Thursday, December 27, 2007

Issues in the 3rd Congressional District race.

Last week there was a poll question on this website asking what the most important issues are in the current race to replace Congressman Chip Pickering. The issues listed were: education, gun rights, social security reform, aid to cities, Katrina recovery, immigration, Iraq/terrorism/homeland security, tax cuts/reform, free trade, medicare, abortion, civil rights, agriculture, and ending corporate subsidies. 48 people voted and multiple votes were allowed.

The results are:
Firearms/gun rights: 19
Social security reform: 17
Terrorism/Iraq/Homeland Security: 14
Tax cuts/Tax reform: 9
Education:8
Immigration: 8
Katrina Recovery: 3
Aid to cities: 3
Abortion: 3
Agriculture: 3
Civil rights: 3
Medicare: 2
Ending corporate subsidies: 2

The results were very interesting even after allowing for the fact that polls of this type are very unreliable. Based upon current campaign rhetoric, one would expect illegal immigration to top such a poll. Instead, it tied for fifth and received less than half the votes for gun rights and social security reform. I was somewhat surprised by the number of votes for social security reform as it is an issue that is virtually ignored by most campaigns. Is this an issue that the candidates should address in greater detail?

The issue of terrorism (see earlier post about how this issue has been ignored by most of the campaigns, http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/12/3rd-district-candidates-on-terrorism.html ) yet ranked among the top three choices by the participants. Keep this in mind candidates. When talking about keeping the Messicans out and how you share our values, many of us want to know what you are going to do in Washington about protecting us from terrorist attacks. It is surprising that abortion only received 3 votes as that is the issue that tends to draw the most support from single-issue voters (besides gun rights).

Posted by Kingfish at 10:08 AM

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Except for Obama, candidates are completely ignoring Social Security. It is the policy nuclear bomb waiting to happen about the time 30 somethings retire. While I disagree with Obama's solution for the problem, at least he is honest in admitting we have a problem.

December 27, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Kingfish said...

I completely agree. This campaign is starting out in a predictable fashion. They pander on guns and supporting the troops. A blurb about "controlling the borders" and then discuss "our values". Rounsaville has the best website so far, which one would expect as he was a policy director. However, I'm leery of electing someone who has been a staffer.

December 27, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Tom Head said...

Rounsaville gives me the creeps with his cold stare and his weird single-minded focus on immigration; Landrum, despite his social conservatism, is beginning to strike me as the best of the lot.

I've heard of two Democratic candidates, both of them extremely low-profile (one is a law school student, the other mayor of a small town that isn't part of District 3). But at least Jim Giles won't be getting 15% of the vote this time, one can hope.

December 27, 2007 at 12:31 PM
Kingfish said...

This is exactly what I was talking about in my post about electing more black politicians. Marshand Crisler should seriously consider entering this race. It has several advantages for him. It builds his name recognition throughout the city. Forces him to work across racial barriers. It gets a machine in place for him. He can't be painted as an anti war tax and spend liberal. It has several pluses for him.

December 27, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Anonymous said...

Completely agree re: reservations of electing a staffer. Makes me nervous. While those people know the halls of Congress, I'm not sure they are good at bringing fresh ideas to the table with real world experience. And the halls of Congress ain't that complicated…they can be learned in a month or two. I usually prefer somebody from the "homeland" who has actually been affected by all those bills passed on the Hill and can bring new ideas/approaches. That said, I like Rounsaville…just have reservations.

December 27, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Tom Head said...

Agreed, 'Fish. One name Laura Hipp brought up was Angela Cockerham. Losing races in tough districts is not necessarily a bad thing, since the race is handicapped accordingly by anyone with sense; 40% in District 3 for a Democrat could easily mean 51% or more statewide.

December 27, 2007 at 6:10 PM

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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.

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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.