Mississippi’s ignored senate race – do no “evil for evil”

Canada Free Press ^ | 10/31/14 | A. Dru Kristenev

[Resettozero]

The day will arrive when either the GOP is dead or it is conservative, and the better to hasten that day.

Your post was expressed very well; been trying to capsulize things as well as you did.

[Black Agnes]

I’d always heard the plan was for Cochran to resign the day after a special election is no longer a requirement. Just like Trent Lott did when he resigned.

[Political Junkie Too]

There are only a few cases where a special election would not be held.

1. If Cochran resigns with less than a year to go. What would be the point of the plan if Cochran has to remain in office for 5 years? I don't think he can last that long.

2. If Cochran resigns in an election year. An election is still held, but it is a general election. The advantage to this for Barbour is that the election is one of many instead of a single targeted election. The disadvantage is that Cochran has to hold on to January 1, 2016.

3. Cochran serves out his term as a puppet.

In cases 1 and 2, Republicans get another shot at the seat within the next 2 years instead of waiting for 6 years to take it back from the Democrats.

-PJ

[trebb]

I’m in Gautier - lots of bad sentiment about the Barbour/Cochran betrayal here.

[Cboldt]

If you believe the polls, you can vote however you want. Cochran wins this one in a cakewalk. The GOP isn't going to get any message except winning at any cost is a strategy for success.

Anyway, my point was that the question doesn't deserve much time in analysis and reflection. Vote your conscience. The outcome won't change, but your conscience will be clear.

[houeto]

I’m in Gautier

Cool. Who are you backing for Sheriff? Bruce Lynd fan myself.

[trebb]

Looks like we’re on the same page - haven’t paid much attention but he seems solid enough. I get the feeling that Mike Ezell may be leading - do you know anything about him?.

[houeto]

Mike is ahead. He’s a pretty good guy but is tied in with all the politicos. Bruce, on the other hand, kinda despises politics. He came down to the Shingle Mill and met with me. He spent about a half hour explaining the depts. problems and what he intends to do about them. I was impressed. I asked for a large sign (sheet of plywood sized) leading to the Mill. When I was told he couldn’t afford it I asked if $500 would cover it. Well YEAH! I signed the paperwork and gave it to him.

[trebb]

Thanks - I take the word of someone who has had personal contact with a candidate far more than all the hype that gets strewn around the airwaves. I had a gal running for a seat on the Ocean Springs school board stop by the other day and she seems to be the real deal - mom who thinks that schools are getting way too overboard in what they subject our kids to. Her name is Kacee Waters - unless I hear something bad about her in the next few days, she will have our votes.

[Black Agnes]

Actually, I think if he resigns after the halfway point of his term there won’t be a special election.

He’s despicable enough that any term is undesirable.

He’s living openly in adultery. Even Bill Clinton did not do this.

[Political Junkie Too]

They'd have to change the law to call off the special election. The only exception is in the last year of the term.

But back to the original premise, if the plan is to elect Cochran and then have him resign (remember that he's suffering from dementia), then they can't wait for too long. A plan that waits for 3 years is not practical. Cochran can't be hidden from the people for that long.

On the other hand, there is also the Tim Johnson precedent, where he was absent for a year due to his brain hemorrhage. He refused to step down, which meant that the governor couldn't appoint a replacement. South Dakota went without a Senate vote for a year.

I don't think that is Barbour's idea of a plan. He wants Cochran out sooner rather than later so he can get his choice in place now.

-PJ

[Black Agnes]

Not really sure the idea isn’t to use a senile senator as a puppet. Strom Thurmond comes to mind. Sonny Montgomery, and others.

Cochran seldom sets foot in MS as it is, I’m not sure the voters would really notice.

[Political Junkie Too]

Then we have to get the arguments straight. Is it that Cochran will resign and Barbour will appoint a protégé in his place, or is it that Cochran will stay and be a puppet until he dies?

Pick one and strategize against it.

-PJ

[Black Agnes]

It’s irrelevant what Cochran will do if he’s elected. He’s untenable regardless.

[Political Junkie Too]

That's my point.

If Cochran is elected, then there is a strong chance of a special election within the next 2 years.

If Cochran is not elected, then there will be no election for 6 years.

-PJ

[Black Agnes]

The GOPe will be just as underhanded in any special election in 2 years as they were this year.

[Political Junkie Too]

Perhaps, but we're watching now.

If McDaniel chooses to run again, there would be too much of a groundswell, too much attention paid, to let it happen again.

-PJ

[Black Agnes]

McDaniel is ruined wrt MS politics. It would have to be someone else.

[Political Junkie Too]

He's not ruined with Republicans who voted overwhelmingly for him. They may want another chance to prove that.

And a special election won't have a primary structure. It will likely be an open election.

And it won't have the Cochran name recognition.

-PJ