Jackson Jambalaya

Let's face it, even if you support the man, Phil is just not very bright and has a reflexive need to pander to the lowest common denominator. He would be an embarrassment as governor.

Can you say the republican Cliff Finch?????

10:32 I totally agree! Talk about being "as lost as a ball in high weeds". How could you possibly support an individual for the Office of Governor who has an ego the size of the room and is not very bright also? Yes, I can say, "Cliff Finch"!

I know he's the "son of a diesel mechanic" and all but hopefully his next American dream will be the unrealized attempt to bring the Miss America Pageant to Mississippi. Based upon Bryant's performance in the debate, his election as governor could prove to be a nightmare for the state.

That Rankin County machine is something to deal with. 2m for Bryant and 2M for Reeves! Lotta money in these financial times. It can get you elected on little to no experience. Maybe they can afford the $169M School bond just offered up...although, most of my friends in Rankin sure can't.

I am tired of career politicians running our Government. Bryant is the perfect example. Never had a real job. Lets elect a businessman who had demonstrated success. Dennis or Holiday both seem to be good choices. I am swearing off career politicians. They have proved they only look after themselves and not us the average tax payer.

Not one comment about the debate? Come on guys.

Didn't see the debate. Can I watch somewhere online?

I was there. From an objective standpoint, both Hudson and Dave looked desperate to attack Phil in any way possible. It almost felt like they met beforehand and discussed ways to team up against him. On the other hand, Phil seemed to be sarcastic and short at times which came across as "these other two guys shouldn't be on stage with me".

As to each candidate:

Hudson seemed to have some good ideas but not any that
would be adaptable to the situation that he would be inheriting as Governor. He had a platform to outline a plan that he would implement as governor but failed to do do. His answers were generally "absolutes" and surface level. I will say that with his life experience he would be a great advisor.

Dave had some good answers, especially on taxes and education. He talked mainly about cutting taxes on employers to attract companies to MS. As to education, he seemed to be for competition. His problem is name ID and I don't know if 5 weeks is enough time to get it where he needs to be to win the primary,

Phil was the most polished of the group. He had answers backed by his record in state government. He said all the things you would have expected. He wants to get the illegal immigration bill passed, he is against raising taxes, he wants to see charter school legislation pass next year, etc.

Dave and Hudson harped on a "leadership void" in the state after Haley is gone and they kept referring to Phil as being a "weak leader". Ironically, they attacked Phil on the state being 50th in most categories by saying that if we elect him we will continue be at the bottom all the while praising Haley as being a great leader.

All in all, it was about what you would have expected. Dave attacked Phil on some issues in hopes of landing a solid punch. Maybe it worked, maybe it didn't. We shall soon see.

I was in attendance as well and "polished" is not an adjective I would ever use to describe Bryant - "Sacastic" definitely!! Bryant has an entitlement aura about him that does not set well with a lot of voters and it came through loud and clear yeaterday. I also noticed as you mentioned that he felt Mr. Dennis and Mr. Holiday were not worthy to be on stage with him. Bryant has the biggest ego I have seen from a public official in a long, long time! It was obvious yeserday as it has been all along that he tries to hang on to the coat-tails of Haley and Gov. Fordice at every opportunity. I really expected lightening to strike him when he made the remark in reference to the fact that Fordice thought he would make a great governor - Gov. Fordice made the statement that "appointing him to the position of Auditor to fill the vacancy of Steve Patterson, was one of the worst mistakes he made during his term as Governor"; so consequently we now know that he is also a liar. After telling us all of the wonderful things he had done for us in his time in state government, that with him in the governor's office we would have "more of the same" - Well, that is what really worries me, I DO NOT WANT MORE OF THE SAME - I WANT BETTER - Better for my children and grandchildren! I DO NOT WANT PHIL BRYANT! I can only hope and pray the majority of the people in Mississippi do not want him either!

I wasn't there but listened to most of the debate on WJNT. This was my first time to hear Dennis... I was impressed with his answers and the way he handled himself. However... I think the name recognition issue is going to be tough to overcome. That being said... Fordice wasn't exactly a household name when he was elected governor, so who knows what could happen?

I was there. Hadn't thought about the Cliff Finch analogy, but it fits. Phil Bryant will be the next governor, but it doesn't matter. Nobody seems to have a vision for the states. We've got problems that have simple solutions, but we could never get them through the political circus.
Bryant is an airhead, but he had no opposition at the debate.

Thank you, Rankin County! We're going to end up with "Tweedle Dee" and "Tweedle Dum" in charge of our state.

Wake up Mississippi! Take a stand against "Tweedle Dee" and "Tweedle Dum". Hudson Holliday, though being ignored in the "Eyes of the Media" is the best choice of the three, hands down. He has the ability to make decisions with common sense and logic. Part of the debacle we are in is due to choices and decisions Phil Bryant has had a part in making as our Lt. Governor. Phil Bryant is arrogant and self serving. Tongues in Jackson wag and nobody that works with him wants him as the next Governor. Dave Dennis is placed by the media as the runner up. Is he true representation of the majority of this state? No, he is not.Look how the media screwed this entire country in the last Presidential Election. Will we let them dictate how our state elections play out. They've all been bought by the same ones that own Phil Bryant. It's not me and I bet it's not you either. Shame on us all if we let this happen.

Funny how the Dennis supporters are willing to over look his time on the Board of the NO Fed. Reserve.

I was there, and went to see what I thought about all three candidates - truly hoping to find a reason to make a choice.

The comments above about Phil being aloof, sarcastic, and that the others didn't deserve to be on the stage with him pretty well describe how he came across.

I was impressed with HH, being the first time I had seen or heard him, although I have been told by friends in Pearl River County that I would like him. Not sure he is up to snuff on all issues (he blew the tort reform question) but could be convinced to vote there.

Dennis I have heard before, but would say that I was more impressed Saturday than earlier. Liked him ok before, but finally felt like he had his heart in it. His answers weren't as short and concise as they should have been to sell his thoughts, but that's style, not substance.

Three take-aways from the day:

Phil took credit for everything done in the legislature that sounded good (cut taxes six times), but pushed all the bad things done the past four years off to others (bond bill, cig tax). The six tax cuts he pointed to amount to very little for the average Mississippian, but he still claimed that "I did it". When questioned about the $400 million bond bill, he said the legislature passed it and it was signed by Gov HRB.

PB acknowledged that he couldn't be 'bought' by a $10,000 contribution - it takes $15,000. Best shot of the day with the worst answer. DD asked PB about pushing the coast to spend the BP oil money to bring the Miss America pagent to the coast while receiving $10k from Sam Haskell. PB responded that it wasn't $10k, but actually Haskell had given him $15k. So now we know the price to rescue Haskell's MA pagent.

DD pushed on the $400M bond bill as putting budget items on the credit card - PB answered that it was more like a mortgage. Has the potential of becoming a good campaign issue for DD and HH over the next few weeks.

I watched the debate streaming, Dave Dennis seemed to follow the leader agreeing with one of the candidates in almost every answer (just like the coast forum). Dave also fliped floped on immigration. Phil forgot Flip Flop Fillingane from Lamar County killed the immigration bill not the House. Hudson Holliday looked less rehersed and more in tuned with the mass population, just not the republican establishment. I went to the coast to watch the four candidate forum with Luckett and Dupree, Bryant and Dennis. I walked away hoping Dupree can beat Luckett, if not Luckett will destroy Dennis in the general and maybe even Bryant. After saturdays debate I realized Hudson Holliday is the Republican that can beat Luckett handedly.

Anonymous 9:36 AM

Please tell me why we would want to overlook that issue. Dave has certainly never tried to hide the fact that he served on their board. Actually, Dave Dennis is an "open book" and does not try to hide anything concerning his personal or business life; maybe that is what makes you Bryant supporters so very uncomfortable!

Hudson Holliday would clearly be the best choice....

DD being on the Federal Reserve Board is not a badge of honor in Mississippi. DD is not hiding from it, but he is not wearing it as a badge of honor. Most people do not know he is one of the reasons our economy is in a recession and the dollar is almost worthless. I assure you if he wins the primary, Bill Luckett is going to use his 5 million dollars to pin it on him and make him wear it proudly. When Bill does this the people in North Mississippi will remember why they don't support candidates from south mississippi. i.e. (parker v. musgrove). Dave will then be toast. I know everyone his hedging their bet that Dupree will win the dem. nomination. Which will ensure any republican a win. But, we all know what happens when we gamble. Win some, Lose some

To: 3:46

Spoken like a true "democrap"! There do not seem to be many individuals, other than you, worried about this issue!

Or a republican that wants to win. Dave Dennis can't win unless he is running against Dupree.

To: 6:49 PM

Don't be so sure of that! It takes more than arrogance to win a political office!

Your right. Arrogance will lose you a political race. The fact is Bill Luckett will cream Dave in the North. Luckett will have 5 times the money Dave does. Then he will tag Dave with the Federal Reserve Board and the N.Mississippi Independet conservatives will realize why they never vote for candidates from the coast. The only way Dave can win is if he is running against Dupree.

To: 8:08 AM

You just keep believing that - sooner or later you just might convince yourself!

Now the Dems have Depree. Now what? I consider myself independent. I had done decided to go with Luckett. Now I am in a query of which way to go????

The difference between Dupree and Babs Blackmon is that Dupree can speak English.