Y'all Look Out For Super Exciting Posts In A Week

Lucky for me I'm off to another conference Wednesday with the United Methodist Church:

SEJ Convocation for Young People (I'm one of those younguns!)

What that means though is that I won't be able to post in the meantime so you're going to have to wait for great video clips from Netroots Nation and even better video from Gene Taylor's townhall today with a dozen congressmen including Speaker Pelosi.

A bonus clip will be Republican Insurance Commissioner saying nice things about Speaker Pelosi. I definitely thank him for giving me that exclusive (unless of course he's done the same elsewhere), but you're going to have to wait till next week to see it.

Last Gary Anderson Ad

I only found it after the elections.

The Upside of Gary Anderson's Run(s)

Ana Maria at AM in the Morning:

While the superb team and candidate we had in Gary Anderson did not emerge completely victorious this election season, the mere fact that his candidacy was extremely viable is a major testament to how far things have finally come. Not that long ago, the thought of a viable statewide campaign for public office being aggressively and successfully pursued by an African American man here in Mississippi would have been sheer fantasy. Gary Anderson has successfully broken down that barrier, and he did so with enthusiasm, passion, class, and a campaign worthy of our respect for all that it had to overcome to achieve all that is has achieved.

How often each day do we pass through doors that men and women of all backgrounds, religions, economic, religious, and racial backgrounds have broken down so that others of us can benefit from the blood, sweat, and tears we invested. Too often, those of us who break down those doors are not the ones who benefit directly from our efforts. Nevertheless, an eternal debt of gratitude we owe for those who have helped to make the quality of our lives that which it is at present.

So, here, I thank Mr. Gary Anderson for the fortitude, commitment, vision and passion he and his campaign always exhibited throughout the campaign. Gary did this with class, and I am proud to have supported his candidacy, to have become a big fan, and to remain supportive throughout the future.

We should all thank Gary Anderson for having the courage to run even with the knowledge that history and current politics were against him.

Statewide Races I'm Watching (and perhaps you'd like to, too)

STATEWIDE
You should watch the races for Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer for big spreads.

Haley Barbour (R), Jim Hood (D) and Tate Reeves (R) will all win big.

The two races that will be nail bitingly close are the races for Agricultural Commissioner and Insurance Commissioner.

The race for Agricultural Commissioner features scandal-tainted party-switcher Lester Spell (R) and farmer and Democratic activist Rickey Cole (D).

The race for Insurance Commissioner features State Senator Mike Chaney (R) who has taken tens of thousands from insurance interests and former Mississippi Chief Financial Officer Gary Anderson (D). Anderson would be the first statewide African-American elected official.

Though losing at least half of the statewide races Democrats will retain their majority in the State House and regain their majority in the State Senate.

Republicans Attack Gary Anderson Because He Can Win

They've got a TV ad attacking Gary Anderson and a strong whisper campaign and now they've sent this mailer highlighting the "race":




This mailer compares apples to oranges. Fire away.

Sun Herald's Endorsement Makes No Sense

From a reader e-mail I received; It makes a lot of sense:

The Sun Herald's endorsement of Mike Chaney is a slap in the face to all Mississippians who had to fight their insurance companies for what they were owed after Katrina. Some are still seeking justice in court, fighting against Big Insurance. Now, two days before the election and too late to get a response in print, the Sun Herald endorses Mike Chaney, a candidate that has accepted campaign contributions from the very insurance companies he would regulate as Insurance Commissioner. This is despicable.

You can't protect people's pocketbooks if you're in the back pocket of Big Insurance like Mike Chaney. At this critical juncture of rebuilding Mississippi, the state needs expertise in dealing with the complex issues regarding insurance. Gary Anderson has the better experience for the job, as the state's former chief financial officer.

Anderson is committed to making the office more user-friendly and consumer oriented. He knows government and understands the complexity of insurance issues. He also has the personal integrity and fortitude to independently serve consumers while ensuring insurance companies have a fair competitive market in which to compete.

Anderson has also promised that as Insurance Commissioner he will open a branch office on the Mississippi Gulf Coast specifically to address our insurance concerns.

The Sun Herald editorial board said they had "no doubt" about Mike Chaney "raising the dialog" in the campaign. The only dialog Mike Chaney has raised is insurance money for false attack ads. Gary Anderson will represent insurance policyholders while Mike Chaney will represent the Insurance Companies.

We need Gary Anderson. If he is unsuccessful he can be replaced, but we surely do not need more of the same.

Republicans: Rickey Cole is a Democrat / Cole: Duh.

Republicans have a mailer out attacking the qualified, capable, and so far scandal free Rickey Cole because their candidate is vulnerable and generally not well liked.

Here is the Cole campaign's response to the statewide mailer:

he Mississippi Republican Party's only mailout in the race for Commissioner of Agriculture was delivered to voters yesterday and today, and it barely mentions Republican nominee Lester Spell. Spell was elected twelve years ago as a Democrat, and is running his first election as a Republican nominee.

Virtually all of the text on the mail piece comments on Rickey Cole, the Democratic nominee for Agriculture Commissioner. Cole, who served as chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party from August 2001 until July 2004, is criticized by the Republican-sponsored mailout for having worked for and supported Democratic candidates. Cole responded "It isn't exactly a news flash that I am a Democrat. I am proud to carry the nomination of my party, and plan to carry it to victory on Tuesday."

The mailout mentions the fact that Rickey Cole attended the Democratic National Convention in 2000 as an Al Gore delegate, and in 2004 as a John Kerry delegate. What the Republicans omit is that then-Democrat Lester Spell was also a Gore delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention, and that in May of 2004, just months before he switched parties, Spell signed a pledge at the state Democratic convention to support John Kerry for President.

"There's an old saying that if you can't say anything good about someone, you ought not to mention their name. While the Republicans don't generally follow that principle, it looks like they couldn't find anything good to say about Lester Spell. About all they could do was mention his name." said Cole.

"With the potential retirement of Senator Cochran, Mississippi would lose our last influential voice for agriculture in Washington. I have worked with many of the Democratic leaders currently in power in both houses of the congress, and as commissioner I can build upon those connections to benefit Mississippi agriculture. My opponent is a man without a party, with no ties to the Democratic party that put him in office and no confidence from the Republican party he joined after the beef plant failure. Spell has no credibility, no influence and no future."

Strong conservative John Goodman offers his take in these excerpts:

I'm confused by the postcard's statement "Rickey Cole led the charge to kick conservatives out of 'his' Democratic Party." Huh? As I recall, he wanted more conservatives in the Democratic Party. He was afraid the state Democratic Party would become so liberal it would be a constant loser. Actually, the purge started AFTER he stepped down as party chair. I'd like to see evidence Cole led the charge to expel conservatives out of the Democratic Party.

As for the beef plant failure, wasn't there a goat farm failure too? Now maybe Cole is no flaming conservative like Spell. But since when is it "conservative" to waste taxpayer dollars on frivolous and idiotic projects? At least Cole knows SOMETHING about farming. Spell has been a veterinarian until he got into politics. What does HE KNOW about farming?

Let's do the state a great service on November 6th. Let's vote in an honorable man and a knowledgeable farmer for MDAC Commissioner. Let's all vote for Rickey Cole.

Let us hope that we are viewing the last grasps at state power for Lester Spell and that we will see a new day for Mississippi agriculture and consumers when Rickey Cole is elected our next Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce.

Papers Endorse Rickey Cole for Commissioner of Agriculture

The Hattiesburg American:

Rickey Cole, 41, who grew up on a truck farm in Ovett and is the former chairman of Mississippi's Democratic Party, brings strong ideas to the table.

Most importantly, he does not bring the baggage of Mississippi's $55 million bailout of the failed beef plant in 2004 - which happened on Spell's watch and for which he refuses to take any responsibility.

Cole would refocus the marketing arm of the department and work on ways to connect Mississippi farmers to wholesalers and retailers. He wants to put more Mississippi produce into Mississippi grocery stores. He would revamp the "Make Mine Mississippi" program and the farmers market in downtown Jackson, which he says was poorly thought out and has not paid back the state's investment.

The Clarion Ledger:

The 2007 race for the post of commissioner of agriculture and commerce shouldn't even be a contest, given the incumbent's inability to take responsibility for himself in office.

A wag could put it as incumbent Lester Spell against the beef plant. In this, the state loses both ways: with Spell refusing to take responsibility for the $55 million fiasco, and the fiasco itself. But, really, it's Spell vs. Spell.

But, if the plant were not an issue, how would Spell measure up? Not well.

Before the beef plant idea darkened the state's door, Spell's Southern States Meat Goat Cooperative brainchild also flopped, though less expensively and, hence, less noticeably. And, after the goat plant and as the beef plant unfolded, Spell destroyed the old and beloved Farmer's Market in Jackson in favor of a new one he wanted at the Fairgrounds that also has been unsuccessful.

The department needs a fresh approach from top to bottom, Cole told The Clarion-Ledger Editorial Board, and he's right. He wants to have the department objectively evaluated by a performance audit to determine most efficient use of taxpayer money. He wants to empower family farmers and develop resources to promote "niche" farming to help local communities' economic development. He will return accountability and support agriculture, not impose it, or waste resources.

It's time for a change. Cole is the best choice on Nov. 6.

Rickey Cole is the best choice. He deserves your consideration and support. He will be an excellent public servant and will help all of Mississippi move towards prosperity.

Rickey Cole for Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce

Rickey Cole is the Democratic nominee for Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce. His opponent is Democrat turned Republican Lester Spell. Major issues in the race include the failed culled cow "beef plant," getting farmers crops to places of sale, proper regulation of grocery stores and gas stations and "country of origin labeling." Rickey Cole is the best choice for the office of Agricultural Commissioner.

Cole VS. _____ in Ole Miss' Paper

The College Democrats and College Republicans at Ole Miss agreed to do a series of opposing editorials on several candidates. One of those was the race for Agricultural Commissioner. When time came for both to present their work the Republicans backed out of attempting to defend Lester Spell. Here is an excerpt of the Democrats' column on the choice for commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce:

Cole, on the other hand, has been an impressive candidate.

He vows to restore the "Country-of-Origin" labeling requirement for meat products sold in Mississippi, something that's been on the books for a while but not enforced. This is probably a good thing to have in place if there's another Mad Cow Disease scare, something that has no cure and is 100 percent fatal.

He also wants to do a better job of networking and marketing local growers and buyers.

Some people feel that cutting the state's grocery tax would put localities in a bad position. But what about the additional "fuel tax" that the people of this state have to pay for crops that are being grown elsewhere and then shipped here?

There are many factors that influence the price that is paid in the store for produce, but the price increases over the past three years, due to transportation costs alone for many vegetables in Mississippi grocery stores, is higher than the seven percent grocery tax rate itself.

Importation may not have been a big issue when the average unleaded regular price was $1.89 a gallon back in 2004, but it's nearly a dollar higher today.

The column is written by Jesse Johnson. Check It Out.

Gary Anderson Will Be A Fiscal Conservative And An Advocate

Delta Democrat Times:

Fiscal Conservative:

“While I was chief fiscal officer, I had to cut out over $200 million in government waste, and we did so. I sat on two insurance boards, and while I was CFO we made some tough decisions on insurance.”

Advocate:

He pledged to build a “strong, vibrant marketplace” for insurance in Mississippi, increase competition and lower rates.

“In the rural areas of our state, we will increase fire protection and lower rates by implementing a new rule initiative to speed up the response time that it takes to fight fires. My plan for Mississippi means lower insurance rates for all citizens.”

We need an Insurance Commissioner who is independent of Insurance companies to make decisions in the best interest of Mississippi. As Anderson says, "you can't protect people's pocketbooks if you're in the back pocket of Big Insurance."

Business Group "Stop Lawsuit Abuse" does Independent Expenditure On Behalf of Chaney

"A good Mississippian" I was surprised there were no puppies. We need more than that in this very important role. Support Gary Anderson for Insurance Commissioner.

Cole and Spell @ The Debate

The following is one student's firsthand summary account of last night's debate provided exclusively to Cotton Mouth:

"The winner of Tuesday night's Agriculture Commissioner debate was Rickey Cole without question. Throughout the night, the 211 member audience sat anxiously to hear Commissioner Lester Spell's reason as to why the infamous $55 million dollar beef plant failed and who is to blame. Without hesitation, Spell took the lower road and accepted no blame as to the beef plant's demise. Rickey Cole charismatically mentioned how Spell should take some of the blame stating how Commissioner Spell refuses to take "1/14th of the blame," referring to the 14-member Land, Water and Timber Resources Board that initially pushed the project.

When November 6th arrives, citizens are going to remember the one question Rickey Cole asked Lester Spell; "Where's the beef?"

Democratic Candidate For Agricultural Commissioner Rickey Cole

Constitution Party Candidate For Agricultural Commissioner "Les" Riley

Republican Candidate For Agricultural Commissioner Lester Spell

Rudy Warnock for Transportation Commissioner 2nd Ad

The Central District needs a commissioner that can work with other people. Dick Hall is not that man.

Rudy Warnock for Transportation Commissioner

Charlie Mitchell in the Sun Herald on the Ag. Race

The Sun Herald:

It's not about the beef plant, or at least it's not all about the failed facility at Oakland that cost Mississippi taxpayers at least $50 million.

That's a point on which the party nominees for commissioner of agriculture and commerce - Dr. Lester Spell for the Republicans and Rickey Cole for the Democrats - agree.

It's kind of surprising that they do because Spell, in office for 12 years, has been taking a lot of hits in the state's press about the implosion at Mississippi Beef Processors along with myriad jabs from Cole.

But until election day, Cole said in an interview, his focus will be on two questions: "Is your food safe?" and "Do you know where your food comes from?"

It's about the beef plant, the goat meat processing facility, the new Jackson farmers market and a half dozen smaller failures. We need someone with vision who won't simply sign the check without asking the necessary questions.

Before becoming a mover and a shaker in state Democratic politics and to a large degree since, Cole has been involved with his family's vegetable, timber, livestock, grain and hay production at Ovett in Jones County. He now lives in Utica in Hinds County, but says his experience in direct farm-to-market operations is a recipe for rural Mississippi.

"Everybody wants a Nissan factory," he said, "but it's the little businesses that make the economy grow." He told of a dairyman telling him he was selling his herd because he couldn't break even. On his way home, Cole said, he paid a record price for a gallon of milk.

Cole believes it's entirely possible for the Department of Agriculture and Commerce to foster food-crop operations in Mississippi that could operate year-round jobs and pay workers in the $14-per-hour range plus benefits. Cole said networking local growers with local buyers could save energy, keep shipping costs down and super-boost profits because consumers would pay premium prices for commodities that were fresh and wholesome.

Amen!

Small businesses create far more jobs than huge ones, but because they are spread out and gradual politicians don't usually focus on them. As Cole says you won't see the governor there when a farmer gets a bigger order and plants another row of his crop or when the barber adds a chair for his son to have a job for 40 years, but those are the jobs that build and sustain communities. We should value them and do all we can to support them. We don't generally have to bribe those folks to create jobs here.

The Sun Herald:

Rickey Cole In The Mississippi Press

The Mississippi Press:

"I will do the job much differently than it is currently being done," Ricky Cole said. "We will work to restore the department's credibility with the public and rebuild effective working relationships."

Cole served as the chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party for three years and managed a vegetable market for 15 years. He faces 11-year incumbent Lester Spell for the post in the Nov. 6 general election.

...

"Agriculture is not some antiquated exercise in nostalgia. Mississippi farmers and cattlemen are small-business men, and most run sophisticated, wealth-producing enterprises that have major impacts on local economies," Cole said.

The Mississippi Press

Rudy Warnock for Transportation Commissioner

Rudy Warnock's Website

You saw it here online first.

He's running for the Central District position.