Going against the will of their "popular" incumbent Governor, Jackson County Republicans overwelmingly chose newcomer Michael Watson over one of Barbour's closest allies.
Ignore what the prognasticators are telling you. I think it is clear that Mississippi voters don't share the love for Barbour that Sid Salter and many editorial boards do. The people see the truth and they want change.
The Democratic Party sent out this release:
When a powerful state Senate ally of Republican Gov. Haley Barbour lost a bid for re-election, it became more clear than ever that the governor’s political coattails aren’t as long as he thought.
Barbour endorsed state Sen. Tommy Robertson of Moss Point – the Senate Finance Committee chairman who single handedly killed a proposal in the Legislature this year to cut the state sales tax on groceries. Barbour even recorded a radio ad for Robertson.
“But Haley’s staunch support did nothing,” said Wayne Dowdy, chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party. “Voters chose someone completely different. Haley couldn’t even help an incumbent state senator win another term.”
On Tuesday, Democrats made their choice for governor overwhelmingly clear by nominating John Eaves for the job.
Unofficial and incomplete returns show that Eaves received 286,557 votes, or 70 percent, in the Democratic Party primary. Eaves, in fact, received 115,635 more votes than the 170,922 Barbour received in winning the GOP nomination.
Eaves’ strong performance in the Tuesday primary shows that momentum has shifted to him and the Mississippi Democratic Party. It also sets up a distinct contrast of styles between Eaves and Barbour.
Over the next three months, voters will learn more about Eaves’ support for such issues as better health care and consistent education funding every year.
“It’s clear Haley’s coattails are worn, ragged and frayed,” Dowdy said. “It’s a new day in Mississippi. And with John Eaves, we have a candidate for governor who will offer this state the kind of dynamic leadership we have been sorely lacking.”
Remember it was Robertson who blocked the grocery tax cut so that the Governor wouldn't have to go through with his veto threat. That veto would have shown the public where the Governor stood; a place clearly out of the mainstream. If "Holy Haley" Barbour can't save a close and important ally, what does that say for where he stands with the voters?
I'm trying to wrap my head around the significance of that, something that I haven't seen mentioned in the state media today. Despite the hotly contested Lt. Gov's race on the Republican side, over 400,000 people voted in the Democratic primary and less than 200,000 voted in the Republican one.
ReplyDeleteI'm beginning to wonder if all the hype of "Barbour is unbeatable" is just smoke and mirrors being put up by the right-wing media that control this state.
Haley is not "unbeatable."
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that many in the media love Haley so much that they go with that frame so that they can ignore his obvious faults.
Tuesday sure showed one thing, the media gets it wrong. They overwhelming agreed that Jacob Ray would be number one in the Auditor's primary.
He came in third.
The media didn't notice the anger that has built against Lester Spell until only weeks ago.
As I've traveled this state I've seen the anger and upset in the faces of people as I talk to them about how Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Lester Spell wasted their tax dollars. I got the same response from Democratic and Republican audiences.
John Eaves is the real deal, whether those in the media are willing to admit it or not.
Are you receiving money from Eaves?
ReplyDeleteGood question RPP:
ReplyDeleteNope, I am not currently receiving any funds from John Arthur Eaves or the Eaves for Governor Campaign or indirectly through any of his supporters.
If someone would like to pay me for what I am doing I would be happy to take your e-mail at cottonmouthblog AT gmail DOT com
Do you receive any money from Barbour for your more pro-Republican opinions? God knows he can afford it with his special interest war-chest.
No, I am not receiving any funds. But I do give money to Republicans.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering because you have exclusive photos of Eaves. That makes me think you are on the inside.
Well, then you can count the value of a photo and being on their media list as "pay." :)
ReplyDeleteThe campaign e-mailed me the photo because of my coverage. They weren't going to use it so they sent it to a friendly blogger.
One man's trash is another man's blog post. :p