Two New from NRSC

Devastate



Ronnie Musgrove Day

Kitchens: Pain and Suffering Caps "Unfair"

Let there be no doubt, Jim Kitchens is a trial lawyer. He served on the American Trial Lawyers Association Board of Governors for 17 years. He served on their Executive Committee. Trial lawyers all over the county know he will be on their side if he gets on the Supreme Court.

Jim Kitchens believes the medical malpractice reform the legislature passed in Mississippi is unfair. How do we know? He said so.

Jim Kitchens, a trial lawyer in Jackson, warned the committee that tampering with contingency fees charged by lawyers would ultimately hurt poor clients who couldn't afford to hire attorneys on an hourly basis. And, he said, capping how much a victim could collect for pain and suffering was unfair. - Commercial Appeal (June 21, 2002)

Tupelo Daily Journal Endorses Wicker

Today the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal endorsed Cochran, Wicker, Childers.

Wicker for Senate – Wicker, like Cochran, has proven that he understands the importance of securing federal discretionary spending producing jobs and prosperity that otherwise would go elsewhere. Some call it pork; we call it investment. He was an effective 1st District congressman who has stayed in close touch with his constituents and deserves a chance to prove he can carry that effectiveness into the Senate over the better part of a full term. Given the likely strengthened Democratic majority in the Senate, that may require a less party-oriented approach on Wicker’s part.

We have considerable respect for the accomplishments of Musgrove, especially as an education-oriented governor and lieutenant governor. But Wicker gets the nod on experience at both the federal and state levels and a proven ability to deliver in areas critical to the economic success of our region and state.

Pay to Proclaim

Conservative Belle has posted a number of campaign contributors to Ronnie Musgrove, who Musgrove then honored with a proclamation. Hey Ronnie, a receipt works just fine. You don't need to put the state seal on it! Conservative Belle: Sure, Ronnie Musgrove. We Believe You.

Barton's Balance: More Lawsuits

Can a candidate sue himself for political malpractice? I'm sure Gene Barton will look into that after the election. An article in today's Clarion Ledger describes Barton's balance:

There's no question there were too many frivolous lawsuits in Mississippi at one point, he said. The doctor his wife worked for as a nurse was sued 15 times, he said. "But now the pendulum has swung to the other extreme," Barton said. "I'm running to bring back balance."

Let's get this straight. Barton wants to take Mississippi back to when there were too many frivolous lawsuits? That's his idea of balance? No thanks.

Connecting Kitchens and Diaz

Jim Kitchens and Oliver Diaz are both running for the Mississippi Supreme Court. Diaz was acquitted of charges involving a judicial bribery scheme in which trial lawyer Paul Minor, former chancery court judge Walter W. Teel, and former circuit judge John H. Whitfield were convicted. Also wrapped up in that trial was Oliver's wife Jennifer Diaz. He is proud to have been acquitted, she pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of tax evasion. Her attorney was Jim Kitchens who said she, "did what she did for her family.” Just an interesting connection.

Gene Barton's Team: Bennie Thompson, NAACP, Barack Obama

Gene Barton already announced he is pro-choice. We don't need to wait till he is on the bench to find out that opinion. Now we know how liberal he really is. In Greenwood, Gene Barton said he had been endorsed by the U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson and the Mississippi Democratic Party. He said the NAACP has not endorsed him but is helping his campaign with resources. And Obama?

Barton also linked his campaign to that of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

“In fact — this was before I got in the race — I was going to put all of my energy into Obama’s campaign,” he told the Democratic crowd to sustained applause.

He said his support for Obama early on had his neighbors talking.

“They said, ‘Gene Barton, he’s got an Obama sign in his yard. Nobody else has one in the whole county,’” Barton said.

Barton then said Obama was “very worthy of the office” of president before adding, “But I’m not supposed to endorse anybody. I still have an opinion. It is hard to shut me up.”

Ronnie Mus-go Away Again

No Friend of the Coast



Where in the World Is Ronnie Musgrove?



Musgrove's Bad Road: Dead Ends, Wrong Turns

Kitchens Negative Attacks

Used to before the election, desperate campaigns would circulate a scandal sheet with false or scurrilous allegations against their opponents. They'd end up on cars or in your yard or handed out right before the election. The Jim Kitchens Campaign has done the online version (which they are free to do). I won't bother linking it, but in their news release the Kitchens campaign says "We have said from day one that this race should be about the issues, about a person’s record and not about personal attacks." Except none of the Kitchens false allegations are about Jim Smith's record. None. They don't show where he ruled incorrectly in a single case. They are all personal attacks. Desperation.

The Kitchens campaign did have the courage to sign their name to the attacks. So they also deserve the credit for their negativity.

Today the Neshoba County Democrat endorsed Jim Smith. The endorsement says in part:

Smith has run a strictly positive campaign and worked to earn every vote, visiting every cabin and camper at the Neshoba County Fair....Kitchens' campaign has festered with negativity and attacks against Smith.

The endorsement also says:

Chief Justice Jim Smith has a proven record of fairness on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Under his leadership, the Court has cleared all its backlogs and is current for the first time in decades. He administers the Court with professionalism and respect for the dignity of the law that is sorely needed in Mississippi's legal profession today...Smith is known in his community as an intelligent jurist and a humble man of faith...Mississippi will benefit from the re-election of an honest and fair man of integrity like Jim Smith.

Honor. Fairness. Professionalism. Dignity. Not negative attacks.

(Truth is, RespondMississippi enjoys watching campaigns get rough and tumble. We like the attack ads and the quips and the partisan rhetoric. We want more, not less. We don't believe the press does its job at exposing records, and so the opposition campaigns must do it instead. And Smith may need to respond to Kitchens aggressively. But let it be known the first shots were fired by Kitchens.)

Statesmanship

Senator Thad Cochran
(Responding Via Y'all Politics)

Litigation Addiction

It is clear that plaintiff attorneys around the country are pumping in money to change the Mississippi Supreme Court. They are funding Jim Kitchens in hopes to defeat Chief Justice Jim Smith.

But litigation addicts in Mississippi are helping, too. Just looking at the big names on his most recent report. David Baria, former Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association president gave $1000. Shane Langston sent him $1200. The Mike Moore Firm gave $1000. Ed Williamson of Philadelphia and Isaac Byrd of Jackson each gave $1000.

But of course trial lawyers will fund his campaign. The funny part is the litigation addiction mindset. Ole Kitch's campaign is upset at people exercising their free speech. An organization apparently took photographs off of Jim Smith's web site and used them. Kitch's campaign said, "Surely Mr. Smith, a judge, knows that he could file suit against those groups for stealing or copyright infringement."

Like an addict facing his drug of choice he can't believe someone else would turn down the opportunity. Look! You can sue! Why don't you sue? For the love of man, don't you see you can sue!

I'm sure Jim Smith knows anyone can sue anyone for just about anything. But his first reaction is different from Kitchens. But then, that is what Kitchens does for a living.

Patsy, Please Call The Secret Service

It is with horror that I have heard some people at recent televised political rallies shout "Kill him!" when one of our major presidential candidates raised questions about his opponent. We cannot be that shining beacon on the hill, if we keep silent to hate. We must turn to that person who suggests the unthinkable and say, "That is unacceptable! Go home and pray for your very soul. We don't do that in America." - Patsy Brumfield, Notheast Mississippi Daily, October 16, 2008

The agent in charge of the Secret Service field office in Scranton said allegations that someone yelled “kill him” when presidential hopeful Barack Obama’s name was mentioned during Tuesday’s Sarah Palin rally are unfounded. Agent Bill Slavoski said he was in the audience, along with an undisclosed number of additional secret service agents and other law enforcement officers and not one heard the comment. He said the agency conducted an investigation Wednesday, after seeing the story, and could not find one person to corroborate the allegation other than Singleton. Slavoski said more than 20 non-security agents were interviewed Wednesday, from news media to ordinary citizens in attendance at the rally for the Republican vice presidential candidate held at the Riverfront Sports Complex. “We have yet to find someone to back up the story,” Slavoski said. “We had people all over and we have yet to find anyone who said they heard it.” Slavoski said the agents take such threats or comments seriously and immediately opened an investigation but after due diligence “as far as we’re concerned it’s closed unless someone comes forward.” He urged anyone with knowledge of the alleged incident to call him at 346-5781. “We’ll run at all leads,” he said. - Andrew M. Seder, Scranton Times Leader, October 15, 2008

Alston and Kitchens

Ole Kitch has a friend in Alex Alston. Alston, is the unofficial Clarion Ledger judicial correspondent. He has written numerous pieces for the Clarion Ledger based on his own research attacking the Supreme Court. The Ledger uses his "research" in its editorials as facts. Whenever his information is challenged, the Ledger allows him additional space to respond. He might as well be a contributing columnist.

Well, the Ledger has never disclosed Alston's motivations. Alston is the guy who lost millions because the Supreme Court overturned (7-2 decision) a jury verdict in a life insurance case (Stewart vs Prudential). His client hid the fact he suffered a stroke and was nearing death while negotiating a life insurance policy. Once that fact was revealed to the insurance company, they refused to write a policy under the previously negotiated conditions. Basically, Alston sued a company to claim a policy that didn't exist. He won with a Hinds County jury. The Supreme Court overturned it. As the lawyer, his share of the take would have been millions of dollars.

Hey, I'd be upset if I lost millions of dollars. I understand. Give me someone to yell at and a platform. A Court and a newspaper? That works fine.

But that doesn't mean the Court isn't right. And it doesn't give the Clarion Ledger license to hold up a disgruntled attorney as an authority on the Court. But then, the First Amendment gives the Ledger that license, and fair treatment is not a precondition for free speech.

Anyway. In addition to his public attacks on the Court, Alston is now supporting the guy who wants to take out Chief Justice Jim Smith. The latest campaign finance report of Jim Kitchens shows contributions from Alston on August 19 and September 30 for a total of $1000. I wonder if the Ledger will continue to give Alston carte blanche to opine now that his motivations are both personal and political.

Labor Unions: Bringing Musrove and Obama Together

Mark Cochran, Political Coordinator for United Steelworkers of America, working North Mississippi and Tennessee for Barack Obama and Ronnie Musgrove.
Responding via Y'all Politics

Kitchens Leading in Beverly Hills, New York City, Chicago

Jim Kitchens is a man of the people - the people of Beverly Hills, New York City, Chicago, Miami, Washington D.C., Honolulu, Massachusetts, Los Angeles. His latest campaign finance report shows he raised greater than $80K from out of state, mostly trial lawyers. There isn't anything wrong with out-of-staters supporting a Mississippi candidate. But the question is, "Why?" I'm sure these out-of-state trial lawyers just want good government. They aren't interested at all in putting someone on the Court who could serve their interests - the interests of big trial lawyers coming to sue in Mississippi. Let me repeat, these are not Mississippi trial lawyers battling it out for their ideology. That's politics. No big deal. But when you combine the latest report of Jim Kitchens with his past reports, you find that $150K has been pumped in from out-of-state trial lawyers. Why? You can decide.



(Thanks for the email with the tip. YOUaretheresponder.)

Jesse Jackson on Obama Foreign Policy

Jesse Jackson on Obama's Israel policy:

The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where "decades of putting Israel's interests first" would end. Jackson believes that, although "Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades" remain strong, they'll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House....Jackson is especially critical of President Bush's approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. "Bush was so afraid of a snafu and of upsetting Israel that he gave the whole thing a miss," Jackson says. "Barack will change that," because, as long as the Palestinians haven't seen justice, the Middle East will "remain a source of danger to us all." "Barack is determined to repair our relations with the world of Islam and Muslims," Jackson says. "Thanks to his background and ecumenical approach, he knows how Muslims feel while remaining committed to his own faith."

The Washington Post has this to say about Jesse Jackson's previous opposition to "Zionists."

Rev. Jesse Jackson referred to Jews as "Hymies" and to New York City as "Hymietown" in January 1984 during a conversation with a black Washington Post reporter, Milton Coleman. Jackson had assumed the references would not be printed because of his racial bond with Coleman, but several weeks later Coleman permitted the slurs to be included far down in an article by another Post reporter on Jackson's rocky relations with American Jews.

A storm of protest erupted, and Jackson at first denied the remarks, then accused Jews of conspiring to defeat him. The Nation of Islam's radical leader Louis Farrakhan, an aggressive anti-Semite and old Jackson ally, made a difficult situation worse by threatening Coleman in a radio broadcast and issuing a public warning to Jews, made in Jackson's presence: "If you harm this brother [Jackson], it will be the last one you harm."

Finally, Jackson doused the fires in late February with an emotional speech admitting guilt and seeking atonement before national Jewish leaders in a Manchester, New Hampshire synagogue. Yet Jackson refused to denounce Farrakhan, and lingering, deeply rooted suspicions have led to an enduring split between Jackson and many Jews. The frenzy also heightened tensions between Jackson and the mostly white establishment press.

Kitchens - The Joke is on Mississippi

Jim Kitchens wants to be on the Mississippi Supreme Court. The key word there is Mississippi.

Kitchens, leaving worry behind, joked that if he could include the territory of a few other surrounding states it would be to his benefit. Kitchens said he is pleased with his campaign's progress. "The district touches Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama, and I think I'm running way ahead in all those states," he joked. (Madison County Herald, October 9, 2008)

About half of all of Kitchen's fundraising came from out of state, no joke. His campaign brought in more than $86,000 from outside Mississippi, where he apparently is doing very well, no joke. Today we should see his next finance report and see if in this election, the joke is on Mississippi.

Chief Justice Jim Smith: Character

Biden Responds to Himself

From the debate transcript.

Biden on Change: "I'm not going to change. I have 35 years in public office. People can judge who I am. I haven't changed in that time."

Biden on Getting Involved in Ethnic Wars: "Look what we did in Bosnia. We took Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks, being told by everyone, I was told by everyone that this would mean that they had been killing each other for a thousand years, it would never work. There's a relatively stable government there now as in Kosovo....Go look at joebiden.com, contemporaneously, held hearings in the summer before we went to war, saying if we went to war, we would not be greeted as liberator, we would have a fight between Sunnis and Shias, we would be tied down for a decade and cost us hundreds of billions of dollars."

Biden on Future Involvement in Ethnic Wars: "I don't have the stomach for genocide when it comes to Darfur. We can now impose a no-fly zone. It's within our capacity. We can lead NATO if we're willing to take a hard stand. We should rally the world to act and demonstrate it by our own movement to provide the helicopters to get the 21,000 forces of the African Union in there now to stop this genocide."

Biden on Going To War: "I indicated it would be a mistake to -- I gave the president the power. I voted for the power because he said he needed it not to go to war but to keep the United States, the UN in line, to keep sanctions on Iraq and not let them be lifted."