Jackson Free Press

The Associated Press is reporting that Haley Barbour has won a second term as governor. This in a state that is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Many believe Haley is the only politician who came out looking good after the natural disaster.

Previous Comments

ID

96740

Comment

Thank God - Crooked or not at least he beat the heck out of the Eaves scoundrel!!!

Author

ostinsfriend

Date

2007-11-06T22:20:56-06:00

ID

96741

Comment

He was spun into looking good after Katrinia, and Eaves beat himself. No surprises here, but that doesn't change a thing about Barbour's character and record.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-06T22:43:19-06:00

ID

96742

Comment

This was one of the most disappointing elections I have ever witnessed. Some quick reflections: 1. If, after two excellent statewide campaigns, Mississippi voters won't elect Gary Anderson, a well-credentialed candidate with fiscal know-how and high integrity, it is for one reason and one reason only: racism. I hope Commissioner Cheney and Treasurer Reeves are proud of their accomplishments. 2. Every out-of-state paid political consultant who assisted a Democratic statewide campaign should be given a pistol and a copy of Rommel's biography. Their condecending attitude to the Mississippi electorate was rewarded with their historic losses. 3. As we look forward (?) to an election for an open congressional seat in 2008, is it too much to ask that a candidate run unabashedly for the interests of working class Mississippians on basic issues like health care, credit reform, environmental protection, and affordable, quality education?

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-07T00:25:24-06:00

ID

96743

Comment

Total agreement- points 1, 2 and 3...

Author

Rico

Date

2007-11-07T00:59:03-06:00

ID

96744

Comment

Alas! Mississipians continue to vote against there own economic interests. We continue to be ranked near the bottom in all measured categories. And I too believe that racism plays a big part. Anderson, clearly qualified, but not the right color. Too simple a reason. Hardly! The DNC will not spend a dime in this state. While the rest of the country is throwing the bums out(Kentucky), Mississippi is letting the bums in.

Author

Darron

Date

2007-11-07T07:05:17-06:00

ID

96745

Comment

The DNC will not spend a dime in this state. Are you sure? It seemed to me that there were a lot of paid party folks around. And maybe my criticisms should be directed at Eaves himself and not the out-of-town advisers. Eaves himself, from what I'm told, genuinely puts his religious beliefs first. But he came across as a cartoon.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-07T08:16:53-06:00

ID

96746

Comment

Anyone else horrified by the photos across the top of the CL this morning? We elected a batch of old white guys to run the state. Again. To quote the Simpsons Movie, "at last, the rich white guys are running things."

Author

kate

Date

2007-11-07T08:44:08-06:00

ID

96747

Comment

Kate - I agree. I never watch those early evening news shows because of this type of thing - I always refer to these political candidates and pundits as "The Pasty White Ham Faced crowd". They are always yammering away and some crap issue and not dealing with the stuff that America/Mississippi is concerned about.

Author

ostinsfriend

Date

2007-11-07T08:51:20-06:00

ID

96748

Comment

dude/dudette, you just made me snort my tea out my nose. Pasty White Ham Faced is now my favorite phrase. Ever.

Author

kate

Date

2007-11-07T08:55:15-06:00

ID

96749

Comment

Anyone else horrified by the photos across the top of the CL this morning? We elected a batch of old white guys to run the state. Again. To quote the Simpsons Movie, "at last, the rich white guys are running things." Tee, hee. But did you see Socrates tucked back there behind Barbour. I like him as a person, but geesh. I guess his message is loud and clear. See you on the other side, Soc. Eaves was a ridiculous cartoon. The prayer during his speech last night was, uh, special

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-07T09:56:04-06:00

ID

96750

Comment

Every out-of-state paid political consultant who assisted a Democratic statewide campaign should be given a pistol and a copy of Rommel's biography. Their condecending attitude to the Mississippi electorate was rewarded with their historic losses. Amen, amen, amen, amen. These campaigns bring in these operatives from New York and Arlington and Denver and other places who have sheer contempt for the people of Mississippians, assuming we're all dolts and bigots. Meantime, it becomes a game to take away part of the wingnut base, ignoring all the rest of us. We had campaigns that surprised us try to distance themselves from the JFP near the end (and, to point, Cecil Brown was NOT one of them.) 3. As we look forward (?) to an election for an open congressional seat in 2008, is it too much to ask that a candidate run unabashedly for the interests of working class Mississippians on basic issues like health care, credit reform, environmental protection, and affordable, quality education? Right. One would hope the Democrats would he having one helluva come-to-Jesus meeting today, or by the end of the week.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-07T10:02:37-06:00

ID

96751

Comment

Eaves deserved to lose and the Mississippi Democratic Party should be shamed. I can't say I'm happy that Barbour is still in office, but I can say I'm happy Eaves is not. The Democrats of Mississippi need to stand up and run a real Dem for Governor... Stop pandering and start producing and you may edge forward in this particular race.

Author

kaust

Date

2007-11-07T10:06:41-06:00

ID

96752

Comment

Is this really the reason the Democrats got poured out or rejected?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-07T10:13:43-06:00

ID

96753

Comment

The "reason"? I think there were many reasons. However, they are not going to win statewide elections if they're just Republican-lite and little else.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-07T10:15:36-06:00

ID

96754

Comment

Anyone else horrified by the photos across the top of the CL this morning? We elected a batch of old white guys to run the state. Again. My thoughts EXACTLY.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-07T10:22:12-06:00

ID

96755

Comment

I always refer to these political candidates and pundits as "The Pasty White Ham Faced crowd". They are always yammering away and some crap issue and not dealing with the stuff that America/Mississippi is concerned about. Agreed. It also bugs me to have these talking heads discussing politics as if an election was some kind of sporting event (take Sid Salter's columns, for example, or the "Red/Blue Blog" on the C-L), instead of a serious discussion of how to manage our common interests as a community. Just once I'd like to see a guest on one of those national or state shows call bullshit on the whole enterprise.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-07T10:28:40-06:00

ID

96756

Comment

I know, Sherm. I hate the horse race component to elections. And it benefits Republicans, to boot, because it keeps attention on the wrong stuff. I don't have a whole lot to add this a.m.: Were I to be one to predict elections ahead of time (with big money on the table), I would have guessed that statewide would have turned out like it did. Jim Hood was never in trouble, especially against that Hopkins fellow. I had hoped that Gary Anderson would/could pull it off, but the deck was stacked against him historically—and Chaney is a strong candidate. I wanted Rickey Cole to win, but the Repub strength in this election brought him in. Jamie Franks lost momentum months ago when he started going stupid-negative, and that's very sad. Eaves has been bleeding voters for months based on his silly campaign. Hosemann is popular and more progressive than when he ran against Lott, and started changing his message in recent weeks making it more reasonable. And Rob Smith went to the dark side campaigning, as I belatedly learned. Rudy Warnock just made a fool of himself in his ads. Argh. Who else? I was pleasantly surprised that Charles Barbour went down. As for big local races, Wooten was a bit of a surprise, but that district has shifted demographically (meaning that Reeves is getting progressively more progressive to keep the seat). Only a fool would have thought Cecil Brown was ever in trouble, and Richard White was notoriously weak even before Blount stepped up. The sad part, though, was that Blount could have won that seat without selling his soul on the immigration issue, and I'm worried about how he will run in the future. And how is he going to deliver on those immigration promises? Over in Neshoba, the Williamson loss is devastating to me, but not unexpected. Barbour and the U.S. Chamber et al targeted her hard. The news still seems to be the Dem pickups in the House and Senate. And so we go ... the question now is: What will the Dems do to save themselves?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-07T10:38:26-06:00

ID

96757

Comment

Oh, and remember that all this happened three years after 63 percent of Mississippi voters under 30 voted for the Democratic presidential candidate—the highest percentage by far in the South (including Texas and Florida). Betcha money that the turnout under 30 was abysmal yesterday.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-07T10:39:56-06:00

ID

96758

Comment

The Democrats of Mississippi need to stand up and run a real Dem for Governor... Stop pandering and start producing and you may edge forward in this particular race. I'm not really a political strategist of any merit (I'm not even that good of a chess player, although I did beat one of those little electronic versions once when I was in high school), but I think what was interesting about this cycle is how few Republicans ran on "family values" issues, at least in the campaigning I saw. It was the Democrats who tried to run on that brand of social conservatism, and I don't think it worked. The truth is, any politician at the state level or higher needs a reasonably compelling narrative for their campaign. Chip Pickering isn't just a follow-Bush-down-a-foxhole conservative, he's also the son of a widely respected Mississippi man (for better or worse). Eaves had to run away from his daddy, and many people know that. But he didn't build a better narrative than that; neither did Franks, IMHO. Just stating that you're for or against lowering the tax on praying in grocery stories isn't narrative-building. Eaves might have been able to run by pushing a narrative about Barbour that would have put Barbour over 50% on the negatives...but at the end of the day you would still have needed someone who could build a "I'll do better than that" narrative. I couldn't say what sort of narrative Anderson built because I saw so little of him this campaign cycle. One thing to give the Blount campaign credit for is the narrative that David built through his push cards and other advertising. In some ways, that's probably why the immigration stuff seemed so random...I didn't think it fit the narrative that David had going. I'll be interested to hear whether or not their campaign thinks the anti-immigrant rhetoric was necessary to put them over the top. Hood has built a strong, "independent" narrative for himself as well, and it was interesting to see how he rung 'em up at the polls. Here's one potential argument...if the Democrats *don't* have compelling arguments, then why not run candidates who at least offer a strong choice in the race...more progressive, national-style Democrats...and see if they pull more or less than 43% of the vote? When they do have a candidate with a compelling argument -- like Hood -- then you can let him do his thing with a little less handling. I don't know if Hood's got a shot to move over the Lt. Gov or Gov at some point from AG, but if he decided to run next cycle it looks like he's got the strongest numbers that any Democrat has put up in a while.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2007-11-07T10:47:06-06:00

ID

96759

Comment

Eaves might have been able to run by pushing a narrative about Barbour that would have put Barbour over 50% on the negatives...but at the end of the day you would still have needed someone who could build a "I'll do better than that" narrative. I agree. It's not enough, or example, to say Barbour is bought by out-of-state cororations, if you don't also (1) say how that hurts Mississippians and (2) say what you're going to do about it. Doesn't just about any white Democrat get at least 40-42% of the vote in a statewide election? Seems to me that if that's all you can do, you wasted your time and money.

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-07T10:52:58-06:00

ID

96760

Comment

Donna, I totally agree with you about Socrates...he has too many outside interest or shall I say money making interests to connect with African Americans yet alone Democrats....it is pathetic at best! He looked scared that someone would really notice him.....

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-11-07T10:53:58-06:00

ID

96761

Comment

I am also sad that Gloria Williamson was defeated...sad but not surprised.. The DEMS only have the DEMS to blame...maybe there lights are too DIM....

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-11-07T10:56:08-06:00

ID

96762

Comment

blkokc, I've been talking for a long time of the need for a think tank, of sorts, to help figure out how to motivate young voters and get more *good* candidates in the pipeline. This wouldn't be to benefit either party; in fact, if done right, it could help hold the parties accountable. Interested in helping? You would be great for this. E-mail me if so.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-07T11:04:20-06:00

ID

96763

Comment

you have been talking baout thais for a long time now..and the need clearly exist.... I will email you shortly!

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-11-07T11:11:13-06:00

ID

96764

Comment

Appropraite quote on my Google home page today "Sometimes the appropriate response to reality is to go insane."--Phillip Dick.

Author

Lori G

Date

2007-11-07T11:21:51-06:00

ID

96765

Comment

GenShermansGhost, don't hate the players; hate the GAME. The CL did a wonderful job this am. in its report about MS becoming a total "RED" State" and "GOINT BACK" to a period in time when the State was more "CONSERVATIVE." You can't get angry with people for voicing how they feel and what they want to see happen. I can live and deal with that. What I have problems with are the people who pretend that they do not see color; that race is not a factor; that a certain candidate should pull back and run for mayor the next time. Remember, Jackson had an intelligent, well trained, economic development minded, morally and ethically sound mayor but, he was "too slow" and wore "European cuff links." Let's face this issue for what it is: The majority of White Mississippians can not deal with Blacks who have the above mentioned attributes. I have seen it too many times to not know that this is true. The sad thing is that every trick in the book is used to defeat Black politicians to include the purchase of modern day African-American slaves who are willing to sell out an entire race of people for their own personal gain. It's about I, ME, and MY. Case in point: Let me jog your memory: Barbara Blackmon, candidate for Lt. Gov. X 4 years ago, defeated her opponent (a white male Democrat). The very next day, he and his supporters endorsed Amy Tuck, a Republican. It is not male or female; it's simply any Black person. Blacks are elected in areas where they are an overwhelming majority. Don't take my word - Check the record. A "cartoon character?" Then, this country is a cartoon because it was founded on Biblical principals. Presidents, governors and mayors stick their hand on a Bible and swear to serve; every bill (money) of any denomination carries the slogan: IN GOD WE TRUST. These are primarily adult actions. Why can't children get in on the action of volunteer prayer in school? Could it be that religion/spiritual activities are reserved for adult only???????? Confusing isn't it. Don't get it twisted; over a quarter million of us who went to the polls because of our belief in John Eaves' message: health care, education, economic development, values and yes, religion. We are still here, looking, watching and learning. For the record, MS has always been a "RED" State and continues its position of being last in everything except CRIME. So, continue to march to the beat of Barbour's drum and remember that a SHIP never reaches a sunrise sailing backwards!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-11-07T11:59:56-06:00

ID

96766

Comment

"Blacks are elected in areas where they are an overwhelming majority. Don't take my word - Check the record."-- justjess There is Hope: " Eric Powell of Corinth became the first African-American elected to the Mississippi Legislature from a majority white district when he won the District 4 Senate seat on Tuesday." http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=257363&pub=1&div=News

Author

jd

Date

2007-11-07T12:04:33-06:00

ID

96767

Comment

I'm thinking about moving to Tupelo! lol

Author

jd

Date

2007-11-07T12:05:36-06:00

ID

96768

Comment

Thanks, Justjess, for jus the facts.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-07T12:12:12-06:00

ID

96769

Comment

.."I totally agree with you about Socrates...he has too many outside interest or shall I say money making interests to connect with African Americans yet alone Democrats."... I third that...Most of the African Amercians around here are Sadly, Socrates looked like "King Footshuffler" behind Barbour. the picture caught him in full "cheese" mode and thats appropriate considering that he and the rest of us will be taking it up the wazoo for the next four years. He's gonna need to grin. Its no wonder he was a Harvey johnson supporter. 2nd. I couldnt make out anything Eaves was for except "prayer in schools" and "no abortions". if he had anything else on his platform no one could tell and thus his defeat. 3rd. Yes, race is STILL an issue and was for anderson. You have to realize STATEWIDE(not just here) the rest of MS has not become as progressive as Jackson is. they're still set in their antiquated ways. the modern white folk of hinds county can see voting for Anderson perhaps but some the more *ahem* "traditional caucasian brothers and sisters in the more rural parts of the state hadnt got the memo.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-11-07T12:36:38-06:00

ID

96770

Comment

Kamikaze Socrates didn't know whether to smile or cry...he looked confused. He's another sell-out in the Black Community. He and his minister! There's nothing wrong with getting paid or as they say nothing wrong with having a hustle..but at what cost? When is enough enough? When do you stop stepping on people just so that your pockets continue to get "fat."

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-11-07T13:11:30-06:00

ID

96771

Comment

If folks did not see what was up with the state when the unqualified or should I say less qualified Tate Reeves beat Anderson some years ago, they never will. The elections yesterday were depressing its clear what MS is all about. I am sure Mclemore is a good guy, but if Reeves had done the things he was suppose to, he would not have needed him to give him some credibility in the black community. What erks me about MS politics is that respected black leaders will vouch for Republicans, but the a guy like Gary Anderson would be hardpressed to get a high profile white to stand up for him.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-11-07T14:15:18-06:00

ID

96772

Comment

What erks me about MS politics is that respected black leaders will vouch for Republicans, but the a guy like Gary Anderson would be hardpressed to get a high profile white to stand up for him. Am I wrong or is Dickie Scruggs white?

Author

Droite

Date

2007-11-07T15:15:56-06:00

ID

96773

Comment

Scrugg is green, not white or any other color. That much green renders you devoid of race. People claimed Scruggs' money caused or helped lead to the defeat.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-07T15:22:34-06:00

ID

96774

Comment

All I am trying to say is that as a black man, every time I vote, I vote for white guys and do not give it a second thought. When is MS going to get to the point where a qualified guy like Anderson can get elected inspite of being black? As far as Scruggs, Republicans have likened trial lawyers to curse words, can not say that he helped Anderson.

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-11-07T15:51:59-06:00

ID

96775

Comment

"We're now a one-party state, just like we were a one-party state before," said David Sansing, professor emeritus of history at the University of Mississippi. "This is back to the future for us." What should I be excited about in that statement?

Author

Goldenae

Date

2007-11-07T15:58:42-06:00

ID

96776

Comment

Goldenae I understand and agree!

Author

blkokc

Date

2007-11-07T16:06:29-06:00

ID

96777

Comment

Indeed goldenae we have proven repeatedly that we will vote for white people in the south and thruout the nation. When will our time come here in ole miss? I'm tired of hearing a black statewide candidate doesn't have this or that. We know well what he or she doesn't have - the cmpletion for the connection. A black person with Paul Robeson's or Barack Obama's brillance couldn't win a statewide election here. Colon Powell couldn't either. Maybe Alan Keyes or Clarence Thomas could come close. I bet even Condoleeza Rice, Larry Elder, Shelby Steele, Walter Williams, Armstrong Williams, Juan Williams, JC Watts, et al, after running for a statewide elctions would leave here running and singing that Nina Simone spiritual, "Mississippi ___ Damn! He, he.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-07T16:22:50-06:00

ID

96778

Comment

Also Goldennae, Kamikaze and Justjess, et al, we blacks have voted for whites who were known klansmen, racists but not in the klan, prejudice, feces-headed, morons, idiots, liars, un-gualified - the whole spectrum of th white race. Yet for blacks to have a chance at any office, especially a statewide one, a black candidate apparently needs a perfection whites don't. There is and will always be something too wrong with the black candidate for most white to vote for them. Barbara Blackman was too rich, arrogant and trial-lawyer-like. Gary Anderson was too poor and inadequate, I guess. Do y'all think we will ever be able to grow another negro like Clarence Thomas or Jessie Lewis Peterson. You know those who hate blacks as much as most voting whites apparently do. Now, I heard these two brothers here were not born of a black man and women. Sure, I believe it. Can you be so and not have any self-love, pride and dignity about yourself and your kind? These two guys were made in a lab somewhere. When they die they should be autopsied to erase all doubt. Not that I have any though.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-08T09:11:33-06:00

ID

96779

Comment

...and these are the discussions that we MUST have if MS is to have any chance of becoming a progressive State: Providing an opportunity for people to feel good about helping to promote a positive image. I'm confused on what David Sansing ment about "Going back to the future." Where exactly is that? I'm suprised that the CL journalist didn't ask; however, he/she could have known and it is just my ignorance. If one wonders about this State and what it means to be "totally Red" I will refer you to this am's CL where Barbour is about to show these folks a ghost. LOL!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-11-08T10:42:27-06:00

ID

96780

Comment

Sansing meant the majority hasn't changed much or any. In other words, we got the same ole mississippi.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-11-08T10:45:55-06:00

ID

96781

Comment

Don't lie or try to justify why Mississippi voted republican straight down the election line. I can say as a black i'am open to any candidate even the white ones. But it seems to me like a large number of Whites in Mississippi, not all but a large number see that republican title and and just vote. I was just thinking Mississippi is just a stupid state that thrives on racist rhetoric. I WANT TO MOVE FROM THIS SORRY STATE. WHAT will Haley do for Jackson, nothing at all so why should we feel good about his reelection. AND Kamikaze i knew u didn't like Harvey Johnson we ain't even talking bout him and you bring his name up. Like i said before stop drinking frank kool aid he ain't gone biuld yall a recording studio on Farish Street. Gary Anderson for MAYOR!!!!!

Author

NewJackson

Date

2007-11-08T12:59:43-06:00

ID

96782

Comment

Gary Anderson for MAYOR!!!!! Now there's an interesting idea . . .

Author

GenShermansGhost

Date

2007-11-08T13:03:17-06:00