Posted on 12/01/2007 4:56:42 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
The latest word out of the Magnolia State is that Gov. Haley Barbour (R) is likely to pick either US Rep. Chip Pickering (R) or US Rep. Roger Wicker (R) to succeed Minority Whip Trent Lott (R) as the next US Senator from Mississippi. On the Democratic side, the scuttlebutt is that former Attorney General Mike Moore, probably the most electable politico among the state’s beleaguered Democrats, has decided that he will run, setting up what is likely to be a fierce, well-funded competition that is sure to receive national attention.
Whether Barbour will choose Pickering or Wicker is still not known, but the governor is a pragmatic politician. “The only criteria for the appointment is the person who can beat Mike Moore,” says a Jackson insider. In this regard, both Pickering and Wicker have plusses and minuses.
(Excerpt) Read more at southernpoliticalreport.com ...
There is word that Charles Pickering, Sr. will be appointed, but not seek a full term.
Desoto county would put Wicker over the top in 2008. Merle Flowers for his seat.
“. . .the person that can beat Mike Moore.”
If not, we will have a Michael Moore in the Senate? Say it ain’t so Clintonfatiques, say it ain’t so.
Someone please explain to me why Lott is leaving.
I want Pickering.
Because he’s useless, that’s why.
Someone please explain to me the real reasons why Lott is leaving.
That's a good question as to why Lott is suddenly "retiring" AFTER winning re-election. I thought Lott decided to stay put after he got the Minority Whip post and was able to make a "comeback" to leadership position. Seems to me he was aiming to get back his old post as Senate Republican Leader in a few years.
Reminds me of the rumors that Bob Kerrey was going to seek his old Senate seat back, even though Kerrey had the option to run for re-election before and said at the time that he wasn't interested and was retiring. That turned out to be true, Kerrey was lobbied to return to the Senate this year and told them no.
As for Lott's seat, Barbour should just appoint Pickering Sr. to thumb his nose at all the RATs who blocked his nomination for judge. The question is, is Pickering Jr. up to running for his dad's seat?
Here is hoping the Senate is graced with a more conservative Senator than Trent Lott. I’d like to see Pickering on the bench, I must say. But if he is to be in the Senate, that’ll be a good second choice.
I hope it will be Pickering.
We have found out about that toupee.
The District 3 Congressman, who is my Congressman, is
Charles Pickering, Jr., not Sr.
Mississippi ping!
Personally, I think it would be great for Pickering Sr. to be appointed until the election of a new Senator.
The very thought of that makes me smile. ;o)
Chip can, then, run to replace his daddy.
As soon as we find out, we’ll let you know.
He’s my mother’s Representative, too.
Appointing Chip’s daddy would be great considering the way he was treated by the Senate.
Good luck. Majority Leader is a position representing the majority party members in the Senate. Trent Lott almost always voted as a conservative. But he had to moderate his views when speaking for the Senate Republicans as a whole. It was much better to have a conservative as Majority Leader. However, for that person, it was a thankless job.
Except Chip already declared that he would not seek reelection for the House because he wants to be able to spend more time with his family. Why would anyone want to subject his family to a lifetime of DC politics?
I’m not one of his constituents, but he mentioned something about Ecclesiastes and family when he announced that he would be announcing his retirement by the end of the year. His heart is no longer in it. That’s my guess.
Senate seat is a big temptation. I wouldn’t be surprised if they dangle this in front of Chip.
Chip was one of 15 republicans who flaked out on a spending thing. (Was posted at NRO.)
Nobody’s perfect. Lott was good overall (though he was much better 30 years ago when he was a bomb-throwing back bencher minority w Kemp and Gingrich), but Chip should be better.
Why would someone be appointed that wasn’t going to run? The whole advantage of having a GOP governor and appointing someone is so that they have an advantage in the special election.
Yes, I said he should appoint SR., not Jr. to the seat temproarily. And then I asked whether freepers think Chip Pickering Jr. is prepared to run a statewide race to be elected statewide to that seat after his dad’s term expires.
The current theory is that he wants ot before the rule changes on being able to lobby after leaving the Senate.
I heard a really funny scenario today.
Haley would appoint Bennie Thompson, who could never win in Nov in a state wide race against a strong Rep - either Pickering or Wicker. Then hopefully, MS would no longer have Thompson and his seat in congress would also be filled/won by a Rep.
Of course, it is not plausible but what a funny thought!
LOL!
What a great idea!
With Lott and Thompson gone, that would be killing two birds with one stone.
I bet that’s a plan that WKB could get behind. ;o)
My heart pounds just at the thought of getting
rid of Bennie. But I figure he will be there
when he is 90 just R Byrd.
Two other thoughts:
1. I'll be surprised if Mike Moore runs. He and Scruggs were tight, and it was Moore who set Scruggs up with all that tobacco litigation money.
2. I hope I'm wrong, but I have a gut feeling that Trent's abrubt resignation and Scruggs' indictment two days later were not unrelated.
I figured that possiblility would get you all aflutter. ;o)
I hope he’s not there when he’s Byrd’s age.
That’s too old, I don’t care who you are!
Unless your last name is “Thurmond.”
I’ve heard it’s because if he resigns now, he only must wait one year before becoming a lobbyist. The rules change in January and he’ll have to wait 2 years before being able to lobby. It’s about the money, connections and power.
That would be wonderful. I love the Pickerings.
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