Is Bennie the Best Choice?

LR writes: Okay, since someone's stepped forward with great interest, and the intellect, to continue Delta Scoop, I'll offer another commentary to keep things flowing. I was around long enough to live under the representation of Bennie Thompson and to see the challengers come and go. Earlier this week, "Red Dog" on reddogbites.blogspot.com said he's the best the Delta will receive in the U.S. House and cited Congressman Thompson's growing seniority, which means closer steps to chairmanships and other preferred positions.

I commend the Thompson campaign for handily eliminating State Rep. Chuck Espy. The Espy name is recognized nationally and many thought this would be his toughest primary challenge to date. Maybe, by statistics, it was tougher than other primaries, but it was still a landslide choice by Second District Democrats and revealed that Mr. Thompson has a "base of support" within the larger "base" called Democratic voters.

Next is Tchula's Republican mayor Yvonne Brown. We know there aren't enough Republicans to win Thompson's seat without high numbers of crossover votes. Clinton Leseuer tapped a disgruntled Democrat core and came within seven percentage points of toppling Thompson four years ago.

Clinton B. lost by twelve points overall, so stealing seven of those would've put in Washington, D.C. Can Brown do it?

It might be a little more likely because she actually won an election as a Republican and as a Deltan. But, she's East Delta and I don't think the name recognition is there. Congressman Thompson has name recognition and political machines in all the larger Delta towns and has "get out the vote" machines in the small towns and rural areas where bestowing federal grants and calming fears of investigations make him Godfather-like. On first glance, I say expect a Thompson re-election.

Is Thompson the best leader for the area?

Well, he's what you'll get as long as keeps doing what he's doing and controlling the local politicians. That's the way politics works behind the scenes and he's good at it. The Seniority issues don't bother me as much in terms of his possible chairmanship of House committees. Red Dog touts the seniority issue and the chance Democrats have of possibly claiming a U.S. House majority. It's a plausible hypothesis, but Congressman Thompson WAS in the Agricultural Committee, then was moved to Homeland Security. Both are important, but WHICH is more directly important to the Delta? Hint: Think agriculture. But, with a House majority, he'd chair Homeland Security - no small job. You make up your mind; I've made up mine and prefer the Agriculture Committee. Sorry Red Dog.

The simple fact to assume is the notion of what's "good living" or a high quality of life in Mississippi's Delta. If you think you enjoy such an experience and that the elements of the world which are semi-controlled with federal dollars (schools, some roads, etc) are bettering your daily life better than it could be obtained outside the 2nd District, then I recommend supporting Thompson. Popular media has told us for years that things are great and that trends are reversing; you've read it and I've read it. If not, and you want other leadership, then begin developing strategies for the crowd that can't tell you anything about politics yet vote in enough numbers to influence local elections. The concentration of those voting based on name recognition alone, in my opinion, is quite high - negating these stacked "debates" at Valley or whereever else where issues are discussed but really the Bennie's opponent is mocked in an unprofessional manner while the crowd hoots, howls and laughs. I saw the Lesueur/Thompson debate a couple of years ago in person.

I left it thinking that casting any ballot was a waste of time.

AS FOR THE DELTA SCOOP'S CONTINUANCE....

I, LR, believe it is coming very soon and it's great to be able to have a locally-based person assume leadership. There are a few transitional things to work out, but I think it can happen smoothly. I'll still carry an interest and will post, but the leader will be someone with eyes and ears in around the area.
I'll ask you to remember two websites on which the Delta Scoop may be found. These two websites both work 24/7, so if one goes down or changes, the other will be there.
www.deltascoop.com - That's obvious. I paid for one year's access to this address and will try to transfer it to the new blogmaster if I can and if the Scoop continues as it has.
deltascoop.blogspot.com - this is actually the backbone web address offered by the folks at blogger.com (hosts of the Delta Scoop blog site). It's permanent as long as the blog is updated and survives. No worldwide Internet authority controls its name.
Either of these addresses take you to the same place. Jot them both down if you visit often. I use them both just to check things out.