In Mississippi, Democrat Runs in G.O.P. Lane - NY Times

[groovedaddy]

In Mississippi, Democrat Runs in G.O.P. Lane
By ADAM NOSSITER
Published: October 10, 2007 - NY Times

STARKVILLE, Miss., Oct. 5 — The candidate is running to serve his Creator. He is running to restore prayer in schools, bring Jesus into public discourse, force the “money changers” from the state capitol, and move his extensive gun collection into the governor’s mansion.

It is not extraordinary in the local context, except that John Arthur Eaves Jr., the man saying these things, is the Democratic candidate for governor of Mississippi. And the politician he is trying to unseat with these shots from the right is a Republican star, Gov. Haley Barbour.

And indeed Mr. Barbour looks ever more irritated by this upstart challenger’s talk of God-and-guns and banning abortion — a mirror-image strategy some call logical in this toughest of regions for Democrats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/10/us/10governor.html?th&emc=th

[ROakes1019]

1. John Arthur Eaves

Yeah, we don't have much of a choice here in Mississippi. As much as I loathe Barbour, Eaves doesn't appear to be a viable alternative. I hold out hope that Cochran will retire and Moore will get a shot at that Senate seat. Eaves isn't Republican-lite; he's heavy-duty Republican.

[FARAFIELD]

2. i was wondering when someone woudl do this

In one party states like that an opponent from the same party could simply switch and avoid the primary challenge altogether, then just switch parties once in the mansion, could work in states we control as well. I always thought LAMNOT choked in Conn. he should have just run in the General as a Independent and avoid the Lieberweasal altogether, He could have beaten him.

[Faygo Kid]

3. Ugh. Poor Mississippi. And Barbour is Huey Long incarnate.

Hopeless down there. I heard Haley Barbour speak this year; he has a serpent's tongue. The man is evil, but slick. The anti-Christ will look and sound a lot like Haley Barbour (no, I don't believe there will be an anti-Christ, and yes, it's a damned good description of Haley Barbour, anyway).

[Devlzown]

6. Barbour is nothing like Huey Long.

Huey Long got roads, schools, and bridges built and books for the kids of Louisiana. Barbour hasn't done jack shit for the people of Mississippi. The only thing that Barbour has in common with Huey Long is ambition, but that could be said for any politician.

[Faygo Kid]

7. You are correct about Huey Long doing good things, unlike Barbour.

They do have ambition in common, as you note. Nevertheless, I regret insulting Huey Long by comparing him to Haley Barbour.

The "American Experience" film on Huey Long narrated by David McCullough was one of my all-time favorites, by the way.

[Devlzown]

8. No problem.

Huey Long had some major flaws, but he got a lot done for Louisiana, and at a critical time. Unfortunately, MS never had anything comparable to him. I, too, liked that film.:-)

[iconoclastic cat]

4. How exactly can he reconcile following Jesus and having a gun collection? nt

[Redneck Socialist]

9. Probably the same way Jesus reconciled arming his followers

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:36

I don't think owning guns has much of anything to do with being a Christian.

[iconoclastic cat]

10. Well, RS, I'd debate you on this one, but I'm just not in the mood for it.

Maybe another day.

[BridgeTheGap]

5. Kentucky provides an interesting contrast

Until 2004, all of Kentucky's Congressional reps were REpubs, and the still serving governor, Ernie Fletcher - up for re-election this year but about to get his ass kicked at the polls.
In 2004, Democrat Ben Chandler, who lost to Ernie Fletcher in the 2003 governor's race, came back to win the special election for the congressional seat formerly held by Fletcher. Chandler is very strong on the environment, but is equally strong on gun rights.
In 2006, Louisville sent liberal Dem John Yarmuth to Congress, though that's not much of a shock, as repub Ann Northup nearly was ousted in 2002 by upstart Jack Conway, now running as the Dem nominee for Attorney General.
The current Dem nominee for Gov, Steve Breshear is considered progressive and the repubs are falling all over themselves trying to paint him as "ultra liberal," which he isn't. But Fletcher has screwed up badly on several fronts and trails by 17-20% in the polls.

[groovedaddy]

11. More Mississippi news

The United States Attorneys Scandal Comes to Mississippi
By Adam Cohen
The New York Times

Thursday 11 October 2007

Paul Minor is the son of Bill Minor, a legendary Mississippi journalist and chronicler of the civil rights movement. He is also a wealthy trial lawyer and a mainstay of Mississippi's embattled Democratic Party. Mr. Minor has contributed $500,000 to Democrats over the years, including more than $100,000 to John Edwards, a fellow trial lawyer. He fought hard to stop the Mississippi Supreme Court from being taken over by pro-business Republicans.

Mr. Minor's political activity may have cost him dearly. He is serving an 11-year sentence, convicted of a crime that does not look much like a crime at all. The case is one of several new ones coming to light that suggest that the department's use of criminal prosecutions to help Republicans win elections may go farther than anyone realizes.

The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold hearings shortly on whether the Justice Department engaged in selective prosecution in two other cases: when it went after Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, who is serving more than seven years in prison on dubious charges, and Georgia Thompson, a Wisconsin civil servant who was freed after serving four months on baseless corruption charges.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/101107O.shtml