Wayne Dowdy Hasn't Publicly Announced

I think he's a super-delegate as party chairman so who is Wayne Dowdy going to support?

This from 3/06/08 at Mississippi's Jefferson Jackson Hamer dinner.

VIPs Continue TO Stream In

I saw controversial Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. He looked calm and tired.

I saw Ray Mabus' daughter, but not him (yet).

I saw Congressman Bennie Thompson and Rev. Joseph Lowry.

Thompson and Mabus are Obama's campaign co-chairs.

Lowry spoke on his behalf at the Jefferson Jackson Hamer dinner.

I also saw Erik Fleming up in the stands. Many other folks have streamed in the back, but I confess to not knowing many of the local and historical Mississippi notable persons.

Frank Melton was asked Ms. Rupp from the Clarion Ledger who he was supporting. He said he's waffled and he wouldn't tell the paper.

Hillary Clinton In Canton (Video)

Here are some of my observations from the Jefferson Jackson Hamer dinner in Canton this past Thursday.

Jeff Walters also offers his perspective. He was on the floor and I was in the stands. Together we provide a pretty good overall picture.

Part 1:


Part 2:


The rest didn't transfer appropriately. Sorry. Enjoy!

Video From Before Jackson Jefferson Hamer Dinner In Canton

Mississippian Endorses Barack Obama:*


Former Democratic Nominee for Treasurer (2003) and Insurance Commissioner (2007) Gary Anderson Endorses Barack Obama:


Mississippi Democratic Activist Kelly Jacobs Endorses Hillary Clinton:


Former State Senator and Current Hillary Clinton Mississippi Co-Chair Gloria Williamson:


Former Governor and Current Barack Obama Mississippi Co-Chair Ray Mabus:


Ridiculously Enthusiastic Hillary Clinton Supporter From Alabama Sings:


*If you know her name please leave let me know.

Photos from JJH Dinner in Canton and Clinton Event in Hattiesburg

JJH Dinner In Canton:
Too Cute.

Hey! Whatcha doin' with that sign?!

Hillary Speaks at the JJH Dinner.

Kelly Jacobs shows off one of her buttons.

Clinton Event In Hattiesburg:

She signs things!

*I'm having technical difficulties, but far more pictures and video should be available soon.

One Quilt and a Horse Arena: Our Moment in the (National Media) Sun

1. I'm not sure what considerations go into planning events and I'm sure there are some good ones, but every event I've ever been to in the Jackson metro area put on by the state party has been astetically unattractive. The hotel usually used for the JJH Dinner has poor audio and the walls seem yellowed by age. The Canton Multipurpose Center had a thin layer of carpet laid over dirt in a space that is often used for horse shows.

Clinton's use of the Depot was a far better choice (for feel and for the cameras), though I understand space is most important for a fundraiser. I'm sure there is a meeting place in or near Jackson that is neither ancient or typically used for horses for future events. I surely hope so.


2. The use of a quilt featuring the Democratic donkey and Mississippi as a background has always baffled me. I've commented or complained about it to many folks, though perhaps this is a better venue.

It is not visually attractive. It doesn't make a good background for cameras. If anything the use of a quilt says "yes we are the party of yesterday" which isn't true. We need something attractive with attention paid to how it will look on television. We need it sooner rather than later.

Observations From The Mississippi Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner in Canton

I attended the Jefferson Jackson Hammer (JJH) Dinner along with a friend of mine who takes excellent photos. I got good video of folks at the event and many good pictures. This is just a few observations of mine about the dinner.

- The turnout was low. (update: I may be technically wrong. Estimates from party folks and other media say between 2,000 and 3,000 attended and was perhaps the most attending ever in Mississippi.) It was better than past years, but I don't know how it compared to when Howard Dean came. I think he set the high water mark for attendance. I'd say at least half the tables were unsold. (update: no matter how many people were there, there was clearly space for far more. It may have just been a poor choice of venue.)

- Though Ronnie Musgrove was in DC, his campaign put up a large number of signs around the inside of the Multipurpose Center. Many folks had Musgrove stickers on when I got there, though I didn't see anyone handing them out. Melody Musgrove was present.

- As we approached the building initially it was clear that there was a strong pro-Obama presence. As we exited the parking lot several folks offered us Obama rally signs which we politely declined because we didn't have a place to put them. They also had a mini rally going on outside.

- The room was wrapped in Obama signs large and small with only one large Clinton sign inside when I got there about an hour before it started. Their folks did good prep work. I believe a majority of those present either had Obama stickers or Obama rally signs.

- For an event starring Senator Clinton, it seemed rather split with likely more Obama supporters present than Clinton supporters.

- Because there was so much empty space they asked the folks in the risers (who paid far less than the folks on the floor) to fill in leaving mostly journalists in the back to observe.

- I can't imagine that if Obama had confirmed that there would have been so many empty seats considering the crowds he's brought to (admittedly free) rallies.

- The man introducing Hillary called her a shero (She + Hero I guess)

- Hillary was good and focused on red meat issues that even the strongest Obama supporter should love.

- She said a few things that irritated me considerably which I'll go into detail about tomorrow when I give a wrap-up of both the JJH speech and her Hattiesburg appearance today.

- She said her mother was born before women could vote and now Hillary was running for president. I'll admit I got a few chill bumps on my neck. Progress takes time, but you've got to admit that's a great leap forward (even if it took a while).

- "I'm so pleased that Mississippi's voice will be heard in this election." - Hillary Clinton. Perhaps she didn't get the Mark Penn memo that says small/southern/caucus/black/highly-educated/or none of the above states don't matter.

- She proposes a national service plan (I've heard Dodd and then Obama on this idea before) that would pay folks up to 10,000 a year for two years to devote themselves full time to service.

- She said that if you are willing to teach, nurse or serve and protect, than the government to forgive your debts as a reward.

- She made a passing reference to phone calls at "3 am" and then said Bush didn't respond to that call (concerning Katrina).

- She pledged to end (American, I think) child hunger by 2012.

- "Mississippi can vote for a woman on Tuesday. Let's go make history together." - Hillary Clinton (I think she's trying to fight back against her comment saying Iowa and Mississippi didn't belong in the same category/group.

- As soon as Hillary was done her folks left in mass.

- The civil rights preacher (whose name I'll add soon) speaking in Obama's place took the podium and stated "this is a new form of white flight isn't it?"

- He didn't (IMHO) speak very well and at times appeared to be saying whatever came to his mind and not giving a prepared speech. He would have done better to have had some sort of focus.

- I left.

Pictures and Video will follow tomorrow.

Post On Obama's Official Blog Highlighting Volunteers In MS

It's titled Countdown to Mississippi: Tuesday

It also highlights the Obama for America visibility event before the Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner in Canton.

More Original Reporting To Come This Week

I will be at the Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner with a photographer.

I'll get up my own observations tonight.

One of our other writers will also be there so he will provide another perspective.

I'll also be attending the Bill Clinton event in Hattiesburg.

I intend to post video of both early Friday afternoon.

- John Leek

Bummer: Obama Campaign Confirms That Obama Will Be Unable To Attend JJH Dinner

The Obama Campaign confirmed to me (and various media outlets) that Obama will not be a speaker at Mississippi's Jefferson Jackson Hamer Memorial Dinner tomorrow.

I understand he will be making some appearances in the state, but as of now it looks like he's giving the Clintons an open field media-wise.

Thanks to "ms for hillary" and Vick Warnsley for catching this before I did.

Hillary Clinton Has Confirmed for the JJH Dinner

Hillary Clinton will be at the Jefferson Jackson Hamer memorial dinner.

Obama's campaign has sheduled some sort or rally or "visability event" before the dinner so I suspect that he'll be there also.

I'll update as information comes in.


Update: Democratic Press Release on Hillary Clinton's confirmation in the comments.

Obama Coming To Mississippi?

There has been a lot of talk about Barack Obama coming to Mississippi recently.

I got e-mails about folks receiving robo-calls telling them he was coming to DeSoto County. I assured those folks that the call was false.

I've had folks call me because they are excited that he's coming to this town or that town when it's just a fundraiser by local supporters.

He's a little tied up right now attempting to win Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island (states where Hillary Clinton is currently ahead.) Those elections are on the 4th of March.

Then there is Wyoming on the 8th.

Our primary is March 11th. It's the last primary for over a month with the next contest being in Pennsylvania on April 22nd.

It will be important as the last chance to show momentum.

Don't worry if he's coming. He will come AFTER March 4th.

So far the only publicly announced date is that he MAY be at the Jefferson Jackson Hamer Dinner on the 6th. I've complained to the party and to the Obama campaign because the cheapest tickets are $50. Obama doesn't charge for events.

I sincerely doubt that his only event in the state would require a contribution. Take a deep breath, he's coming.

Yes We Can.

Hillary Clinton And Barack Obama To Appear In Mississippi

From a MDP Press E-Mail:

Mark your calendars for Thursday night, March 6, 2008 - and be in Canton at the city's Multipurpose Complex for the Mississippi Democratic Party's 26th Annual Jefferson Jackson Hamer Day Dinner. Plans are underway for this year's dinner that will feature two important guests. We are currently working with the two presidential campaigns. We will send another e-mail, possibly as early as Monday, Feb. 18, 2008, with full details as well as ticket prices for this not-to-be-missed event.

Remember: Thursday night, March 6, 2008, in Canton. Mark your calendar and plan to be there.