Tuesday, January 8, 2008

The Reports of Speaker Billy McCoy's Political Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mississippi has reason to celebrate with the re-election of Billy McCoy to the office of Speaker of the House. 

This office selected by Mississippi's 122 members controls committee chairmanships and the day to day business of the Mississippi House of Representatives. That control is both powerful in directing what business comes before the Mississippi Legislature and in serving as a necessary check on the power of the Executive Branch. 

If Representative Jeff Smith, the Republican's choice, had been elected we could have expected a Republican governor with unchecked power. 

Now Republican Governor Haley Barbour must seek approval of his plans and must work with and compromise with the Legislature if he wished to accomplish much.

Billy McCoy was the only thing that stood in the way of complete Republican control and the complete corporate takeover of our state government.  Thankfully he remains.

Mississippians are also safe for at least another 4 years from some of the more ridiculous legislation that has graced other supposedly more enlightened legislatures while Speaker Billy McCoy has kept the House focused on the business of the people. We wish him luck and look forward to helping pass GOOD legislation this year.

The Good:
Speaker of the House Billy McCoy

The Bad:
Governor Haley Barbour

The Mustache:
Representative Jeff Smith

10 comments:

  1. I wouldn't exactly call McCoy's 1 vote margin of victory a mandate to do what he wants. Although I fully expect him to see it that way and act accordingly.

    That's one reason that the next four years are going to be so interesting.

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  2. So much for the Republicans who said that Smith had 64 votes. McCoy said he had 62 and he had 62. Smith ended up with 60.

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  3. It appears that one again some Democrats didn't keep their word. Is anyone shocked?

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  4. John, did you Photoshop Barbour into that picture? Note that I'm not upset by it, but I do think that's the sort of thing we should disclose.

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  5. Yes it is photoshoped, though I can't claim credit.

    I thought it was obvious enough with the pile of cash in the picture.

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  6. So..... requiring a Super-majority to rescue bills ain't stupid?! What's so wrong about letting the Body vote?

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  7. This is great news for Mississippi!

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  8. The sad thing for Democrats in our state is the fact that it becomes harder and harder for them to gain or keep office. There are many around the state that will work across party lines, but people like McCoy have no concept of bipartisan politics. It’s only a matter of time before Yellowdog Democrats like McCoy and Holland become extinct like Ricky Cummings. People in Mississippi want leaders to work with both parties to get things done and McCoy is only going to hinder that process.
    Look at Musgrove, he doesn’t have a prayer or a record to prove he is better qualified than Roger Wicker and Mississippians now know this and Ronnie’s bantering about Wicker’s vote for so called “Pork legislation” will get him no where. I guess he learned nothing from the Eaves campaign on going negative just to have a prayer. Mississippians need the whole story rather than the twisted garble that Ronnie is blowing. I’m curious to know why Cottonmouth hasn’t had much to say about Musgrove. Do I sense a lack of confidence from the Cottonmouth crew in Musgrove?

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  9. Chuck,

    I don't think caving on core beliefs will help Democrats therefore we NEED Democrats like McCoy who are willing to stand up and fight.

    If the election is in 90 days I think Musgrove should be favored. If Wicker gets 10 months than I think Wicker is favored. The deal is nobody outside of District 1 and political circles knows who he is and Musgrove is attempting to define his opponent before Wicker can. It's classic strategy (everywhere) and it often works.

    I agree that there are more exciting issues than pork barrel spending. Healthcare and the War would make more sense to me.

    We had 4 Musgrove specific posts Monday including on the ground reporting. Do you want more?

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  10. MORE, MORE, MORE!!!! NEED MORE ABOUT MUSGROVE!!!

    By the way, whats up with Ana and Musgrove? One day she is his press contact, the next day she's bashing him on the coast? Fill me in, I mean the inside scoop.

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