Cotton Mouth

So long farewell, auf weidersehen good-bye

2009-01-29T11:21:00.002-06:00

The lives of I and the other main contributors have changed a lot in the past couple years.

We've (mostly) enjoyed writing this blog and sharing our unique perspectives with you.

Your active readership and response has made it worthwhile and we're happy for the good we believe we did for some of the better political folks here in Mississippi.

We wish you the best and pray that God will direct this state and it's leaders toward a brighter, more compassionate future.

- The Writers

Barbour in Europe

2008-11-26T09:09:00.003-06:00

WAPT has reported that the taxpayers are footing the bill for Barbour's trip to Europe over the next two weeks.

JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi taxpayers are footing the majority of the bill for Gov. Haley Barbour’s two-week European trip, officials said.

Barbour was in Dublin, Ireland, on Tuesday where he was honored by the Trinity College University Philosophical Society for his role in Mississippi’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Barbour is also scheduled to meet with executives in Germany and Spain to discuss the possibility of their companies’ doing business in Mississippi.

Pete Smith, the governor's spokesman, couldn’t say on Tuesday how much the trip is costing taxpayers, because the total won’t be known until Barbour returns from overseas.

"Even in a time of national and international economic uncertainty, it is important that we continue to explore potential business opportunities and build relationships with European companies," Barbour said. "Mississippi is pro-business and pro-jobs, and has a great story to tell."

Barbour left for the two-week trip this past Saturday.

Now, before someone gets all upset and starts posting that he's creating jobs for Mississippi, let me say that I have no problem with the state paying for an economic development trip, if that is the legitimate reason (though I hope someone reviews the receipts).

Why I think this post is interesting is because of all the speculation of what Barbour may do in 2012, especially since The Washington Post blog last Friday put Barbour on the top 10 list of Republicans to watch. (Click here for FOLO's coverage of the post.)

A potential 2012 presidential contender visiting foreign dignitaries. Coincidence... I think not.

The tobacco tax that could

2008-11-21T11:30:00.003-06:00

As the 2009 Legislative Session approaches, it looks like we'll have another go at the tobacco tax.

In an AP article today:

Two businessmen are petitioning to let Mississippi voters decide whether to increase the state tobacco tax and designate the revenue for Medicaid.

Clarksdale attorney and restaurateur Bill Luckett and Jackson advertising consultant Rory Reardon filed an initiative Thursday in the secretary of state’s office. They have a year to gather about 90,000 signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

And, somewhat surprising, Barbour is not completely opposed to the idea of raising the tobacco tax. Don't get too excited, though. His proposal is so low, the whole thing will inevitably get bogged down, and the King of Tobacco could still come out looking good to his tobacco buddies after all.

Gov. Haley Barbour said this week that he’ll ask the 2009 Legislature to increase the cigarette excise tax, which is now 18 cents a pack. Barbour proposes adding 24 cents a pack on premium brands and 43 cents on off-brands.

I guess off-brand folks don't hire big-time DC lobbyists.

If we do have a ballot measure, which would be preferrable over whatever plan Barbour devises for his buddies, it will be interesting to see what numbers the legislature comes up with, and how much money will be poured into the state on such a measure.

Governor Bryant?

2008-11-21T11:20:00.004-06:00

The Sun Herald reported today that Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant is considering a run for governor in 2011. (Unless Barbour changes the Mississippi Constitution, this is his last term.)

Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant told the Sun Herald Thursday he is mulling a run for governor, the same day he held a fundraiser to build his war chest for future campaigns.

Bryant said he had not made any firm decision yet about whether to seek re-election as lieutenant governor or to run for governor, but he was certainly considering seeking higher office.

He said keeping revenue in his political account is vital, so Bryant was to hold a fundraiser at a Biloxi home Thursday where attendees would pay $250 a couple, he said. The funds could be used for either his reelection or, if he so chooses, a bid to become governor when Republican Gov. Haley Barbour, an ally of Bryant's, finishes his last term, which would officially end in early 2012 following the 2011 elections.

"I haven't made that decision yet," Bryant said. "The one thing you never try to do is look three years into the future and decide but the one thing I do know is whether I am running for re-election or decide to run for governor it is going to take a lot of money to do so. I don't like to try to wait until the last minute."

We have all been speculating on what he might do in 2011, so it's not surprising to see his comments.

Several employees of the state auditor's office (former and current) have made rumblings about the mess Bryant made while auditor. It will be interesting to see if Pickering can clean up the mess before 2011 since it will come back to haunt Bryant if he runs for governor.

Update

2008-11-19T19:26:00.003-06:00

Sorry guys I will be back to posting real soon. I am in the middle of a job change and have a lot more on my plate than I can handle. I have a demanding job and do this at night for the love of politics and writing. I just want to say that this is just a temporary interruption. I will try and get some good stuff up later tonight or tomorrow. Lord knows I have a ton of thoughts brewing in my head that need to get some air time

Not so proud moment for Mississippi

2008-11-07T13:32:00.002-06:00

According to WAPT, two students were kicked off a public school bus for saying Senator Barack Obama's name. In a separate incident, a girls' basketball coach (at a public school) threatened to suspend any student from the team who mention Senator Obama's name.

Here's a link to the web-story: http://www.wapt.com/video/17928161/

I had heard some unconfirmed rumors of this type of activity occurring in some workplaces, but I am definitely shocked to hear this. Times are changing in the world, and it makes me very sad to hear people clinging to such hatred in the year 2008. I'm not naive enough to think racism doesn't exist everywhere - I know it does. However, we are obviously in the limelight on such issues, and I hope we can all grow and learn from this experience of having elected the first African American president.

As Mississippians, we will never be better than the bottom (where we remain on many lists such as health care and education) unless we stop hating people because they do not look like us or they do not think like us.

America took a giant leap forward last Tuesday, but Mississippi refuses to budge.

Senate race to 60 update (Updated x3)

2008-11-05T22:40:00.001-06:00

The Democrats came into tonight sitting on 50 seats plus LIEberman for a total of 51 in the caucus. There were about a dozen or so contested races with only one being a Democratic seat. Here is what has happened so far with a running tally:

NC - Hagan (d) defeats Dole (r-inc) - Dem total 51 + LIEberman
VA - Warner (d) defeats Gilmore (r) - Dem total 52 + LIEberman
NH - Shaheen (d) defeats Sununu (r-inc) - Dem total 53 + LIEberman
GA - Chambliss (r-inc) and Martin (d) are headed to a runoff!! (UPDATED)
KY - McConnell (r-inc) defeats Lunsford (d) - Dem total 53 + LIEberman
MS - Wicker (r) defeats Musgrove (d) - Dem total 53 + LIEberman
LA - Landrieu (d-inc) defeats Kennedy (r) - Dem total 53 + LIEberman
CO - Udall (d) defeats Schaffer (r) - Dem total 54 + LIEberman
NM - Udall (d) defeats Pearce (r) - Dem total 55 + LIEberman
OR - Merkley (d) defeats Smith (r-inc) - Dem total 56+ LIEberman

Minnesota is too close to call in the Franken vs. Coleman race. We still are waiting on Oregon and Alaska. Sixty looks out of reach, but President-elect Obama will have a large Democratic majority in Congress to work with.

UPDATED: Jim Martin has knocked Saxby Chambliss under the 50% mark which requires a runoff in the state of Georgia. In Minnesota Norm Coleman is hanging on to a 600 voted lead, with almost all of the returns in. A recount could be called. In Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley trails by around 10,000 votes with 73% reporting. The Portland area still has a lot to be counted. Convicted felon Ted Stevens looks like he will retain his seat over challenger Mark Begich.

UPDATEDx2: Not so fast on the Alaska call. Apparently there are 60,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted and they are breaking by a good margin for Begich. In Minnesota there is very good chance Franken wins the recount which is done by hand. The first count is done by optical scanners looking for bubbled in marks. Many first time voters (likely Dem) might just mark an x or something. The state of MN estimates 2 per thousand missed ballots. At 3,000,000 ballots, 500 votes looks pretty likely. In Oregon Merkley has taken a 7,000 vote lead with 79% reporting. The remaining ballots are from heavy Democratic districts. We will pick up a seat in Oregon.

UPDATEDx3: Oregon has gone the way of change with Jeff Merkley defeating incumbent Gordon Smith. Minnesota is down to 250 votes and a recount is coming.

Travis Childers rolls

2008-11-05T21:25:00.004-06:00

The voters of north Mississippi had no problems reelecting Travis Childers to stay in Washington to continue his hard work. There was whispers this past month that Greg Davis had been able to close the gap. Certainly many Childers backers were concerned about the report of over 10,000 new voters registered in Desoto county. No worries, Travis coasted to a resounding 54-44 win over the Republican challenger.

Childers understands Mississippi politics better than any Democrat to run for state office in a long time. He might be conservative on some social issues but he is a Democrat to the bone on the issues Democrats won on for years in the South like economic fairness. Other aspiring Mississippi Dems should look hard at the success Travis had running on meat and potato economic populism. Leave the gay bashing and GOP lite stuff alone and run as a Democrat. State your socially conservative positions if need be, but don't jump and down about them.

Obama wins big, Musgrove looking bleak

2008-11-04T22:13:00.002-06:00

As expected Barack Obama will become the 44th president of the United States. Obama carried all of the Kerry states along with Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Florida, and Colorado so far. Mississippi took 2 hours for the networks to call but sits at 57-42 as of this time. Unfortunately Ronnie Musgrove looks to be in a bind against Roger Wicker, trailing by a 55-45 margin with over 60% reporting.

I will give a detailed report of the Senate races as well as more on the Obama romp.

Election night update

2008-11-04T19:55:00.004-06:00

Kay Hagan is a winner in North Carolina.

Pennsylvania was called at poll closing. McCain has to win Virginia to have any chance.

Mississippi has been listed as too early to call by MSNBC.

Georgia went McCain, the Senate race is too close to call.

Virginia and North Carolina are too close to call.

Florida, Ohio, and Indiana look promising for Obama.

Mitch McConnell is the fight of his life in Kentucky.

Early races to watch

2008-11-04T17:48:00.003-06:00

Here is what I am watching for at the 6:00 release. The road to change starts now.

President: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida, Ohio

Senate: Shaheen (NH), Hagan (NC), Martin (GA), Warner (VA), Lunsford (KY)

Election Protection

2008-11-04T11:53:00.002-06:00

The Protect the Vote Coalition will have live blogging all day long on their site http://601vote.wordpress.com/.

They are posting election issues that have come into the call center. If you have any issues voting, or if you hear of anyone with any issues, tell them to call 1-888-601-VOTE!!!

Barack Obama radio ad for Musgrove

2008-11-03T22:22:00.002-06:00

Hat tip to the boys at TPM for this one...

TPM: Wicker denies distributing sample ballot implying that he is a Democrat UPDATED

2008-11-03T18:31:00.005-06:00

First we got the radio ads targeted at the black community implying that Musgrove is anti-Obama. Now there is this as reported by Talking Points Memo.

Check this out. The campaign of Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), who is running in a special election that won't have party affiliation listed on the ballot, is being accused by the Dems of circulating this misleading sample ballot that asks recipients to vote for the Democratic candidates in every race -- except his own:

The Wicker campaign denied any involvement.

UPDATED: This is the exact sample ballot prepared by the local Dems. Only this one has been doctored to show Roger Wicker as the Democrat.

Fake Robocalls

2008-11-03T17:24:00.002-06:00

This was on Y'All Politics today- very disturbing!

One of the YP editorial staff received a robocall this evening from 866-849-3243 on behalf of MSSC candidate Jim Kitchens. The young man in the voiceover also urged support for Barack Obama. We are hoping to get a recording and get this out there.As the google search linked above has shown, this outfit is a pretty notorious group. There have been a rash of complaints on calls made from that number. We will put more out there if we have it.

Further down, you'll notice a comment from Sam Hall- campaign manager for the Kitchens campaign.

Again. This ain’t our call. This is the other side targeting white, Republican households and trying to play divisive politics.

Of course, I’m sure with all his integrity, Jim Smith will step up really soon and denounce these calls just like he did the push polling that restarted last week. And the way he did those mail outs that distorted the truth about a 14-year-old boy who was persecuted.

Oh. Wait. He never has.

They will continue to try and use race to divide people.

Sam Hall Campaign Manager Kitchens for Justice

Turnout expected to be huge tomorrow

2008-11-03T14:15:00.002-06:00

By all indications the polls will be overflowing with voters tomorrow. The Daily Journal reported yesterday that officials in northeast Mississippi are expecting a record turnout. Absentee ballot totals have already surpassed four years ago in most if not all counties.

"I feel like we'll have a huge turnout," said Lee County Circuit Clerk Joyce Loftin. "I know we ordered more ballots than ever - right at 100 percent."

Roughly 1.1 million Mississippians voted in the 2004 election. Over 190,000 new voters have been added to the rolls this year alone. Be prepared to wait it out in long lines.

Voters should expect longer-than-usual lines at polling precincts throughout the area but otherwise will have a normal experience, according to most circuit clerks across the district.

What races are you excited about?

Clarion Ledger Endorses Obama

2008-11-02T08:46:00.003-06:00

The Clarion-Ledger endorsed Obama this morning.

I was hoping for this, and I thought there was a chance this may occur, but never did I think it would actually happen. I'm speechless.

Obama Choice for Future
Mississippians will find a tough choice in who to vote for in the presidential race on Tuesday with practically a native son in the race. But the choice must be Sen. Barack Obama.

Republican Sen. John McCain has deep roots in Mississippi - a fact that many Mississippians consider a valuable quality. The first John Sidney McCain (Sen. McCain's great grandfather) served as sheriff of Carroll County and later on the county board of supervisors. That McCain's brother was a major general in the U. S. Army. Camp McCain, the Mississippi National Guard training site in Grenada County, is named for him.

So, the big exit sign on I-55 for Camp McCain - not to mention the legions of soldiers who have been assigned there - serves as a reminder of the McCain-Mississippi
connection.

Nor is it lost on Mississippians that the U.S. senator from Arizona who is the Republican nominee for president served with distinction in the military - another consideration many Mississippians find important in an elected official.

No one should try to - or can - diminish the sacrifice John McCain made to America through his Vietnam War service, and the terrible price he paid while imprisoned as a POW.

McCain shall always remain a hero and honored veteran who demonstrably loves his country and has served above and beyond the call of duty in time of peace and in time in war, as a military man and as a civilian public servant.

But, with all this said, that is the past and this is the present. This election is precisely not about the past but about the future and who best should be leading the country into it.
In those matters, Sen. Obama outshines McCain, foremost on policies.
America has spent the past eight years living under the mantra "might makes right," whether military or economic, and the public has reaped a grim reward.
Obama promises to shift the focus of the government to domestic needs.
While both candidates promise tax cuts, Obama's is aimed at middle-class Americans; in health care, Obama's stance is more inclusive. He promises a shift toward helping more people in hard times that require government help.

In foreign affairs, McCain again sides with Bush on Iraq, the major issue facing America militarily (with huge economic impact, as well). Obama promises to shift the emphasis back to where it belongs: bringing those who attacked America on 9-11 to justice, not nation-building.

This country is facing tough times, and those who were elected to lead us in Washington have not been listening to those who elected them. Those who adhere to the party line, and doing the same old things cannot be rewarded. Americans want demonstrable change.

Alas, for all his "straight talk" about change, McCain is just more of the same.
The "straight talk" about McCain? If he were the John McCain of 2000 who ran against George Bush, Obama wouldn't even rate with most Americans.

If he ran the campaign that he had run against Bush, bringing moderate Republicans, independents and conservative Democrats together, with the vast middle of America drawn in by admiring his honesty, he would be attractive today.

But somehow, McCain's "straight talk" express got derailed. He adopted the negative, divisive Bush tactics and, despite protesting he's still a "maverick," cannot escape his
record of backing Bush policies "90 percent of the time," as he said himself, including the Iraq debacle.

McCain '08 is not the McCain of 2000.

In addition to his shift to becoming what he had opposed, McCain offers an uncertainty no one since then can ignore, the elephant in the room, his age: 72.
Some point to Ronald Reagan's age, but when Reagan was reelected at 73, he had already served four years, had remarkable stamina, and an administration set up in power.

If McCain is truly bringing change, he would have to start anew - or, failing that, continue with the Bush/GOP apparatus in place.
Even McCain jokes about his age. But it's no joke, particularly given his past
cancer.
It's ironic that one voice that has spoken forthrightly to this in recent weeks is the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska's largest daily newspaper, which endorsed Obama, even though McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, is that state's governor.

Palin is "passionate, charismatic," but she is not "ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth," it said, concluding: "Picking Sen. McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time."

One might logically ask, if Palin is inexperienced, then what about Obama?

McCain has more experience than Obama in the Senate, more knowledge of foreign affairs and has military experience. But Obama, 47, offers the character and achievement of someone his age that is exemplary, including election to his state's legislature, election to the U.S. Senate, editor of the Harvard Law Review and professor of law at the University of Chicago. Few candidates for president have ever had his intellect and academic achievements.

But the American public doesn't always judge candidates on their paper accomplishments either - whether that's Andrew Jackson's roughhewn populism or Reagan's folksiness, or John F. Kennedy's charisma.

We gauge people not only by what they have done, but what we believe they will do, based on who they are and what they have achieved. Voters look for "it," an indefinable something that gives them hope, a thrill, a belief in America.
Obama offers that "something" - call it charm, charisma, a positive vision for the future, a voice for empowerment, a role model for youth - Obama has "it." That seems clear to the young and those who don't regularly engage in politics.
And he has "it," whatever "it" is, with a party machinery eager for change after eight years of corruption, division, war, greed and economic failure.
With the new old McCain, given his inability to distinguish himself from the worst of his party, his abysmal choice as a running mate, and his failure to motivate any but the most devout of his party, the choice is clear. For president, Barack Obama is
the best choice.

Pink looks good on Mississippi

2008-10-31T15:35:00.002-05:00

According to Pollster today, Mississippi is PINK!!!

http://www.pollster.com/

Update: Because it's Friday

CNN front page piece on MS-SEN race

2008-10-30T19:24:00.003-05:00

The front page of CNN's website featured a picture of Ronnie Musgrove along with this leading story.

CNN:

Despite some polling showing Republican Sen. Roger Wicker with a comfortable lead over former Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, both campaigns agree the race is going to come down to every last vote.

"We have to run the race based on what we know," said Musgrove campaign spokesman Adam Bozzi. "What we know is that Mississippi [voters] in every region across the state are tired of the bad economy, tired of unemployment, and tired of the direction that Washington is headed in."

Phony calls going on?

2008-10-30T17:24:00.002-05:00

This was posted on the Jackson Free Press website this afternoon.

ALERT: Young Voters, African Americans Getting Phony Calls

From the Mississippi Democratic Party/pass the word and let us know if you get any of these calls. Better yet, record them and send us the file:
It has come to our attention that phone calls (NOT ROBO-CALLS) are being made to newly registered voters. As far as we can tell they are targeting young people. A report came in this morning that a phone call was answered by a young, Jackson area man; the caller claimed to be from the Mississippi Democrati Party. The caller said that you MUST have a registration card with you when you vote. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. The MS Democratic Party is neither making these calls AND the information being passed IS NOT TRUE. Many people will not and have not received their cards. They should not be deterred from voting.
We need to inform the media and take action on this issue. This is an ELECTION PROTECTION issue and a serious violation of voters rights. PLEASE inform anyone and everyone you know not to take these calls and if they do to get the callers number and report immediately to Democratic Party HQ at 601 969 2913.
Please pass the information on ASAP.

Election Protection Press Conference tomorrow

2008-10-30T17:21:00.003-05:00

PRESS ADVISORY: Protect the Vote 2008 Campaign Gears Up

On Friday, October 31st at 12:30 p.m., the Protect the Vote Campaign will gear up for Election Day with a press conference at the MS State Conference NAACP Office at 1072 J.R. Lynch Street in Jackson, aimed at highlighting the effort to assist voters. “Protect the Vote is about the people, and ensuring that every registered voter is able to cast their ballot,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President.

“Voting is a fundamental right. Mississippians should let nothing discourage them from making their votes count this Tuesday. If someone encounters a problem or just has a simple question, we can assist at 1-888-601-VOTE (8683), said Nsombi Lambright, Executive Director of MS ACLU. A live blog will be posted at www.601vote.wordpress.com detailing voting activities and issues as they are called in from across the state.

A staff of trained legal professionals is available to help with any Election Day issue. And if the problem can’t be resolved over the phone, over 200 legal volunteers are prepared to dispatch to help in person.

“On this Tuesday, remember to call 1-888-601-VOTE if you need help,” said Pam Johnson, Executive Director of the Mississippi Association for Justice. “Our legal volunteers are ready to help make democracy work in Mississippi.”

Protect the Vote is a nonpartisan initiative of the MS State Conference NAACP,
in partnership with the ACLU of MS, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Magnolia Bar Association, Mississippi Association for Justice, and the Mississippi Center for Justice.

WLOX pulls LEAA ads

2008-10-30T17:03:00.005-05:00

As Folo posted earlier today, Supreme Court candidate Bubba Pierce was asked by the Special Committee on Judicial Election Campaign Intervention for the help in ending the LEAA ads against Oliver Diaz.

http://www.folo.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/fred-banks-to-bubba.pdf

As an update, we have been given word that WLOX has pulled the ads- permanently!

Pierce was also asked to stop the Mississippians for Economic Progress ads. Discussion of both ads and information from the panel is found in the Clarion-Ledger today.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20081030/NEWS04/810300379/1001/NEWS

Does anyone know if they wrote letters to Justice Lamar, Judge Chandler or Chief Justice Smith regarding the MFEP ads? I know they all had the same ads done on their behalf by MFEP.

Obama 30 minute TV ad... Rocks!!

2008-10-29T23:49:00.005-05:00

I have to say "that one" hit it out of the park tonight with the 30 minute ad. Let's all do our part to make sure this man is the 44th president.

Very effective new DSCC Musgrove ad with fact sheet

2008-10-28T22:58:00.003-05:00

First the new ad you have all already probably seen on your teevee...

Now the fact sheet that tells all you need to know...

Narrator: Sometimes, Roger Wicker and Ronnie Musgrove may look alike... But there are some big differences.
Visual: There are big differences

Narrator: Roger Wicker supports sending your Social Security savings to Wall Street.
Visual: Wicker
Sending Social Security Savings to Wall Street
Get the facts at WickerVotes.com

Wicker Still Advocated Social Security Privatization in March 2008. In March 2008, Wicker “said he would back an independent commission to reform Social Security, saying there are ways for the program to get a better interest rate than the 2 percent returned by investing in the U.S. treasury. ‘I don’t like to say private investment,’ he said, ‘but individual accounts where the Social Security payer can get a better deal.’” [Enterprise-Journal, 3/25/08]

Wicker Voted Against Barring Social Security Dollars From Being Diverted to Create Private Accounts. In 2005, Wicker voted against a Democratic proposal that “said money from the Social Security trust fund should not be used to establish the private investment accounts Bush favors.” [Vote #78, 3/16/05; AP, 3/16/05]

Wicker Voted To Put Social Security At Risk Through Privatization. In 2001, Wicker voted in favor of privatizing Social Security by opposing an amendment prohibiting implementation of the final report of President Bush's Commission to Strengthen Social Security. The commission offered a bleak appraisal of a “broken” system, warning that deep benefit cuts, tax increases or “massive” federal debt are inevitable unless Congress allows the personal retirement accounts the White House favors. [Vote #273, 7/25/01; Washington Post, 7/20/01]

Wicker Was Sold On Bush’s Privatization Plan in ’05. Even before Bush visited Mississippi on his 2005 tour to sell his privatization plan, Wicker “said he already was sold on the idea of personal accounts and on the need to curb benefits for wealthier Americans. ‘We have a system that's going broke,’ Wicker said. ‘Everybody's benefits are going to be cut unless we fix the problem.’” [Gannett News Service, 4/30/05]

Wicker Cosponsored 2005 Bill to Create Private Accounts for Social Security. In 2005, Wicker cosponsored a bill to create private investment accounts for Social Security by taking the annual Social Security surplus to create the accounts. The Growing Real Ownership for Workers or GROW accounts would be created for workers who were under the age of 55 at the beginning of 2005, unless they don't participate. The accounts, which let workers put part of their payroll taxes into U.S. Treasury bonds that they would own, would end in 2017. [HR 3304, introduced 7/14/05; The Advocate, 7/27/05; Washington Times, 8/18/05]

Nonpartisan CBO Said Wicker-Backed GROW Accounts Would Cost More Than $1 Trillion. CBO said the plan to create voluntary individual “Growing Real Ownership for Workers” accounts out of the Social Security surplus would “increase federal outlays by more than $1 trillion” between 2007 and 2021. “Under H.R. 3304, the reduction in traditional retirement benefits would result in lower Social Security outlays from 2012 through 2052,” CBO found. “That would delay trust fund exhaustion, and the automatic benefit reductions that exhaustion entails, until 2063.” [National Journal’s CongressDaily, 9/15/05; CBO Report, 9/13/05]

Narrator: Musgrove will strengthen Social Security.
Visual: Musgrove Will Strengthen Social Security

Musgrove Spoke Out Against Wicker’s Privatization Plan. In a campaign press release, Musgrove stated “These selfish, greedy Wall Street tycoons have robbed us coming and going. They couldn't manage the money they bilked us out of in the first place and now they want us to spend hundreds of millions of dollars of our hard earned tax dollars to bail them out. Even worse, Roger Wicker and his special interest allies want these same institutions in control of our Social Security. The current chaos on Wall Street is bad enough. We don't need the people who drove the economy into the ground destroying Social Security too. This week it is clearer than ever. The special interest-Wicker plan to privatize Social Security would be devastating, and we would be left holding the bag.” [Musgrove Press Release, 9/17/08]

Musgrove: Move Past Partisan Bickering On Social Security. In an interview with the Jackson Free Press, Musgrove said “the partisan bickering stalls the process and keeps real issues left on the table…People know there are serious looming problems with Social Security and Medicare, and they know the partisan bickering is stalling any improvements.” [Jackson Free Press, 4/23/08]

Narrator: Wicker voted 13 times against the minimum wage.
Visual: Wicker
13 Votes Against the Minimum Wage

In 2007, Wicker voted against raising the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25. Wrote the Louisville Courier-Journal, “the veto-proof vote by the House this week to boost the minimum wage – for the first time in a decade, from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 over two years – is a welcome move by the new Democratic leadership…After six years of one-party Republican rule that placed its highest priority on tax cuts and other benefits for the most affluent Americans, the Democrats' interest in the most struggling workers is refreshing.” Wicker voted against the wage increase. [Vote 18, 1/10/07; Louisville Courier Journal, 1/13/07]

In 2006, Wicker Twice Voted Against Raising Minimum Wage to $7.25. In Committee in 2006, Wicker voted twice against increasing the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour by 1/1/09. [CQ Committee Coverage, House Appropriations Committee Markup, 6/13/06; CQ Committee Coverage, House Appropriations Committee Markup, 6/20/06]

In 2000, Wicker voted against increasing the federal minimum wage by $1 over two years. According to the Chicago Sun Times, “The House voted 246-179 for a bipartisan amendment boosting the wage by $ 1 over two years -- a $ 2,000 raise for a full-time worker -- instead of a GOP plan for the same raise over three years.” Wicker voted against the wage increase. [Vote 43, 3/9/00; Chicago Sun Times, 3/10/00]

In 1996, Wicker twice voted against raising the minimum wage by 90 cents over two years. According to the Chicago Tribune, “By a 266-162 vote, the House passed an amendment to raise the minimum wage by 90 cents over two years, to $5.15 an hour.” According to the Chicago Sun-Times, “Democrats and moderate Republicans pushed through the House today legislation increasing the minimum wage by 90 cents, thwarting attempts by the GOP leadership to exempt many businesses. The final vote was 281-144 on the package that would raise the current $ 4.25-an-hour minimum wage by 90 cents over the next 13 months.” Wicker voted against the wage increase. [Vote 192, 5/23/96; Vote 195, 5/23/96; Chicago Tribune, 5/24/96; Chicago Sun-Times, 5/23/96]

In 2006, Wicker Blocked Minimum Wage Vote Seven Times in Five Weeks. In June and July 2006, Wicker joined his Republican colleagues in blocking seven separate attempts to offer a minimum wage increase before the House of Representatives. [Vote #308, 6/22/06; Leadership Document, 6/22/06; Vote #313, 6/22/06; National Journal’s CongressDaily, 6/23/06; Vote #319, 6/27/06; Vote #353, 6/29/06; Vote #360, 7/11/06; Congressional Record, 7/11/06; Vote #364, 7/12/06; Hoyer Statement, 7/12/06; Vote #366, 7/12/06; Wall Street Journal, 7/13/06]

Wicker Said He Would Rather Cut Taxes Than Raise Minimum Wage, Even As He Acknowledged Wage Hike Would Help Millions. “A minimum wage hike would help about 3.7 million people,” Wicker said in 1996. “I would rather increase the take-home pay of 50 million people with a tax cut.” [Commercial Appeal, 5/12/96]

Narrator: Musgrove will increase it.
Visual: Musgrove Will Increase Minimum Wage

Musgrove: It’s Wrong Not To Vote To Help Workers Get Paid What They Deserve. In a speech announcing his candidacy, Musgrove said “Roger Wicker voted ten times against raising the minimum wage. He voted eight times against extending unemployment benefits or to help workers whose jobs were outsourced. And he voted for $40 billion in tax breaks for foreign corporations that ship jobs overseas. Roger Wicker will vote to spend money on a New York music hall, but he won’t vote to help Mississippi middle class workers keep their jobs, find a new job, or get paid what they deserve on the job. I think Mr. Wicker is wrong.” [Musgrove Campaign Announcement, 1/8/08]

Musgrove: Only Paycheck a Senator Should Raise Is Yours. Referring in a 2008 campaign ad to Roger Wicker’s votes to raise his own salary while opposing minimum wage hikes, Musgrove said, “the only paycheck your Senator should be focused on raising is yours.” [Musgrove Ad: “Where Did Our Jobs Go?“]

Musgrove Suggested He Would Counter Wicker on Minimum Wage Votes. At the 2008 state Democratic convention, Musgrove said, “When my opponent has voted…against raising the minimum wage, it’s time for Ronnie Musgrove to be in the United States Senate.” [Musgrove Convention Speech, 6/7/08]

Narrator: And Wicker supported tax breaks for CEOS
Visual: Wicker
Tax Breaks for CEOs and Oil Companies

Wicker Supported Bush’s 2004 Multitrillion-Dollar Tax Breaks for Wealthy. In 2004, Wicker supported Bush’s budget that permanently locked in multitrillion-dollar tax breaks that mostly benefit the nation’s wealthiest. According to the AFL-CIO, “To finance these taxes cuts for millionaires and billionaires, the Republican budget resolution—which mirrored Bush’s proposal—inflated the record-high $477 billion U.S. deficit and by $120 billion shortchanged or cut funds for the domestic programs working families need most—from job creation to health care, transportation and education. It also accelerated the repeal of the estate tax and made permanent tax cuts—such as the estate tax repeal, the capital gains and dividend rate cuts and the reduction in marginal rates—that provide huge benefits to families with the highest incomes.” [Vote #92, 3/25/04; 2004 AFL-CIO Scorecard]

Wicker Voted For $350 Billion Bush Tax Cut For The Rich in 2003. In 2003, Wicker voted for an irresponsible tax cut package that deepened the nation’s fiscal crisis and left middle-income households out in the cold. Some 53 percent of all U.S. households — or 74 million — will receive a tax cut of $100 or less in 2003 from the bill. Additionally, 36 percent of households — or 50 million — will receive no tax cut whatsoever in 2003, while tax filers who make $1 million or more per year will receive an average tax cut in 2003 of $93,500. [Vote #225, 5/23/03; Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 5/28/03]

Wicker Voted For 2001 Bush Tax Cuts That Gave Most Benefits To The Rich. In 2001, Wicker voted for the final, $1.35 trillion tax cut package. Under the final agreement, the typical tax cut for the median income taxpayer would be $600 a year. For the 78 million taxpayers in the lowest 60 percent of the income scale, the tax cut would average $347 a year. In contrast, at the top of the income scale the average tax cut would be $53,000 annually--virtually identical to the $54,000 annual tax cut proposed by the President. As a result of the plan, after-tax income was estimated to rise about three times as much among the top one percent of families as among those in the middle class, and more than seven times faster among the top one percent of families than among the bottom 20 percent of families. [Vote #149, 5/26/01; Citizens for Tax Justice, 5/26/01; CBPP, 5/26/01]

> Sen. McCain Said 2001 Tax Cuts Benefited Wealthy “At the Expense of Middle-Class Americans.” Sen. John McCain, who voted against the 2001 Bush tax cuts, “said the measure cut tax rates for the wealthy ‘at the expense of middle-class Americans.’” [AP, 5/26/01]

> Bush Tax Cuts Shifted Tax Burden to the Middle Class. Reporting on a Congressional Budget Office Study in 2004, the Washington Post noted that “President Bush's tax cuts have shifted federal tax payments from the richest Americans to a wide swath of middle-class families.” The CBO report “found that the wealthiest 20 percent, whose incomes averaged $182,700 in 2001, saw their share of federal taxes drop from 64.4 percent of total tax payments in 2001 to 63.5 percent this year. The top 1 percent…saw their share fall to 20.1 percent of the total, from 22.2 percent.” On the other hand, “taxpayers with incomes from around $51,500 to around $75,600 saw their share of federal tax payments increase. Households earning around $75,600 saw their tax burden jump the most, from 18.7 percent of all taxes to 19.5 percent.” [Washington Post, 8/13/04]

Wicker Voted to Make the Bush Tax Cuts Permanent. In 2002, Wicker voted to permanently extend the Bush tax cuts, many of which were set to expire in 2010. This included the income tax rate cut, marriage penalty relief and the estate tax repeal. [Vote 103, 4/18/02]

Narrator: and Oil companies.
Visual: Wicker
Tax Breaks for CEOs and Oil Companies

Wicker Supported 1999 Tax Break Worth Over A Billion A Year For Big Oil. Wicker voted for the final 1999 GOP Tax package, which included a provision that would give oil companies a special tax benefit for their foreign operations. According to USA Today, “One of the biggest targeted breaks in the newly approved measure is for multinational oil companies, courtesy of Ways and Means Chairman Bill Archer, R-Texas. Archer pushed through a provision that would repeal rules limiting tax credits that oil and gas companies can claim from foreign operations. By 2009, the companies would save $ 1.2 billion a year.” According to the New York Times, the bill contained other measures beneficial to the oil industry as well, including allowing tax write-offs for wells that are “marginally productive.” Schaffer also voted for the initial House passage of the bill.[Vote 333, 7/22/99; Vote 379, 8/5/99; USA Today, 8/17/99; New York Times, 7/21/99]

> Additional Sourcing for “Tax Breaks”: According to the New York Times, “Mr. Archer, whose district is in Houston, put into the House bill several tax breaks for his constituents in the petroleum industry. One, for example, allows more favorable tax treatment for Americans who have income from foreign oil and gas. Another allows new write-offs for wells that are marginally productive.” [New York Times, 7/21/99]

> McCain Said Oil Companies Got $5 Billion In Tax Cuts For Their Efforts to Pass The Bill. According to the Durham Herald-Sun, Sen. John McCain “cited the influence of special interests on the passage of this summer's $792 billion tax bill. Had the president signed it, banks and securities firms, which spent $34.6 million in soft money contributions, would have received $30 billion in tax cuts, a good investment according to McCain. Similarly, restaurants and hotels spent $9.9 million and received $8.4 billion; oil and gas companies spent $14.3 million and got $5 billion; steel companies contributed $990,000 and got $187 million, McCain said.” [Durham Herald-Sun, 10/13/99]

Wicker Voted for 2001 Energy Bill With $13 Billion in Tax Breaks to Big Oil. Wicker voted for the 2001 House energy bill, which included $33.5 billion in tax breaks over 10 years. According to the New York Times, “The bulk of the credits and breaks -- $27 billion, according to government watchdog groups -- go to traditional energy producers, both to drill for more oil and gas, develop nuclear energy and produce cleaner coal.” The Orlando Sentinel reported that the House energy bill “would bestow $33.5 billion of tax breaks during 10 years, the bulk of it to encourage production of new energy supplies. They include: $13.3 billion for oil and gas companies.” [Vote 320, 8/1/01; New York Times, 8/2/01; Orlando Sentinel, 8/19/01]

Headline: “In the End, Energy Bill Fulfilled Most Industry Wishes.” According to the Washington Post, “By winning more than $ 30 billion in tax incentives” in the 2001 energy bill, “industry received much of what it wanted. But its success raised questions about how lawmakers and the administration plan to pay for it in a period of declining budget surpluses.” [Washington Post, 8/3/01]

Additional Sourcing for “Tax Breaks”:

> The Times-Picayune reported that the 2001 House energy bill included a number of stipulations that “were good news for the oil and gas industry, which could gain $10 billion worth of tax breaks and a two-year extension of royalty breaks for deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.” [Times-Picayune, 8/2/01]

> The Christian Science Monitor reported that the 2001 House energy bill “contained many of the most important provisions of the administration's original energy outline, including billions of dollars in tax breaks for petroleum producers.” [Christian Science Monitor, 8/3/01]

Wicker Voted for Final 2003 Energy Bill With $11.9 Billion for Oil and Gas Industries. In November 2003, Wicker voted for the final version of the 2003 energy bill. The bill provided an estimated $23 billion in tax breaks over 10 years, with $14.5 billion going to the coal, oil, natural gas industries. Specifically, CQ Monitor reported, “Senate Finance Chairman Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, said the tax breaks were expanded to satisfy demands from congressional backers of the oil and gas industry. He said the final version of the bill includes $11.9 billion in tax breaks for the industry.” [Vote 630, 11/18/03; Saint Paul Pioneer Press, 11/18/03; Wichita Eagle, 11/19/03; CQ Monitor, 11/18/03]

Wicker Voted For 2005 Energy Bill With $2.6 Billion in Tax Breaks For Big Oil And Gas Companies. Wicker voted to adopt the final 2005 Energy Bill, which provided for $14.6 billion in energy-related tax incentives, according to Congressional Quarterly Weekly. The tax package, “provides far less support for alternative energy and efficiency than many lawmakers had urged,” with 58% going to “traditional energy industries, including oil, natural gas, coal, electric utilities and nuclear power,” according to the Washington Post. Specifically, “the bill provides $2.6 billion in tax benefits for oil and gas production and refining.” [Vote 445, 7/28/05; Washington Post, 7/28/05; Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 7/29/05]

Additional Sourcing for $2.6 Billion:

> Discussing the 2005 energy bill, The Hill reported, “In total, the energy bill included $2.6 billion in oil and gas tax breaks.” [The Hill, 5/9/06]

> The AP reported, “the legislation would provide $14.5 billion in energy tax breaks, including $2.6 billion for oil and gas industries.” [Associated Press, 7/28/05]

Narrator: Musgrove says cut taxes for middle-class families.
Visual: Musgrove Cut Taxes for Middle-Class

Musgrove: Tax Less. In a speech announcing his candidacy for Senate, Musgrove said “We need a senator who will make the hard choices and the smart choices in the federal budget. And the way to put more money into the pockets of our people is to not take it out in the first place.” [Musgrove Campaign Announcement, 1/8/08]

Musgrove: Stand For Rights Of Taxpayers, Middle Class. In a speech announcing his candidacy for Senate, Musgrove said “I believe in rights of taxpayers, and my loyalties are to middle class families here at home in Mississippi.” [Musgrove Campaign Announcement, 1/8/08]

Narrator: The difference?
Visual: Musgrove
The Difference?
Narrator: Ronnie Musgrove is on your side.
Visual: Musgrove On Your Side

Travis Childers goes to work for Mississippi

2008-10-28T22:44:00.003-05:00

Travis Childers is a Mississippi Democrat who gets it. The road to victory for a Democrat in Mississippi lies in economic populism, not trying to sound like Republican Lite. While Childers holds certain socially conservative views, he has centered his campaign around the winning strategy of economic fairness and fighting for the working man. For too long the Republicans have hid behind social conservatism on one hand while pushing the most damaging policies to the working man in the other hand. Travis offers a clear alternative to his opponent.

This week Travis is in Mississippi. From a campaign email...

Congressman Travis Childers continued his district-wide “work week” today at Usry Grocery in Nesbit. He bagged groceries, ran the cash register, and spoke with voters about his record of helping to create jobs and provide relief for North Mississippi’s working families during difficult economic times.

Later this week, the Congressman will also spend time as an employee at small businesses in Lee and Grenada Counties. To join Congressman Childers and see him “at work” for North Mississippi, RSVP for one or more of the following events at http://childersforcongress.com/tc_events.html#rsvp.

Congressman Childers Takes Orders at Johnnie’s Drive In
Thursday, October 30, 2008
11:30 p.m.
908 E Main St
Tupelo, MS 38804

Congressman Childers “Goes to Work” in Grenada County
Friday, October 31, 2008
DETAILS TBA