Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Sid Salter: Dems Face Long Odds

Mississippi Democrats showed signs of political life in recent months after years of fielding candidates in congressional elections who could fairly be described as either noble ideologues or political sacrificial lambs.

 The recent victory of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Doug Moore across the state line in Alabama fueled some Mississippi Democrats to conclude that ideological strains between Mississippi Republicans might well create openings for them in Mississippi in 2018.

Now officially past the first June primary elections, the partisan political landscape in Mississippi in the mid-term congressional elections doesn’t seem to have changed much despite the supposed influences of President Donald Trump, the so-called “#Me,Too” movement or the ongoing internecine social media wars between mainstream Republicans and the insurgent anti-establishment wing of the GOP.

Trump is still popular with the majority of Mississippi voters. Mississippians don’t endorse or approve of sexual mistreatment of women, but remain as vexed as the rest of the country about how to effectively stop it. And politically, the “#Me,Too” movement is a sword that cuts both ways.


 Could Republican Roy Moore in Alabama and Democrat Al Franken be any farther apart on the political spectrum? But their political fates in the current political climate were virtually the same.

Republicans are still predicted to hold sway in both of the state’s U.S. Senate seats and in three of four U.S. House seats up for grabs in 2018.

What is different in 2018 is that Mississippi Democrats – not in every race, but overall - fielded more and better qualified candidates this time around. That was true in the Class 1 Mississippi U.S. Senate seat and it’s true in the Class II U.S. Senate race special election that won’t be decided until November.

In the Class 1 race, incumbent Republican senior U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker is widely considered to be holding a “safe” seat. His campaign has the benefit of the unequivocal support of the Trump White House, more than sufficient campaign finance resources, and an effective statewide organization.

The power of incumbency remains strong and Wicker has used it masterfully. Back to his initial U.S. Senate special election victory over Democrat Ronnie Musgrove in 2008, Wicker has been able to focus on the issues that were necessary to draw effective partisan distinctions even against well-financed and reputable Democratic opponents.
In the Class II special election, it’s important to note two things – first, Democrats have fielded a credible candidate in former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy. Second, the seat is still considered either a “safe” or “likely safe” Republican seat by most national political prognosticators.

In the Class II race, candidates can run as Republicans and Democrats, but it’s a free-for-all in which the winner must take 50 percent-plus one vote to win outright, or see the top two vote-getters meet in a runoff two weeks later regardless of party affiliation.

The question for Mississippi voters is which Republican they will choose in the special election – incumbent appointed Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Brookhaven or Tea Party favorite state Sen. Chris McDaniel of Ellisville.

Espy represents the best hope Mississippi Democrats have in 2018 – and that hope rests on the belief that Mississippi Republicans are so divided in the battle between Hyde-Smith and McDaniel that Espy just might cobble together a coalition of Democrats who support him and Republicans who refuse to vote for the Republican special election survivor.

Since 1947, there have been three open U.S. Senate seats in Mississippi and Republicans have won the seats each time. The odds say history repeats itself.

Sid Salter is a syndicated columnist. Contact him at sidsalter@sidsalter.com.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey sid, it's Doug Jones in Alabama!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Captain Obvious.

Anonymous said...

@9:02 Sid said "Doug Moore" in first paragraph

Louis LeFleur said...

Just an observation. When I voted in my NE Jackson precinct yesterday afternoon, there was only one person manning the Republican table and one line for all names A - Z, and I was the only person who voted in that primary while there. Everyone else was voting Democrat and there were no people of color in that group. Yes, I realize these could be people strategically voting to help the Republican outcome in the long run, but if so, I've never seen it before.

Anonymous said...

Roger Wicker - Bringing jobs to Mississippi. Name one.

Meanwhile there's the truck driver, what's-his-name, who the Democrats 'fielded' in the last gubnor election.

Anonymous said...

Sid pics the easiest things to write about... Dems Face Uphill Battle... in Mississippi. REALLY???

Anonymous said...

Teats on a boar hog Wicker, God bless him and us. Stands on the bank of Mill Creek at the Rez in May 2017 and proclaims on camera (WJTV) that millions in federal funding to address problems in Mill Creek drainage basin is in the bag. And not one damn cent has been funded. And he tries to cover his own ass by having his office help blame the locals for not asking nicely. Well, Senator, it wasn't the locals who took advantage of a photo op along Mill Creek and ran their damn mouth about guaranteed federal funding. You failed to deliver on your own, personal promise to help.

Anonymous said...

Roger will win. Cindy will destroy both of her opponents as well. GOP goes up 56-44 om Senate

Anonymous said...

Yes the Rs will hold the Senate, but not the house. The Ds will be the pin sticking the Voodoo Doll in January.

Anonymous said...

Hyde-Smith and Wicker as Mississippi Senators. What's that say about us?

Anonymous said...

4:31...We recognize that Pelosi serves as your Viagra agent, but you can forget that nonsense you posted yesterday.

Anonymous said...

2:04 - so, you think the federal government should roll their personnel and equipment into Millcreek and do the work? Damn, I thought 99% of the residents of Millcreek didn't want the federal government intruding on a local government's jurisdiction.

All Wicker did was promise that there were federal funds available and designated for this project; in order to use those funds a local government has to "APPLY" for them, and then award a contract to construct the project.

Those are not the responsibility of a Senator, or Congressman. Frankly, I don't think a Senator or Congressman should be in the business of designating which projects get funded with those tax (or borrowed) dollars. But that ship has sailed and probably never will come back to port.

I'll be damned if I want to put the responsibility for local public works projects actual construction being taken from local elected officials and moved to the Potomoc. But I do understand folks like you that want to find something to bitch about on politicians you don't personally like. Next time, though, see if you can't get something a little more sensible.



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Trollfest '09

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.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

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.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

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.

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