Chip Pickering Considers Leaving Congress to Become Communications Lobbyist

Does this mean that Ronnie Shows is now likely to return this seat to the Democrats?

Possible Pickering retirement *ping*

No, I don't think Ronnie could win this seat in its current configuration, it should go GOP. Maybe we could get Mike Parker to move in, or perhaps one of our fine young African-American Republicans like Clinton LeSueur ? :-)

"No, I don't think Ronnie could win this seat in its current configuration, it should go GOP. Maybe we could get Mike Parker to move in, or perhaps one of our fine young African-American Republicans like Clinton LeSueur ? :-)"

Shows got shellacked last time, and would have gotten beat by just about any Republican. However, since redistricting in Mississippi was done by a federal court, not by the RAT-controlled legislature, the legislature could redistrict again and come up with a district that Shows can win. If Chip was running for reelection, the RATs were likely to avoid doing that, since Chip would win anyhow (he beat Shows so handily that it has made MS RATs rather bearish on winning any seat in the area). But if Chip retires, the RATs may try to gerrymander a district for Shows (unless Shows decides to run for Lt. Gov. instead).

Chip is poised to become a Senator-for-life if he stays in his safe House seat for a few more years and waits for Lott or Cochran to retire. I hope he doesn't go for the big money instead, but I can't say I blame him if he does.

As for LaSueur, I would definitely support his candidacy in Chip's district. If he wins the primary, he'd be a shoo-in in the general, and we need more prominent black Republicans, especially in the South. And if LaSueur gets 25% of the black vote, he'd beat Shows no matter how much they gerrymander the district.

"No, I don't think Ronnie could win this seat in its current configuration, it should go GOP. Maybe we could get Mike Parker to move in, or perhaps one of our fine young African-American Republicans like Clinton LeSueur ? :-)"

Shows got shellacked last time, and would have gotten beat by just about any Republican. However, since redistricting in Mississippi was done by a federal court, not by the RAT-controlled legislature, the legislature could redistrict again and come up with a district that Shows can win. If Chip was running for reelection, the RATs were likely to avoid doing that, since Chip would win anyhow (he beat Shows so handily that it has made MS RATs rather bearish on winning any seat in the area). But if Chip retires, the RATs may try to gerrymander a district for Shows (unless Shows decides to run for Lt. Gov. instead).

Chip is poised to become a Senator-for-life if he stays in his safe House seat for a few more years and waits for Lott or Cochran to retire. I hope he doesn't go for the big money instead, but I can't say I blame him if he does.

As for LaSueur, I would definitely support his candidacy in Chip's district. If he wins the primary, he'd be a shoo-in in the general, and we need more prominent black Republicans, especially in the South. And if LaSueur gets 25% of the black vote, he'd beat Shows no matter how much they gerrymander the district.

We shall see what happens. In any event, I don't anticipate a lack of interested prospective candidates.

If they wanted to resdistrict again I think they would have already, especially with Musgroves time running out.

I thought Pickering was gearing up to run for Lott's seat in 06.