To Ronnie Musgrove...may the road rise to meet you.

His father died when he was seven years old. He was raised by his mother, alone. Went to a community college before getting his law degree from Ole Miss.

He gave me hope, as a divorced parent raising a son alone. My son could be governor if Musgrove could be. If my son achieves a tenth of what Musgrove has, I would be VERY proud.

He was a good governor...a hard worker who got up every morning at 4 AM and worked until midnight...every night. He truly cared about our state.

The Bush economy screwed him. Having an RNC conservative challenge him to a conservative pissing contest screwed him. What could he have done to recover?

He put education first in our state. He signed into law the bill that created Mississippi's first WOMEN'S COMMISSION! We are losing a good governor. We are losing a governor who really cared about our state. Those of you who call him Republican Lite be damned.

He might not have been YOUR ideal version of a liberal Democrat, but those of us who worked with him loved him...still do.

Here here to Ronnie Musgrove. We'll miss you. :loveya:

:( Sorry to hear that but he seems like he was a good guy.

I am speechless right now. Thanks, though.

Jill

I may be far left as they get but I do know those more moderate types can be good people. I remember when I lost my senator Chuck Robb a few years ago, sigh :( he may have been more centrist than most dems and I think would have supported the war but he was a fine man, and I liked him. I like you am a Southerner although not as deep south, so from one to another, I give my regrets and a hope for the best.

Thanks for your kind words. Sorry I can't say much right now.

Words are hard to put I know. Its tough to lose an important figure. sigh.

I believe this is the KEY to reclaiming the conversation:

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff.shtml

They are scum, but they're better at sculpting a message and words, whether we agree with that message or not.

Meanwhile, we're all over the place.

Who respects real fiscal discipline, creates jobs and respects the values of his constituency, while at the same time not playing the politics of divide and conquer so commonly used by Ross Barnett and Kirk Fordice.

I'm not even certain that his political career is over either (run against Lott?), although he may need to step away for a couple of years.

For some reason, people who hate Musgrove love Moore and rumor has it that Moore will challenge Lott next year.

He will have a lucrative law practice...look at what Winter has done since leaving office.

I think he will go the way of Ronnie Shows and invest his time in private pursuits. He will probably remarry. You know, his divorce was played upon by the moralistic Repubs, also.

Whatever he does, I will support him.

We went through the same thing last year here in Alabama. And while I liked and worked for the Republican governor's progressive tax reform plan, which I thought would have been a huge step in the right direction for my state, I still would much rather have Siegelman, or most any Democrat, in the governor's mansion. Keep up the fight, we will get through this madness together!

I'd say Riley > Miller.

he staked his whole reputation on that tax plan. Sadly, it appears he set himself up to be defeated by the godchristjesusmongering Moore. I still don't think Moore is as bad as Barbour.

And remember, we have Barbour AND Tuck. Someone dig a grave for me now.

I'm hoping he gets nailed to the cross, but paradoxically, that would probably help his chances of getting elected senator or governor. Damn it all to hell. Why are people so damn stupid?

Ronnie Musgrove while probably a good governor, was simply another example of a democrat that has not yet fully understood that the future of american politics REQUIRES that party concensus and party loyalty take precedent over regional social appeal. Republicans have used this understanding to produce extremely effective tactics and election campaigns. Ronnie Musgrove was determined to run as a conservative "independent" democrat. As such, he would allow NO national democratic figures to campaign on his behalf. Ronnie Musgrove is a Democrat. Democrats belong to the Democratic Party. It would seem that within this huge group of people and resources, that Mr. Musgrove would have been able to find "acceptable" assistance in solidifying his base in hopes of a very generous voter turn-out. However he failed to do this. ANY democrat that fails to do this will LOSE. Republicans understand that in order to win elections, they need give their constituents a very simple choice. This choice relates little to geography, a candidate's history, or even the campaign issues. It simply comes down to this. " Are you a loyal Republican PARTY member? " This is by far more important in an election than the issues. If you disagree, simply do a study of the most recent elections held that featured multiple Republican candidates vs a viable Democratic challenger. The staunchest conservative Republican would vote for moderate to liberal (terminator) Republican in a critical election before giving that vote to a staunchly conservative Democrat. This is simply done "For the Good of the (Republican) Party." They look at local or state elections in terms of "A Big Picture". They create a goal, focus on that goal, and forward their agenda. Their "messenger" is irrelevant as long as the agenda moves forward. Simple yet effective. Democrats are the party of inclusion. This means that under our tent, "every voice must be heard".This fact while idealistic and preferrable removes the type of party concensus that creates the type of loyalty that is displayed by the GOP. These "voices" MUST learn when to speak as one voice as a means of survival. Once "IT" has spoken, the groundwork is laid for individual voice possibilities. The GOP thrives on networking and party loyalty. The issues and personalities take a back seat to the agenda. Good people like Ronnie Musgrove and his constituents must understand this. In the upcoming national election of 2004, this understanding and it's related strategies will determine the next presidency, administration, and social direction of OUR nation. (In my opinion.)

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Smells like tuna. ;-)

This is a perfect example of why MY DEMOCRATIC PARTY stands where it does.

We are simply the best at attacking each other. By the way, sorry about the misspelling of Mr. Musgrove's name.

Too many "voices" to hear the "voice".

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And I was following Miss. what happened with the Delta vote. And are there any BBV issues that you feel could of hurt Ronnie.

thanks in advance.

so people had to use paper ballots. Waiting in line as late as 9:00 CT.

Also, in another area, the machines broke down and voters were turned away and told to come back later when they could get some paper ballots.

There were lots of problems here.

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to face reality. Here it is, another goddamn sacrifice to the confederate flag. If they hadn't forced Musgrove to act and try to change it, he would have been easily re-elected. That disaster doomed any chance at a second term. That's what happens when you piss off the rural vote in southern states.

And we've still got the same damn flag.

Sigh...think I'll work in the garden today.

I heard the news this morning. I'm from Al. originally and I know your state well. I think the impoverished people in your state will truly catch hell with Barbor in office. Good luck down there.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
- Lord of the Rings J.R.R.Tolkien-

Winter, he has been the most consistent supporter of public education in Mississippi history. He took on the flag issue when it was dumped squarely in his lap by the Mississippi Supreme Court. He was a compassionate person.

He fought Bush, Cheney and Guiliani in his governor's race. Who could the Democrats send to help him? Clinton? Clinton is hated in this state, for some reason.

He had no choice but to run the race on his own.

Now, we have Haley.

2000 Bush 60% Gore 40%
1996 Dole 49% Clinton 44


http://www.uselectionatlas.org./USPRESIDENT/frametextj.html