Democrat consultant Richard K. Buckman submitted this column to JJ. It is much closer to political reality than Sid Salter's recent "Kingmaker" column on Congressman Bennie Thompson. Enjoy.
“Media misses what’s really behind Bennie’s racist comments”
You may not like Congressman Bennie
Thompson’s politics, but you should admit that he finally understands that the
only way for him to retain his 2nd Congressional District seat in Mississippi and his
power is to be the leader for the African Americans.
This past week Bennie called
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas an “Uncle Tom” and said Governor Phil Bryant's
opposition to Medicaid expansion per the Affordable Care Act is "just
because a black man created it." He went on to attack U.S. Senate
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell as well because he was opposing the White
House’s agenda, saying Republicans' "blatant disrespect" of Obama
"is all about race."
Bennie did say all of these
things, but the main stream media has lost the real take on Bennie’s recent
racist comments.
They had nothing to do with
defending Obama’s low poll numbers, the right’s efforts to repeal Obamacare, or
Bennie’s desire to go after any particular GOP office holder. This has much
more to do with Bennie realizing that he has lost touch with his real base, his
large African American constituency.
This is a role he is
obviously losing as demonstrated by the loss of three candidates he endorsed
recently in Hinds
County. Any member of
Congress should take that kind of a response from his own constituency as a
sign to get things right in their base community or face defeat themselves.
Congressman Thompson was
first elected in a special election back in the spring of 1993 When Mike Espy
resigned to become Agriculture Secretary under President Clinton. Bennie won with a crowded field of six
Democrats and one Republican with a run-off victory of 55 percent against the
Republican.
Bennie had previously served
on the Board of Supervisors in Hinds
County. His politics has
always been racially loaded toward African Americans because that was his
majority base as both Supervisor and as a Congressman.
The black voting age
population grew in Bennie’s district during the last redistricting and is now
at 63.7 percent.
During his early years in
Congress, many white businessmen displayed their anger with Bennie’s process
that he had in place to get an audience with him. This process usually meant
you had to have one of a handful of his “people” on your payroll as a
consultant to be able to gain an appointment with him so he could hear your
needs. Needless to say that almost all of Bennie’s “people” were African
American lawyers, engineers and consultants.
This went on for years and
slowly started to change as Bennie’s tenure and power continued to grow. He
thought that he could get the money necessary from the white community without
having to fully give up his strong racial stand with his base.
The money part has worked
well. As of this past month’s quarterly FEC filing, Bennie has $1,376,212.64
cash on hand in his campaign account and is the richest member personally among
all of our Mississippi
congressional delegation.
During Bennie’s tenure he
served as the chairman of the Budget Committee and then was actually appointed
chairman of the Homeland Security Committee while the Democrats held the
majority in the House. Now, with the Republicans in power, he is still the
ranking member on the Homeland Security Committee.
Due to Bennie’s powerful
committee positions, he has over the years lost some of his personal
connections with his Mississippi
constituency. His attention has become more national in scope. Bennie has spent
more time in DC and taking trips all over the world and less time doing the
local “fish fries” that he was once famous for doing throughout his district.
Also, Charlie Horhn, who was
once Bennie’s district director, retired.
Charlie was a master at
African American and labor union organization for Bennie personally and for all
of the other elections in which Bennie had a stake. After Charlie left, Bennie
did not understand that Charlie’s departure left him weaker in the African
American community. He assumed he was as strong as ever, but as you can see, he
was wrong.
Earlier this year, Bennie
Thompson decided to get involved in a special election for his old Hinds County
seat on the Board of Supervisors by supporting his cousin, Willie Earl Robinson,
against Darrel McQuirter.
Bennie got very involved and
had his “people” out there supporting Willie Earl and he and his wife were making
appearances on his behalf.
That also meant Bennie had
all of his close “people” – his lawyers, consultants and engineers – out there
donating money to Willie Earl and trying to turn out the vote for his campaign.
What Bennie didn’t have any
longer was the organization that Charlie Horhn had always had in place for him and
he was also lacking the same respect that his base constituents once had for
him as a leader for African Americans here at home.
McQuirter beat Robinson for
Bennie’s old supervisor’s seat by a 54 percent to 46 percent vote total.
That was a blow to Bennie’s
entire organization and sent shivers in his ranks being that this was his old Bolton seat. This should have made the Bennie Thompson
regime take note at the time of the power transition that was taking place
right before their eyes.
However, the arrogance of
Bennie and his “people” prevented them from learning from this embarrassment.
Bennie and his “people”
suited back up after Jackson, Mississippi, suffered the shocking news that it
lost its Mayor Lumumba to a heart condition unexpectedly after only being in
office a few short months.
This time they put all of
their support behind a city councilman named Melvin Priester, Jr. This councilman
had no great experience in city government.
However, there had to have
been a commitment to Bennie by Mr. Priester that he would continue to use the
same lawyers, consultants and engineers that the late mayor had used to get
Bennie’s support.
The entire Thompson team was
out working hard for Priester, making commercials and endorsements. But
Priester finished a very, very distant third place. The run-off came down to
the late mayor’s son, Chokwe Antar Lumumba and City Councilman Tony Yarber.
But Instead of learning from
his two previous losses for supervisor and mayor right there in his major
African American base of Hinds
County, Bennie backed Lumumba
to replace his late father. That decision, too, carried the same stipulation
about Bennie’s lawyers, consultants and engineers.
Again, all for naught, as
Bennie’s candidate lost to Yarber by a considerable margin – 54 percent to 46
percent.
This would be the third
candidate in a row from Hinds County within a few short months to take the
endorsement of the strong 2nd District Congressman and still be
defeated.
We should also not forget
Bennie’s efforts to be the kingmaker in Canton last year for incumbent Mayor
Dr. William Truly. Bennie used his same model of going all out making
commercials for Dr. Truly and having his “people” do the negative efforts that
they always do on his behalf against challenger Arnel Bolden.
This time Bennie and his
“team” ended up worse off than they did this year in Hinds County. The
Incumbent, Dr. Truly, took Bennie’s endorsement and got a whopping 41%, while
challenger Bolden won with 59% of the vote.
There is only one way to look
at these facts and one conclusion to draw from them – that Bennie Thompson has
lost strength as the kingmaker right in his own backyard.
If the Congressman can’t get
three African American candidates in a row in Hinds County
elected over three other African American candidates then maybe this shows that
he is vulnerable in his own congressional seat.
This is why you have seen
Bennie come out talking about the “Uncle Toms” and the evil white Republicans
against this wonderful black President Obama.
Bennie’s comments coming on the heels of the recent defeat of his
candidates also sends a sign that this was a very calculated political move by
Bennie.
This should also be a wake-up
call to all intelligent, educated, and politically motivated African Americans
in the 2nd Congressional District.
It is a call that they should
start the process today of getting their organization in place for the 2016
race, which promises to be a high voter turnout.
It is obvious that Bennie
Thompson, like many other members of Congress, have served too long.
In his 21 years of service,
he has apparently forgotten who sent him to DC to begin with and has spent his
time gaining power in DC and making his lawyers, consultants, and engineers
wealthy.
Although Bennie is trying to
reconnect with his African American base by making these racist comments now, it
may be too late.
Perhaps it is time for some
new blood in the 2nd Congressional District as 21 years in office is
enough to make anyone lose sight. Maybe the voters should
take note of how the NBA is dealing with the racist comments of Clipper’s owner
Donald Sterling. The NBA is banning him for life. Sounds like the voters of the
2nd Congressional District of Mississippi should at least look at
forcing the permanent retirement of Bennie Thompson, along with all of his
“people”.
Written by Richard K. Buckman
Richard is a political consultant and operates
Resolute Strategies, Inc. in Biloxi, MS. Richard has spent the last 25 years in
politics with 15 of those in our nation’s capital of Washington, D.C.
30 comments:
Good insights, other than suggesting that Canton is in Hinds County.....
"Ban Bennie"!!!
I will believe the African American majority in congressional district two will dispose of Bennie.... when Thad is retired.
Is this the same Richard Buckman that who did Fed time for not paying his taxes?
It would still take a very strong candidate to unseat Bennie. It ain't gonna be Bill Marcy.
Never underestimate the power of a fish fry.
Especially when it's free.
Bennie on the schedule for the Hinds CC Utica Campus and Hinds AHS graduation on Sunday, May 18th at 2PM on the Utica Campus of Hinds CC. More Info at http://news.hindscc.edu/index.php/hinds-cc-expands-graduation-ceremonies-announces-speakers/?utm_content=5206588&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook . It's also on their Facebook page and Twitter page with a pic.
Also happens to be the last graduation for Hinds AHS, historically BLACK school. The Gov signed a bill to close the school last month. Wonder if Big B's speech will contain some of the same language that he has recently be spouting???
Also interesting that election year will be next year and he will have LOTS of ears to hear him at the graduation.
We report... You decide!!
It probably won't be long before the scent of fresh fried catfish permeates the air. Folks gonna be lining up.
The folks in the White House cringe when they hear his name and despise his politics. Its more than a coincidence that the Obama administration selected his 2010 opponent, Heather McTeer for the post of Region 4 EPA administrator.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/heather-mcteer-toney/12/768/363
LOL, this guy Buckman as I recall was in Fed trouble not long ago down here on the Coast for not paying his taxes to Uncle Sam. He is hardly any Democratic consultant, he is some local-yokal renegade hack trying to bottom-feed off of anyone who will throw him some cash.
Look, he makes very valid points about Bennie no doubt, but for the sake of fairness, Haley Barbour operated/operates about the same way on his side of the aisle. Mississippi is, and always has been, the political struggle for seeing who can fetch the biggest slice of an ever shrinking small pie. I don't ever see that changing in my lifetime...
bennie knew what he was doing when he picked Dupree over Luckett. I believe if Luckett had gotten the Democratic nomination he would have given Bryant a run for the money, especially if Luckett had had the opportunity to ride the anti personhood wave that stated to crest in late October.
The article says nonjudgmentally, "[Bennie's] politics has always been racially loaded toward African Americans because that was his majority base as both Supervisor and as a Congressman." So is racism by an African American acceptable when it's politically expedient?
What about the following assertion. "Ross Barnett's politics had always been racially loaded toward Caucasian Americans because that was his majority base as a Southern white Democrat from the 1950's." Is it now time to declare Mississippi's past history of racial discrimination irrelevant? After all, like Bennie, can't all those white politicians from the mid Twentieth Century be excused because they were merely appealing to their majority base?
...the scent of fresh fried catfish...
Stokes perfume
Interesting article. Glad you posted, KF.
-This has much more to do with Bennie realizing that he has lost touch with his real base
-had to have one of a handful of his “people” on your payroll as a consultant to be able to gain an appointment with him....
- a commitment to Bennie that he would continue to use the same lawyers, consultants and engineers...
-This should also be a wake-up call to all intelligent, educated, and politically motivated African Americans in the 2nd Congressional District
-the voters of the 2nd Congressional District of Mississippi should at least look at forcing the permanent retirement of Bennie Thompson, along with all of his “people”.
It would be nice if that district could get someone who would really work to help them and not just politic and holler.
Interesting that you did not post my comment concerning Buckman and his past, and also critical of Haley. if you insist on calling yourself a "journalist" and exposing the truth in politics and government all around Mississippi, then please think about your own preconceived notions of what you are doing. Other than that, I submit that 80% of the time you do excellent work my friend.
@ 2:38; Is this you Kingfish?...
Anonymous said...
Interesting article. Glad you posted, KF.
What is it about calling out racism that makes people like Richard call the accuser a racist? There are some deep seated guilt issues at work here that have nothing to do with Bennie Thompson.
Some people are trying to post the author's history and information on here. Has nothing to do with the column itself. Nothing. Read the column and judge it on its merits, not who the messenger is.
Biography of Richard K. Buckman
Richard Buckman is the consummate political operative. He always knows his subject matter very, very well. He is strong in his views, but he is not rigid in his approach to negotiations. He keeps his eye on the ultimate objective and is relentless in his efforts to achieve his objectives and those of his clients. Buckman’s stature is such that he commands easy access to Capitol Hill and the entire federal apparatus in Washington, DC. In dealing with projects great and small needing federal support, Richard is the right person to weigh the merits and make sure the project is completed successfully.
Richard Buckman served as the Director of Government Affairs for the Morelli Ratner Law Firm. The Law Firm’s main office is located in New York City. The Firm is one of the priemer Trial Firms in the United States. Its founding Partner, Ben Morelli, currently serves as President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. The Firm has represented many high profile cases throughout its history. As Director of Government Affairs, Richard ran Morelli Ratner's Washington, DC operation, working daily and directly with the senior partners: Ben Morelli and David Ratner.
In this capacity, Richard managed all of the Firms governmental and political needs throughout the nation and internationally. His mature relationship with Members of the House and Senate is second to none. He has immense ties and history with the Democratic National Committee, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic Governor’s Association, the House and Senate Leadership, as well as with many rank and file Members of both bodies and affiliations.
Buckman has proven himself a skilled, tireless and resilient operator. He has brought together disparate interests under a common banner and proved himself a true craftsman of his trade.
Previously, Richard worked as the Director of Government Relations in Washington, DC for The Eaves Law Firm, based in Mississippi. During his tenure, he was intimately involved in the Firm’s lawsuit against the United Stated Navy on behalf of the island residents of Vieques, Puerto Rico. He was the point-of-contact with the United States Congress, the United States Navy and the Bush Administration.
This suit sought damages on behalf of the island's residents in return for the Navy’s bombing of this island for over 62 years and the people’s medical problems associated with these activities. Under his leadership, these different government bodies sponsored more than 20 resolutions supporting the Firm's efforts on behalf of these residents and coordinated many visits to the Island for many Members of Congress and the Press.
Proceeding his tenure with Eaves Law Firm, Richard served for 10 years as the CEO of Buckman and Associates, a very successful political consulting and management firm. Buckman and Associates served as a general consultant and manager for many political races. Richard worked on many federal, gubernatorial, state-wide, legislative and municipal races, covering the entire United States political gamete and landscape. In the federal capacity, Richard worked vehemently on U.S. House and Senate Races, and the U.S. Presidential campaigns of Clinton, Gore, Gephardt, Edwards and Kerry. During his tenure as CEO of Buckman and Associates, and under Buckman’s personal management, the Firm won 68 of 72 campaigns.
Richard was born and raised in Pachuta, Mississippi. After completing Quitman High School, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he studied Political Science and Economics. Upon graduating college, he moved to Washington, DC to work for the late Congressman Larkin Smith (R-MS). This first job in DC led to Richard’s continued political career of more than 25 years and counting on the national political stage.
Richard currently resides in Biloxi, Mississippi and is the President of Resolute Strategies, Inc.
21 years ago this was the poorest and least-educated Congressional District in the USA.
After 21 year of Bennie Thompson working on their behalf, it still is.
Dumbasses
To quote that renowned and erudite philosopher, Charles "The Round Mound of Rebound" Barkley, "Black people have been voting for Democrats for 50 years. And they're still poor."
At least Bennie Thompson's not poor anymore.
I heard Bennie and Bobby Moak got into a slap fight over thirds at the Horseshoe Buffet.
What does it say about Bennie - and his constituents - that he thinks spewing vile, racist comments will score him points?
I'll answer that: he thinks they're stupid.
And, after all, they keep electing him.
Bennie's weakness is accentuated with Priester's race . Priester carried Belhaven(precincts 8 and 9) and ran a very close second at WHBap(precinct 14) and won Fondren Pres(precinct 16).
If I am not mistaken Priester ran fourth in the black community.
Bennie Thompson is a fungus on the corpse of the Mississippi Delta.
I don't agree, Burke. A fungus is something that grows on a weak or moribund entity. Bennie did not just come along and attach itself to a dead delta. He, in fact, arranged and presided over the funeral. In that regard, he's not a fungus, but a systemic rot that attributed immensely to the demise.
Might want to look at allegations involving Thompson and the recently fired police chief from Meridian. A high-profile lawsuit by a former officer against the former chief and city contains some strong allegations.
10:08; If you have pictures of Bennie worshipping at the grave of The Queen of The Gypsies, post the damned things!
Unfortunately, I live in Bennie's district. He has done nothing but divide the races. He is as bad as Sharpton and the rest of the race baiters. A great expose of the way Bennie got rich since getting in to politics would make for a good book. Kick backs , sweetheart deals, government programs, slum housing subsidizes by your taxes. It is truly a shame that so many blacks just vote for someone because they are black and then have the audacity to label others racist.
If Bennie ever brought a 'sweetheart deal' to his district I'd like it identified. He's never brought the first job to the Delta.
And the only jobs he will EVER bring in are the twelve black girls he'll have staffing the Bennie Thompson Memorial Museum taxpayers will build in Itta Bena upon his retirement.
Insightful article on Bennie-
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/armstrong-williams/the-shame-and-ignominy-of_b_5254552.html
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