FUCK THE POLICE
911 EVERY DAY
Best governer Mississippi ever had. An ally of Barack Obama. I just wonder if he's too liberal to win? Mike Moore isn't nearly as progressive but he's more likely to win against Pickering. But it just makes me wet my panties, thinking about a possible Senator Mabus. I could actually have a senator I'm truly proud of.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/207954.html
PASCAGOULA --
U.S. Sen. Trent Lott's announcement that he will retire at the end of the year caught even GOP political insiders - who got the news Sunday night about his Monday announcement - off guard and would indicate Lott has not chosen an heir apparent for his seat.
Instead, there could be a free-for-all, as a host of Mississippi politicians who have had congressional aspirations ponder the rare opportunity of an open Senate seat.
"I think this caught everybody by surprise from the top down," said Josh Gregory, a top Republican political consultant who has worked in or around numerous Mississippi and national campaigns. "For a couple of weeks, everybody thought (U.S. Sen. Thad) Cochran was going to step down. Nobody ever thought Sen. Lott would be leaving before the year's out."
After Lott's announcement, many of the same names of potential replacements surfaced that have come up amid rumors in the past of either Lott or Cochran leaving.
On the Democratic side, former Govs. Ronnie Musgrove and Ray Mabus and former Attorney General Mike Moore are considered possible candidates, although Moore recently denied senatorial aspirations when it was thought Cochran might retire and Mabus has kept an extremely low political profile, saying he just wants to spend time with his children. Musgrove has been more coy recently, neither confirming nor denying such intentions when asked.
Former Democratic Rep. Ronnie Shows is also being mentioned, although he is likely weighing whether he wants to run for the 3rd District House or the Senate seat.
The state Democratic Party on Monday was viewing Lott's announcement as an opportunity to take back a long-lost Senate seat.
"There is a lot of interest among high-profile democrats to run for the U.S. Senate," said state party spokesman Terry Cassreino. "... This is a seat we can and will win."
On the GOP side, U.S. Reps. Chip Pickering and Roger Wicker are considered the most likely contenders.
But the timing of Lott's announcement would appear to cause at least a minor snag for Pickering, who recently announced he would not seek re-election to the House, saying he wants to spend more time with family. If he had prior knowledge of Lott's decision and an intention to run, it's doubtful he would have announced his leaving Congress to have more family time when he did.
Still Lott, in his announcement, made reference to some unnamed young "in their 40s" replacement for himself. This led some to speculate he was thinking of the 44-year-old Pickering.
One Coast name is oft-mentioned as a Republican contender for Senate, governor or any high office - businessman and community leader Dave Dennis, who attended Lott's announcement Monday.
Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, who is leaving in January, term limited from running again, and state Sens. Charlie Ross and Walter Michel both of Jackson are also often mentioned.
Gov. Haley Barbour early Monday promptly dispelled speculation on one name - his own.
"I will not be a candidate for senator in the special election, and obviously, I won't appoint myself to fill the vacancy on an interim basis," Barbour said.
Barbour, within 10 days of Lott leaving, will be picking an interim replacement to serve in Lott's seat until the Nov. 4, 2008, special election, which Barbour set to coincide with the regular federal election.
Being picked as a temporary Senator by Barbour could give a Republican candidate a real leg up, but if the race truly becomes a free-for-all among big name candidates, observers wonder whether Barbour might stay out of the fray by picking a truly "interim" senator.
http://www.sunherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/207954.html
PASCAGOULA --
U.S. Sen. Trent Lott's announcement that he will retire at the end of the year caught even GOP political insiders - who got the news Sunday night about his Monday announcement - off guard and would indicate Lott has not chosen an heir apparent for his seat.
Instead, there could be a free-for-all, as a host of Mississippi politicians who have had congressional aspirations ponder the rare opportunity of an open Senate seat.
"I think this caught everybody by surprise from the top down," said Josh Gregory, a top Republican political consultant who has worked in or around numerous Mississippi and national campaigns. "For a couple of weeks, everybody thought (U.S. Sen. Thad) Cochran was going to step down. Nobody ever thought Sen. Lott would be leaving before the year's out."
After Lott's announcement, many of the same names of potential replacements surfaced that have come up amid rumors in the past of either Lott or Cochran leaving.
On the Democratic side, former Govs. Ronnie Musgrove and Ray Mabus and former Attorney General Mike Moore are considered possible candidates, although Moore recently denied senatorial aspirations when it was thought Cochran might retire and Mabus has kept an extremely low political profile, saying he just wants to spend time with his children. Musgrove has been more coy recently, neither confirming nor denying such intentions when asked.
Former Democratic Rep. Ronnie Shows is also being mentioned, although he is likely weighing whether he wants to run for the 3rd District House or the Senate seat.
The state Democratic Party on Monday was viewing Lott's announcement as an opportunity to take back a long-lost Senate seat.
"There is a lot of interest among high-profile democrats to run for the U.S. Senate," said state party spokesman Terry Cassreino. "... This is a seat we can and will win."
On the GOP side, U.S. Reps. Chip Pickering and Roger Wicker are considered the most likely contenders.
But the timing of Lott's announcement would appear to cause at least a minor snag for Pickering, who recently announced he would not seek re-election to the House, saying he wants to spend more time with family. If he had prior knowledge of Lott's decision and an intention to run, it's doubtful he would have announced his leaving Congress to have more family time when he did.
Still Lott, in his announcement, made reference to some unnamed young "in their 40s" replacement for himself. This led some to speculate he was thinking of the 44-year-old Pickering.
One Coast name is oft-mentioned as a Republican contender for Senate, governor or any high office - businessman and community leader Dave Dennis, who attended Lott's announcement Monday.
Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, who is leaving in January, term limited from running again, and state Sens. Charlie Ross and Walter Michel both of Jackson are also often mentioned.
Gov. Haley Barbour early Monday promptly dispelled speculation on one name - his own.
"I will not be a candidate for senator in the special election, and obviously, I won't appoint myself to fill the vacancy on an interim basis," Barbour said.
Barbour, within 10 days of Lott leaving, will be picking an interim replacement to serve in Lott's seat until the Nov. 4, 2008, special election, which Barbour set to coincide with the regular federal election.
Being picked as a temporary Senator by Barbour could give a Republican candidate a real leg up, but if the race truly becomes a free-for-all among big name candidates, observers wonder whether Barbour might stay out of the fray by picking a truly "interim" senator.