Observations From Wednesday At Neshoba
PHILADELPHIA- Today was the first day of statewide political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair and we saw candidates for five of the eight offices speak. Here are a few observations:
** Tate Reeves and Billy Hewes were certainly the headliners, speaking in their traditional individual spots and in a small debate. The debate was somewhat disappointing in that it was short, off the main stage (and without any shade for miles), and not mic’d up for the crowd to hear. The speeches were about what you’d expect. They both went after their opponent early and often; generally saying the same things they have been talking about for a month or two.
As for the speeches, they both bussed in large crowds. I was told multiple buses. What’s that mean? They had a ton of loud supporters carrying signs and wearing their t-shirts. Hewes even had his people bring in chairs in front of the main seating, just to be asked to sit down so those in the back could see. This is perception, and why the campaigns do this. You and I know they were bussed in, but if you’re just checking this on the news you see a campaign with a ton of vocal supporters. Perception, perception, perception.
I’ve talked with other campaigns about this, and they didn’t seem to think brining in crowds was necessary, so obviously more than one school of thought here.
** Cindy Hyde-Smith also brought in a lot of supporters. She is certainly a strong speaker on the stump and seemed very much in her element with a very supportive audience. Max Phillips had a good many supporters as well. Speaking earlier in the day Lester Spell said he was supporting Hyde-Smith. Phillips, who ran against Spell twice, used the occasion to say that you should support Hyde-Smith if you support “the failed policies of the past.” Generally, their speeches, along with that of Dannie Reed, were very issue based and they probably went in to more detail than necessary.
** Steve Simpson spoke before Jim Hood after lunch. In a platform like this, Hood is very much in his element. Dressed in jeans and boots, he spoke on much of what he has been talking about for years. Possibly for the first time ever on the stage, “sexting” and Viagra were mentioned in the same speech thanks to Hood. Hood also didn’t respond to any of Simpson’s prompts or charges. Simpson went really hard after Hood, particularly on dealings with campaign contributors, corruption, and Obamacare. Simpson said would defend both the voter ID and Personhood initiatives and challenged Hood to state his position, something he didn’t do.
But in a setting like this, pretty easy to see why Hood remains popular among rural, largely conservative, voters.
** Listening to Mike Chaney speak on the specifics of his job and accomplishments truly convinced me that the position should be appointed.
** There weren’t a whole lot of legislators there as most have their own campaigns with primaries six days away. And this raises the question of just how important Neshoba really is. It’s a great location and a great tradition, but how much do campaigns benefit. Some who are speaking tomorrow were there today, others weren’t figuring there were more votes elsewhere. And you could see their point. The crowds mostly consist of political junkies who already have their mind made up, people brought in by campaigns, and people whose families have had cabins for generations. I hope campaigns don’t put less interest in the fair as elections go on, but it is a very tough call especially with just a few days to go.
** One legislative observation, for what it’s worth: Bennett Malone had very distinctive black, red, and gold signs at what seemed to be every house on Highway 16. This is a seat Republicans obviously want, and certainly got a shot at, but these long-term reps. are obviously very well entrenched, Malone included.
Apparently you were over next to the grandstand and not at the pavilion…Cindy Hyde-Smith brought her family for her supporters.. Max Phillips talked about what would bring more to Mississippi…and if I am correct and I was sitting in the pavilion he had to stop several times by applause from the crowd. And yes of course Lester endorsed Hyde-Smith which we all knew he would..who better to cover up the Beef Plant debockle than the one that helped him with it. We all know whose pocket she is in and who will still be running this office. Do we really want to see Mississippi go another 4 years after 16 with Lester! It’s time for someone who has their heart in Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce. I think Max Phillips will be on top on August 2nd.
Polly, It is interesting that you support a candidate who admits to committing disability fraud. listen to Max explain how he is fully recovered but is still on disabilty on Gallo – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h92tjqAwUro
Tom you need to go back and listen again!! To set the record straight as Max Phillips did on Super Talk Radio with Paul Gallo, the injury that caused him to go on medical retirement disability after surgeries he is better but not cured and can not do the job he was doing at the time of the injury! It did not effect his mind and he is a very intelligent person and very knowledgable on the issues of this office. Go to his web site it is all on there. So for your claim that he is committing disability fraud that is a false statement and you might want to check your hearing and your facts before telling someone else a lie….
He was a banker and a teacher before that!!!
And your point is????
Tom, you and CHS supporters have been purpetuating this fraud for quite some time, and obviously don’t care about facts. All you want to do is try to put down the opponent. Phillips was injured while a teacher (vocational agriculture) at a FFA function. A cow got loose and he intervened to keep the cow away from the students. Cow pinned him against a chain link fence messing up his neck and back. Five surguries later, the school board had him take “early retirement” after twenty one years teaching. (Normally, would have to had twenty five years.) His retirement was because of the requirements of his particular teaching job – he could have continued if he had been a regular classroom teacher, but not a vo-ag teacher.
He had been an ag banker earlier in his career, but his retirement came from his teaching career. And when he is elected, he will be a state employee and his early retirement will stop.
There are literally thousands of folks in MS who have a disability retirement from a job but that can work at other jobs. Get over this with Max. You are just trying to spread false info so that Lester can get her girl into office to keep the files closed on the beef plant debacle and his other screwy projects.
Tom,
I saw Cindy at the fair, where she said she was the mother of a 5th generation farmer. The man sitting next to me, with a hearing aid, said she was a 5th generation farm girl. He thought she had misspoke and referenced her commercial. I had to watch her commercial again, because I could swear that Cindy said she was a 5th generation farmer. I listened close and the commercial said “…mother to her daughter, a 5th generation farmer. I replayed it a couple of times more and the deception was obvious. The commercial was accurate, but at first glance seems to say Cindy is a 5th generation farmer… Wouldn’t you say that is less than genune? She also never says anything about the Cull Cow Beef Plant she pushed hard for… Joe Gilies will destroy her in the general election.
Brett, just to set the record straight, Hewes did not bus in anyone. All of Billy’s supporters came on their own. Also, Hewes supporters did bring in chairs and sat in front of the stage. It was Tate’s supporters that stood behind them that were asked to move out of the way of those sitting on the benches. We wish the debate could have been held in the pavilion so that everyone could have heard it.
‘Just watched the so-called debate between Hewes and Reeves. I think both candidates tried to fact-check the other’s ad claims and did a pretty fair job doing so. HOWEVER, Billy Hewes did the best job of maintaining his arguments against Reeves. The debate, if you can really call it one, was way too short for the candidates who are vying for the most powerful office in state government.
That’s because Tate won’t agree and hasn’t agreed to a formal debate. I don’t count sitting on a front porch without any p.a. system a formal debate, by the way. If you check the Clarion Ledger you’ll see a picture of Hewes trying to shake Reeves’ hand. Reeve’s wouldn’t at first. Just shows you what type of character Tate has.
Brett: Does Neshoba not get much media coverage? I would think that that could make it worthwhile for candidates to attend. I’ve been to a (from the sound of it) similar event in Kentucky called “Fancy Farm,” which generates a fair amount of attention for those running for office.
It gets a lot of coverage. Prolly more than any other political event in the state. It’s good for the statewide candidates when they are speaking, but my point was just related to walking around the cabins, shaking hands, etc. the day before or after the speech. That obviously doesn’t get media attention, and I am just not sure if its necessarily the best use of time- especially with less than a week to go.
Looked like a big ole Frat Party at Ole Miss or State… Sure wasn’t what it used to be… The rides were empty, horse race track was darn near empty, the square was at best 1/4 the capacity. There was a time when the kids would fill the rides, horse race was standing room only, and the square filled to the Max… I guess T.V., radio, and internet has taken its toll.
Hey Brett,
That was our First fair. I and my family loved it and will be back. The Hospitality was awesome. I was a bit reluctant to “walk” the cabins at first. I didn’t want to intrude on peoples privacy, but quickly realized that folks expected me to. There probably is a more productive use of time, but I couldn’t think of anything more enjoyable.. I don’t know how things will turn out tuesday, but I have enjoyed traveling our State.
Interesting comment on the yard signs from Brett. I drove up from Jackson on Hwy 25 and Hwy 16 as well. I saw the Malone signs as well but I also saw just about as many yard signs for Mathis and Vaughn, the two R’s running for the nomination for that district. What struck me was how many yards had signs for Malone AND one or sometimes both of the R’s in them. My guess is that those folks are just polite and when asked if a candidate can put a yard sign at the house they say “OK” to all who ask.
Maybe it was the black background but they really stood out. Just an odd looking sign, but rememberable because of it I believe.
Well at least our Lt Govs will face the public. Bentz is sending his mom and staff out so he doesn’t have to answer questions about Obama’s Kemper Co Plant. In this race, It comes down to, vote politics as usual or not. I’ll be voting Tate Reeves to start putting Mississippi back together again.
I want to be sure everyone knows the facts! Billy Hewes did not BUS in ONE SINGLE PERSON! He did not PAY their way in. Tate Reeves bussed them in and paid their way and most were TARPs under voting age. I do not know where you got this information but it is completely not true!
Dr. Dannie Reed is more qualified than the other canidates put together in the AG & Commerce race. Dannie has a Dr. Degree in Ag. Education and in Ag Eng. He also has 38 years as a public servant, 20 years of that as a Economic developer as a County Agent. Dannie also is the only Canidate that has ever been elected as a Republician. Both the other canidates are switcher from Demacrates. We need a real Conservitive in this office. Dannie is going to Move MS. forward.
Oh wait that would be a Ag Banker and a Ag Teacher….He was a Ag Teacher when he got hurt on the job at the Fairgrounds in Jackson…..And if you know anything about Ag Teachers 95% of their job is not in a classroom, but in a shop.
Polly
He apparently doesn’t know anything about anything. Including how to spell. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Farmers/Experts, Please help explain,
Why- Cindy Hyde Smith(that chairs Senate Ag committee) and Lester(ag. commish.) took this great idea of using ethanol to supplement gasoline from Brazil (uses cane for ethanol)? Then applied it to the food we eat instead of using the Sugar or white Cane like Brazil?
The only thing I can think of is; either they are trying to starve us fresh corn, or they don’t know that white and sugar CANE IS NATIVE to MISSISSIPPI.