Jackson Free Press

July 30, 2003: Gubernatorial hopeful, and former national GOP party head, Haley Barbour seems more stressed about Davidian challenger Mitch Tyner than you'd think. A rather breathtaking nasty-politics flyer landed in the JFP PO box this morning. In a tone worthy of Ann Coulter, the four-color (read: expensive) Barbour fold-out shows Mitch Tyner in the backseat of a stretch limo driven by a donkey (you'd think that'd be hard to afford with the $209,484 Tyner has raised to date, compared with Barbour's $5,316,884) with "Liberal Trial Lawyer and Democrat-Lover Mitch Tyner." With a huge photo of a zebra on the front, the headline reads: "A zebra can't change its stripes and neither can a donkey!!"

On the other side, it begins: "Mitch Tyner's Stripes--A Long History of Supporting the Most Liberal Democrats," with photos of Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and Al Gore underneath (the latter two card-carrying members of the Republican-esque Democrat Leadership Council). The flyer, with dollar bills floating in the background, then accuses Tyner of giving mega-money to those damned Democrats: $1,000 to "liberal" Chuck McRae; $1,000 contribution to Ronnie Musgrove (whose picture is down below) and an undislosed amount to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 1992 and 1989. The flyer also quotes Sid Salter of the Clarion-Ledger saying Tyner isn't a GOP standard-bearer (no kidding). It ends with "Liberal Democrat Mitch Tyner can't change his stripes. He is running as a Republican only as a political dealmaker." Oh, and the brochure is paid for by "Republicans for REAL Republicans."

Whoa. This makes Tyner's WashingtonFatCat.com look polite and civil. Second, the choice of the phrase "Democrat-Lover" seems extremely inappropriate in a state where the word "Democrat" is today used by too many people as a disparaging synonym for African-Americans. And, three, you've got to love the insult of Mississippians' intelligence: A donkey can't change its stripes?! Look at the history of the state's Republican Party; it is a remake of the old Democratic Party of the South that occurred after the federal government insisted that the state grant our black citizens' civil rights. And today's Democratic Party has embraced the principles of civil rights that those Republicans fled. So, yes, indeed Democrats can change their stripes, and this state is the best evidence of that. To Barbour's credit, this flyer does not show photos of any black "liberals" like the signs GOP workers toted around at the Neshoba County Fair last year to appeal to some of the crowd's less impressive sensibilities. Perhaps they're saving that southern strategy for the stump speeches today and tomorrow over in Neshoba County.

I'll talk to the tech folks and see if we can get the brochure scanned and posted so y'all can see it for yourself. Keep an eye out.

Previous Comments

ID

136039

Comment

What exactly is the point? That the JFP doesn't like Barbour or the GOP or sees Sid Salter as a right-wing shill masquerading as a "journalist"? That has all been made abundantly clear. (What's not clear is who is offended here, right-wing shills or "journalists".) Is this a call to all of those naive, but well meaning, Mississippi voters unwittingly on auto-pilot that Haley Barbour is the Devil lurking in our midst? Is there anything new at all being offered here? As for insulting the intelligence of Mississippians, I'm reminded of that old adage cautioning those who live in glass houses that they should refrain from throwing stones. Barbour is not worried about beating Tyner, he is working to crush him. Its about killer instinct. I won't insult the collective intelligence of those working the JFP political desk by assuming that the nuance for the general election has been lost on such an keen group of election watchers. Keep hunting down those Southern Strategists. Those pesky buggers are out there ... somewhere. Reader The Jackson Free Press: Always interested in your opinion. Even more happy to tell you what it should be.

Author

Reader

Date

2003-07-31T00:42:42-06:00

ID

136040

Comment

to the "reader" who like many in the barbour camp wont leave their name when leaving a post is totally wrong. If barbour were to crush tyner (which he won't) well it's expected. I dont believe though that barbour has spent over $2 million before the primary to crush someone. That is not a good fiscal move. He is afraid that tyner is going to take away a large % of the vote and if there is low voter turnout, that he may lose.

Author

Gabe Smith

Date

2003-07-31T08:48:37-06:00

ID

136041

Comment

Gabe--I've learned it's silly to feed the tiresome Reader troll but I will add to your remarks--you're right that voter turnout is key, and is always a concern even if/when the candidates won't admit it. Then there's that pesky problem of people having to choose a primary on Aug. 5. That is, if the governor's race is deemed important enough, then a whole lot of Democrats could switch primaries and vote in the GOP primary against Barbour (folks like Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillen's worst nightmore). And even if Tyner didn't pull off the miracle move and beat Barbour, then Barbour could still come out of the primary gate looking mighty weakened ("David almost beat Goliath" kind of thing). Also, this flyer as much as anything sets a real nasty and ridiculous tone for the November election; the strategy, of course, is not only to make Tyner look like a damned liberal, but to put Musgrove in that camp as well (even both men's views seem just as socially conservative, if not more so, than Barbour's). It's divisive and insulting, as if Mississippians aren't capable of considering issues. To me, it also shows the calibre of voter Barbour is after. Er, "killer instinct" is admirable, I suppose, but it wouldn't be an extremely wise political strategy to empty out this much of your campaign coffers this early simply to pound a few nails in a coffin. There's clearly more going on, and it's good to hear Mississippians talking about it.

Author

ladd

Date

2003-07-31T09:15:14-06:00

ID

136042

Comment

Ladd: Two things are worth noting further: First, Barbour sent another mailout that same say begging pro-lifers to forgive him for his miserable pro-life record. I was a multi-color piece that must have cost a fortune. Second, the "donkey" flier is a misrepresentation. Tyner has contributed tens of thousands to Republicans (versus the $500 contribution in 1992 they want to scream about), managed a Republican campaign (Hebert), worked for Andy Taggart, Jim Smith and Jim Herring. And look at Tyner's contributions! He's so right wing he can't get any trial lawyers to give him any money. Haley was an MTLA member in 1982 when he ran against Stennis and he's raised more trial lawyer money than Tyner (Barbour is flying around in Wilbur Colom's jet, for Heaven's sake). Barbour has also contributed money to out-of-the closet homosexuals, very contrary to his "public appearance." Barbour cannot stand it that Tyner is more conservative than he, particularly on abortion, gays, gambling and taxes.

Author

Lee

Date

2003-08-01T13:50:20-06:00

ID

136043

Comment

Wow, we didn't get the pro-life brochure. Thanks for telling us about it. I'd love to know more of what it said exactly. I will say, in my conversation with Tyner, he struck me as more socially conservative than either Musgrove or Barbour, which is the main reason I personally wouldn't vote for him. I realize, though, that other Mississippians feel differently.

Author

ladd

Date

2003-08-01T14:30:33-06:00

ID

136044

Comment

Gabe. What if I said I was Ricky Ricardo? You don't know who it is, you couldn't prove I wasn't and it doesn't matter anyway. There's no proof you are Gabe Smith. If you think that Barbour is going to lose to Tyner then just go on thinking that. The eye has always been on the November prize. The primary victory is in the bag. The only unknown is how bad the whuppin' will be. Do you think Mitch will replace that huge banner on his building with a 'Musgrove for Governor' one next month? Good visibility from that location. For all of the experience I thought was sitting at the JFP political desk I'm really surprised that you jumped to the conclusion that Barbour is emptying his coffers. You all might also want to do a little fact checking. As of July 29th Barbour had received $4,903,884.42 in contributions and had $1,959,024.67 in cash on hand. Yeah, there is clearly more going on that your, er, keen insights into wise political strategy haven't picked up on yet. Its going to take $10 million for either candidate to win and both of them will have no problem raising the money. Btw, keep using that troll label. Demonstrates the arrogance of perspective I've come to love about the JFP. Reader The Jackson Free Press: Always interested in your opinion. Even more happy to tell you what it should be.

Author

Reader

Date

2003-08-01T16:26:47-06:00

ID

136045

Comment

I just find it curious, in your little manifesto, you didnt mention once why you are for Haley Barbour. You only said why Tyner shouldn't be. Isnt it sad that you can't come up with one good thing to say about your canidate other than he has a lot of money. It's a pity. And unlike many Barbour supporters who realize Tyner is going to give him trouble, I am proud to say my name because I am proud of my canidate. Guess the same can't be said about Haley.

Author

Gabe Smith

Date

2003-08-02T18:18:54-06:00

ID

136046

Comment

Never said I was for Haley Barbour. That was your assumption -- you filled in a blank that never existed. I do believe he is going to put the wood to Tyner though. I have provided a valid email address Gabe if you would like to write. Reader The Jackson Free Press: Always interested in your opinion. Even more happy to tell you what it should be.

Author

Reader

Date

2003-08-02T18:43:14-06:00