Category: Elections
[Release]Eaves’ supporters say Barbour is not doing enough for crime prevention
With new FBI numbers released today
showing an increase of 42 percent in violent crime in the capital city, John
Arthur Eaves Jr., Democratic candidate for governor, is calling Gov. Haley
Barbour’s crime prevention plan an empty promise.
“Haley Barbour accused his opponent in 2003 of allowing a crime wave to
sweep the state,” Eaves said. “Today’s report indicates that in the capital
city, we have fallen even further behind. This governor is clearly
out-of-touch with the importance of protecting our citizens from crime.”
“This governor has cut funding for YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Mississippi - programs that keep kids off the streets and out
of trouble. We should be investing more in these youth because that is a
direct way to prevent future crime,” Eaves said.
In a recent interview with The Clarion-Ledger, Barbour said he was hesitant
to put any more resources into crime-fighting efforts in Jackson. While
mentioning that an investment in security for state-owned buildings might
help free up local law enforcement resources in Jackson, that has not been
done.
“Violent crime threatens the sanctity of every community, and this dramatic
increase threatens the viability and economic development of our capital
city,” Eaves said. “The current gubernatorial administration has done
nothing to protect our citizens. Under my administration, citizens can
expect more investment in youth programs, and the law enforcement community
can expect help addressing the mental health and addiction problems of
criminals.”
While Jackson experienced a 42 percent increase in violent crime during
2006, the national average for similar crimes was only 1.3 percent.
Posted by kate at 10:16 AM on 06/05/07. Discuss (2)
[Release]Statement from Ross’s Campaign Manager
"On May 18th, a Jackson television reporter reported that Phil Bryant
supported the pending federal immigration compromise legislation driven by
Ted Kennedy and John McCain. Three days later, Bryant sought to ‘clarify’
his position-saying he now opposed this Kennedy-McCain legislation. Mr.
Bryant objects to the Ross campaign’s publication of the fact that Bryant’s
position on this legislation seemed to change overnight, according to these
press reports. I hope every Mississippi voter will read the two articles and
let the facts speak for themselves. Mississippi needs a lieutenant governor
who stands firm-Charlie Ross opposes the bill backed by Kennedy and McCain
and will do so consistently.”
Posted by kate at 10:14 AM on 06/05/07. Discuss (1)
[Release] Charlie Ross Supporters Say Bryant Must Debate for Benefit of the Public
A group of Ross supporters called Friends of Charlie Ross issued a release today accusing Bryant of refusing to debate issues because he believes that debating might hurt his lead in the race. Ross and his enthusiasts maintain that candidates must not debate for their own benefit but for the benefit of the public and that Bryant’s choice not to debate is to the detriment of voters:
Bryant was quoted in the Meridian Star over the weekend as saying:
“I’m not going to debate perhaps where he wants us to because of a lot of different features. One of the things I’ve always believed is that when you are ahead in a race, you try to stay ahead. We think that what we are doing is going to keep us ahead in the race.”
Senator Ross has consistently called for the two candidates to meet face-to-face in a wide-open Republican primary debate to discuss the issues affecting Mississippians.
“Phil Bryant has it wrong—debates are not about what’s good for candidates, they are about what’s good for voters.”
Posted by kate at 11:07 AM on 05/31/07. Discuss (1)
Truthwatch Re-Launches with Charlie Ross Factcheck
The Jackson Free Press is re-launching its popular Truthwatch Blog with a factcheck of assertions about tort reform and other issues that lieutenant governor candidate Charlie Ross made in his JFP Interview with Adam Lynch.
The JFP originally launched Truthwatch during the 2005 mayoral race in Jackson in order to factcheck statements made during the campaign. We will factcheck as many statements as possible during the 2007 campaigns.
Posted by kate at 01:41 PM on 05/30/07. Discuss (1)
I Saw the Sign: Thoughts on the Often Overlooked Rules and Regulations of Political Campaign Signs
Believe it or not, it is about that time again. It’s summer - the season of extreme heat and rising gas prices (as I’m sure you’ve noticed). But this time around summer also brings with it a slew of political campaign signs scattering the city.
It seems, however, that some of these impassioned campaigners promoting their chosen candidate have no knowledge about Jackson’s Sign Ordinance which states the rules and regulations regarding political signage. According to this ordinance, political signs are not permitted in any public right-of-way and additionally
“the tacking, painting, posting or affixing of signs, posters or advertising devices of any kind on trees, rocks, utility poles and other such structures is hereby prohibited.”
Basically this says that campaigners cant put signs on interstate medians or state-owned property and you can’t climb up a telephone pole (for safety reasons as well, I would imagine) and tack signs all up and down it. These rules, which seem pretty sensible and fair, are mostly overlooked as you can see for yourself by taking a stroll down any Jackson sidewalk.
And then there are the misleading, misrepresenting and misinformed signs. A certain anonymous candidate who is running for an office that she has not previously held boasts signs that urge voters to “reselect her to this office. If you will allow me to point out the obvious, this command to “reselect is one meager letter off from “re-elect,Ԕ thus leaving these signs open for an ample amount of misinterpretation. Maybe this candidates signs aren’t in a public right-of-way and maybe they’re not haphazardly lying around on the sidewalk awaiting some innocent biker or jogger, but these signs do have the potential to mislead.
So, consider this: perhaps these kinds of signs are even more detrimental and unlawful than signs in an interstate median or tacked on to a utility pole. Thoughts?
Posted by kate at 11:57 AM on 05/30/07. Discuss (10)
[C-L]Obama Introduces a New Universal Health Care Plan
2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama introduced a health care plan that “would provide every citizen a means for coverage and calls on government, businesses and consumers to share the costs of the program.” According to Obama, the implementation of his plan would provide health care to all people and save each consumer an average of $2,500 a year. The estimated cost of the program is anywhere from $50 billion to $65 billion and would be made possible by eliminating the tax cuts for the wealthy that were executed by President Bush.
“We have reached a point in this country where the rising costs of health care has put too many families and businesses on a collision course with financial ruin and left too many with no coverage at all,” Obama said. “This cost crisis is trapping us in a vicious cycle.”
Obama’s plan retains the private insurance system but injects additional money to pay for expanding coverage. It would also create a National Health Insurance Exchange to monitor insurance companies in offering the coverage.
Those who can’t afford coverage would get a subsidy on a sliding scale depending on their income, and virtually all businesses would have to share in the cost of coverage for their workers. The plan is similar to the one covering members of Congress.
Obama’s package would prohibit insurance companies from refusing coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
“My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is that the amount of money you will spend on premiums will be less,” Obama said. “If you are one of 45 million Americans who don’t have health insurance, you will after this plan becomes law.”
Posted by kate at 11:43 AM on 05/29/07. Discuss (9)
[C-L] Former Gov. Ray Mabus Becomes Middle East Adviser for Obama Campaign
A Clarion Ledger article reports that former Gov. Ray Mabus is joining presidential candidate Barrack Obama’s campaign as an unpaid adviser on Middle Eastern issues. Mabus, who was the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Clinton administration, will additionally make appearances in support of Obama as he believes that the candidate, whom he calls a “new voice from a new generation,” is exactly what the country needs after the previous divisive administration. Mabus is a good choice as an adviser because of his credibility and previous experience in dealing with the Middle East.
“On the other hand, it doesn’t hurt to have a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia advising on Middle Eastern issues,” said Wiseman, director of Mississippi State University’s John C. Stennis Institute of Government.
Obama campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Mabus will have “a leadership role in the campaign in Mississippi and across the nation.”
Mabus serves on the advisory board for the Center for Middle East Public Policy at the RAND Corp., a nonprofit research group. He’s also on the board of directors of America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc., a Washington-based nonprofit group that works to strengthen ties among the U.S., the Middle East and north Africa.
Posted by kate at 11:02 AM on 05/23/07. Discuss (12)
[Lt. Gov] Lots Riding on the Lt. Gov. Race
The lieutenant governor’s race looks to be the most unpredictable in the upcoming state elections. While Phil Bryant is the most well-known of the candidates, Charlie Ross is leading in campaign fundraising. Nevertheless, the outcome of the elections will undoubtedly affect Gov. Haley Barbour, who most say will be easily re-elected.
Which party holds the lieutenant governor seat can help or hurt Gov. Haley Barbour - who all political watchers say will glide easily into re-election securing at least 60 percent of the vote - in the Republican-controlled Senate, which has given the governor the extra leverage he’s needed to move his agenda through a state government that tilts power toward the legislative branch and away from the executive.
And for this governor, a Republican tilt - which started when Tuck left the Democratic Party - has paid off.
Posted by kate at 10:43 AM on 05/23/07. Discuss (0)
[Release] Lt. Gov Candidate Phil Bryant Releases Debate Schedule
Phil Bryant, a Republican candidate for Lt. Governor who is currently serving as State Auditor of Mississippi, announced his debate schedule yesterday. Bryant says he looks forward to these debates as an opportunity to discuss concerns and issues that all Mississippians face today.
Posted by kate at 10:54 AM on 05/22/07. Discuss (0)
[DA] Hinds DA Candidate Michele Purvis Launches Blog
Democrat Michele Purvis, a candidate for Hinds County district attorney, has launched a campaign blog. Purvis also appeared on Radio JFP on WLEZ on Friday. You can listen to that program here.
Posted by ladd at 12:21 PM on 05/21/07. Discuss (7)
[C-D] Judge Orders Democratic Party to Put Dale on Ballot
Judge Henry Lackey reversed the Mississippi Democratic Party decision to block longtime insurance commissioner George Dale from the Aug. 7 party primary. From The Commercial Dispatch:
Mississippi’s longtime insurance commissioner, George Dale, will be on the Democratic Party primary ballot.
Calhoun County Circuit Judge Henry Lackey on Monday reversed a Mississippi Democratic Executive Committee decision that had blocked Dale from the Aug. 7 party primary.
Lackey said he does not have the power to let Dale run as an independent - a request Dale made after the Democratic Executive Committee, in a 16-6 vote, said in March the commissioner can’t run under the party label because he publicly supported President Bush for re-election in 2004.
Posted by kate at 11:59 AM on 05/16/07. Discuss (3)
[S-H] Jamie Franks: I’m Conservative on Social Issues
The Associated Press is reporting that Democrat Jaimie Franks is saying that he is conservative on social issues such as abortionbut that his campaign will focus on economic issues:
State Rep. Jamie Franks, the only Democrat running for lieutenant governor this year, says that on social issues such as banning abortion and same-sex marriage, he’s at least as conservative as the two Republicans in the race. “The real issues that we are going to talk about once you set those aside, are economics, education and things of that nature that affect the everyday lives of the people of this state,” Franks, 34, said during a news conference Tuesday at the Capitol.
“You can count on Jamie Franks, when it comes to social issues, to be on the conservative side,” he said.
Posted by ladd at 11:47 AM on 05/16/07. Discuss (1)
[S-H] Gulfport Attorney to Challenge Hood for AG
The Sun-Herald is reporting that a Gulfport attorney and retired military man is challenging Jim Hood for attorney general. It’s fun to note that Jackson found an esteemed place in his announcement:
Everyone knows about the terrible crime problem in Jackson, but drug-related crime is exploding on the Gulf Coast since Katrina,” he said in a press release. “In fact, no Mississippi community has been spared from this dangerous epidemic. People deserve better.”
Posted by ladd at 11:11 AM on 04/09/07. Discuss (0)
[C-L] GOP Lt. Guv Hopefuls to Debate
The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that the Republican candidates for lieutenant governor have agreed to have several debates before the Aug. 7 primary. State Sen. Charlie Ross has proposed seven debates; State Auditor Phil Bryant is looking at his schedule:
tate Sen. Charlie Ross challenged State Auditor Phil Bryant on Wednesday participate in forums across the state. Both men live in Brandon. “This race is going to be about who has the vision, the conservative vision for Mississippi, and who has the ability to implement that vision,” said Ross, who made his formal candidacy announcement in Brandon.
Contacted after the announcement, Bryant’s campaign manager agreed. “We’re looking forward to debating Sen. Ross across the state,” said Neil Forbes. “We’re looking forward to working out our schedules.
Posted by ladd at 11:15 AM on 04/06/07. Discuss (0)
[Ross] Wednesday, er Thursday, with Charlie Ross
[Verbatim from Friends of Charlie Ross]
Greetings from the campaign trail. I apologize that this week’s edition is a day late, but yesterday we embarked on our 13-stop campaign kick-off tour which will lead us through every part of the state over the next week and a half. We visited Hattiesburg, the Gulf Coast, and the Jackson area yesterday (Wednesday) and Sharon and I had a wonderful time meeting people on each stop. Today, I was in Meridian and the Golden Triangle. While in the Golden Triangle, I was able to tour SeverCorr, the new steel manufacturing facility that is under construction. What an impressive facility-and big; it is six football fields long. Most importantly, it represents over 400 new jobs for Mississippians.
Posted by ladd at 07:30 PM on 04/05/07. Discuss (0)
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