Thursday, November 29, 2007

Who Will Be Our New Senator?

Once Senator Trent Lott officially resigns, the Governor will appoint someone to fill Lott's seat. That appointee will then have the advantage of incumbency when they have to be elected in the special election, which will be in March or November, depending on the outcome of lawsuits. There are lots of rumors about who that might be. At first, everyone assumed it would be Congressman Chip Pickering. However, his star seems to be fading, probably because he is not beholden to Haley. Another strong possibility is Congressman Roger Wicker from north Mississippi. There are many others mentioned.

However, there is one possibility I've heard about that seems brilliant - and Haley is certainly that. Mike Espy. He was the Democratic Congressman from the Delta area from 1986 to 1992, when he was appointed Agriculture Secretary by President Clinton, becoming the first African American to serve in that capacity. He only served for two years. He had to resign because he was being investigated for bribery and other charges. When he finally went to trial, he was acquitted of all charges.

So why would Haley appoint a Democrat? He wouldn't, of course. Espy would have to change parties and become a Republican. What makes me think he might? Because Espy infuriated the Democratic party last month by endorsing Haley for Governor. Plus, they're both from Yazoo City.

So why would this be a brilliant move for Haley?
  1. Espy, if ultimately elected, would be indebted to Haley big time - and that's important to Haley.
  2. Espy would undoubtedly enjoy significant support from African Americans, which would probably keep a Democrat from being elected.
  3. Think of the national implications. Mississippi has its first black Senator since Reconstruction - and he's a Republican! He would also be the first black Republican Senator since Edward Brooke of (liberal) Massachusetts in 1978. And Haley could take credit for it.

The only problem is that some Republicans might revolt. Espy has a somewhat liberal background which would turn off conservatives - and of course the white racists (of which there are quite a few in Mississippi) would have a cow. However, Haley has the stature to bring any reluctant Republicans on board if he puts his mind to it.

I, of course, hope Haley doesn't do this. Why? Because I'm a charter member of the We Want Mike Moore club.

Cross posted at The Natchez Blog

7 comments:

  1. It would be quite a chance that Barbour would take. Espy would have to be elected in a year. Not only would he motivate the Democrats to come out (no one likes a backstabber), but I think you're right, he'd have a tough time with some of the GOP base as well.

    It would be a bold move by Barbour, but its not one I would expect him to take.

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  2. John, you know I love you, but I'll let you watch me physically eat an entire leather hat if Barbour nominates Espy.

    -mc

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  3. I doubt Espy would switch and if he did I agree with Trey. It would motivate our base far more than it would encourage crossover.

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  4. I already posted this on Maj in Miss, but thought it was worth putting here as well.

    Being in South Miss & far from Roger Wicker's corner of the state it is not surprising that he is not high on your list, but I can assure you he has wanted to "move up" for years and has likely lobbied hard behind the scenes. I don't doubt that he was in on talks before the annoucement was made.

    Here's the scenario I would guess is likely :

    1) Barbour appoints Wicker — who wants to move up — to fill Trent’s seat & the GOP makes sure that he is the consensus GOP candidate. With Hillary to run against, no way Wicker will lose this seat in Mississippi unless . . .

    2) Barbour appoints Merle Flowers — who worked for Roger Wicker for years, is the heir apparent, and can raise money like you wouldn’t believe. Merle runs for Dist. 1 in a fairly safe GOP District as the incumbant. With more money, the GOP machine behind him, and (again) Hillary to run against Merle should be a shoo-in to hold this seat for the GOP unless. . . .

    3) Merle’s State Senate seat is filled by a Barbour appointee who then runs in a special election in what is possibly the strongest GOP seat in Mississippi .

    It is a slam dunk, win-win-win for the Republican Party and a chance for some loyal soldiers to get a promotion unless the Miss. Democratic Party somehow get miraculously more organized than they have been in recent years and/ or a solid third party/ independent/ “maverick” Republican throws his hat in the ring in one or more of these races and pulls a significant portion of the conservative vote away from the establishment Republican pick.

    Just my 2 bits,

    Les Riley

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  5. I had a business trip last week to Louisville, KY. Staying out of the state/ loop for a week can cause you to put your foot in your mouth if you don't read up before you speak.

    Just read that Merle Flowers has adamantly declared that he will not be seeking Wicker's seat if Roger moves up.

    "The jury will disregard the previous statement"
    :-)

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  6. Dream on, Democrats.

    Mike Espy will never be nominated by Haley. I don't think he's announced he's a Republican, for one thing, and he was on the take the entire time he was Sec. of Agriculture. Now he's chasing ambulances. Good grief!

    As for Mike Moore, forgeddaboudit. I, for one, couldn't wait to show his mug with his buddy Scruggs. Hari-kari would be most unpleasant for Democrats.

    It is Pickering's, IF HE WANTS IT, and that is still unclear.

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  7. I do hope Haley wouldn't.

    Mike Espy was aquitted on all (politically motivated) charges.

    Mike Moore and Scruggs are two different men who have two different lives. Moore could and can still win if he is willing to run.

    Pickering, nor any man, is entitled to a particular public office.

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