Category: Democrats
Andy Taggart Fingering Moore … and Hood?
In a confusing post on the Ledger’s Red-Blue Blog, Republican pundit Andy Taggart complains that two of the attorneys now caught up in the Dickie Scruggs bribery scandal—Tim Balducci and Joey Langston—did not give back the settlement money from MCI-Worldcom that paid their attorney fees for recouping $108 million for the state:
A little over a year ago, then State Auditor Phil Bryant sent a demand letter to Joey Langston and the Langston Law Firm, where Tim Balducci used to practice, seeking recovery of the $14 million in attorneys fees improperly paid to Langston and Balducci in the MCI tax settlement case. Former Attorney General Mike Moore had represented MCI during the settlement.
The post seems designed to implicate former Attorney General Mike Moore (who played the odd role of representing MCI in the case) and current Attorney General Jim Hood, who awarded the contingency contract. What isn’t clear from this extremely partisan post is fourfold: (a) What did Moore know, and when did he know it? And did he know about anything illegal? (b) Ditto for Hood; same question, remembering that he and Moore are not necessarily joined at the brain. (c) What is the law that would have required them to give back the attorney’s fees that the company paid them? (d) Positing that those attorneys are now “known scumbags,” what exactly is the relevance of this to that case?
We’d really like some of the salivating pundits in the state to connect more dots for us, rather than deal in partisan innuendo. Maybe they know stuff they can’t tell us, or think they do. Time will tell.
Posted by ladd at 07:32 PM on 01/15/08. Discuss (3)
McCoy v. Barbour: Democrat Comes Out on Top … This Time
Read Adam Lynch’s coverage and analysis of the battle of wills that took place this week over the Mississippi speaker of the house:
Amid Tears, McCoy Keeps Seat, Jan. 9, 2008
2008 Legislative Preview: New Session, Old Problems, Jan. 2, 2008
Posted by ladd at 05:11 PM on 01/09/08. Discuss (1)
Partisan Flap Over Timing of Special Election
The Daily Journal is reporting that Barbour says the special election to replace Lott should be next Election Day (the same day as the presidential election), and the state’s Dems want it to be within 90 days, presumably so Barbour’s choice doesn’t serve any longer than (inevitably) he has to. We’re not sure the state’s beleaguered Dems are being smart on this one: Can they turn out enough voters in a special election to win a statewide election? They might just need the help of a national turnout to have a snowball’s chance in Gulfport of winning this one. Of course we’ve been wrong before (but seldom about the state’s Democrats).
Here’s what Jere Nash has to say about the scuffle:
Posted by ladd at 01:43 PM on 11/28/07. Discuss (3)
Blogger Launches ‘We Want Mike Moore’ Campaign for Lott’s Seat
John Leek of the Cottonmouth Blog has sent out a statement announcing the We Want Mike Moore campaign to get former Attorney General Mike Moorehe of anti-tobacco company fame and corporate Republican hatredחto run for Sen. Trent Lott’s soon-to-be-open seat. Here is the e-mail in its entirety:
Dear Progressives,
I hope that you are fully aware of the opportunity we have in this retirement by Senator Trent Lott.
This open seat is our chance to elevate someone who will stand up for Mississippians of all races and economic groups. We have a chance to encourage and elect someone who will stand up for consumers’ rights and work tirelessly for insurance reform at the national level.
That person is former Attorney General Mike Moore.
He’s stated that he’s considering running so let’s make that decision easier by showing that he has grassroots support statewide by sharing this release and by going to WeWantMikeMoore.com and signing a petition showing our support.
If he runs, he can win and that would be a win for all of us.
The press release is attached and follows.
- John Leek / http://www.COTTONMOUTHblog.com / http://www.WeWantMikeMoore.com / Mississippi
Posted by ladd at 11:00 AM on 11/28/07. Discuss (4)
Who Wants Lott’s Seat? Everyone’s Got An Opinion.
The names are coming in. Rep. Roger Wicker, R., registered his domain name (hat tip to Will Bardwell before Lott finished announcing his retirement. General sentiment is that retiring Congressman Chip Pickering is the odds-on choice. Today The Clarion-Ledgerpiled on a list of “former” Democratic names who might want to run: former Attorney General Mike Moore, former Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, about-to-be former Rep. Erik Fleming (a JFP blogger-columnist), former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, former Rep. Mike Espy.
Just when you thought election madness had settled down a bit .... (And we can’t wait to see THESE campaign ads.)
Oh, and to Bardwell, gotta LOVE the “R-Citizens Council” after Wicker’s name. Snicker.
Posted by ladd at 10:00 AM on 11/28/07. Discuss (2)
[Speech] Mabus: Republicans Bad for Mississippi’s Health
Following is the verbatim transcript of the speech Gov. Ray Mabus gave at the Jefferson Jackson Hamer Day Dinner on Oct. 27, 2007:
Mabus: Just like cigarettes are bad for health, REPUBLICANS are bad for Mississippis Health. We let ourselves get distracted and divided. DonҒt go after each other, save the fight for the real opponents, the REPUBLICANS. There is no reason why a party like the DEMOCRATS, shouldnt win every time. We are a party that puts Education first. We are a party that provides affordable Health Care for all kids and all Mississippians. We are a party that believes we are all one state, and we do better when we are United, than when we play the race card that divides us. We are a party who believes that everybody should follow the rules, and the rich and powerful should not be exempt. We are a party that believes our kids should be given the tools and opportunities for success, that where you are born, does not determine your destiny. We are a party that thinks we should tax cigarettes more and groceries less.
Posted by ladd at 05:54 PM on 11/04/07. Discuss (0)
[JFP] JFP Rescinds Endorsement of Democrat David Blount
Posted by ladd at 10:10 AM on 11/02/07. Discuss (1)
[JFP] Transcripts of JFP Interviews with 2007 Candidates
JFP Interviews:
John Arthur Eaves (D, candidate for governor)
Jamie Franks (D, candidate for lt. governor)
Attorney General Jim Hood (D, incumbent)
Mike Chaney (R, candidate for insurance commissioner)
Gary Anderson (D, candidate for insurance commissioner)
Posted by ladd at 01:34 PM on 11/01/07. Discuss (0)
[M-P]State Election Board supports voter ID requirement
The official state Election Board voted yesterday to require some form of voter identification at the polls. The vote occurred at an Elections Board meeting where the three members of the board were all present - Attorney General Jim Hood, Secretary of State Eric Clark, and Governor Haley Barbour. The Election Board said the federal court order can be implemented before next year’s elections.
Posted by kate at 11:30 AM on 06/29/07. Discuss (0)
[C-L] Judge asked to reconsider voter ID decision
According to the Clarion Ledger, Attorney General Jim Hood along with the NAACP and the Mississippi Republican Party have requested that the federal judge reconsider his voter ID decision.
Posted by kate at 12:52 PM on 06/26/07. Discuss (1)
[C-L]Mixed feelings about voter ID ruling
At the Mississippi Press Association’s summer convention, candidates were questioned regarding their feelings on the new voter ID requirement. The Republican candidates for governor and lt. governor approve of the federal judge’s ruling to require voter identification at the polls. However, the Democratic candidates for these offices do not feel the same. Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Arthur Eaves Jr., along with other Democratic candidates, feels that the new law will intimidate many potential voters.
Posted by kate at 10:37 AM on 06/26/07. Discuss (0)
[Release]Eaves joins crusade to avoid insurance industry influence
Speaking from Biloxi today, John Arthur Eaves Jr., leading Democratic candidate for Governor, signed a pledge to refuse to take campaign contributions from the insurance industry, including insurance companies, insurance PACs and executives of insurance companies.
Posted by kate at 06:02 PM on 06/21/07. Discuss (1)
[DA] Hinds Incumbent Faye Peterson Publishes ‘Tough on Crime’ PDF
Hinds County District Attorney Faye Peterson has posted a nine-page PDF of statistics and other information about her record in office.
Posted by ladd at 03:50 PM on 06/19/07. Discuss (0)
Anderson condemns Dale’s acceptance of campaign donations from insurance companies
According to mississippipolitics.com, Insurance Commissioner candidate Gary Anderson accused incumbent George Dale of accepting money from the insurance industry. Anderson vowed that he would not do the same.
Posted by kate at 10:51 AM on 06/12/07. Discuss (0)
[C-L]Dems win court victory but pay a high price
Mississippi Democrats have won a court fight to close primaries to registered party voters. The Dems filed suit last year against the Mississippi Election Commission in an attempt to close primaries and allow only registered Democrats to cast ballots. While U.S. District Judge Allen Pepper granted the party its wish, he also ruled that voter identification must be required at the polls starting April 1, 2008. The judge then added that no 2008 party primaries will be held until the system is revamped and voter ID is required, which means that the presidential primaries in March 2008 could be affected. It looks like the Dems, who have been fighting against required voter ID, might have paid a high price for their court win.
Posted by kate at 10:09 AM on 06/12/07. Discuss (14)
