Wednesday Election Notebook
MS-01: Henry Ross sent out a press release today again focusing on healthcare. He also seemed to taunt Travis Childers saying he “may not get a free pass from Nancy Pelosi” on the next healthcare vote, and asked how he will react “when Nancy Pelosi flexes her muscles.”
MS-01: Alan Nunnelee said he will not respond to attacks from fellow GOPer Angela McGlowan, and referenced a story in the Old Testament as he made the case that you need to avoid “family fights” and focus on the “giant in the valley.”
MS-01: The DCCC is out with a new press release where they point out that Angela McGlowan supports Social Security privatization to a certain extent, and they still are dying to hear specifics from Alan Nunnelee. No word yet on whether they will send out another press release in an hour or so saying they still don’t know Nunnelee’s position…still. As for the substance of this, there’s not much there although we see the DCCC has moved from attacking Nunnelee on the right (calling him a tax raiser) to the more traditional Democratic attack (Republicans want to kill seniors). It will be interesting to see if we hear any new stuff from the DCCC.
MS-01: Although it is a bit of a moot point right now as Rep. Charles Rangel says he will be taking a leave of absence of sorts as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, it is worth noting that Travis Childers called for Rangel’s ouster on Monday, according to The Hill. Update: Childers is now out with a statement saying that Rangel made the right move by stepping down.
MS-03: Democratic hopeful Joel Gill has a PDF on his website with his official announcement and why he is running for a second time. It outlines some of his background and stance on important issues of the day. I am not sure of the date it was posted.
MS-03: Democrat Chairman Jamie Franks said this about the race against Harper in an email blast to supporters: “We have three Democrats vying to face off against Congressman Gregg Harper. I know a lot of people will write this race off as hopeless, but I don’t. Gregg Harper has to prove that he’s done enough for his district to warrant a second term, and serious questions about his votes against jobs and federal funding for road projects in Mississippi will be asked. He needs to be held accountable. Besides, I’ve always liked a good underdog. So we’re going to support our eventual nominee the best we can.”
MS-04: Steven Palazzo recently sent out this press release staking out his position on healthcare.
MS-04: Here is a quick rundown of Gene Taylor’s townhall on Monday at Jones County Junior College. They have a good seven-minute interview with Taylor in there as well.
2012 President: Because we like repeating the same line from Haley Barbour and his 2012 plans, we will do it again. Last night when asked about his future Barbour said he was focusing on electing Republican governors this year, and said it is “not likely” that he would for president.
Endorsements: Kind of election related I suppose as the American Family Association has huge influence in Mississippi, but its chairman, Don Wildmon, announced today that he is resigning as chairman of the board. Wildmon regularly endorses candidates throughout Mississippi, and we will see if that changes anytime soon. His health has been a major issue over the past year, and we wish him the best.
On the Ross email I have to commend him for keeping his sites on the right target and that is Childers.
As far as Nunnelee and his response to McClown I would not respond either because that only gives her legitimacy as a candidate. As it stands she has done more to loose her own votes and make a clown of herself than anyone else has. I think she would have been better served if she would have announced she was running for Rep and then just shut up. But then agian I dont think she is capable of shutting up.
As much as I hate to say it ole Childers has been up front about ousting Rangel since October. I guess a blind turkey does get an acorn every now and agian.
I support Barbour but I just do not think he has “national appeal”. I think Obama or anyone else would fry him on Mississippis’ budgeting woes alone.
Best wishes to Don Wildmon and all of his family.
That is just my two cents.
That sounded like a nickle Frank and you are right on all the way. I would like to see Barbour go further – he has allot to offer.
Loved Dick Morris’s most recent column:
Voters have come to understand and debunk the Myth of the Moderate Democrat. The fiscal-conservative-sounding, pro-life Democrat who campaigns for office promising to balance the budget, hold down taxes and fight for our values is the same one who marches right into the halls of the House on the first day of the session and votes for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker, Charlie Rangel for chairman of Ways and Means and Henry Waxman for Energy and Commerce. It is that one vote that permits Obama’s radical agenda to pass.
That is why Gene Taylor must GO!!
That is why Childers must go as well!
I find it pretty bold for Palazzo to make a statement that speaks to the “constitutionality” of any piece of legislation, considering his vote for eminent domain reform, which would allow for the taking of private property for economic development……which is indeed UNCONSTITUTIONAL…..but, then, maybe Palazzo (or whoever actually wrote this) is assuming that the general public isn’t aware of Palazzo’s blunder on eminent domain.
Absolutely! We need Joe Tegerdine!
Obviouly some folks have not read the Constitution. The 5th amendment indeed does allow the taking of property “for just compensation” and with “due process of law” it is not clear on exactly what “public use” is limited to, but that is why the courts got involved. I think they made a bad descision, but again that is the US Constitution and that relates to the Federal government not the State government. The US Constitution or more specifically the bill of rights limits the Federal Government not the State Governemnt.
The bill everyone (see Tegerdine supporters) is squaking about is House bill 803. Basically the Democrats crafted the bill and wanted to restrict Barbour’s use of eminent domain. They wanted to specifically restrict use of it when private interests were involved (jobs creation and/or an economic-development projects ) but they were too hasty and went a little too far because the bill itself was Unconstitutional. The Mississippi Constitution requires the courts (not the legislature) to detrmine what is “public use” and what is not. The legislature did not do their homework becuase their bill clearly violated the State constitution.
” SECTION 17.
Private property shall not be taken or damaged for public use, except on due compensation being first made to the owner or owners thereof, in a manner to be prescribed by law; and whenever an attempt is made to take private property for a use alleged to be public, the question whether the contemplated use be public shall be a judicial question, and, as such, determined without regard to legislative assertion that the use is public….” MS Constitution
The State legislature was overstepping their bounds. They had good intentions, but crossed the line of the division of powers. This was clearly a Judicial matter not a legislative one. Palazzo knew it and voted accordingly. He was the only one to stand with the MS Constitution.
Many in the House and Senate didn’t like the idea of the State being able to use eminent domain for that purpose and rightly supported the bill even though it was clearly in violation of the State Constitution. Palazzo stood by his pledge and voted against a very popular bill. And he maintained that stand with every vote. He was the only lawmaker to do so. Some call him a sell out but those who actually understand what happened and knew the law know better.
The funny thing is I agree with posters who have issues with the way eminent domain could be used. But in order to fix it a Constitutional amendment is required. I understand there is a petition ciculating that deals with this issue. I would love to read it.
I have watched patiently post after post poor mouthing Palazzo’s vote on this issue and I didn’t say anything becaue I knew someone surely would understand what happened. But they never posted. So I decided to do it to clear up the misinformation floating around.
I am not a supporter of Palazzo or Tegerdine. I think both bring something useful to the race. But I won’t stand by and watch obvious malicious propaganda and not say something.
Eminent domain should be repaired let’s just not break the law to do it.
The Tegerdine supporters on here need to stop misrepresenting other candidates and start talking specifically why he is the best candidate for the Fourth District. All you are doing is helping Gene Taylor get re-elected…is that your goal? Conservatives on both sides (GOP and Tea Party/independents) need to work together to beat Pelosi backing Gene. Any honest review of Steven Palazzo’s entire record shows he is a solid conservative. He has votes to prove it. So you dont like one vote. OK, but 1 out of hundreds? Your zeal is admired for your candidate but you are using it against the wrong candidate.