut up and sit in a corner somewhere, it is now. A few signs here and there, a few positive commericials, you know, just to let people know you’re still alive. Other than that, sit this fight out, Governor.

John Arthur Eaves has nothing to run on but promises he cannot fulfill. “I’ll bring back prayer and Bible classes in schools,” he says. However, he is not running for Supreme Court Justice, he’s running for Governor. He’s counting on the ill-informed on how government works to cast their votes for him. And, of course, the ones who want to vote for anyone but Barbour.

That population is pretty thin. But it’s growing. All because of Barbour’s unnecessary bullying. It all started back at the Neshoba County Fair, when Barbour took the pot-shot heard ’round the Magnolia State at Eaves’ wife, Angel. The letters still haven’t stopped flooding in to the Clarion Ledger about that one. What exactly could that comment have accomplished? Here’s what it did do: it made John Eaves a contender.

Now Eaves is pecking at Barbour with some attack ads. “Don’t leave the mountaintop to go play in the mud, Governor.” Someone should have said that. Now Barbour is firing back at Eaves. I first saw the ad just moments ago. It seemed so suspicious, I already wrote to this point before checking facts. The ad lacked concrete fact. It was a vague overview of many topics that were never truly explained, nor was anything cited. Red flags all over the place. I could have spent a while researching this, luckily the folks over at CottonMouth did it already:

http://cottonmouthblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/dissecting-barbours-first-attack-ad-of.html

Eaves must be dancing with delight. He has lured the Governor into a mud-slinging race.

So, Barbour for Governor campaign team, I offer you a free piece of advice: Call off the troops. You’re still going to win. Let Eaves fire everything he’s got at you. Nobody is really listening to him anyway. Meanwhile, y’all sit back, keep running the positive ads, hang up some more signs, and let the Governor go shake hands. No baby kissing though, because his mouth should be duck taped shut before more dumb comes out and he blows this election.

VOTE! (Again)

Primary runoffs are Tuesday. Get back to your polling precincts and be heard. Again, here are the endorsements of the Acropolis in the races we care about:

Democratic:

State Auditor – Mike Sumrall

No one gave Sumrall a chance three weeks ago, but voters aren’t stupid. The same holds true now: Sumrall is the only candidate with accounting and auditing experience running for the democratic nomination. Todd Brand is a community college communication professor. Sumrall is an auditor. I know when someone goes into communication – when they are scared of numbers (see me). One of the candidates cannot do math. So, do the math.

Hinds County District Attorney – Faye Peterson

Sheriff Malcolm McMillan and Michelle Purvis, the candidate knocked out in the Aug. 7 primary, both have endorsed Peterson. As have the Clarion Ledger and JFP. Mayor Melton failed to get his personal sheriff into office, the same fate should await his district attorney choice, Robert Shuler Smith. Peterson is just getting started; good things will happen in her second term.

Public Service Commissioner (Central) – Lynn Posey

Adams & Jefferson County Circuit Clerks - Anyone but the two convicts http://theacropolis.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/convicts-lead-heading-into-runoffs/