Musgrove campaign fires
back after fund-raiser
By By Terry R. Cassreino / assistant managing editor
Sept. 13, 2003
JACKSON While Gov. Ronnie Musgrove didn't attend the GOP fund-raiser for Haley Barbour on Friday, his campaign manager had an opinion about the event.
Lisa McMurray said Musgrove has spent 16 years improving public education and attracting better jobs. Musgrove served in the state Senate and as lieutenant governor before becoming governor in 2000.
McMurray said the governor's race is not about who has the most friends in Washington. She said Musgrove met with teachers on Friday to talk about improving education.
Sign wars
Musgrove campaign workers made sure people arriving in Jackson for the Barbour fund-raiser knew that the incumbent Democrat is seeking a second term as the state's chief executive.
Musgrove staffers walked High Street early Friday, placing campaign signs in the grass along the curb. The signs were easily visible to motorists who were headed to the fund-raiser at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Other signs touted Democrats Barbara Blackmon for lieutenant governor and Jim Hood for attorney general. But Musgrove clearly won the sign wars at least among Democratic candidates.
One volunteer who placed signs along the curb of High Street every few feet declined to identify himself or comment. His only statement: "I'm just putting signs out. I don't have time to talk."
Barbour's signs
Barbour campaign staffers had their own strategy: They distributed campaign signs and stickers to supporters as they left the coliseum after President Bush's speech.
College-age campaign volunteers in coat-and-tie also stood Friday morning on the side of the Interstate 59 exit at High Street holding Barbour signs and directing motorists to the coliseum.
Once motorists made the turn off High Street, they passed an oversized cow on a trailer with a Barbour sign on the side and another below that played on his campaign slogan: "We will do better that's no bull."
Evers attends
Among the many high-profile Republicans at the fund-raiser was Charles Evers, brother of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers.
Evers is a Republican and the former mayor of Fayette. He now serves on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors.
Even though black voters in Mississippi historically support Democrats, Evers said he believes Barbour can appeal to blacks and win their support.
Meridian volunteer
Betty Lou Jones of Meridian, a Barbour campaign volunteer, spent part of Thursday with more than 100 other people helping prepare the coliseum floor for the Friday luncheon.
Volunteers prepared flower arrangements for the luncheon tables and checked the sound equipment. The caterer also placed silverware on each of the tables.
Jones was back on Friday, this time greeting Barbour supporters as they arrived at the coliseum. Jones said a high-profile event like the fund-raiser should help Barbour.
Costly event
So, what exactly did a $1,000 donation buy?
Well, Barbour supporters saw and heard President Bush speak, they listened to live bluegrass music and they ate a catered lunch from Bravo!, a popular restaurant in Jackson.
On the menu: mixed green salad, pork loin, mashed potatoes, vegetables, a chocolate dessert and iced tea. About 130 people began serving Barbour supporters lunch around noon.
For those stuck in the stands above the coliseum floor, they had to wait more than two hours after Bush left the coliseum and headed back to the airport to find a meal on their own.
