Phony calls going on?

This was posted on the Jackson Free Press website this afternoon.

ALERT: Young Voters, African Americans Getting Phony Calls

From the Mississippi Democratic Party/pass the word and let us know if you get any of these calls. Better yet, record them and send us the file:

It has come to our attention that phone calls (NOT ROBO-CALLS) are being made to newly registered voters. As far as we can tell they are targeting young people. A report came in this morning that a phone call was answered by a young, Jackson area man; the caller claimed to be from the Mississippi Democrati Party. The caller said that you MUST have a registration card with you when you vote. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. The MS Democratic Party is neither making these calls AND the information being passed IS NOT TRUE. Many people will not and have not received their cards. They should not be deterred from voting.

We need to inform the media and take action on this issue. This is an ELECTION PROTECTION issue and a serious violation of voters rights. PLEASE inform anyone and everyone you know not to take these calls and if they do to get the callers number and report immediately to Democratic Party HQ at 601 969 2913.

Please pass the information on ASAP.

Debate Watch Parties for 10/7

DEBATE WATCH PARTIES (updated)

COAHOMA COUNTY
o Location: Hick's Restaurant, 305 S. State St., Clarksdale
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Contact: Darron Griffin, (901) 359-6703

DESOTO COUNTY
o Location: 9125 Mill Branch Road, Southaven
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Contact: Jim Kilderry, (901) 734-1474

HANCOCK COUNTY
o Location: Hancock County Democratic Party, 1017 Highway 90, Bay St. Louis
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Contact: Louis Fuchs, (228) 305-0327

HINDS COUNTY
o Location: Schimmel's Restaurant, 2615 N. State St., Jackson
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Contact: Terry R. Cassreino, (601) 454-7419

o Location: Old Venice, 1428 Old Square Road, Jackson
o Time: 7 p.m.
o Contact: Tangela Parker, (601) 500-0070

o Location: CWA Union Hall, 1415 Country Club Drive, Jackson
o Time: 6 p.m.
o Contact: Kim Sadler, (601) 922-5200

JACKSON COUNTY
o Location: Jackson County Democratic Party, 2518 Market St., Pascagoula
o Time: 7:30 p.m.
o Contact: Kay Sims, (228) 762-9121

RANKIN COUNTY
o Location: Roger and Mary Ethel Muns, 109 Paradise Point Drive, Brandon
o Time: 7:15 p.m.
o Contact: Roger and Mary Ethel Muns, (601) 992-2574


The Bush Legacy Bus comes to Jackson today.
The Bush Legacy Bus, a 28-ton rolling reminiscence on the
disaster of the Bush administration have been, will be in
Jackson. The Bush Legacy Bus is a unique, interactive museum
on wheels that neatly encapsulates the ideology of President
Bush and his allies. Through video, artifacts and more, the
bus makes clear that the failures of the Bush Administration
were not his alone. They belong to elected officials like
Sen. John McCain and the right-wing agenda as a whole.
The facts speak for themselves. You'll see exhibits
covering the Bush legacy on Iraq, Hurricane Katrina,
education, the environment, the economy, health care, and
the state of the American worker and one devoted to a
progressive vision for America.

The bus will be open at 7PM at 1415 Country Club Drive.
What: Debate Party and Bush Legacy Bus
When: Today, 6 p.m.
Where: 1415 Country Club Drive, Jackson, MS 39209
Brought to you by: Americans United for Change

Obama debate watch parties

Friday night in Oxford, John McCain and Barack Obama meet in the first presidential debate. The Mississippi Democratic Party along with the Obama campaign and Obama supporters have organized debate watch parties all across the state. Below is the complete list of parties across Mississippi.

If you would like to hold a watch party you can call the state party headquarters at 601.969.2913 or the Mississippi Obama for America headquarters at 601.383.8885 for help in setting one up.

Lafayette County
Hooks, Wendi
6:00 - 10:00 pm
Oxford Activity Center
400 Price St, Oxford
601.969.2913
wendi@msdemocrats.net

Lafayette County
Fondren, Carnelia
Downtown Grill
On the Square, Oxford
carfondren@yahoo.com
Admission: $25

Alcorn County
Shinault, Wendy
7.00pm
Wendy Shinault's House
3509 Old Ashbrook Rd, 38843, Corinth
6622862907

Forrest County
Jones, Richard
County party HQ
906 Hardy St, Hattiesburg
Rlal67@aol.com

Forrest County
Walters, Lesley
7.00pm
the Power House
118 College Drive #5063, Thad Cochran Center, 39406, Hattiesburg
601-297-0857

Forrest County
Guillory, Janet
7.00pm
Ms. Janet Guillory's House
169 Ratliff Rd, 39483, Foxworth
601-731-3722

Hancock County
Fuchs, Louis
7.00pm
Hancock County Democratic HQ
1017 Hwy 90 39520, Bay St Louis

Harrison County
Taylor, Renick
7.00pm
Harrison County Campaign Office
2514 19th Ave, 39501, Gulfport

Harrison County
Mueller, Diane
7.00pm
Home of Dianne Mueller
16309 Aspen Lane, 39532, Biloxi

Hinds County
Lowery, Maggie
6.30pm
Hal & Mal's, The Red Room
200 S. Commerce St., Jackson
mfl27@yahoo.com

Jackson County
Sims, Kay
7:00 pm
Democratic Party HQ
2518 Market St, Pascagoula
2287629121
simslarry@bellsouth.net

Jackson County
Davison, Joann
7.00pm
Joann Davison's House
4331 Ely Avenue, 39563, Moss Point

Jones County
Coleman, Larry
7.00pm
Log Train Depot
State Office, Laurel
6014778466
6498183693

Jones County
Blakely, Harold
7.00pm
Home of Harold Blakely
259 S. 4th Ave, 39440, Laurel
6013074088

Lamar County
Parker, Ruby
7.00pm
Rocky Branch Voting Precinct
2646 Rocky Branch Road 39842, Sumrall

Lowndes County
Simpson, Claude
7.00pm
Mr. Claude Simpson's House
1112 12th St 39701, Columbus

Marion County
Weaver, Angela
7.00pm
Ms. Angela Weaver's House
409 Sunset Dr. 39429, Columbia

Monroe County
7.00pm
Ms. Lowanda Butler's House
40187 Caledonia Rd 39746, Hamilton

Oktibbeha County
Gore, Albert N.
Level III
104 Main St., Starkville

Pearl River County
Greer, Lisa
7.30pm
Lisa Greer's home
469 Hwy 26 East, 39470, Poplarville

Pike County
Elmore, Lexie or Lewis, Quiana
0.75
180 E Railroad Blvd, Magnolia Terr, Magnolia
601.248.9908
601.684.8507
lexiee@co.pike.ms.us

Pontotoc County
Hilliard, Catherine
7.00pm
Ms. Catherine Hilliard's House
960 Cairo Loop, 38841, Ecru

Rankin County
Coburn, Charles
7.00pm
Philips on the Rez
135 Madison Landing Cir, 39157, Ridgeland

Simpson County
James, Ruby
7.00pm
Mendenhall City Hall
172 W Maud Ave, 39114, Mendenhall

Tate County
Stricklen, Jennette
7.00pm
Ms. Jennette Stricklen's House
595 Cliff Williams Rd 38668, Senatobia

Washington CountyWashington County
Griffin, Willie
7.00pm
Bucks Restaurant
152 North Harvey St Greenville
662 335 1968
$25

Washington County
Contact: TBA
7.00pm
BFW
Theobold Ave, Greenville

Coast leaders protest Bush visit

From the Mississippi Democratic Party:

Coast leaders protest Bush visit and slow Katrina recovery

GULFPORT (Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008) – Gulfport City Councilwoman Ella Holmes-Hines and other Democrats, residents and business leaders from Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties will hold a news conference at noon Wednesday in front of what used to be the Gulfport library.

While President Bush is set to meet privately with community leaders late Wednesday, Holmes-Hines, and other Coast Democrats, residents and business leaders will talk about how his Hurricane Katrina recovery effort has fallen way short. Many businesses have been unable to reopen and residents unable to rebuild or find affordable housing nearly three years after Katrina struck.

That’s not all: Coast residents and business leaders also plan to talk about how the failing national economy, skyrocketing gasoline prices and steady loss of jobs has affected their community, the state of Mississippi and the entire nation.

And we can expect more of the same if voters elect Republican John McCain as president and Roger Wicker as U.S. senator – both of whom have opposed Katrina recovery efforts and would continue the same, failed Bush policies of the past eight years.

WHAT: The Mississippi Democratic Party sponsors a news conference and rally in
reaction to President George W. Bush’s visit to the Mississippi Coast
WHO: Gulfport City Councilwoman Ella Holmes-Hines will lead the news conference;
other Coast Democrats, residents and business leaders will attend and speak
WHEN: Noon, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008
WHERE: Parking lot of the former Gulfport city library, heavily damaged by Katrina, 1300 21st Ave.

Mississippi Democrats Select New Leadership: Jamie Franks Chairman

Franks vows to build on momentum that has seen Travis Childers win U.S. House seat and Ronnie Musgrove poised to win the U.S. Senate

From a press release:

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks vowed today to build on momentum that will elect Democrats to national office this fall, city office next year and state, district and county office in 2011.

Franks, elected chairman at the first meeting of the Mississippi Democratic Party State Executive Committee for the 2008-2012 term, said the party already has scored a major victory when Travis Childers won the 1st Congressional District U.S. House seat in May.

And with former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove running a strong race for the U.S. Senate, Franks said, the party is in a great position of taking back control of the Senate seat the late, longtime U.S. Sen. John Stennis held until January 1989.

Democrat Erik Fleming is running strong against incumbent GOP U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, while Democrat Joel Gill is running for the open 3rd District U.S. House seat. Incumbent U.S. Reps. Bennie Thompson, 2nd District, and Gene Taylor, 4th District, also are running for re-election.

“People are tired of the same, old, worn-out Republican rhetoric,” Franks said. “People want change.

“They want elected officials who will work hard. They want commonsense solutions to major issues that include funding Medicaid without taxing the sick, reducing skyrocketing gasoline prices, turning around the failing national economy and ending the war in Iraq.

“Democratic candidates offer realistic solutions to these problems. Democrats are on the move in Mississippi and across this nation. And we will make the Mississippi Democratic Party relevant to the lives of all Mississippians.”

Franks, 35, who served in the state House from 1996-2008, was one of several state party officers elected today by the State Executive Committee; all will serve a four-year term. Other party officers chosen today include the following:

Vice chair: Barbara Blackmon, an attorney in Canton and a former state senator
Executive vice chair: Ed Nave of Scooba, chairman of the Kemper County Democratic Executive Committee
Secretary: Mona Pittman, an attorney in Batesville and chairman of the Panola County Democratic Executive Committee
Treasurer: Paul Winfield, an attorney in Vicksburg
Parliamentarian: Earle Banks, an attorney and state representative from Jackson

Mississippi Democrats Ahead Of The Supreme Court

2004: Year Mississippi Democratic Party Adopted A Plank Stating Full Support For Individual Gun Rights

2008: Year Republican Supreme Court Agreed

It took the Republican Supreme Court four years to begin to catch up with Mississippi Democrats on gun rights.

The original plank was written by Jamie Franks.

Meet the New Mississippi Democratic Executive Committee

From a Press Release:

The 80 members of the Mississippi Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee will meet for the first time of their four-year term on Saturday, July 12, where they will choose new party leaders.

The final State Executive Committee members were chosen during the 2008 state convention of the Mississippi Democratic Party on Saturday, June 7. Among the officers to be chosen July 12: the state party chair and vice chair.

Here are the Democrats elected to serve on the State Executive Committee and serve as presidential electors this fall. Names with an asterisk (*) were elected at their congressional district convention to their position. All others were chosen at the Mississippi Democratic Party state convention.

• • • • •

MISSISSIPPI DEMOCRATIC PARTY
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Amy Adelman*, Hattiesburg
Marcelean Arrington*, Bay Springs
Earle Banks*, Jackson
David Baria*, Bay St. Louis
Scott Billingsley*, Senatobia
Barbara Blackmon, Canton
William “Billy” Bova, Gulfport
Barbara Brooks*, Leland
Mary Katherine Brown*, Vicksburg
William E. Catledge*, Tupelo
Bryant Clark*, Pickens
Curley Clark, Pascagoula
Larry Coleman*, Ellisville
Mildred Conley*, Tunica
Marshand Crisler, Jackson
Mamie Cunningham*, Okolona
Lexie Elmore*, Magnolia
Carnelia Pettis-Fondren*, Oxford
Jamie Franks*, Mooreville
Vonna Marie Frazier*, Jackson
John Fulwiler, Diamondhead
Albert Gore Jr.*, Starkville
Sherry Grady*, Corinth
Mary Graham*, Houston
Willie Griffin*, Greenville
Eric Hampton, Tupelo
Linda Hampton, Louisville
Marilyn Hansell*, Arcola
John Harris, Meridian
Melton Harris Jr.*, Pascagoula
Jo Ann Hayden*, Picayune
Brian Hickenbottom*, Madison
James Hull, Tupelo
Pam Johnson*, Brandon
Terry P. Johnson*, Terry
Irene Jones, Jackson
Lavaree Jones*, Jackson
Henderson Jones, Madison
Jimmy Jones*, Vossburg
Richard Jones*, Hattiesburg
Moshiu Knox*, Cleveland
Eduardo Vidal Martinez, Madison
Derek McCoy*, Columbia
Susie McDonald*, Wayne County
Claude McInnis*, Jackson
Carolyn McLaurin*, Laurel
Susan McNease, Jackson
Tom Miles*, Morton
George B. Miller Jr.*, Walls
Bernice F. Minor*, Water Valley
Brenda Mosley*, Greene County
Cortez Moss, Calhoun City
Maxine Musgrove*, Plantersville
Edward Nave*, Scooba
Rachel O’Neal*, Wiggins
Johnnie Patton*, Jackson
Dierdre Payne*, Ridgeland
Mona Pittman*, Batesville
William “Bill” Ready*, Meridian
Tommy Reynolds*, Water Valley
Marilyn Richmond, Amory
Wuanita Roberts*, Lexington
Jan Robertson, Oxford
Peggy Rogers*, Starkville
Lisa Ross*, Madison
Kellie Sanchez*, Tupelo
Everette Sanders*, Natchez
Audrey Seale, Natchez
Linda Shemper, Hattiesburg
Willis Smith, Jackson
Linda St. Martin*, Gulfport
William “Bill” Stallworth*, Biloxi
Will Stone*, Ashland
John Tyson*, Brandon
Bill Wheeler*, Golden
Gloria Williamson*, Philadelphia
Iris Michele Wilson*, Lucedale
Paul Winfield*, Vicksburg
Ella Young*, Quitman
John Young, Starkville

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
William Catledge, Tupelo, 1st District
Willie Bailey, Greenville, 2nd District
Phillip West, Natchez, 3rd District
Brown Miller, Hattiesburg, 4th District
Earle Banks, Jackson, at-large
Harvey Johnson Jr., Jackson, at-large
# # #

The Clarion Ledger Prints A Decent Piece On The Convention

Some Excerpts:

Travis Childers:

"We've been pushed down and stepped on long enough! Start pushing back! We are alive and well!"

Debbie Dawkins (Clinton Supporter)

"Each of us has been in love with our own particular candidate. As time passes, the transfer of affection will be made."

Jamie Franks (and next State Chair):

"I think we've had some infighting, a lack of resources ... we have simply not been on the same page," Franks said of the party's woes. "All I can say is that Republicans better beware, because Democrats are back."

Plus we finally took action on Ike Brown. Mississippi's Democratic Party: Now With More Justice. ;)

Besides choosing the remaining delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention in August, Democrats decided not to re-elect Brown to the state executive committee. As a committee member for the last 20 years, he had helped oversee party policies and certify Democratic candidates for state and congressional offices.

Last summer, a federal judge banned Brown and his associates from helping run Noxubee County elections after ruling he and other black political leaders in the county violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act by discriminating against white voters.

The Clarion Ledger Story

The Democratic Executive Committee: When They Meet To Chose A New Chairman

The Executive committee will meet in Jackson, July 12 at 10 AM at the Regency Hotel.

I'll update when I have more information.

State Democratic Delegates: Please Vote For Brown Miller For National Delegate

From Brown:

Fellow Delegates:

I am a candidate for PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR from the 4th Congressional District and I would greatly appreciate your vote and support. The last time we Democrats carried the State of Mississippi in a Presidential Election was 32 years ago in 1976 for President Jimmy Carter. We have a great opportunity in 2008 to carry our state in November and help elect Sen. Obama as the next President of the United States.

Please allow me to thank you in advance for your consideration to vote for me as your next Presidential Elector from our Congressional District.

Democratically Yours,

Brown Miller

Brown Miller is one of the most committed Democrats Mississippi has. I hope he receives your support.

We're Going to Denver

Cottonmouth got word last night that we have been credentialed for the 2008 DNC Convention in Denver.

A very special thank you goes out to all our readers and supporters. We are very excited and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to meet bloggers from across the country who are doing what we're trying to do, and to provide our folks back home with continuous coverage of the event from Mississippi's perspective. Though we won't be sitting with the Mississippi delegation, we look forward to working with them off the convention floor.

Denver here we come!!!

5th Circuit overturns Voter ID ruling

According to the Clarion Ledger, the 5th U.S. Circuit of Appeals has overturned an earlier court decision that would force Mississippians to register by political party and to show identification when voting.

From the CL:

The New Orleans court said Pepper’s ruling spawned a free-for-all on appeal.

The court noted the Democratic Party had appealed the mandatory photo ID requirement. The GOP appealed on grounds that Pepper’s order brought Republicans into a lawsuit they did not support. And attorneys for the Mississippi NAACP opposed the voter ID and re-registration portions of Pepper’s order.

There also were briefs filed by the attorney general, the governor and the secretary of state.

“The state is divided ... We will put the parties out of their litigation misery,” wrote Chief Judge Edith H. Jones.Jones said if the Democratic Party had taken steps to keep non-Democrats out of its primaries and been stopped, then the party would have had grounds to sue.

“It is certainly conceivable, for instance, that the party’s mere public announcement of its intent to challenge suspected non-Democrat voters would discourage raiding attempts,” wrote Jones.

However, Jones said whether state law permits party raiding could only be determined if the Democrats tried to stop someone it viewed as a non-Democrat from voting in its primaries.

Jones said the “open-ended nature of the dispute” led Pepper to propose a political remedy.

“When MSDP actually decides to adopt a closed primary, and when the implementation of state law has a demonstrated impact on the conduct of primary elections, a justifiable case or controversy will exist,” the 5th Circuit said.

Wayne Dowdy Decides

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Dowdy has made his superdelegate decision...

From the Sun-Herald

Dowdy told The Associated Press he made his decision Wednesday after becoming convinced Obama has enough support to secure the nomination. Dowdy said he hopes Clinton is chosen for vice president.

Mississippi has seven Democrat superdelegates.

Johnnie Patton of Jackson, Everett Sanders of Natchez and Congressman Bennie Thompson are committed to Obama.

Those still uncommitted are state party Vice Chairwoman Carnelia Pettis-Fondren of Oxford and congressmen Gene Taylor and Travis Childers.

Daily Kos' comments on Blogging Credentials

As we've mentioned, Cottonmouth did not receive blogging credentials for the DNC Convention in August. We're still following up on several comments and e-mails, and we really do appreciate the support from our friends out there who believe we should have received the credentials, including those at Daily Kos.

This piece also includes information on the different types of blogging credentials.

There is still a chance we'll be given a general pass.

The DNC's blog credentialing f'up

So how did the DNC choose to recognize the growth of local blogs "in line with Governor Dean's 50-state strategy"? Mostly, they got it right. At least in 45 states. But they blew it big time in five others, dissing some of the best state bloggers in the country.

In New York, the excellent Albany Project was passed over for a site focused on NY City corruption founded by the Politico's Ben Smith. Go to that site, and it's nothing but press releases. [Update: That press release page is a lower-level page, which I
got when I clicked on the "blog" link in their navigation. They have real writers on their home page.]

In New Jersey, the inimitable Blue Jersey got passed over for PolitickerNJ -- a non-partisan, corporate owned site run by the guys who own the New York Observer. Somehow, I doubt that's inline with the spirit of Dean's 50-state strategy, online organizing, or being agents of change.

In Alabama, Left in Alabama was passed over, as was Cotton Mouth in Mississippi, passed over in favor of a site, Natchez Blog, devoted to Natchez MS, population 18,000 -- a site, by the way, that didn't have a single post or action alert on the MS-01 special election we won last week. Cotton Mouth was one of the best resources on that race (and the Senate race as well).

Finally, Michigan Liberal was given the big diss as well.

The DNC's online guy at the convention, Aaron Myers (email: myersA@demconvention.com) claims that it's a big ado about nothing, that the snubbed blogs will be getting regular blog credentials when those are announced sometime this week.

But that's not the point.

The state blogger corps were a special program and a particularly coveted one since it allows those bloggers to sit with their delegations on the convention floor. Regular bloggers can't do that. They may "have access" to the state delegations, but they won't be sitting with them.

The solution was easy -- take the five blogs that were given their unwarranted access, and give them regular blog credentials just like most everyone else. Those are the same credentials sites like Daily Kos will have, so there's nothing shameful about
them.

Then they could give those five state blogger corps passes in MI, AL, MS, NY, and NJ to the blogs in those states that have are TRUE reflections of Dean's 50-state strategy, those blogs that are organizing and building for a Democratic majority at the local level with little recognition virtually and no money. Those are the bloggers who are in the trenches helping make victories like MS-01 possible.

This fix could've been done quietly and without any public commotion, but Aaron Myers and whoever ultimately makes those decisions have decided to be obtuse about it. They're pretend that there's no difference between the regular credentials and the state blogger ones, a farcical position.

If there was no difference between the two classes of credentials, then there wouldn't be two classes of credentials.

We're not the only ones

Several other states with reputable blogs were shafted by the DNC committee credentialing bloggers. As we've mentioned, as they mention, it's obvious that this was a political move by someone and not based on our application.

As we've said before, we've been in contact with people who have told us that we were considered for the credential, but were vetoed by someone in Mississippi's Democratic Party. We are attempting to find out who that person is and why they felt we should not represent Mississippi. Any assistance in the matter would be greatly appreciated.

Open Left:

It's a bit disturbing to hear what's going on, then, with a few of the credentials. Pam's House Blend has a discussion going on about which blogs were credentialled at the Democratic National Convention. Mostly the choices were good, but four states in particular raise questions: Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Michigan.

Similarly, Bluejersey was nixed in favor of PoliticsNJ, a neutral media site owned by the New York Observer. The Albany Project, which cohosted a fundraiser for a special election candidate who is helping to flip the New York state Senate, was nixed in favor of Room Eight, a nonpartisan media site focusing on corruption. And MichiganLiberal was nixed for Blogging for Michigan, a much newer and less trafficked blog.

Why does this matter? Well, aside from the basic lack of fairness in excluding genuine change agents in favor of media sites or newer sites, as blogs become more closely wedded to the Democratic Party establishment, the pressure to NOT speak out about problems increases. Credentials for the DNCC are not only a 'goodie', but they are a clear competitive advantage for any state-based blog. If state parties are able to nix progressive state blogs from something so significant to their business models as the Democratic National Convention, it's just going to incentivize the creation of an 'official' blogosphere, one that is sycophantic and less progressive, and an 'activist' blogosphere which bitterly stares at a party it does not trust. Regardless, we're looking at a party structure that is more corrupt, less accountable, and less progressive.

Howard Dean should not let this happen. The DNCC needs to take another look at the blog credentially process for New Jersey, Mississippi, New York, and Michigan. Regardless of whether this was a simple mistake or retaliation from a state party, the credentials of the other blogs should be revoked and regranted them to the more deserving progressive blogs. And this should happen soon.

Pam's House Blend:

In any case, her last point raises an issue that I haven't seen much buzz on yet -- whether there were political factors that went into the decision of state blogs (outside of race). For instance, if you check out the list (see below), BlueJersey, with its ward-winning contributors, wasn't selected to represent the Garden State (Politickernj was). That seems odd to me, given its high profile and progressive politics. Another blog making noise about politics being involved in the selection for Mississippi's blog rep is Cotton Mouth.

Cotton Mouth Is Not Going To The Democratic Convention (And Why)

This year the Democratic National Convention has granted bloggers full access. In doing so they allotted one credential per state for a blogger. Mississippi's credential was granted Wednesday to The Natchez Blog

We at Cotton Mouth must disagree with the selection of The Natchez Blog to represent Mississippi's blogging community in Denver. We like and respect Casey Ann who in addition to writing there has posted on Cotton Mouth, but her blog should not have been selected over Cotton Mouth.

Cotton Mouth completed all required web forms and asked questions (which were answered) to make sure we did everything right.

Cotton Mouth has been the only progressive political blog covering Mississippi's politics at the federal, state and local levels since it started May of 2007.  It had more posts than any other progressive Mississippi political blog and had far more original content than any other Mississippi political blog.  That content included original reporting on events, analysis, aggregation, original video, exclusive candidate authored posts and a solid and consistent defense of the Democratic Party of Mississippi.

Here's an original post by new Representative Travis Childers MS-01.

More examples of all can be easily found.

We've had 33 posts so far THIS WEEK.  The Natchez blog has had 24 posts so far THIS YEAR.

We are the only Mississippi blog that is a member of the Liberal Blog Advertising Network and are considered the authority on Mississippi state politics by major blogs like MyDD, OpenLeft, and SwingStateProject.

We've been linked to by multiple newspaper blogs in Mississippi and by blogs around the country for our work.  Several prominent opinion writers have admitted that they check our blog regularly including Sid Salter who's the most syndicated in Mississippi.

Democrats or their staffs who have personally thanked Cotton Mouth in the past include Congressmen Thompson (MS-02) and Childers (MS-01), Attorney General Jim Hood, Ronnie Musgrove and most of the Democratic nominees from 2007 state elections.

As we move forward towards November I believe that it is important for the blog that best assists Travis Childers win re-election to the house and Ronnie Musgrove beat interim Senator Roger Wicker to be given the best platform among Democrats.

We've done extensive work to help both including helping to get their messages out and actively combating attacks on them.  We're the only Mississippi blog that has raised money for them.  We are THE ONLY voice consistently doing so and their success is at least partially reliant on having strong blog support.  The blog chosen for the pool has helped neither.

Here are the requirements as set out by the DNCC:

the applicant’s blog must have been in existence six months prior to requesting credentials and have at least 120 politically related blog posts. Bloggers must submit their daily audience and list their authority based on Technorati stats. Bloggers may also provide examples of posts that make their blog stand out as an effective online organizing tool and/or agent of change.

We believe it is clear that Cotton Mouth is the strongest candidate for the position on these requirements and merits and should have been an easy decision.

Again I would like to point out that we do not hold any ill will toward Casey Ann, but I think she'd agree that Cotton Mouth would be the choice on the merits.

We've been in contact with people who have told us that we were considered for the credential, but were vetoed by someone in Mississippi's Democratic Party. We are attempting to find out who that person is and why they felt we should not represent Mississippi. Any assistance in the matter would be greatly appreciated.

- John Leek

Truth Check on Childers & Nursing Homes

Below is information sent out in a release today from the Democratic Party outlining the truth about Travis Childers' nursing home. What is disparaging about this situation is that there are some really awful nursing homes out there, and if there is a good, quality care facility that does care for the elderly of the state, we really don't need to tarnish it's reputation in the name of politics. I'm sure many people who read this blog can share stories about family members were abused or neglected in a facility.

Here is the real story about how Travis Childers takes care of Mississippi seniors:

TRUTH: In 2008, Childers was honored with a “Nursing Home Quality Award Certificate” by Information & Quality Healthcare (IHQ), the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Mississippi.

TRUTH: In 2002, the Mississippi State Department of Health found Childers’ nursing home in compliance of federal requirements for nursing homes participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

TRUTH: Travis Childers’ beloved mother and mother-in-law both reside in the Landmark Community, an assisted living center Childers owns.

TRUTH: According to Healthgrades, a leading independent health care ratings organization, Childers’ nursing home significantly increased its score in comparison to the state average of senior care homes. In 2007, Childers’ senior care home received a perfect score and did not receive any deficiencies, a statistic that only one of 12 senior care homes can boast. [Healthgrades.com]

Since 2004, when data has been available, Childers’ senior care home did not receive a single violation. [Healthgrades.com]

TRUTH: In Childers’ senior care home in Booneville, there were NO reported violations regarding the mistreatment of residents and NO deviations from the
expected quality of care of residents. [Nursinghomerank.com]

Rally against 3rd Bush Term

Here's the information from the Democratic party about activities going on today in response to McCain's visit.

· Meridian rally: Mississippi Democrats will rally Monday morning across from the Riley Center in advance of McCain’s speech. Democrats will be available for news media interviews.

· Jackson rally: Mississippi Democrats will rally at noon Monday in Smith Park, located on Amite Street between North Congress and West streets in downtown Jackson. Democrats running for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, along with other high-profile party leaders and representatives from the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigns, will speak about Democratic values and issues beginning at about 12:15 p.m.

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!

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.