Political Report #33-B
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Magnolia Political Special Report
December 18, 2002
(Number 33-B) - E-mail Version
MagnoliaReport.com
The following "Tuck Switch Report" is a modified analysis first printed in Josh Gregory's column in the Madison County Journal on December 13 and the initial MagnoliaReport.com story on the switch from November 28.
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Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck Switches Parties
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Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck switched parties earlier this month in what Mississippi Republican Party Chairman Jim Herring described as "a watershed event in the political history of our state."
At her Capitol press conference, Tuck was flanked by GOP political heavyweights. Senators Thad Cochran and Trent Lott, Congressmen Roger Wicker and Chip Pickering, State Auditor Phil Bryant, Commissioners Nielsen Cochran and Dick Hall, Haley Barbour and others filled the steps around her. She brought together Republican factions that rarely stand together: Clarke Reed and Billy Mounger were both there; Kirk and Pat Fordice were both there. She received a phone call earlier that morning by President George W. Bush.
The theme of Tuck’s speech was that her values and beliefs were not "welcomed or shared by the Mississippi Democratic Party"; but that people must realize that she has "not changed. I am the same Amy today as I was yesterday." Tuck said she was changing her party affiliation not her constituency affiliation.
It didn’t take long for Tuck to switch into political rhetoric either. She said she was much more at home in the party of Cochran, Lott, Wicker, Pickering and Bush than in the party of Hillary Clinton, Tom Daschle and Nancy Pelosi.
Tuck described her journey of changing parties through several recent policy related decisions. In 2000, she refused to endorse Democratic nominee Al Gore or his "liberal agenda." During the redistricting debate, Tuck said she stood for fairness when the Democrats wanted to "put party politics ahead of the interests of the people of Mississippi." With tort reform, she said again "I found myself on the opposite side of the state and national Democrats."
A year ago, following the state's redistricting battles, Noxubee County Democrat Chairman and Democratic State Executive Committee Member Ike Brown told the Associated Press, "I won't vote her for recertification, and encouraged others not to reconfirm Tuck. I didn't support her when she ran, and when she double-crossed us on the redistricting matter, that was it. If she won't stick with the party, then good riddance." Brown called Tuck a "scalawag Democrat."
Democratic Chairman Rickey Cole described Tuck’s switch as like a family member that has a terminal illness, when you finally hear the news it is a relief. Despite Cole’s slight insensitivity considering Tuck’s own mother’s state of health, Amy returned this comment with a zinger of her own. She said, "I have found a cure for that illness by switching to the Mississippi Republican Party."
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Political Implications
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Tuck announced she would be running for reelection but will now face her Democratic Primary competition in the general election and her general opponent in the Republican Primary.
Republicans that had been looking at running for lieutenant governor include Southaven Mayor Greg Davis, Federal Surface Board Commissioner Wayne Burkes and Madison Senator Tim Johnson. All attended the press conference at the Capitol. The GOP is now urging Davis to challenge Treasurer Marshall Bennett. Burkes supported the Tuck move and will not challenge her in the primary. And Johnson told the Madison County Journal that while he did not stand behind her on the Capitol Steps he does welcome her to the Republican Party and hopes they can resolve their personal differences.
However, Ridgeland ophthalmologist Randy Russell has qualified already as a candidate for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Russell combines the political experience of directing the statewide term limits campaign with solid socially conservative credentials and strong support among tort reform advocates. He could make a strong run from the right against Tuck in the primary; though if she keeps the support of Cochran, Lott, Pickering and Wicker then the race is hers to lose.
The moment that tort reform passed the Mississippi Senate, Tuck was assured of a challenge in the Democratic Primary by a candidate with radical trial lawyer lobby money.
She knew this going into the session and so effectively, when she chose sides in the tort debate, she chose parties for 2003. However, Congressman Ronnie Shows’ distaste for Tuck stretched back before the tort session. He blamed her in large part, accurately so, for blocking the Democratic Tornado Plan for redistricting. When districts were drawn in a geographically sound manner, Pickering had an edge over Shows in the new Third District and Shows began to look for revenge against Tuck.
Interestingly enough, no Mississippi congressman has ever been elected to the office of lieutenant governor and only one lieutenant governor (David Dickson 1822-1824) has ever been elected to congress (Dickson in 1835).
Republicans, off a recent victory over Shows in the 2002 Election, do not shirk from challenging a double-Ronnie ticket with Ronnie Musgrove and Ronnie Shows running for governor and lieutenant governor. In fact, one of the big beneficiaries in such a scenario is Haley Barbour, presumptive gubernatorial nominee for the Republicans.
Consider a Barbour-Tuck slate against a Musgrove-Shows slate. Every Musgrove attack against "Washington Haley Barbour" can be turned against "Washington Ronnie Shows." Every dollar the radical trial lawyer lobby spends to defeat their nemesis Tuck, is a dollar less they spend to defend their less than faithful friend Musgrove.
Democrats other than Shows are also considering a challenge: former Supreme Court Justice Jim Roberts (Pontotoc), Senator Barbara Blackmon (Canton), Representative Bubba Pierce (Leakesville) and Representative Jamie Franks (Mooreville) have all been reported as interested. Roberts would more likely challenge Musgrove in a primary or seek attorney general were Moore not to run.
Blackmon would be a real threat to Shows earning the nomination and she would enjoy the run at Tuck. While seriously considering a run for the post, Pierce will probably wait for some other year and run for reelection while Franks has yet to demonstrate a support base to make a challenge feasible.
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Historic Position and Fellow Switchers
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In her switch, Tuck became the second Republican lieutenant governor in the state’s modern history. Eddie Briggs of Dekalb served from 1991 through 1995 when he was defeated in his reelection campaign by now Governor Ronnie Musgrove. Tuck became the highest-ranking Republican woman in elected office in the state’s history, and the highest current nonfederal statewide elected official in the Mississippi Republican Party. State Auditor Phil Bryant is the only other nonfederal Republican statewide elected official. In 1999, he was the only Republican elected statewide and is currently serving his first full term after being appointed to the position by then Governor Kirk Fordice in 1996, following the resignation of Democrat Steve Patterson.
Not only will Republicans now control the Office of Lieutenant Governor, but they are closer to taking control of the state Senate for the first time since Reconstruction. Following the switch of Senator Videt Carmichael (Meridian) earlier this Spring from the Democratic to Republican Party, and the subsequent special election of Senator Charles Walden (Booneville) in November, who has also committed to the GOP, the State Senate is split on a close margin of 32 Democratic seats to 20 Republican seats: a six seat balance of control. Republicans are now looking with anticipation at taking the conservative district currently held by Senator Bill Minor (D) who has already announced his intentions to seek the Northern District Transportation Commissioner Post in 2003. With Tuck's influence and leadership over conservative to moderate Democratic senators, Republicans expect as many as four Democratic Senators and five Democratic Representatives to switches in coming months.
Over the past two years, ten Democrat elected officials have switched parties: District Attorney Buddy McDonald of Picayune, former Hattiesburg Mayor Ed Morgan, Jackson City Councilman Daryl Neely, Pearl River County Sheriff Joe Stewart, Simpson County Justice Court Judge Ted Blakeney, D'Lo Alderman Sandi Entrekin, Lamar County Chancery Clerk Wayne Smith, Lamar County Tax Collector Jim Patterson, Pearl River County Chancery Clerk David Earl Johnson, and Pearl River Justice Court Judge Nell Cowart. Earlier this year, State Senator Videt Carmichael (Meridian) left the Democratic Party for the GOP. Tuck's switch brings the total number of Democrat elected officials switching to the Republican Party in Mississippi to more than 50 since 1992. She is the highest elected official since then Congressman Mike Parker in 1995. Former State Auditor Pete Johnson joined the Republican Party during his 1988-1992 term, then lost to Fordice in the 1991 gubernatorial primary.
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Republican Perspectives
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"Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck has been a strong and thoughtful leader for the people of Mississippi. Her decision to join the Republican Party is more good news for the GOP, but it is great news for the people of Mississippi who benefit directly from her work on their behalf. Ms. Tuck’s compassionate conservative values are at home with the Republican Party of George W. Bush. On behalf of Republicans throughout the country I am proud and honored to welcome Ms. Tuck to the Party." - RNC Chairman Marc Racicot: 12/2/2002
"It is with great pleasure that we welcome Lt. Governor Amy Tuck to the Republican Party today. Ms. Tuck is only the second female statewide office holder ever elected in Mississippi. Her decision to become a Republican makes her the highest-ranking elected Republican woman in the state's history. By putting progress and principles over partisan politics, she has been and will continue to be, a great advocate for the people of Mississippi. Tuck has been a tireless champion for medical liability reform in Mississippi, a state where this issue is of utmost importance. Her dedication to improving access to gynecological and obstetric services for the women of Mississippi demonstrates a strong commitment to her community and a dedication to improved healthcare, particularly for the women of the state. Tuck's common sense approach regarding this critical issue, is just one of the reasons I am thrilled to have her on the Republican team. Today is not only a victory for the people of Mississippi, but a triumph for the growing number of Republican women all across this great nation." - RNC Co-Chairman Ann Wagner: 12/2/2002
"She is a tremendous asset to this state and to the principles the Republican Party represents. Governor Tuck has consistently demonstrated that she is on the side of the kind of values the Republican Party represents. As many others have done, I made a similar decision in the 1980’s. Her decision today is just another example of conservatives finding a home in the Republican Party." - MSGOP Chairman Jim Herring, Republican Party Release: 12/02/2002
"This announcement signals the start of a new era for our state. There will be benefits for all the people of Mississippi with a greater degree of political cooperation between our delegation in Washington and our State government officials. Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck is a courageous leader who will immediately be included in our party’s decision-making process and in the effort to use our connections in Washington with the Bush administration to advance our State’s interest. I have known Amy Tuck since she was a college student, and I have always been impressed with her energy, intelligence and her commitment to making Mississippi the best it can be. I am very proud of her for the decision she announced today. I intend to do all I can to insure that she never regrets it." - US Senator Thad Cochran, Republican Party Release: 12/02/2002
"I am pleased that Lt. Governor Amy Tuck has decided to become a Republican. Whether they are elected officials or concerned voters, more and more Mississippians are making this decision to affiliate with a Republican Party which better represents our state’s values, our concerns and our hopes for the future. Lieutenant Governor Tuck has governed with skill and integrity. Her leadership and experience will certainly be valued in the Republican Party."- US Senator Trent Lott, Republican Party Release: 12/02/2002
"Lieutenant Governor Tuck is the next in a long line of public officials to conclude that it is just too hard to be a conservative and a Democrat at the same time." - First District Congressman Roger Wicker, Republican Party Release: 12/02/2002
"We welcome Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck to the Mississippi Republican Party. She is a proven and principled leader for Mississippi. I admire her courage and determination in doing what is right, fair, and best for Mississippi. I look forward to continuing our work together to help build Mississippi for the future." - Third District Congressman Chip Pickering, Republican Party Release: 12/02/2002
"Yesterday I represented the people of Mississippi as a Democrat, and today I am honored to represent the people of Mississippi as a Republican. To my friends in the Democratic Party, I say that I am the same person today that I was yesterday with no regrets, no apologies, but a new and an enthusiastic desire to serve my state." - Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck at Press Conference: 12/2/2002
"I'm delighted that Amy Tuck...has switched to the Republican Party which is where she belonged all along." -Former Governor Kirk Fordice, Clarion Ledger: 12/3/2002
"Anybody that believes in the Republican ideals and what the Republicans believe in, we want to welcome those people to the Republican party. If Amy is sincere, then we welcome her. As far as what happened with my district, she is the Lt. Gov. and she appointed Senator Bryant, as chairman of the reappointment. She had something to do with redistricting so I welcomed her, but she needs to explain what happened, not only to me, but to the people in Madison, Leake and Attala Counties." - Senator Tim Johnson (R-Ridgeland), Madison County Journal: 12/5/2002
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Democratic Perspectives
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"Amy Tuck is a 'political philanderer' and she has courted and flirted and dallied around with the good people of our state to get elected. Some members of the Republican party say that Amy Tuck has used the Mississippi Democratic Party up and spit us out. With the help of Mississippi citizens from all over this state, the Mississippi Democratic Party will continue our strategic political planning for the upcoming election year by working hard to assist Mississippi Democrats in being elected to public office." - Representative Omeria McDonald Scott (D-Laurel), Mississippi Democrat Talking Points E-mail: 12/3/2002
"We are tremendously loyal to our clients and resigning from a campaign is an abhorrent idea. We have been very loyal to Amy Tuck, through tough times, and her party-switch is an act of disloyalty to the people who elected her and to us. We have never worked for a Republican and won't violate that trust for a party-switcher. We have seen over the years that Amy can be pathologically indecisive, so a flip flop from her is not totally shocking. We have seen her do this time and again. It's sad that Amy Tuck has changed. The old Amy Tuck refused to attack a political opponent in press conferences even while she was being attacked. After a few days under the tutelage of Haley Barbour and Trent Lott, she was attacking Democrats she doesn't even know anything about." - John Rowley, Former Tuck Media Consultant in a Release from the Fletcher and Rowley firm: 12/4/2002
"Over the years there have been many who rode a donkey to a tree in order to get on an elephant. This is, in a way, deceitful and it hurts. It was the voters who believed in her, who supported her in mountainous numbers." - Senator David Jordan (D-Greenwood): 12/05/2002
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Media Perspectives
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"Sometimes those who would rather switch than fight find a new fight they didn't expect." - Daily Journal Editorial: 12/3/2002
"Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck's switch Monday from the Democratic to the Republican Party did not surprise many in Mississippi, particularly Oktibbeha County residents who have known the Maben native all her life. Tuck, who has branded herself a conservative for years, simply did what many had been expecting her do for months, particularly in the wake of her stances on congressional redistricting and tort reform." - Starkville Daily News Editorial: 12/4/2002
"Meantime, the Tuck party switch is no surprise since she long ago dropped out as a team-player in the Ronnie Musgrove Administration. However, it can be seen as a betrayal of two Democratic constituencies - blacks and public school forces - who had made it possible for her to narrowly win over GOP foe Bill Hawks in 1999. Without teachers, blacks and labor to back her, Tuck may find her new constituency not as understanding of her record that three times she failed the state bar exam and then tried to get the state Supreme Court to overrule the Bar examiners. Tuck should also beware of the short shelf-life of previous party-switchers. Mike Parker and Eddie Briggs come to mind." -Bill Minor, Neshoba Democrat: 12/4/2002
"OK, so Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck has finally figured out just which political party she should belong to and made it official, and all's well with the Mississippi Republican Party. You'd have thought the George Bushes themselves were on hand the other day in Jackson when Tuck jumped the Democratic ship for the Republican yacht. There hadn't been that many high-powered GOPs in one place since the WorldCom wake." - Danny McKenzie, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal: 12/05/2002
"Tuck Switches to the GOP. What do I think? Well, anybody that switches from the party of pro-abortion, pro-tax, pro-spending, pro-"invest" more without consequence on education, pro-tax-em-outta-their-minds, etc. to the conservative alternative has support from this corner...But no one is asking the question - why?...There is a difference between an ideologue and a pragmatic conservative. Ideologues believe and vote the way they know they should based on deeply held values. Pragmatics vote - well, pragmatics vote and live their lives anyway they view is necessary to stay viable another day...Will she be an ideologue or a pragmatic on that day?...We may get the choice. Tuck needs the challenge in a Republican contest. The stiffer that challenge, the better." - Matt Friedeman, InTheFight.com: 12/6/2002
"Tuck can work a crowd with innate competence. As former President Clinton demonstrated, if you aren't hung up on ideology, it's easy to tell crowds what they want to hear. Like a divining rod, Tuck can just feel what the crowd wants and delivers it with down-home aplomb. Me and my truck. We're for Amy Tuck. Given Tuck's taste for realpolitik over political philosophy, her jumping ship to the Republican Party was a no-brainer. The recent election results provided the writing on the wall. Tuck's political base has been the rural hills, not the Delta, and those areas are increasingly alienated from the Democratic Party." - Wyatt Emmerich, Daily Times Leader: 12/8/2002
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Final Word
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"Today, Ms. Tuck decided to reveal herself as a Republican. With the record of duplicity, obstruction and irresponsibility she has compiled during her term, Mississippi Democrats are grateful to be relieved of the task of asking voters to support her again. Good luck to the Republicans....because if they liked Mike Parker, they are going to love Amy Tuck." - Mississippi Democratic Party Release: 12/2/2002
All we could think about after reading the Democrats' statement was the Aesop fable about "The Fox and the Grapes." It was a yarn about a hungry fox that tried unsuccessfully to reach huge bunches of grapes high up on a vine..."At last, tired by his vain efforts, he turned away in disgust, remarking: 'Anyone who wants them may have them for me. They are too green and sour for my palate; I would not touch them even if they were given to me.'" Aesop then concluded: "It is a mean nature which affects to dislike that which it is unable to obtain." So it is. - Bolivar Commercial Editorial: 12/4/2002
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Magnolia Political Report, 2002
Josh Gregory, Editor
MagnoliaReport.com
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© Magnolia Political Report 2002 • PO Box 24233 Jackson, Mississippi 39225
FAX 601.355.7885 • scoop@magnoliareport.com
Josh Gregory, Editor |
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