U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran “accepted” his party’s nomination, and Travis Childers argued that he’s the better choice this November during their speeches at last week’s Neshoba County Fair.
Sen. Cochran visits with Sheriff Greg Pollan at the Salter-Denley cabin.
Calhoun Countians will choose between Cochran and Childers in the Nov. 4 general election, although Tea party candidate, state Sen. Chris McDaniel, has yet to concede his Primary defeat to Cochran and has filed an official challenge with the Republican Party Monday afternoon that is expected to eventually land in court.
Cochran made no reference to the ugly primary race, which he won in a runoff by 7,667, during his Fair speech except to say there were a few ads he didn’t care for.
“If you’ve been near a television set, you might have heard or seen some things about me,” Cochran said. “Some of the pictures I saw even made me look a little bit older than I thought I was. But I’m not bothered by it — not too much.”
Many were anticipating a large contingency of McDaniel supporters to be present on Founders Square to heckle Cochran during his Neshoba County speech, but all that was visible were a few signs reading “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) and “Betrayed” and a few individuals with red duct tape over their mouths.
“I will continue to represent all Mississippians, in every part of this state, no matter your skin color or how much money you have,” Cochran said to a large crowd filling the historic square.
Childers didn’t reference McDaniel by name, but noted the ugliness of the Republican Primary and the amount of out-of-state money spent on it.
“Folks, this seat belongs to you, to the people of the state of Mississippi,” Childers said. “It doesn’t belong to one person. It doesn’t belong to one party or one political machine or one special interest group.”
Childers even reached out to Tea party supporters by taking up one of their key arguments.
“The tea party says we cannot sustain $17 trillion in debt,” Childers said. “They’re right. I pledge to vote for a balanced budget amendment.”
Cochran said he understands the frustration with Washington and vowed to help cut federal spending, but also noted if re-elected he is scheduled to become chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee if the GOP can regain a majority.
Travis Childers visits with Journal Publisher Joel McNeece at the Neshoba County Fair.
“That will allow me to do more for Mississippi,” Cochran said.
Regarding his age, Cochran compared himself to a past Neshoba County Fair speaker faced with the same questions who went on to find success.
“I think Ronald Reagan turned out to be a pretty good president,” Cochran said.
Childers didn’t focus on Cochran’s age or the “ugly issues” of the Republican primary, condemning the insults slung at Cochran.
“I’m just as ready to see this ugly primary behind us as you are,” he said. “This race should have always been about issues. It never should have been allowed to drag family members and friends into the election when they’re not on the ballot, and it should never have hurt innocent people.”
Cochran told the crowd he would do all he could to repeal Obamacare, while Childers said the state should expand Medicaid under Obamacare to cover the approximate 300,000 uninsured Mississippians.
Childers also voiced his support for a minimum wage increase and equal pay for women.
“No Mississippi family should just have to get by,” Childers said. “They should be getting ahead.”
Childers also said he has accepted an offer from Ole Miss to debate Cochran on the issues. Cochran has thus far declined.
Bryant downplays Republican divide
Gov. Phil Bryant met with the media in his annual Fair press conference inside the Calhoun County Journal’s home cabin (Salter-Denley #16).
There, Bryant downplayed the divide in the Republican party stemming from the Cochran-McDaniel primary.
Gov. Phil Bryant held his annual press conference in the Salter-Denley cabin. AP Photo
“I guess I’ve been around this party long enough to realize this is not a crisis,” Bryant said.
Bryant said he had reached out to McDaniel to try and make amends, but that McDaniel hadn’t reciprocated.
Most of Bryant’s focus during his time at the Neshoba County Fair was on economic development issues and immigration reform.
Bryant said he had spoken to Texas Gov. Rick Perry about Mississippi providing assistance in securing their border, but Gov. Perry said that wasn’t necessary.
“I know it seems a little radical that the Mississippi National Guard” would be sent to Texas to help secure the border, but he told Gov. Perry he wanted to help if needed.
Bryant opened his remarks by saying Area Development Magazine listed Mississippi as one of 20 states to receive the Silver Shovel award.
“We did it because we broke more ground than almost any other state in the nation,” he said.
Bryant said he takes great pride in the silver shovels he’s received, but wants one of the “Gold Shovels” before he leaves office.
Bryant admitted the unemployment rate remains higher than his stated goal, but reiterated his commitment to get a job for every Mississippian.
“I want every Mississippian who wants a job to have one,” he said. “Even if they don’t want a job, I want them to have one.”
Reeves defines ‘Tater Tots’
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves spoke the day before Gov. Bryant and proclaimed next legislative session, which falls during an election year, he would lobby for a tax cut for all Mississippians.
He also outlined what makes people a “Tater Tot” – the term he now endorses for his supporters – making Mississippi the safest place in America for the unborn, a balanced state budget, protecting Second Amendment rights, expanding charter schools, and restoring prayer in all schools.
“These are the conservative principles Tater Tots believe,” Reeves said. “And if you believe these things, you just might be a Tater Tot, too.”
Reeves also acknowledged some in the Republican Party would like to see him be challenged next election.
“In every political campaign I’ve had, I’ve run against the powers that be and their chosen candidate,” Reeves said. “And let’s face it – in every battle in the Legislature, I have been in the middle of the fight. I have never been the favorite of the political elite, but the voters seem to be OK with that. You may not always agree with the stands I take, but you will never wonder where I stand.”
Hood endorses Travis Childers
Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood admonished the “dirty politics” of the Republican Primary.
“We need a higher level of political discourse in this state,” Hood said.
Hood said Mississippi’s politicians should act like “gentlemen and gentleladies” and urged voters to “take a look at my friend Travis Childers” in the Senate race.
Hood said he would like to see state politics return to a more moderate approach.
Winter lobbies for education funding
Former Gov. William Winter spoke at the Neshoba County Fair for the 26th time last Thursday and a large crowd acknowledged him with a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks.
The 91-year-old Winter said that in the last 60 years there has been a real difference in the state.
“We have come further than any other state, but we still have a ways to go because we were so far back,” Winter said.
Winter threw his support behind efforts to support a ballot initiative next year to require full funding of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, a formula used to fund public education in the state. Also, Winter, who was governor when the state passed education reforms in the 1980s, said he hopes a pilot pre-kindergarten program will lead to a statewide pre-k in Mississippi.
“It is a proven way to prevent dropouts,” Winter said.