Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Sid Salter: 41 Neshoba Fair Speeches Later, August Primaries Loom

For 134 years now, the Neshoba County Fair has remained Mississippi’s premier political stump. Delivering a speech from the Founder’s Square Pavilion under the old oaks has long been a rite of passage for statewide politicians.

This year, 41 political speeches are scheduled over three days. Fair rules offer speaking opportunities for state, district and Neshoba County/local candidates and public officials. U.S. presidential candidates have spoken there over the years, including Ronald Reagan, Michael Dukakis, Jack Kemp and John Glenn. Donald Trump Jr. spoke there in 2016 on behalf of his father as did Neil Bush in 1988 on behalf of his father.

But from a statewide political standpoint, four speeches will draw the greatest amount of attention – the final two speeches on Wednesday, July 26, and the final two speeches on Thursday, July 27. While there are no actual debates at this year’s Fair, the speeches of that quartet of candidates will draw significant scrutiny.

The Tuesday, July 25, political speaking will be exclusively for Neshoba County office seekers in county or legislative contests. Contested races for sheriff, constable, circuit clerk and chancery clerk should make for a lively program.

On Wednesday, July 26, district and down-ticket statewide candidates will speak, including Central District Public Service Commissioner candidates incumbent Brent Bailey (R) and challenger DeKeither Stamps (D); Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce candidates incumbent Andy Gipson (R) and challengers Terry Rogers II (D), Bethany Hill (D) and Robert “Brad” Bradford (D).

Also slated for Wednesday speaking at Neshoba will be incumbent Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney (R), incumbent Attorney General Lynn Fitch (R) and challenger Greta Kemp Martin (D). 

The rest of the scheduled Wednesday lineup will be candidates for lieutenant governor, including incumbent Delbert Hosemann (R) and challengers Shane Quick (R), Tiffany Longino (R), and state Sen. Chris McDaniel.

McDaniel and Hosemann will speak back-to-back Wednesday the 26th at 10:20 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and should be the most heavily anticipated and scrutinized speeches of the day. Statewide voters have elected Hosemann three times for secretary of state and once for lieutenant governor while rejecting McDaniel in statewide races for U.S. Senate in 2014 and 2018.

The Neshoba County Fair political speaking lineup for Thursday, July 27, will include state Rep. Scott Bounds (also the new president of the Neshoba County Fair Association board of directors), Secretary of State candidates incumbent Michael Watson (R) and challenger Shuwaski Young (D), State Treasurer candidates Addie Lee Green (D) and incumbent David McRae (R), State Auditor candidates Larry Bradford (D) and incumbent Shad White (R), and incumbent Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons (D).

Also speaking Thursday in a finale to his current tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives will be Philip Gunn (R) of Clinton, who is not seeking re-election this year. 

There will be four candidates for Mississippi governor speaking on Thursday, including Republican challengers David Hardigree and Dr. John Witcher, Democrat challenger and current Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley and incumbent Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who is seeking a second term.

Presley will speak at 10:30 a.m. followed by Reeves at 10:40 a.m.

Without question, the back-to-back Hosemann–McDaniel matchup Wednesday and the back-to-back Presley–Reeves showdown on Thursday will be the marquee political speeches of the week. All four candidates are expected to draw raucous crowds of supporters.

Political stump speaking is nothing if not performance art and the Neshoba County Fair has long been the province of crowds that make themselves heard both in favor of their chosen candidates and against their opponents. But the Fair likewise provides security and logistics to keep the process organized, consistent and under control.

In the last decade, the Fair Association has taken steps to keep candidates from intentionally going over their 10-minute speech time limits, which are explicitly explained to them multiple times before the event. This year, candidates should expect that time limit rule to be consistently observed. 

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


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

an outdated time capsule-

Anonymous said...

I really appreciate this website. I'm always learning something new. Why, in the very first comment, I learned that a time capsule has an expiration date. Who could have guessed?

Anonymous said...

With all the fat-guys on air-conditioned porches swilling PBR pretending they're Southern Gentry wondering where the hell the little woman is with the KFC.

The only way you'll find me at that Sweat-Pen is if Chris and Dogbert are squared off in boxing gloves.

Anonymous said...

Outdated time capsule - Sid or the Fair?

Anonymous said...

Outdated time capsule - Sid or the Fair?

Anonymous said...

I'm sure the atmosphere is ripe with utility lobbyists and other associated ilk.

Anonymous said...

Remember, Dilbert at Tate took away our former State Flag.

Anonymous said...

Sid Salter is stuck in the past.

Anonymous said...

1:18, and? Are you really still moaning about a divisive F-L-A-G? Do you have any interest in real issues: hospitals; economic development; improving the Capitol City; cutting the grocery tax or car tags; or any other substantive concern?

Let it go. Please let it go.

Anonymous said...

1:18, thank God for them doing that. And you can still fly any of the old ones and the Confederate flag.

Anonymous said...

Still amazed at the number of sissy-puss, non-binaries who speak ill of a heritage flag.

This is the same crowd that won't purchase a product at Chick Fil A or buy a donut at a store that exercises its rights to serve. You know them...The purple-slipper crowd at Starbucks.

Anonymous said...

Watch Delbert's desperate body language and unhinged rhetoric. This is starting to look like an upset.

Anonymous said...

Got a mailer from Dullbert just yesterday extolling his pro-family, pro-life record. Why, did you know that he once established a task force to further study adoption laws and foster care? Well, I must say I was impressed and mightily to learn such fact. What a record of accomplishment, establishing a task force. What a visionary man of action, commanding a task force — that he, himself established! — to do further study. That settles it for me, friends, and it should for you as well: this Dilbert is just exactly what Mississippi direly needs in this, the most important election in our nation’s history.


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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.

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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