Is it wishful thinking, or will Trent really be retiring?

[flaminbats]

When Trent ran for re-election in 2002 he was still the Republican leader, but not anymores. When Lott last ran for re-election the Governor and Lt. Governor were still Democrats, not evermore. And with Trent's son now getting into national politics, even most Republicans feel like ole' Trent just ain't needed nomore. Some even learned that Trent has gotten in Bush's way, which is why Bill Frist is now the Majority Leader!

So with the Republicans in control, purr ole Trent should just throw in the towel..and go into retirement. After all, he could still raise money for the guv and his genetic clone..Thad.

But this also opens up an opportunity for Mississippi Democrats. With a strong candidate like Gene Taylor, Mississippi could elect its first Democratic Senator in 24 years. Electing a Democrat to the Senate in 2006 would even help John Grisham win in 2007...

Anyone agree with this? :shrug:

[Gildor Inglorion]

1. Poor ol' Trent!

I almost found myself feeling sorry for him when he made his Strom Thurmond gaffe and his fellow Repukes speedily withdrew from him, leaving him twisting slowly in the wind. He should have resigned then, in my opinion. Having said all that, of course I hope he retires, but the chances of electing a Democratic senator from Mississippi are slim to none. Dang it! Maybe John Grisham could come to our rescue, but why should he? As for Gene Taylor, he's just
Mississippi's version of Zell Miller. He's my congressman, by the way; I've met him, listened to him speak, and written to and recieved correspondence from him. He co-sponsored the anti-gay marriage amendment, refuses to participate in national Democratic Party activities, etc. I think the only reason he remains a Democrat is to garner the African-American vote.

[flaminbats]

3. this is a good reason..

many Repukes fear black voters, none try to win the support of black voters or listen to concerns on both sides of the tracks. I agree that co-sponsoring the anti-gay amendment is a major flaw, especially since demagoguing this issue hurts Democrats most in the south.

But unlike Zell, I see many good qualities in Gene. He has remained a loyal Democrat for the last 10 years, even as other conservative Democrats were jumping ship. Unlike Zell, he is not another ass-kisser of Bush. Despite the fact that he does not participate in national Democratic Party activities, he is very critical of Bush and the Republican Congress on deficit spending and foreign ownership of the national debt. Taylor is more like Charlie Stenholm or Jim Cooper than Zell Miller, a former liberal gone neo-con.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ms04_taylor/foreign.html

Zell Miller co-cosponsored a Constitutional Amendment to let the state legislatures pick the Senators, but Gene Taylor strongly opposes this. And unlike many Democrats in Mississippi, he could actually win a statewide election. This means he could campaign for John Grisham as a popular Senator. Most importantly Gene Taylor may not be John Edwards or John Kerry, but he is head and shoulders above Lott or Cochran.

[Skittles]

2. it's not like he would be missed

there are plenty of GOP racist assholes to take his place

[Maddy McCall]

4. I think Mike Moore will run for his senate seat in 07.

That would be grand!

[flaminbats]

5. Did you mean for Governor in 07?

Leaders like Attorney General Mike Moore are as rare as diamonds, I agree that Democrats need him back in politics!


Barbour's statement was in response to urging by former Attorney General Mike Moore Wednesday that the governor should veto legislation that "raids'' Mississippi's tobacco trust fund for health-care needs.

"It's become a slush fund,'' Moore said as lawmakers continue to tap the tobacco trust to ease state government's cash shortages.

The result of Moore's successful lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers a few years ago, the tobacco trust has steadily dwindled from $1 billion to a current $630 million.

Before adjourning late Sunday, the Legislature took $216 million for fiscal 2005 for the ailing budget without agreeing to replenish it, he said.

The bulk of the trust fund dollars taken are going to stabilize Medicaid and to help pay for mental health crisis centers, officials say.

In a letter to Barbour, Moore urged him to veto any legislation that "authorizes the further destruction of Mississippi's only real hope to provide good health care for our citizens for generations to come.''

The recent action to "completely deflate the trust, its principal and its purpose is outrageous,'' Moore told the Republican governor. "Only you can stop this from happening.''

Before lawmakers agreed to remove a portion of the trust fund dollars, Moore said he was assured by the House and Senate that this would not happen. Only in the last days of budget negotiations "did this threat to Mississippi's future become real, leaving no time to call out to thousands of citizens who would have objected,'' Moore wrote.

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040513/NEWS010504/405130388/1002