Blackmon and Tuck: Mississippi Lt. gov. candidates clash on abortion, tort reform

The Clarion Ledger, Jackson Ms ^ | 10-31-03 | By Andy Kanengiser

[WKB]

Hopefuls mince words when asked for positive words about each other

At their first and only debate before next week's election, Republican Lt. Gov Amy Tuck and Democratic challenger Barbara Blackmon sniped at each other Thursday night on civil justice reform, abortion, economic development and other issues.

Blackmon said Tuck "never had an original idea. She never could stand for anything."

When Blackmon promoted her job plan, Tuck said, "It's amazing she has a plan. She has been in the Senate for 12 years. She never had a plan."

When prompted by the moderator, the two were hard-pressed to say something positive about the other.

"My opponent is smaller than I,'' Blackmon began, with a smile, when the question came up on the Statewide Live program. "I wish I were a little smaller.''

Then it was Tuck's turn in the studio of the Mississippi Broadcasting Networks in Jackson. "We are both children of God. Obviously, we have different philosophies. She stands up for what she believes in.''

Moderator John Johnson wondered aloud if their responses were the best each could do, but the rivals said little else.

During the hourlong public affairs program, Blackmon accused Tuck of being in the pocket of special interest groups, citing that Tuck received $40,000 from the nursing homes before a special legislative session to reform the state's civil justice laws.

"There's not anybody she won't take money from," Blackmon said.

Tuck said Blackmon fought against reform during the 83-day special session.

As she has done in her television ads, Blackmon said Mississippi lost 44,000 manufacturing jobs during Tuck's watch. But Tuck noted Blackmon was an ardent foe of tort reforms, measures that would enhance economic development.

Tuck this week signed an affidavit saying she has never had an abortion after Blackmon chal-lenged her to do so several weeks ago.

Blackmon, 47, who is married and the mother of two children, said, "It was my opponent who first brought it up. My opponent said I have extreme views on abortion.''

Tuck, 40, who is divorced and does not have children, said Blackmon "owes the people of the state an apology for these personal attacks.''

Blackmon said abortion really has "no place'' in the race. "We are not running for U.S. Supreme Court Justice position," she said.

Blackmon also accused Tuck of failing to take firm stands when Tuck served in the Senate before being elected lieutenant governor in 1999. "She's just like the weather — if you wait a little while, it is bound to change," Blackmon said.

Tuck, who switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP last year, said she has "always put principle above politics ... I've taken tough stands'' on remapping congressional districts and other issues.

Heading into Tuesday's election it will be tough for Blackmon to win, political observers said.

"I can't put together a scenario where I see Blackmon winning,'' University of Mississippi political science professor John Bruce said in an interview before Blackmon and Tuck squared off.

Another college professor agreed. "She needs a strong black turnout and some appeal (with) white voters," said Tougaloo College political scientist Steve Rozman. "Getting the white vote will be difficult.''

Blackmon trailed by 14 points in a poll commissioned by The Clarion-Ledger and The Associated Press.

Tuck was the choice of 54 percent of the 623 likely voters polled to 40 percent for Blackmon. The telephone poll was conducted by Washington-based Ipsos-Public Affairs between Oct. 21-23 and had a 4 percent margin of error.

But Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole isn't ready to count out Blackmon, a Canton lawyer. "Senator Blackmon is behind, but it is not an insurmountable lead. It is a winnable race.''

Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring said the GOP troops will show up in big numbers to help Tuck get re-elected. "Blackmon is clearly a national Democrat with very little difference between her and Hillary Clinton,'' he said.

Blackmon, a Jackson native, seeks to become the first African-American woman to hold statewide office. Tuck is the second women in state history to serve as lieutenant governor.

[WKB]

Missippy ping

[az wildkitten]

Yippie a CAT FIGHT. Pull up the chairs. Get the refreshments.

[wardaddy]

Hey....at least in Mississippi, it's considered bad form by either party to endorse abortion.

Makes me proud.

In Massachusetts or New York, nearly all the politicians brag about who endorses infanticide the most.

It's good to be a Southerner where there is still some shame over this.

[dixiechick2000]

From the sound of the article, the debate did sound like a "get the popcorn" moment. lol

You're right about abortion in Mississippi, and it makes me proud, as well.

In Oregon, being pro-abortion is like being pro-breathing.

"Of course, we are for it."---Typical Oregon Resident

About the closest I can find to pro-life people out here are those who would not have an abortion themselves, but wouldn't outlaw any kind of abortion for those that want one.

"It's good to be a Southerner where there is still some shame over this."

Amen! You took the words right outta my mouth.

[dixiechick2000]

BTW, Happy Hallowe'en!!!

[MHGinTN]

What is astonishing (to me, at least) is that Iowans support Tom 'abortion is fresh air' Harkin. You'd think folks who live on farms would have a better understanding of live and death issues, a better grasp of what a 'terminated pregnancy' subtracts from the whole.

[dixiechick2000]

I understand what you're saying.
I'm always amazed at the conservatives (and, they are on most issues) here who refuse to take a solid stand on abortion.
I think so many feel they are out of the mainstream and are afraid to voice their real opinion.
These are the folks who won't roll their car windows down while listening to Rush or Sean because they are afraid someone will find out they listen to conservative radio programs. ;o)

IOW, they have been intimidated by the very outspoken, "in your face", radical left in Portland and Eugene.

[bourbon]

It seems like everybody in MS has either one of these plates, a NASCAR plate, or a game and fish plate. As a result, I think liberals are afraid to drive through our state. And, isn't that a beautiful thing?

[wardaddy]

We're supposed to get those one day here but Bredesen is reluctant ...so he says....to sign it even though he claims in spirit that he is against infanticide.

[dixiechick2000]

Boy...what great liberal repellent!
That's absolutely beautiful!

Try that in Oregon...the Gay and Lesbian Alliance, NOW, OEA, and a host of other groups would run you off the road, and you would be blessed if that's all they did.

[bourbon]

I like the plates too. However, it'll be interesting to see if they stay around for long b/c there's a small constitutional problem with them.

For one, if a state is going to have "Choose Life" license plates, that same state can't then come in an prohibit Pro-Abortion license plates.

Also some liberal groups have challenged the choose life license plates for being (get this!) violative of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. So far they haven't had much success with that argument, but if the Pledge of Allegiance is ruled to be a First Amendment violation, you can bet that it won't be long before the "Choose Life" license plates are taken down as well.

Welcome to the world of the 'imperial judiciary.' (Sigh.)

[dixiechick2000]

Bah, humbug! ;o)

I hope you have one of those plates.
It sounds as though it may not be long before they will become collector's items.
Time will tell...

"For one, if a state is going to have "Choose Life" license plates, that same state can't then come in an prohibit Pro-Abortion license plates."

How many people in MS would choose the pro-abort plate (*spit*) over the pro-life plate?
I'll venture a guess and say...not many.
IMHO, it would be worth offering the pro-abort plate (*spit*) to be able to keep the pro-life plate.

[wardaddy]

Sigh is right.

Take a brave infanticide proponent to flag that openly in parts of the country.

I can attest that pro-life stickers on a nice Teutonic Import will get you keyed regularly here in the more posh and liberal environs of Nashville....twice.

My favorite around here is "Goddess and Pro-Life"....a liberal with a heart.

Halloween is now on btw....passing out goodies with the 11 month old pumpkin, Annette is out with Superman T&Ting and I have Led Zepplin's "No Quarter" blaring in the background for folks coming up the hill...about the most ominous music I could think of on hand.

Spent all day at a hay-ride cookout near Ashland City...warm today.

See how much you have to look forward to!

[bourbon]

I wish we had more Trick-or-Treaters this year. We live in a perfect neighborhood for trick-or-treating, and I think we only had 6 groups of kids come by. I'd say 50% of them were from other neighborhoods too.

If anyone wants a quick study in American cultural decline, all they need to do is take a look at what has happened to the holiday of Halloween in the past 30 years. I remember when I was a kid our parents would let us wander around our neighborhoods at night w/o supervision. I also remember getting homemade treats from the ladies who lived in my neighborhood (brownies, candied apples, etc). All of this is unthinkable in today's world. Nobody trusts anyone anymore.

It seems that we have lost so much, and I wonder how it will ever be restored.

[dixiechick2000]

This was our fifth Halloween in this house and we finally had our first trick or treater. It's not that we don't have a lot of kids living around us. It's that they have parties instead of trick or treating. Our trick or treater lives next door, and was on his way home from a party.

It is sad that kids done't have to freedom to roam as we did, and I don't think things will change as long as the sickos keep multiplying.

[bourbon]

I wonder if there are really that many sickos out there or if the media has just created the false impression in us that trick-or-treating is unsafe?

[dixiechick2000]

You make a very good point.
Sickos make a good news story...
ordinary good people don't.
Also, with all of the 24/7 cable news channels,
this type of story receives way too much attention.