Madison County Journal - Ross wins county after mild turnout - While Republicans in the Third District congressional race favored Charlie Ross over two county residents, turnout was suprisingly high among Madison County Democrats in primary elections on Tuesday as Barack Obama outperformed his statewide numbers with 76 percent of the vote here, despite Hillary Clinton's surprise visit to Canton late last week.
Madison County Republicans favored Charlie Ross over Madison residents David Landrum and John Rounsaville in the Third District race. Ross finished with 3,220 votes, or 36.7 percent of all ballots cast, while Landrum finished with 2,710 votes or 30.9 percent of all votes. Gregg Harper came in third place in the county with 1,745 votes, or 19.9 percent, and John Rounsaville finished with 1,011 Madison County votes for 11.5 percent of ballots.
"I did well throughout the district, not only in Rankin County but in Madison County and elsewhere," Ross said. "With Republican voters, philosophy matters." He congratulated Harper, who surprised many by beating out Landrum, and called him a "strong candidate" in a "strong field" of Republicans.
Harper ran a grassroots campaign and spent the last week touring the district on a bus that Garth Brooks once owned. "Nobody kind of watching this race really thought we ever had a chance to ever make a run off," Harper said just before midnight. "But we knew it on the ground that we had the momentum that was growing and building for the last four or five weeks." Harper said he thought his recent 30-second television advertisement that showed his son Livingston, who has special needs because of "Fragile X" syndrome, really touched voters by giving them a glimpse into his family life.
Ross said despite the prognostications, he wasn't sure who could make it to the run-off with him. "I really didn't know who I would be in the run-off with," Ross said. "My focus was on getting into the run-off. I was confident I would be in the run-off."
A total of 8,768 votes in Madison County were cast in the Third District GOP primary that became controversial during the campaign's last few weeks, largely due to reports that Landrum had not voted in an election from 2000 to 2007.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Madison Purge Update
Madison County Journal - Change to voter rolls called into question - A county election commissioner accused of inappropriately moving over 10,000 voters from active to inactive status since the beginning of the year said she was simply doing her job. District 1 Election Commissioner Sue Sautermeister came under fire late last week when it was revealed she had been changing voters' status since the start of this year. Election Commission Chairman Kakey Chaney said this was done improperly.
Statistics indicate that there are several thousand more voters registered on the books than actual eligible voters. According to estimates from the 2006 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 87,419, but only 63,000 of those residents are over 18 and eligible to vote. As of March 7, there were 70,871 registered voters on the books, according to numbers provided by Circuit Clerk Lee Westbrook.
Sautermeister has said she will not resign from her position despite calls for her to do so, and has remained steadfast in her belief that the Election Commission has delayed cleaning up the voter rolls for far too long.
Westbrook said she had received a surprisingly low volume of calls from voters concerned about the issue over the past week. "Either people are not alarmed, or it's one of those things they'll think about on Election Day," she said last Friday. "Every one of us thought we would be bombarded."
Sautermeister admitted in an interview last week that "the timing may be off" because of Tuesday's federal election, but maintained that keeping the voter rolls clean should be a priority for Election Commission members. "This is part of our job, to keep the voter rolls clean," she said. "This is something we're supposed to be doing. The others knew I was doing it." She added that she believed there was a legal difference between making voters inactive and purging them from the books and had requested clarification from Hosemann's office before Wednesday.
Voters may be made inactive if these notification cards are not filled out and returned in 30 days. Inactive voters who do not vote in the two subsequent federal elections are purged from the voter rolls.
"It appears Sue Sautermeister inactivated voters but before sending the required notice to voters," Chaney told the supervisors on Monday. But Sautermeister countered that since the county had never undertaken such an effort before, it was unclear what the correct procedure should be for the county.
"We still don't know how the process works," she said, adding that some commissioners from other counties had told her that voters could be made inactive prior to notification cards being sent.
Westbrook said the commissioners had been collecting returned mail since they took office at the start of 2005 as the first step towards cleaning up the voter rolls.
The words "purged" and "inactive" had been used interchangeably but incorrectly over the past week, according to Westbrook, since purged voters are those who are deceased or those who have felony convictions that forbid them to vote.
Sautermeister said she hoped the situation would raise awareness of the county's ongoing problem with inflated voter rolls. Too many people, she said, are not voting in the correct precincts and should update their voter registration information whenever it is necessary.
Westbrook and Sautermeister differed about the status of Mississippi Third District congressional candidate David Landrum, a Madison County resident, whom Sautermeister made inactive. While Westbrook said she would not have inactivated Landrum and recently personally confirmed that Landrum was a county resident who had recently moved, Sautermeister said her decision was correctly based on pieces of returned mail.
Statistics indicate that there are several thousand more voters registered on the books than actual eligible voters. According to estimates from the 2006 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 87,419, but only 63,000 of those residents are over 18 and eligible to vote. As of March 7, there were 70,871 registered voters on the books, according to numbers provided by Circuit Clerk Lee Westbrook.
Sautermeister has said she will not resign from her position despite calls for her to do so, and has remained steadfast in her belief that the Election Commission has delayed cleaning up the voter rolls for far too long.
Westbrook said she had received a surprisingly low volume of calls from voters concerned about the issue over the past week. "Either people are not alarmed, or it's one of those things they'll think about on Election Day," she said last Friday. "Every one of us thought we would be bombarded."
Sautermeister admitted in an interview last week that "the timing may be off" because of Tuesday's federal election, but maintained that keeping the voter rolls clean should be a priority for Election Commission members. "This is part of our job, to keep the voter rolls clean," she said. "This is something we're supposed to be doing. The others knew I was doing it." She added that she believed there was a legal difference between making voters inactive and purging them from the books and had requested clarification from Hosemann's office before Wednesday.
Voters may be made inactive if these notification cards are not filled out and returned in 30 days. Inactive voters who do not vote in the two subsequent federal elections are purged from the voter rolls.
"It appears Sue Sautermeister inactivated voters but before sending the required notice to voters," Chaney told the supervisors on Monday. But Sautermeister countered that since the county had never undertaken such an effort before, it was unclear what the correct procedure should be for the county.
"We still don't know how the process works," she said, adding that some commissioners from other counties had told her that voters could be made inactive prior to notification cards being sent.
Westbrook said the commissioners had been collecting returned mail since they took office at the start of 2005 as the first step towards cleaning up the voter rolls.
The words "purged" and "inactive" had been used interchangeably but incorrectly over the past week, according to Westbrook, since purged voters are those who are deceased or those who have felony convictions that forbid them to vote.
Sautermeister said she hoped the situation would raise awareness of the county's ongoing problem with inflated voter rolls. Too many people, she said, are not voting in the correct precincts and should update their voter registration information whenever it is necessary.
Westbrook and Sautermeister differed about the status of Mississippi Third District congressional candidate David Landrum, a Madison County resident, whom Sautermeister made inactive. While Westbrook said she would not have inactivated Landrum and recently personally confirmed that Landrum was a county resident who had recently moved, Sautermeister said her decision was correctly based on pieces of returned mail.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Ross, Harper in Run Off
ClarionLedger.com564 of 565 Precincts Reporting - 99%
GOP
Ross, Charlie 21,999 33%
Harper, Gregg 18,657 28%
Landrum, David 16,831 26%
Rounsaville, John 6,840 10%
Hatcher, Gregory 727 1%
Broadwater, James 420 1%
Marcy, Bill GOP 1%
DEM
Gill, Joel 42,925 53%
Eads, Randy 37,339 47%
GOP
Ross, Charlie 21,999 33%
Harper, Gregg 18,657 28%
Landrum, David 16,831 26%
Rounsaville, John 6,840 10%
Hatcher, Gregory 727 1%
Broadwater, James 420 1%
Marcy, Bill GOP 1%
DEM
Gill, Joel 42,925 53%
Eads, Randy 37,339 47%
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Club for Growth: Ross, Rounsaville, Landrum
Club for Growth - Today's Election in MS-03 - Club members and supporters might be interested in tracking the results of today's GOP primary race in Mississippi's 3rd congressional district. This is an open seat left by the retiring Rep. Chip Pickering. There are seven candidates on the ballot, but here are the serious contenders:
Charlie Ross
John Rounsaville
David Landrum
The winner of this primary will need to get above 50%. Otherwise, he will go into a run-off scheduled for April 1st against the second-place finisher. Election results should be available here and here shortly after the polls close at 8pm EDT.
Charlie Ross
John Rounsaville
David Landrum
The winner of this primary will need to get above 50%. Otherwise, he will go into a run-off scheduled for April 1st against the second-place finisher. Election results should be available here and here shortly after the polls close at 8pm EDT.
The Candidates
WLBT - Crowded 3rd Congressional District Race - Nine men are running for the 3rd District Congressional seat left vacant by Chip Pickering. Seven Republicans and two Democrats are vying for your vote to fill Mississippi's 3rd District Congressional seat. We will start with the Democrats, Randy Eads and Joel Gill.
Eads lives in Starkville and owns a real estate investment company. To promote low unemployment rates and business growth, he would lower taxes for the middle class and introduce legislation requiring a minimum wage increase every two years.
Gill is a Pickens alderman and also works as a cattle broker. He believes illegal immigration is the greatest threat to our country. Gill wants employers who hire undocumented workes should face sizable penalties.
As for the Republicans, James Broadwater stands out from his opponents as the only candidate who wants to do away with the IRS and the income tax. Broadwater lives in Flowood and is a state government employee.
Rankin county attorney Gregg Harper lives in Pearl. He calls illegal immigration the "red meat" issue he will focus on. Harper also pledges to help children with special needs. Gregory Hatcher is a Meridian native. In office he pledges to focus on increased research and development for alternative energy sources.
Hatcher wants to create jobs and build wealth for people in the district. Bill Marcy served as a military police platoon sergeant with the national guard. The Madison resident says national security is his number one priority.
David Landrum has been in the news lately defending his voting record. One of his opponents John Rounsaville accuses landrum of not voting in the last seven years. Landrum says he has voted in the 2003 and 2007 statewide elections. The Air Force and US Army veteran, supports improving pay and benefits for the men and women in the armed forces.
Rounsaville is a Mississippi state graduate and served as Deputy Chief of staff for Congressman Chip Pickering. He then served as a policy advisor for Governor Haley Barbour. Rounsaville believes we need to win the war on terror by supporting our military in Iraq.
Charlie Ross recently ran for the Leuitenant Governor seat. Now the former State Senator from district 20 hopes to make a difference in Congress. The gulf war veteran wants to protect mississippi's military bases and opposes tax increases.
Meridian Star - Candidates face off - James Broadwater: He took the restaurant campaign route Monday, visiting eateries in the Jackson Metro Area such as the Golden Corral in Flowood and AJ's Seafood Grill in Ridgeland. He plans to stay home and await results today.
Randy Eads: On Monday, Eads attended a Barack Obama rally in Columbus and had plans to speak at a Hillary Clinton event in Natchez. Today, he said he will continue to travel the district, campaigning at polling places, and will await election results at his home in Starkville.
Joel Gill: He said he will spend today the same way he spent Monday — traveling the district and dropping in on municipal officials and past supporters, and trying to get his message out to anyone he happens to encounter. On Monday, he also attended a Barack Obama rally in Columbus.
Gregg Harper: He spent the last week on a bus tour of the Third District, visiting almost every county in which he is on the ballot. Today, he plans to campaign by making phone calls, especially in the Rankin County area. He will await election results at the Hilton Hotel on County Line Road in Jackson — a gathering that is open to the public.
Greg Hatcher: He campaigned by making phone calls Monday, and has the same plans for today.
David Landrum: He campaigned around the district Monday, talking to everyone from radio stations to random restaurant patrons to try to drum up more support in the last hours of his campaign. Today, he had plans for an early morning speech to exercising voters at a health club, and will hold public a gathering at the Agriculture Museum on Lakeland Drive in Jackson at 8 p.m. to await election results.
Bill Marcy: He spent Monday trying to talk to as many people as possible by going door-to-door, and put flyers in windshields while he was at it. He plans to do the same thing today, and said he will campaign until the polls close tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Charlie Ross: He campaigned in Meridian Monday, visiting Naval Air Station Meridian and the National Guard Base. Today he will be out and about in the Jackson Metro area, meeting people, visiting restaurants, and his volunteers will be holding up campaign signs. He will await election results from a public gathering at the Sports Hall of Fame on Lakeland Drive in Jackson.
John Rounsaville: He has been traveling the district politicking at restaurants, and plans to go to polling places district-wide today to try and get more votes just moments before voters make up their minds.
Eads lives in Starkville and owns a real estate investment company. To promote low unemployment rates and business growth, he would lower taxes for the middle class and introduce legislation requiring a minimum wage increase every two years.
Gill is a Pickens alderman and also works as a cattle broker. He believes illegal immigration is the greatest threat to our country. Gill wants employers who hire undocumented workes should face sizable penalties.
As for the Republicans, James Broadwater stands out from his opponents as the only candidate who wants to do away with the IRS and the income tax. Broadwater lives in Flowood and is a state government employee.
Rankin county attorney Gregg Harper lives in Pearl. He calls illegal immigration the "red meat" issue he will focus on. Harper also pledges to help children with special needs. Gregory Hatcher is a Meridian native. In office he pledges to focus on increased research and development for alternative energy sources.
Hatcher wants to create jobs and build wealth for people in the district. Bill Marcy served as a military police platoon sergeant with the national guard. The Madison resident says national security is his number one priority.
David Landrum has been in the news lately defending his voting record. One of his opponents John Rounsaville accuses landrum of not voting in the last seven years. Landrum says he has voted in the 2003 and 2007 statewide elections. The Air Force and US Army veteran, supports improving pay and benefits for the men and women in the armed forces.
Rounsaville is a Mississippi state graduate and served as Deputy Chief of staff for Congressman Chip Pickering. He then served as a policy advisor for Governor Haley Barbour. Rounsaville believes we need to win the war on terror by supporting our military in Iraq.
Charlie Ross recently ran for the Leuitenant Governor seat. Now the former State Senator from district 20 hopes to make a difference in Congress. The gulf war veteran wants to protect mississippi's military bases and opposes tax increases.
Meridian Star - Candidates face off - James Broadwater: He took the restaurant campaign route Monday, visiting eateries in the Jackson Metro Area such as the Golden Corral in Flowood and AJ's Seafood Grill in Ridgeland. He plans to stay home and await results today.
Randy Eads: On Monday, Eads attended a Barack Obama rally in Columbus and had plans to speak at a Hillary Clinton event in Natchez. Today, he said he will continue to travel the district, campaigning at polling places, and will await election results at his home in Starkville.
Joel Gill: He said he will spend today the same way he spent Monday — traveling the district and dropping in on municipal officials and past supporters, and trying to get his message out to anyone he happens to encounter. On Monday, he also attended a Barack Obama rally in Columbus.
Gregg Harper: He spent the last week on a bus tour of the Third District, visiting almost every county in which he is on the ballot. Today, he plans to campaign by making phone calls, especially in the Rankin County area. He will await election results at the Hilton Hotel on County Line Road in Jackson — a gathering that is open to the public.
Greg Hatcher: He campaigned by making phone calls Monday, and has the same plans for today.
David Landrum: He campaigned around the district Monday, talking to everyone from radio stations to random restaurant patrons to try to drum up more support in the last hours of his campaign. Today, he had plans for an early morning speech to exercising voters at a health club, and will hold public a gathering at the Agriculture Museum on Lakeland Drive in Jackson at 8 p.m. to await election results.
Bill Marcy: He spent Monday trying to talk to as many people as possible by going door-to-door, and put flyers in windshields while he was at it. He plans to do the same thing today, and said he will campaign until the polls close tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Charlie Ross: He campaigned in Meridian Monday, visiting Naval Air Station Meridian and the National Guard Base. Today he will be out and about in the Jackson Metro area, meeting people, visiting restaurants, and his volunteers will be holding up campaign signs. He will await election results from a public gathering at the Sports Hall of Fame on Lakeland Drive in Jackson.
John Rounsaville: He has been traveling the district politicking at restaurants, and plans to go to polling places district-wide today to try and get more votes just moments before voters make up their minds.
Ross in Meridian
WTOK - Ross Tours Meridian Military Bases - One of the candidates, Charlie Ross, spent Monday in Meridian. He toured both NAS Meridian and the National Guard base. Ross said the military will be high on his agenda if elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. "I wanted to let people know that it is important to me," said Ross. "And if I'm so fortunate to be elected, it will be a major priority keeping the bases here in Meridian. They are economic engines here in the community and they're good for the country." If elected, Ross said he would keep a permanent district office here.
From The Blogs
Jackson Jambalaya - Why should we listen to Mary Hawkins-Butler? - Considering she endorsed and promoted a Democrat in last fall's election, why should Republicans listen to her when it comes to voting in the Republican primary for replacing Chip Pickering tomorrow? [Note: MHB is for DL]
Andy Taggart - Here's my scorecard for tomorrow - Third District GOP Congressional Primary - David Landrum has been in trouble for three weeks, and in freefall for nearly two weeks. The only question I have heard from observers is whether he has fallen far enough to fall all the way out of a run-off. I believe he has. Although I think there could be less than five percentage points distance between the top three vote getters, I think Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross will come out on top and meet again in three weeks.
Marshall Ramsey - Remember to vote - Remember to vote tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow's election is so important, that even David Landrum will vote (sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Andy Taggart - Here's my scorecard for tomorrow - Third District GOP Congressional Primary - David Landrum has been in trouble for three weeks, and in freefall for nearly two weeks. The only question I have heard from observers is whether he has fallen far enough to fall all the way out of a run-off. I believe he has. Although I think there could be less than five percentage points distance between the top three vote getters, I think Gregg Harper and Charlie Ross will come out on top and meet again in three weeks.
Marshall Ramsey - Remember to vote - Remember to vote tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow's election is so important, that even David Landrum will vote (sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Monday, March 10, 2008
Ledger Blogs: Harper, Eads
ClarionLedger.com - Sid Salter Blog - Gregg Harper's ground game is already hard at work - Rankin County attorney Gregg Harper, the Republican 3rd District congressional candidate who has been outspect by David Landrum and Charlie Ross is gaining ground in the waning days of the election. His ground game — a concentrated, organized GOTV effort that Harper has successfully utilized to help other Republicans do well in Rankin County in the past has now been deployed on his behalf. If there is a dark horse on the GOP side of this race, it is Harper. Landruma nd Ross have the clear money lead — outspending Harper by three and two times respectively. But Harper has people networking mightily on his behalf. In a primary, that could be significant.
ClarionLedger.com - Student Blog - Eads....Leads!!! - The third congressional district race will prove to be an exciting contest in the fall; however, if Mississippians want a true Democrat on the ticket (as compared to two Republicans)...there is only one choice: Randy Eads. Eads, unlike his opponent, is a Mississippi native and is well aware of the issues that are impotant to the people of the third district. Randy is a major supporter of all levels of education from early childhood to post graduate college studies. His solutions for our failing system include ending the No Child Left Behind mandate and focusing on recruiting and retaining the best Mississippi teachers available while funneling our investments in high growth sectors of the state. Randy Eads knows the economy. He received a bachelors degree at the University of Tennessee studying the system. Eads supports returning to a system of fiscal responsibility and taking the steps needed to balance the budget. But, if your not voting on the issues and your in favor of change and experiance...Eads would provide both. Eads has triple the education of his rival, twice the experiance, and solutions to every problem faced by Mississippi voters. His opponent only highlights the problems and offers no promise to fellow Mississippians other than to step aside if the voters are not satisfied in two years. Personally, I do not think Mississippi can afford to grant a candidate two years to prove his worth...on Tuesday vote for the candidate that believes in Mississippi...vote for the candidate ready to lead Mississippi...vote Randy Eads for the Third Congressional District...it's common sense for common goals!!!
ClarionLedger.com - Student Blog - Eads....Leads!!! - The third congressional district race will prove to be an exciting contest in the fall; however, if Mississippians want a true Democrat on the ticket (as compared to two Republicans)...there is only one choice: Randy Eads. Eads, unlike his opponent, is a Mississippi native and is well aware of the issues that are impotant to the people of the third district. Randy is a major supporter of all levels of education from early childhood to post graduate college studies. His solutions for our failing system include ending the No Child Left Behind mandate and focusing on recruiting and retaining the best Mississippi teachers available while funneling our investments in high growth sectors of the state. Randy Eads knows the economy. He received a bachelors degree at the University of Tennessee studying the system. Eads supports returning to a system of fiscal responsibility and taking the steps needed to balance the budget. But, if your not voting on the issues and your in favor of change and experiance...Eads would provide both. Eads has triple the education of his rival, twice the experiance, and solutions to every problem faced by Mississippi voters. His opponent only highlights the problems and offers no promise to fellow Mississippians other than to step aside if the voters are not satisfied in two years. Personally, I do not think Mississippi can afford to grant a candidate two years to prove his worth...on Tuesday vote for the candidate that believes in Mississippi...vote for the candidate ready to lead Mississippi...vote Randy Eads for the Third Congressional District...it's common sense for common goals!!!
CQ on Mississippi 3
CQpolitics - Mississippi Primary to Fix GOP Favorites for Open House Seats - A total of seven Republicans will appear on Tuesday’s 3rd District ballot and will likely split the vote to such a degree that a runoff will be required.
David Landrum, a wealthy financial services businessman, is heavily self-financing his campaign. He passed the $1 million mark in total receipts last week when he put more than $500,000 in personal funds into his campaign treasury. Landrum’s big bankroll has enabled him to run a major advertising campaign in the district and increase his name ID. It has also made him a target. Landrum recently was in local headlines over his past political alliances. It was revealed that Landrum donated money during the 2003 race for governor to both Democrat Musgrove, then the incumbent and now Wicker’s Senate challenger, and Republican Barbour, who ended up winning the race. When pressed about how he voted that year, Landrum said he backed Barbour. His campaign then released documentation showing Landrum and his wife’s signatures in the voter sign-in books for that election. Later, Landrum said the signatures were not valid after their authenticity was called into question by the Clarion-Ledger, but Landrum maintains he and his wife did vote in that election.
Landrum is just one of several candidates whom local Republicans say make up the top tier of the field. He is joined by former state Sen. Charlie Ross, who has a statewide profile owing to his unsuccessful 2007 run for lieutenant governor. The Clarion Ledger endorsed Ross over the past weekend, noting his experience in the legislature as well as his military service during the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s. “Ross can be effective on the first day he goes to Washington,” said the endorsement.
Ross and Landrum, though, face strong competition from John Rounsaville, a former state rural development director for the U.S. Deparment of Agriculture and a former aide to both Barbour and Pickering, and Gregg Harper, the former GOP chairman in heavily Republican Rankin County in suburban Jackson.
David Landrum, a wealthy financial services businessman, is heavily self-financing his campaign. He passed the $1 million mark in total receipts last week when he put more than $500,000 in personal funds into his campaign treasury. Landrum’s big bankroll has enabled him to run a major advertising campaign in the district and increase his name ID. It has also made him a target. Landrum recently was in local headlines over his past political alliances. It was revealed that Landrum donated money during the 2003 race for governor to both Democrat Musgrove, then the incumbent and now Wicker’s Senate challenger, and Republican Barbour, who ended up winning the race. When pressed about how he voted that year, Landrum said he backed Barbour. His campaign then released documentation showing Landrum and his wife’s signatures in the voter sign-in books for that election. Later, Landrum said the signatures were not valid after their authenticity was called into question by the Clarion-Ledger, but Landrum maintains he and his wife did vote in that election.
Landrum is just one of several candidates whom local Republicans say make up the top tier of the field. He is joined by former state Sen. Charlie Ross, who has a statewide profile owing to his unsuccessful 2007 run for lieutenant governor. The Clarion Ledger endorsed Ross over the past weekend, noting his experience in the legislature as well as his military service during the Persian Gulf War in the early 1990s. “Ross can be effective on the first day he goes to Washington,” said the endorsement.
Ross and Landrum, though, face strong competition from John Rounsaville, a former state rural development director for the U.S. Deparment of Agriculture and a former aide to both Barbour and Pickering, and Gregg Harper, the former GOP chairman in heavily Republican Rankin County in suburban Jackson.
MagnoliaPoliticos Hits Landrum for RoboCalls
From MagnoliaPoliticos - Magnoliapoliticos@gmail.com announced that the first major YouTube video in Mississippi that looks-professionally produced was released to the American public today. The video was constructed after the Landrum campaign ignored an inquiry for more than 24 hours regarding the legality of their unsolicited blast-phone calls, which never included a disclaimer regarding whom paid or authorized these unwanted political calls. Magnoliapoliticos@gmail.com follows all FEC guidelines. It is exempt from FEC regulation since it is using the power of email, other's blogging abilities, and YouTube on its own free time without the instruction, knowledge, or authorization from any candidate or party including but not limited to their respective committees. This is America, folks, and we are allowed to speak freely. Thank God for our Constitution."
Ross, Rounsaville campaign in Jackson
WLBT - Charlie Ross Campaigns on Horseback - The campaign trail turned into a horse trail for one congressional candidate. In Brandon Saturday morning, Charlie Ross teamed with his wife Sharon and some campaign workers to canvass the Crossgates neighborhood on horseback. Ross is a Republican candidate for the Third Congressional District. Their goal is to meet more constituents and encourage people to vote in the primary on Tuesday. "I'm excited about this election, I hope everyone will go vote. It's so important to vote, it's a privilege, a responsibility, and I just encourage everyone to go vote."
WLBT - Rounsaville Campaign Hits Jackson Area - John Rounsaville supporters visited Capital City voters Saturday. Volunteers carrying yard signs and hangers knocked on doors in Belhaven. Rounsaville is a Republican hoping to fill Chip Pickering's vacant congressional seat. The Mississippi State alum served as a top aide to Governor Haley Barbour and Congressman Chip Pickering. Supporters hope their face to face time with voters will make a difference. Rounsaville volunteer, Brian Berry had this to say: "personal endorsement is the most powerful tool in politics today, and so we're doing that, door to door. We're going up and saying 'Hey, I'm from Belhaven,' and going to my neighbors and saying, 'I'm voting for John Rounsaville, and I hope you do too." Volunteers for Rounsaville are also canvassing neighborhoods today in Meridian and Starkville.
WLBT - Rounsaville Campaign Hits Jackson Area - John Rounsaville supporters visited Capital City voters Saturday. Volunteers carrying yard signs and hangers knocked on doors in Belhaven. Rounsaville is a Republican hoping to fill Chip Pickering's vacant congressional seat. The Mississippi State alum served as a top aide to Governor Haley Barbour and Congressman Chip Pickering. Supporters hope their face to face time with voters will make a difference. Rounsaville volunteer, Brian Berry had this to say: "personal endorsement is the most powerful tool in politics today, and so we're doing that, door to door. We're going up and saying 'Hey, I'm from Belhaven,' and going to my neighbors and saying, 'I'm voting for John Rounsaville, and I hope you do too." Volunteers for Rounsaville are also canvassing neighborhoods today in Meridian and Starkville.
Landrum Self-Contributes Another $15,000
David Landrum self-contributed another $15,000 to his campaign which brings his total self-funding to $545,000.
Jere Nash Blog - Third Congressional District Finances - Once candidates for federal office filed their pre-primary campaign finance reports a couple of weeks ago, they are required to disclose any major contributions within 48 hours to the FEC. Totaling up those 48-hour reports, in the Third District, Charlie Ross has raised $207,346, way ahead of his competitors. Landrum reports $66,300 in recent contributions, while Rounsaville has $54,000 to report and Harper $44,500. On the other hand, Landrum has dumped another $135,000 of his own money into the race, bringing that total to $545,000. And Harper put $20,000 of his own money into the campaign. From looking at all of the reports, it appears that by the end of the primary, Landrum will have spent right at $1 million on the campaign; Ross will have spent almost $700,000; and Harper and Rounsaville will each have spent about a quarter of a million dollars. We'll know by tomorrow night if Harper's political networks can overcome this financial disparity or if Landrum's spending can compensate for all the negative publicity he's received.
Jere Nash Blog - Third Congressional District Finances - Once candidates for federal office filed their pre-primary campaign finance reports a couple of weeks ago, they are required to disclose any major contributions within 48 hours to the FEC. Totaling up those 48-hour reports, in the Third District, Charlie Ross has raised $207,346, way ahead of his competitors. Landrum reports $66,300 in recent contributions, while Rounsaville has $54,000 to report and Harper $44,500. On the other hand, Landrum has dumped another $135,000 of his own money into the race, bringing that total to $545,000. And Harper put $20,000 of his own money into the campaign. From looking at all of the reports, it appears that by the end of the primary, Landrum will have spent right at $1 million on the campaign; Ross will have spent almost $700,000; and Harper and Rounsaville will each have spent about a quarter of a million dollars. We'll know by tomorrow night if Harper's political networks can overcome this financial disparity or if Landrum's spending can compensate for all the negative publicity he's received.
Ledger Online Letters
Rounsaville Best to Represent Third District - Jo McCormick, Newton
David Landrum Is The Right Choice - Chip Estes, Flora
Eads The Man for the Job - E. Patterson, Ellisville
Charlie Ross is the Most Qualified - Barbara Vanlandingham, Caledonia
Rounsaville Right Choice for Congress - Mike Hurst, Madison
David Landrum distorted truth - B.J. Cougle, Starkville
I'm For David Landrum - Kevin Macdonald, Jackson
Landrum Should Come Clean - Mike Hurst, Madison
David Landrum Is The Right Choice - Chip Estes, Flora
Eads The Man for the Job - E. Patterson, Ellisville
Charlie Ross is the Most Qualified - Barbara Vanlandingham, Caledonia
Rounsaville Right Choice for Congress - Mike Hurst, Madison
David Landrum distorted truth - B.J. Cougle, Starkville
I'm For David Landrum - Kevin Macdonald, Jackson
Landrum Should Come Clean - Mike Hurst, Madison
Ledger Endorses Ross
Clarion Ledger - Endorsement: Ross - In the 3rd Congressional District, Pickens alderman and businessman Joel Gill is the best choice in the Democratic primary. He enunciates a clear vision that has resonated across the expansive district and has run the most credible, active campaign.
In the Republican primary in the 3rd District, former state Sen. Charlie Ross of Brandon has emerged from a strong field of candidates as the most experienced legislator and the candidate who offers the very credible ability to hit the ground running in representing the 3rd District's interests. On balance, Ross outpaces the GOP field in offering maturity, experience and a record of solid accomplishment in the Legislature.
Ross served in Desert Storm and understands perhaps better than any Republican candidate in the 3rd District race the challenges the nation faces in the wars on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. That experience uniquely qualifies him to carry on legendary U.S. Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery's service to America's veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists.
Ross can be effective on the first day he goes to Washington.
Clarion Ledger - Letter to the Editor - Ross will quickly get job done in Congress - We have a critical national office to fill and we can't afford to send an inexperienced person to represent Mississippi. This office is a two-year term that will require over a year for an inexperienced individual to become effective with his duties. Soon after he really gets indoctrinated, he has to plan and work and speak to assure his election for another two years. If we elect Charlie Ross, we will have a U.S. representative who will know immediately how to get the necessary programs done. He has proven this by his successful work done on tort reform. Our state has begun to see the results of what we are receiving from passage of this important legislation. Industries have started to consider and are coming to our state. This means more and better paying jobs for our people. The medical profession is no longer leaving our state or considering early retirement. We have the "castle doctrine" which helps us protect our homes. We can thank Charlie for this. We need a representative to work for our military. Who is better qualified for this job than a graduate from the Air Force Academy plus active duty with the Air Force in North Dakota? Then he flew C-141 Aircraft with the Mississippi Air National Guard in the Desert Storm conflict. Think of the contacts with important people that he has known at the Air Force Academy and the regular Air Force. He has also made important friends while receiving his law degree from Harvard Law School. Charlie had a lot to do to get and expedite the four-lane highway over the Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway plus many other accomplishments while in the Mississippi House and Senate. I will admit that he has good people running against him, but none can get started as soon as he arrives in Washington like Charlie. He knows how the political world works and how to get results. - Howard Richardson, Brandon
In the Republican primary in the 3rd District, former state Sen. Charlie Ross of Brandon has emerged from a strong field of candidates as the most experienced legislator and the candidate who offers the very credible ability to hit the ground running in representing the 3rd District's interests. On balance, Ross outpaces the GOP field in offering maturity, experience and a record of solid accomplishment in the Legislature.
Ross served in Desert Storm and understands perhaps better than any Republican candidate in the 3rd District race the challenges the nation faces in the wars on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. That experience uniquely qualifies him to carry on legendary U.S. Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery's service to America's veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists.
Ross can be effective on the first day he goes to Washington.
Clarion Ledger - Letter to the Editor - Ross will quickly get job done in Congress - We have a critical national office to fill and we can't afford to send an inexperienced person to represent Mississippi. This office is a two-year term that will require over a year for an inexperienced individual to become effective with his duties. Soon after he really gets indoctrinated, he has to plan and work and speak to assure his election for another two years. If we elect Charlie Ross, we will have a U.S. representative who will know immediately how to get the necessary programs done. He has proven this by his successful work done on tort reform. Our state has begun to see the results of what we are receiving from passage of this important legislation. Industries have started to consider and are coming to our state. This means more and better paying jobs for our people. The medical profession is no longer leaving our state or considering early retirement. We have the "castle doctrine" which helps us protect our homes. We can thank Charlie for this. We need a representative to work for our military. Who is better qualified for this job than a graduate from the Air Force Academy plus active duty with the Air Force in North Dakota? Then he flew C-141 Aircraft with the Mississippi Air National Guard in the Desert Storm conflict. Think of the contacts with important people that he has known at the Air Force Academy and the regular Air Force. He has also made important friends while receiving his law degree from Harvard Law School. Charlie had a lot to do to get and expedite the four-lane highway over the Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway plus many other accomplishments while in the Mississippi House and Senate. I will admit that he has good people running against him, but none can get started as soon as he arrives in Washington like Charlie. He knows how the political world works and how to get results. - Howard Richardson, Brandon
Saturday, March 8, 2008
My Analysis of David Landrum's Vote*
My Analysis of David Landrum's Vote*
1) John Rounsaville produced evidence indicating David Landrum had not voted after the 2000 general election or before the 2007 general election. Now the burden of proof is on David Landrum.
2) David Landrum produced records he said showed he attempted to cast a ballot in the 2003 primary and general by affidavit. After a Clarion Ledger investigation, it was found those were not his signatures, something David Landrum eventually admitted. So he has no proof he attempted to vote.
3) John Rounsaville's campaign further demonstrated that David Landrum was not registered to vote in Hinds County in 2003. So even if he had tried to cast a ballot (which he could not prove even that) it would not have been accepted. He could not, thus he did not, vote.
4) David Landrum next claimed someone stole his ballot and pointed to Pete Perry, John Rounsaville's treasurer, as someone who was in the record room. However, Pete Perry went to the records room in response to the Landrum Campaign's release of their now admitted false proof. Perry went to verify the documents Landrum released. That means the Landrum Campaign was in the record room first. The Landrum Campaign removed records and copied them. If absentee ballots are missing (ballots which would prove the signatures on the sign-in were not David Landrum's signatures), then perhaps as the first ones in the room, the Landrum Campaign "misplaced" them.
5) But the key here is, how do we know ballots are missing? We know because there are fewer ballots in the box than names on the sign-in sheet. But the Landrum Campaign has acknowledged none of the signatures on the sign-in sheet belong to David Landrum. Therefore, if no ballots were missing, if all the ballots were there, if there was a ballot for every signature...there would still be no ballot belonging to David Landrum, because he has no signature on the roll for such a ballot to correspond to.
Conclusion: In the final analysis, there is evidence David Landrum did not vote. There is no evidence he did vote. There is no evidence stolen or missing that could show he voted, because that evidence (the voter roll) is still in the record room and it still says, David Landrum did not vote.
(*Thanks for the emails pro and con that helped to make this case.)
1) John Rounsaville produced evidence indicating David Landrum had not voted after the 2000 general election or before the 2007 general election. Now the burden of proof is on David Landrum.
2) David Landrum produced records he said showed he attempted to cast a ballot in the 2003 primary and general by affidavit. After a Clarion Ledger investigation, it was found those were not his signatures, something David Landrum eventually admitted. So he has no proof he attempted to vote.
3) John Rounsaville's campaign further demonstrated that David Landrum was not registered to vote in Hinds County in 2003. So even if he had tried to cast a ballot (which he could not prove even that) it would not have been accepted. He could not, thus he did not, vote.
4) David Landrum next claimed someone stole his ballot and pointed to Pete Perry, John Rounsaville's treasurer, as someone who was in the record room. However, Pete Perry went to the records room in response to the Landrum Campaign's release of their now admitted false proof. Perry went to verify the documents Landrum released. That means the Landrum Campaign was in the record room first. The Landrum Campaign removed records and copied them. If absentee ballots are missing (ballots which would prove the signatures on the sign-in were not David Landrum's signatures), then perhaps as the first ones in the room, the Landrum Campaign "misplaced" them.
5) But the key here is, how do we know ballots are missing? We know because there are fewer ballots in the box than names on the sign-in sheet. But the Landrum Campaign has acknowledged none of the signatures on the sign-in sheet belong to David Landrum. Therefore, if no ballots were missing, if all the ballots were there, if there was a ballot for every signature...there would still be no ballot belonging to David Landrum, because he has no signature on the roll for such a ballot to correspond to.
Conclusion: In the final analysis, there is evidence David Landrum did not vote. There is no evidence he did vote. There is no evidence stolen or missing that could show he voted, because that evidence (the voter roll) is still in the record room and it still says, David Landrum did not vote.
(*Thanks for the emails pro and con that helped to make this case.)
Nash on Landrum
ClarionLedger.com - Jere Nash - David Landrum & Politicians - Well, there he was again today. David Landrum. On the front page of the Clarion-Ledger. Declaring to all the world that he was “not a politician.” This has been a theme of Landrum’s throughout the campaign – denigrating the very profession he’s trying to join. If David Landrum were in medical school, he’d be saying, “I’m here, but I’m not a doctor.” By definition, those who seek public office are politicians. Can you imagine Landrum walking up to Haley Barbour, sticking out his hand, and saying, “Hi. I’m David Landrum. I’m a candidate for Congress. But I’m not a politician.” Say what you want to about Haley Barbour’s choice of party or his positions on the public policy issues of the day, you have to admire his ability to practice the profession of politics. The irony, of course, is that the way in which Landrum has handled his contribution to Ronnie Musgrove or his prior voting record is just the way a David Landrum caricature of a “politician” would act. A real politician knows that the only currency that matters is honesty.
Rounsaville Campaigns in Meridian
WTOK - Rounsaville Campaigns in Meridian - An important congressional race is on the ballot in Mississippi's third district. John Rounsaville, a former aide to Cong. Chip Pickering, visited Friday, at Jean's restaurant in downtown Meridian.
"What I'm sharing with voters across the district, with Congressman Pickering, and also as policy advisor to Governor Barbour, I spent the last ten years serving this district and Lauderdale County," said Rounsaville. "That's the message I'm getting out to voters, is experience. "
"What I'm sharing with voters across the district, with Congressman Pickering, and also as policy advisor to Governor Barbour, I spent the last ten years serving this district and Lauderdale County," said Rounsaville. "That's the message I'm getting out to voters, is experience. "
Ledger: Barbour attacks Landrum
Clarion Ledger - Neutral no more: GOP attacks one of its own - Landrum trying to divert attention, RNC rep says of voting flap - On Friday, Mississippi's representative to the Republican National Committee, Henry Barbour — who had been neutral in the race - opened fire on fundraising frontrunner David Landrum after Landrum suggested a long-time GOP worker may have stolen Landrum's affidavit ballot in the 2003 Republican primary in Hinds County.
In an e-mail to Republicans, Barbour accused Landrum of "attacking the 'foot soldiers' of the party in an effort to move the focus off of him. ... If he makes the runoff, I would not be surprised to see him effectively try to purchase our nomination. I hope y'all will join me in working to make sure that does not happen."
Landrum - who has raised nearly $1 million, much of it his own money - responded Friday: "I grew up in Jones County, where I learned to stand up for myself. And that is what I'm going to do. I am not a politician, but I understand that Republicans are going to support different candidates in this race, but I believe this has gone to a new low."
The brouhaha began a few weeks back when fellow candidate John Rounsaville said Landrum hadn't voted in seven years. Landrum responded he and his wife, Jill, had voted for Gov. Haley Barbour in every election they could since 2003 and pointed to signatures in the Hinds County voters register as proof. But The Clarion-Ledger discovered two signatures he said were his wife's actually belonged to other people.
Two days later, Landrum's campaign said none of the signatures belonged to the couple and that the news release was sent out "without David's knowledge and approval. It never occurred to either David or Jill to verify the signatures. David accepts responsibility for an honest mistake."
Landrum and his wife have said they voted by affidavit ballot in 2003 in Hinds County in both the Republican primary and general election. Some of the affidavit ballots are missing from the August 2003 primary for Precinct 78, and Landrum insists the couple's votes are among those missing. But Hinds County election officials say anyone who votes must sign the voter register. And no signatures appear to match Landrum's or his wife's.
Landrum's campaign raised questions about the possibility of tampering by releasing an affidavit from Pat Wilson, a machine specialist working with the Hinds County Election Commission. Wilson said Pete Perry, treasurer for the congressional campaign for John Rounsaville, was in the room by himself for more than an hour with 2003 Republican primary election records. After Perry left, Wilson said he noticed three boxes containing the records "were not located where they had been neatly stacked, and they could not be easily located because they were mixed in with many other boxes in the room containing other election records." Perry said Friday he was alone with the records for maybe 10 minutes and was joined by David Ross, son of candidate Charlie Ross, in examining 2003 election records. They found no evidence the couple had voted, Perry said. He acknowledged he didn't restack the boxes as they were before because "they didn't seem to be in any particular order" but denied taking any documents. The handful of affidavit ballots missing now were missing then, he said.
What happened in Madison County to Landrum and his wife could soon be part of the Justice Department investigation. An election commissioner moved more than 10,000 names from the voting rolls from active to inactive, including those of Landrum and his wife.
Jim Herring, chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, said his role is to not get involved in the primary: "I always take serious Reagan's 11th commandment: Thou shall not speak ill of a fellow Republican." As for the purging, Herring said, "We're not going to know all the answers before the March 11 primary, but sooner or later the facts will come out as to who did what." He called the race so far "a black eye for the party." Instead of focusing on real issues, the campaign has deteriorated, he said. "I think it's a legitimate issue whether a person voted in the past. The whole thing has become an unfortunate episode that damages the party. Our goal is to elect somebody who will win the war, restore the economy for the benefit of our people and preserve the values that Republicans stand for."
In an e-mail to Republicans, Barbour accused Landrum of "attacking the 'foot soldiers' of the party in an effort to move the focus off of him. ... If he makes the runoff, I would not be surprised to see him effectively try to purchase our nomination. I hope y'all will join me in working to make sure that does not happen."
Landrum - who has raised nearly $1 million, much of it his own money - responded Friday: "I grew up in Jones County, where I learned to stand up for myself. And that is what I'm going to do. I am not a politician, but I understand that Republicans are going to support different candidates in this race, but I believe this has gone to a new low."
The brouhaha began a few weeks back when fellow candidate John Rounsaville said Landrum hadn't voted in seven years. Landrum responded he and his wife, Jill, had voted for Gov. Haley Barbour in every election they could since 2003 and pointed to signatures in the Hinds County voters register as proof. But The Clarion-Ledger discovered two signatures he said were his wife's actually belonged to other people.
Two days later, Landrum's campaign said none of the signatures belonged to the couple and that the news release was sent out "without David's knowledge and approval. It never occurred to either David or Jill to verify the signatures. David accepts responsibility for an honest mistake."
Landrum and his wife have said they voted by affidavit ballot in 2003 in Hinds County in both the Republican primary and general election. Some of the affidavit ballots are missing from the August 2003 primary for Precinct 78, and Landrum insists the couple's votes are among those missing. But Hinds County election officials say anyone who votes must sign the voter register. And no signatures appear to match Landrum's or his wife's.
Landrum's campaign raised questions about the possibility of tampering by releasing an affidavit from Pat Wilson, a machine specialist working with the Hinds County Election Commission. Wilson said Pete Perry, treasurer for the congressional campaign for John Rounsaville, was in the room by himself for more than an hour with 2003 Republican primary election records. After Perry left, Wilson said he noticed three boxes containing the records "were not located where they had been neatly stacked, and they could not be easily located because they were mixed in with many other boxes in the room containing other election records." Perry said Friday he was alone with the records for maybe 10 minutes and was joined by David Ross, son of candidate Charlie Ross, in examining 2003 election records. They found no evidence the couple had voted, Perry said. He acknowledged he didn't restack the boxes as they were before because "they didn't seem to be in any particular order" but denied taking any documents. The handful of affidavit ballots missing now were missing then, he said.
What happened in Madison County to Landrum and his wife could soon be part of the Justice Department investigation. An election commissioner moved more than 10,000 names from the voting rolls from active to inactive, including those of Landrum and his wife.
Jim Herring, chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party, said his role is to not get involved in the primary: "I always take serious Reagan's 11th commandment: Thou shall not speak ill of a fellow Republican." As for the purging, Herring said, "We're not going to know all the answers before the March 11 primary, but sooner or later the facts will come out as to who did what." He called the race so far "a black eye for the party." Instead of focusing on real issues, the campaign has deteriorated, he said. "I think it's a legitimate issue whether a person voted in the past. The whole thing has become an unfortunate episode that damages the party. Our goal is to elect somebody who will win the war, restore the economy for the benefit of our people and preserve the values that Republicans stand for."
Landrum Attacks Ross, Rounsaville in TV spot
So much for running a positivie campaign. David Landrum proves he is a politician. Now we know where his latest $60,000 self-contribution went.
Last week Jill Landrum said in a campaign email: "I am amazed at how many people have offered me 'dirt' and I mean REAL DIRT on our opponents. I can tell you this… I would rather lose with character than win through mud slinging and playing dirty political tricks."
Last week Jill Landrum said in a campaign email: "I am amazed at how many people have offered me 'dirt' and I mean REAL DIRT on our opponents. I can tell you this… I would rather lose with character than win through mud slinging and playing dirty political tricks."
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