New Franks Ad: Phil Bryant Has Failed As Our Auditor

Meet Phil Bryant or Mr. Tort Reform Crusading Man, Man!!!

Did anybody know that Phil Bryant actually brought tort reform to Mississippi in 2005? Neither did the Legislature! But, that didn't stop him from taking credit for something he didn't do. Here's a recap of Phil's claim:

At The Meridian Star

Is Bryant so silly that he doesn't realize people would spot this for what it is - a desperate attempt to curry favor with big insurance?

The insurance types who want to make sure the status quo of big premiums with no payouts continue in Mississippi are all for Phil Bryant, a former insurance investigator whose job it was to disprove claims made by policyholders.

His opponent for Lt. Governor, Jamie Franks who actually was in the Legislature when tort reform passed, has pledged to not appoint an Insurance Committee Chair who has ties to the industry. He wants insurance policyholders to also have a strong voice in the state Senate - in other words, people matter more to him than big, multi-national corporations.

"(Republican Ad) One Of The Most Offensive Pieces Of Garbage Ever Aired In Mississippi"

From a press release:

Still afraid to defend Phil Bryant's record as state auditor, an out-of-state group, the Republican State Leadership Committee PAC, placed a statewide $440,000 ad buy distorting Jamie Franks' record in an offensive commercial where an actor literally walks across people's graves.

"This most recent attack is undoubtedly one of the most offensive pieces of garbage ever aired in Mississippi," Franks said. "It confirms that my campaign is speaking to Mississippians and we are ahead."

Ad Watch: "Headstone"

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks supported the death tax." (HB 1781, Mar. 31, 2004; SB 3174, Apr. 20, 2004)

FACT: For HB 1781. On Mar. 31, 2004, the House FAILED (70-51) HB 1781, which would have increased the state estate tax exemption to the federal amount. Jamie Franks voted AYE. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Mar. 31, 2004; HB 1781, 2004)

For SB 3174. On Apr. 20, 2004, the House FAILED (64-57) SB 3174, the Republican-controlled Senate's copy of the same estate tax bill. Jamie Franks voted AYE. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Apr. 21, 2004; SB 3174, 2004)

In both instances, Franks voted to decrease the amount of taxes loved ones would owe on estates.

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks blocked millions in economic development money." (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Nov. 9, 2004)

FACT: For Delaying Bond Projects. On Nov. 8, 2004, the House Ways and Means Committee PASSED (18-10) a measure to delay votes on any bond projects until the next regular session. The vote effectively put off implementing $109 million in projects offered by Gov. Barbour. Jamie Franks voted AYE. (Northeast Mississippi Daily

Journal, Nov. 9, 2004) Franks later helped to craft a compromise that included $50 million in bonds for community and junior colleges.

Opponents: Education Bonds Not Included. Those who supported delaying the bonds argued that another session was needed to include much needed money for education. (Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Nov. 9, 2004) Jamie Franks is a strong supporter of public education.

One has to wonder why a Washington D.C. group is spending $440,000 in a Lt. Governor's race in Mississippi. Who do they serve? What do they expect in return?

Don't Tell Me The Republicans Don't Fear Franks

The State Republican Party has spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads attacking Jamie Franks.

The Republican State Leadership Committee has now purchased 440,000 of advertising against Jamie Franks.

It's not inconceivable to think that by the end of this campaign that Phil Bryant will have been the beneficiary of over one million dollars in independent expenditures.

Do you think the Republicans are sure of their man's re-election?

Do you think Bryant really has that double digit lead they happily fed Republican partisans?

I think it's clear that the race is close and Republicans are scared. The question is will burying Franks in negative advertising work?

Jamie Franks on Phil Bryant's Real Record

I'll add documentation if/when I get it.

Republicans In Graveyard Using Death As A Tactic

I guess the ad is made to stand out with the odd man standing in the cemetery. It probably doesn't matter that the man probably has never set foot in Mississippi, but he doesn't sound like he's from anywhere in Mississippi I've been.

The ad also makes several claims that can't really be backed up with facts.

Example:
The claim: "(The estate tax) has caused family farms to be sold."
The truth: No right wing group has ever shown where a family lost their farm to the tax.

I'm sure the Franks campaign will issue a more detailed response soon.

The video of Franks is from a Meridian Star interview. I wonder if they got permission to use it.

Notice how he smirks at the end and then walks over the graves. Pure class.

The group paying for the ad is called the Republican State Leadership Committee.

Bryant Opts For Media Attacks Over Public Debate

From a press release:

Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor Jamie Franks, today, accused Republican Phil Bryant of using the press to do his "cowardly bidding."

"For the past three weeks, Phil Bryant has issued press release after press release, distorting my words and mischaracterizing my statements. All toward the end of trying to use the media to promote his campaign platforms and agenda. All of this while trying to duck even one debate where we can meet face to face and discuss the issues man to man. There have been two debates in the governor's race, yet Phil continues to hide. His acts are cowardly and desperate," Franks said from a campaign stop in Gulfport where he signed the Mississippi Insurance Policyholders' Bill of Rights. "Phil Bryant is hiding behind his press secretary, Mick Bullock. How cowardly can he be?"

Franks said the most recent act of cowardice was Bullock's release from Bryant's headquarters quoting Franks as saying crime is not a "real issue." "Nothing can be further from the truth," Franks said. "I have authored bills and have a voting record in the House which both speak to my stance of being tough on crimes against children and the elderly, and being tough on drug crimes. If Phil Bryant wants to distort my record and my words, he should as least be brave enough to say it to my face in the forum of a debate, rather than hiding behind his press secretary. I am confident that the media will not be duped into promoting Phil Bryant's media war of words. I will debate him anywhere, anytime."

I have to commend Haley for actually debating. As others have pointed out Haley didn't have to debate, with few incumbents choosing to when they are perceived as ahead.

Charlie Ross was right to attack Bryant for failing to engage in debates accross this state. I doubt that Bryant is secure enough to debate someone who actually disagrees with him if he wouldn't even debate someone from his own party. I hope he cares enough for this state to do so though.

Dewey Phil Bryant and Republicans Play Fast and Loose with the Facts

First Republican ad distorting the truth for Dewey Phil Bryant:


Franks' campaign responds with the facts:

Ad Watch: Anti-Franks Ad, #1

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks is a personal injury trial lawyer who tried to stop tort reform."(Anti-Franks Ad, #1)

FACT: Co-Authored Tort Reform Bill in 2004. On June 2, 2004, the House passed (92-24) HB 13, co-authored by Jamie Franks, a tort reform bill. The legislation imposed non-economic caps, caps on punitive damages, protected innocent sellers of defective products and implemented several liability restrictions. (NFIB, Jun. 2, 2004)

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks has given thousands of dollars to liberals like John Kerry, Al Gore, and Bennie Thompson who don't share our values." (Anti-Franks Ad, #1)

FACT: Total amount contributed to the above candidates: $2250. $1,000 to Bennie Thompson in 2006. $1,000 to John Kerry in 2004. $250 to Al Gore in 1999. (Center for Responsive Politics)

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks voted for millions in new taxes. And high taxes hurt families and cost jobs." (Anti-Franks Ad, #1)

FACT: On Feb. 9, 2005, the House PASSED HB 1409. The bill provided for new fees to be charged by state agencies for services provided, not a tax increase on individual taxpayers or businesses as the ad implies. (Ironically, the first fee increase in the bill was for the State Auditor's Office. Phil Bryant continuously cites the low fees he is allowed to charge as the reason his office is drastically behind in audits performed.) The bill died in Senate committee. Jamie Franks voted AYE. (BIPEC Legislative Scorecard, 2005; MS House, HB 1409, 2005)

Second Republican ad playing loose with the truth for Dewey Phil Bryant:


Franks' campaign responds again with the facts:

Ad Watch: Anti-Franks Ad, #2

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks voted against a comprehensive voter ID program to clean up election fraud." (Anti-Franks Ad, #2)

FACT: On May 19, 2004, the House PASSED HB 1 on third reading. Jamie Franks voted "aye" for initial passage.

Jamie Franks has supported voter ID legislation. On Apr. 13, 2004; the House PASSED (92-28) HB 1827. The bill required voters to present identification listed in the Help America Vote Act, but exempted persons 65 or older. Jamie Franks voted "aye." (House Journal, Apr. 13, 2004, p. 870; Clarion Ledger, Apr. 14, 2004)

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks voted against tax cuts for small business that helped create new jobs." (Anti-Franks Ad, # 2)

FACT: SB 2480 (2005, Regular Session) would have simply prevented a planned increase, not raise taxes as the ad claims. SB2480 was signed into law on 3/23 by Governor Haley Barbour.

CLAIM: "Jamie Franks voted for the beef plant boondoggle that cost taxpayers 55 million dollars" (Anti-Franks Ad, # 2)

FACT: Along with nearly every other Legislator, Jamie Franks voted to allow the Land, Water and Timber Resources Board to fund projects to promote agriculture in Mississippi. One of those projects was Mississippi Beef Processors. The State Auditor knew in April of 2002 about a fraudulent project invoice in excess of $3,800 forged by the CEO of the Beef Plant. If Phil Bryant had done his job and reported the CEO at that time, no further funds possibly would have been allocated to the project.

The Legislature provided $50,000 to Bryant to fund what they thought would be Bryant's professional oversight of all Board projects. Over the next two years, Bryant only spent $10,000 of the allocation, and never provided the Legislature with reports that warned of the project's massive problems. As the only state official with the authority to account for the taxpayers' money, Bryant simply did not do his job. Had the Legislature known what he knew, the outcome could have been vastly different. And Bryant's thirst for the spotlight insured that others who had a criminal role in the debacle will never be prosecuted because he announced an investigation the day before the Attorney General was set to wire an informant in hopes of netting other perpetrators.

Franks: Bryant to Blame / Bryant: I Know You Are But What Am I?

Franks: Bryant To Blame In Beef Plant's Failure

The Daily Journal:

The failed Mississippi Beef Processors Plant has now become an issue in the race for lieutenant governor.

State Rep. Jamie Franks of Mooreville, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, said Monday that his opponent, state Auditor Phil Bryant, was primarily responsible for the failure of the cull cow processing plant that cost the state $55 million when it closed.

"The fact is, Bryant's failure of accountability to do the job to which he was elected has cost Mississippi millions of dollars in this one project alone," Franks said Monday during a news conference at the state Capitol.

In a release, Bryant called Franks' claims "wrong and irresponsible."

When the Legislature approved the beef processing plant, it provided the state Auditor's Office $50,000 to monitor the construction and initial operation of the plant, but Franks said Bryant spent only $10,000 of the funds.

Franks, buoyed by confirmation from Attorney General Jim Hood, also said Bryant botched the criminal investigation associated with the plant by talking about the investigation in the media.

According to Hood, the day before he was set to place a wire on plant owner-operator Richard Hall to try to catch other possible wrongdoers, Bryant issued a news release announcing the investigation.

"The confidential information was burned at that point," Hood said. "It is hard to slip up on a criminal when a law enforcement agency announces an investigation in the newspaper.

Jim Hood On Beef Plant Investigation Botched By Phil Bryant

After being called for comment by multiple reporters about the claims that Bryant botched the beef plant Jim Hood released this to state press:

"I am trying to just run my own race. Since I have been asked by members of the press, I will confirm that in all my years as a prosecutor, the Beef Plant case is the first I have seen where an investigator issues a press release that he is investigating a case the day before I am set to wire up the target to try to flip him against others. The confidential informant was burned at that point. It is hard to slip up on a criminal when a law enforcement agency announces an investigation in the newspaper.

Had we been able to record conversations with the confidential informant and other potential targets of the investigation, we may have been able to uncover others who may have been involved in the case. Unfortunately, due to the untimely press release, we will never know."

Attorney General Jim Hood
State of Mississippi

Bryant Pitches; Franks Hits It Out Of The Park

Dewey Phil Bryant held a press conference today to highlight a business groups endorsement and to attack Jamie Franks for his support of organized labor. This is Franks' response:

"My opponent is proud to have the support of an organization that continually has fought against an increase in the minimum wage. As someone who worked his way through college, I am proud to fight for our working families and for an increase in the minimum wage.

As for supporting the creation of a Department of Labor; consolidating state government is the conservative thing to do. Judging by my opponent's pathetic record as state auditor, he knows little about running an effective and efficient government agency.

As the only state in the union without a Department of Labor, taxpayers are missing out on the tens of millions of federal funds that our state government would be entitled to if we had such a department. Its creation would streamline services and consolidate six or seven state bureaucracies into one, providing employers and workers with a one-stop shop, saving taxpayers money."

If you want the endorsement of an organization, you better be prepared to answer for the main positions of that organization. The NFIB has consistently opposed legislation that would support working people and we can only assume that they will expect a similar record from Dewey Phil. I'll gladly side with regular working people any day over folks who seem to think that someone can reasonably support themselves or a family on five dollars an hour.

Phil Bryant And Choctaw Casinos

Flip Flopping Phil brings us this interesting news:

It is the worst kept secret of the Mississippi Republican Party that they enjoyed quite a cozy relationship with Chief Martin during his lengthy reign as Tribal Miko. An employee of Haley Barbour ran Martin’s last campaign for reelection. You see, even those who claim to have a monopoly on values and morals have their price. That is why in Mississippi you will seldom hear a Republican utter a discouraging word about the Choctaw Indian Nation.

Haley isn't really against expanded gambling; you can tell so by his actions. He's just for whatever is best for his bottom line. Other Republicans appear to follow suit.

Numero uno: When Dewey (Bryant) was running for re-election as State Auditor in 1999, Chief Phillip Martin was his fourth largest contributor! In addition to the Chief’s hefty contribution in 1999, the Choctaw Indian Tribe also made a sizeable contribution to Dewey’s coffers that same year. Furthermore, the Choctaws also contributed generously in the 2003 and 2005 cycles.

Somebody made a friend.

Numero dos: When the Tribe gave Chief Martin the boot, so too went his staff. But our man, Dewey Phil, doing his part to recycle, quickly hired the defeated Martin’s chief policy advisor, Scott Mulvaney, to be an advisor on his campaign to become Mississippi’s next Lieutenant Governor. And can you guess what Scott is telling Dewey to do on the subject of Choctaw gaming?

The seem to travel in the same circles, circles around the truth.

Numero tres: Don’t be fooled—the bounty flowing from the Choctaws is more than just the checks that bear their name. John Lundy of Capitol Resources, who was the chief lobbyist for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians under Chief Martin, held a fundraiser in his own home in Jackson just this past week for Dewey Phil.

Mucho Choctaw dollars.

Dewey has yet to take any official public position on the issue of Choctaw gaming and their potential expansion into Jackson County. However, his silence on the issue speaks volumes about where his true allegiances lie.

This is definitely a fair question especially considering some of his public supporters are also some of the biggest opponents of the casino.

For his ability to dodge this issue, almost as well as he can dodge a debate, Dewey is known around Choctaw land as Chief-Never-Takes-A-Stand. And that’s why if you look really closely while driving down Highway 19, on a little rise that is just literally a stones throw from the Casinos, there is a special structure that stands alone and is always reserved for Dewey Phil and his buddy Don Wildmon.

It is a teepee made entirely of glass.

Beautiful; you can almost smell the hypocrisy.

Get the full story at Flip Flopping Phil Bryant.

Bill Minor On The New "Brown" Racism

Bill Minor:

Straw men in Mississippi politics used to be only blacks. Now it's also the browns, Hispanics. Both handy tools for demagoguery.

Many Democrats in Mississippi's era of one-party politics were elected by hitting the "n-word" harder than their opponent. But Democratic pols dropped race after the 1965 Voting Rights Act gave blacks access to the ballot box.

Republicans, of course, were not dumb. They saw race still a useful tactic, if done subtly to inflame emotions of Southern white voters. When Ronald Reagan spoke of "welfare queens," whites got the message.

The message: "I'm like you" and "They aren't"

When Barbour entered the governor's race in 2003, he didn't forget some of the old tricks. Barbour played the race card, donning in his lapel a miniature state flag with its Confederacy stars and bars while attacking Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove for trying to change it. The flag gambit, most analysts agreed, turned some 50,000 voters and assured Barbour's win.

Now in 2007, the black race card for the moment has been replaced with a brown race card, namely undocumented Hispanic immigrants.

The "Keep the Flag, Change the Governor" people seemed to be at a lot of Barbour's rallies. I've always wondered what coordination they did.

State Auditor Phil Bryant, who won the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor against state Sen. Charlie Ross on Aug. 7, has pushed the immigrant "issue" as his prime plank. His questionable "study" shows illegal Latinos cost the state $25 million in education and health services.

But notably, Bryant's study was heavily based on input of the Federation for Immigration Reform created by several white supremacy groups, among them the Council for Conservative Citizens, successor to the old White Citizens Councils.

I don't think Bryant is personally racist; for the record.

Black or brown, racial politics that rekindle voter fears have no place in Mississippi. What we need to worry about is the recent statistic showing we have the nation's highest percent age of population living below the poverty line.

Real issues like lowering the cost of living (grocery tax cut) should dominate the discussion, not those intended only to inflame.

Bill Minor's Full Article

Phil Bryant Loves SuperTalk

In addition to doing Phil's dirty work in smearing Charlie Ross in the primary, SuperTalk is broadcasting its message of Dewey Phil Bryant can do no wrong everywhere they have stations today. If one was curious about the stations' choice in the Lt. Governors race it should now be clear if it wasn't before.

Steve Davenport, who owns the SuperTalk radio chain, will be holding a $1,000 a couple fundraiser for Dewey Phil Bryant on the 19th of this month.

State Senators not on the list include Tommy Robertson (who lost his primary to Michael Watson), Travis Little, Gary Jackson, J. Ed Morgan (who lost his primary to Billy Hudson), Charlie Ross (unity Charlie?), Michael Chaney, Stacey Pickering (who perhaps doesn't want to be associated with Phil's auditing record).

SuperTalk, we not only shill for Dewey Phil Bryant, we fund him too. (How's that for a new slogan?)