Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Sid Salter: Hosemann Expected to Take Fight to McDaniel

Back in 2014, Mississippi politicos underestimated Tea Party zealot State Sen. Chris McDaniel and it almost resulted in one of the state’s most shocking political upsets. At the outset, most thought McDaniel was taking on then-incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran as an exercise in building name recognition for a future race.

Not so. Cochran, then the state’s most influential member of Congress and in line to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee, was pushed to the limit by McDaniel’s insurgent campaign – a campaign financed largely by out-of-state super political action committees representing Club for Growth and Senate Conservatives Fund.

But in the GOP second primary, Cochran rallied to win the nomination based and eventual re-election to his final term in a 45-year career on Capitol Hill that saw him render heroic and historic service to Mississippi and the Gulf South after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In every race, the McDaniel playbook is nothing if not predictable. His opponent is “not conservative enough” and fails McDaniel’s political purity test. McDaniel postures as a courageous champion of conservative issues and a skilled legislator who can effect real change really fast.

But the reality of the McDaniel shuck-and-jive is somewhat different – and often jarring in its hypocrisy. In almost every one of the four four-year terms (that’s 16 years, folks) that McDaniel has sought in the Mississippi Legislature, he’s filed a bill to implement term limits – it fails, then he runs for re-election. And as to his supposed legislative superpowers in the State Senate, a study of his actual record shows that McDaniel has rarely been successful in passing substantive legislation.

In the vast majority of instances in which McDaniel was the principal author of legislation, his Senate colleagues simply allowed his offerings to die in committee. McDaniel was successful in getting resolutions passed honoring school athletic championships or contestants who won pageants.

Notably, he successfully led to passage “Nathan’s Law” which enhanced the penalties for motorists who pass loaded school buses after the 2009 death of Nathan Key.

After losing the 2014 and 2018 U.S. Senate campaigns, McDaniel now returns to a statewide race challenging incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann. His campaign announcement featured exactly the pitch McDaniel has made before – Hosemann’s insufficiently conservative and fails McDaniel’s purity test by working across the political aisle when possible.

The 2014 campaign saw McDaniel take on an aging Cochran who never was a firebrand campaigner and who genuinely dislike “in your face” political discourse. And the GOP primary in 2014 was a $16.4 million affair with the tab swollen by outside spending on both sides.

In that race, spending by PACs, super PACs, and 501(c) groups tossed in $10.7 million from third-party groups seeking to influence the outcome of the race either in support of or in opposition to the two candidates. That level of outside national money simply won’t be available in a Hosemann-McDaniel race.

The 2018 U.S. Senate special election race saw McDaniel run third in an open primary race to the ultimate winner U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, who gained the key endorsement of then-President Donald Trump. The self-proclaimed “conservative fighter” earned just 16.7 percent of the vote.

Most of all, the key difference in this race for McDaniel is that in Hosemann, he faces an opponent who will take the political fight to him. Based on recent campaign finance reports, Hosemann has a decided campaign finance advantage of $2.75 million more than McDaniel. McDaniel’s campaign finance numbers are drawing scrutiny over whether his disclosure and reporting comply with state rather than federal campaign finance rules.

Hosemann has been extraordinarily popular with Mississippi voters who have elected him to statewide office four consecutive times. The “not conservative enough” bilge doesn’t hold water and Hosemann’s honest efforts to listen across the political aisle and seek consensus over conflict when possible should be lauded, not criticized.

Voters remember Hosemann’s gentle little lady on the park bench “It’s Delbert, ma’am” series of TV political ads, but if the McDaniel camp ponders that series of ads and deciphers that Hosemann isn’t temperamentally prepared for a political street fight, think again.


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

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

McDaniel should get one of those civil war rebel hats like Cindy wore to symbolize his campaign. It didn't hurt her and it's so appropriate. If only he could learn the rebel yell....

Anonymous said...

Hosemann camp and the RINOs are very, very worried.

Anonymous said...

Bullshit, Salter. Speaking of the bills he's introduced that were ignored or dead in committee, one need look no further than this. If any name other than his had been on these bills, a majority of them would be sitting on the governor's 'sign here and smile at camera' desk.

https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/4729

Anonymous said...

This Salter, he doesn’t like Chris McDaniel much, does he? When a mainstream op-ed writer doesn’t like something or someone, that carries a lot of heft with me.

Hosemann’s name and career are linked to that little old lady. There’s not much else there, is there, but the little old lady mispronouncing his name and his continued seeking of the next highest public office.

Anonymous said...

Cochran WASN"T conservative; neither is Hosemann (and Sid wouldn't know the difference).

Anonymous said...

8:18 AM, That does not say much for the honesty of the rest of them if they decide what is good for Mississippi just by the name on the bill.

Anonymous said...

Hosemann is not a conservative. He’s a mockingbird for the lobbyist lining his pockets. Hosemann said he would never vote for religious freedom exemption on vaccines. That’s why I would vote for anyone running against him.

Anonymous said...

8:14: That may be the case in your McDaniel wet dream, but likely not in reality.

Anonymous said...

Just a standard hit piece on a politician here.
Pretty blatant and sorry one at that.

Zero mention of Cochran basically being way too old and demented (think Biden!) to properly represent us. But that matters not ! So Republicans laugh at Fetterman and yet we do the exact same thing.

Cochran is a great example of the persistent swamp.
And this writer has buttache that a guy came out of nowhere and almost beat him. Just like Trump did to a bunch of RINOs.

So go crap on the Tea Party for calling out RINOs and primarying against then. We need MORE of this not less. The rot in the republican party is very real and very old.

Anonymous said...

I loathe McDaniel and consider him a looney tune.
Never was a fan of Dilbert either.
I have no clue where I will land on it ultimately but I am fed up with the whole thing.

Been a conservative all my life and I am so sick of the current state of our party.
Federal and State. Just sick of it.

Anonymous said...

Kirk Sims isn't running Delbert's campaign so he should be fine.

Anonymous said...

I am no fan of McDaniel but will support him over RINO Hosemann. Anyone Sid hates, I probably like.

Anonymous said...

@12:22 PM, me and you both.

Anonymous said...

McD got about as much chance as The Orange one has to be President again.

Anonymous said...

All McDaniel has to do is call Hosemann the “L” word the whole campaign and it’s a done deal. Take one out of tater tot’s playbook. Works every time.

Anonymous said...

Here’s the campaign slogan: “a vote for Hosemann is a vote for Obama” . Like seriously, y’all are so gullible he doesn’t even need to raise a lot of money.

Anonymous said...

8:14 is way off about the Hosemann camp "very, very scared". They will respect McDaniel the same as any other opponent and rightfully so. Hosemann will win the race handily.

Anonymous said...

Mississippi will always have bottom of the barrel options at the polls. All the smart people leave flyover country.
So we’re stuck with tatur tott, dumb Fitch, digburt, McDaniel, etc etc ad nauseam.

Anonymous said...

The TEA party arose due to the GOP establishment becoming like other Beltway bandits. There was a vacuum of good leaders within The GOP and the vacuum was filled with some fiesty folks. But for the poor GOP leadership Chris McDaniel would have been unknown outside of Jones County.
The GOP Establishment has itself to blame.
FWIW I think Hosemann is a solid man of good principles.
RMQ

Anonymous said...

McDaniel has done absolutely nothing but make hypocritical posts on social media platforms from his mother’s basement. The man has been representing his Senate District while living in another and is rarely seen anywhere other than sporting events in Jones County.

Anonymous said...

How bigga staff does a Lieutenant Governor have? Each of them has posted here at least four times...and on my dime!

Of course there's the Hatch Act, but they know which side of the jelly their bacon is buttered on.

Ben Checkin said...

You lettuce-heads who love to suggest McDaniel is in his mother's basement, has never shown up and has done nothing, take a look at these bills which saw no movement. Tell me why they died?

He could sponsor a bill to buy the Lt. Gub a hairpiece and The Hose would kill it. Just because.

https://www.billtrack50.com/legislatordetail/4729

Have Had It said...

Hoseman is definitely conservative.
What he's not is lazy, poorly educated ( at the bottom of his classes just barely graduating) and not suffering from a variety of personality disorders.
He has saved MS from being a national laughing stock more than once ( voter ID is one example) but he doesn't have the authority to keep all of the "bubbas" you elected or who appointed judges at bay. That is why in Texas, Louisiana and here, domestic abusers now can have their guns, even concealed, to go kill their girlfriends or spouses and probably children who " aren't on their side" or who "get in the way".
Thanks jerks! None of you seem to know that boundaries( aka rules, laws, and the social etiquette of a civilized society) keep us safer from you feral beasts! You think yourselves perfect and that your " feelings" define perfection. You are delusional.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, February 9, 2023 at 11:02 AM! Hoseman any day, if McDaniels is the only other option.

Anonymous said...

11:02 - Speaking of personality disorders...You started your diatribe as a cheerleader for Hoseman. Then you got distracted and drifted off into a discussion of Texas, domestic abuse, the 2nd amendment, societal rules and Bubbas. Good Lord, man, pick a subject and at least stay with it for a few sentences.

If you want to keep The Hose in the job, that's fine. It's not an altogether bad idea to have a democrat in statewide elective office.

Jose Cuervo said...

Ol’ Sid doing the wordy hit piece now. Getting paid by the letter or the word now?


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

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.


Note: Security provided by INS.

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.

Note: Security provided by INS
.