December 27, 2010
— Gabriel Malor For the second week in a row, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is getting negative press and I can only assume these are the opening shots in the 2012 GOP presidential primary. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it was Politico last week that kicked Barbour's racial comments onto the front page. If so, they've sure got a hard-on for one of his competitors because they're at it again:
Barbour has traveled extensively on the jet, brushing off suggestions from Mississippi Democrats that he give it up in favor of a more modest propeller plane for his travel. The trips, according to a POLITICO review of the Cessna’s flight manifest since 2007, have mixed state business with both pleasure and national politics.Some of Barbour’s travel may well have been worth it to Mississippi, a state that is heavily dependent on federal funds. But much of the time, he has used the plane to go to fundraisers for himself and other Republican candidates and committees, to football games and to at least one boxing match — travel that has a less obvious connection to what Barbour, a former top lobbyist in Washington, has cast as his lobbying on behalf of his state.
The flight logs obtained by POLITICO indicate that Mississippi has spent more than $500,000 over the past three years on Barbour's air travel. That total does not include security and other logistical costs associated with his trips. And through a quirk in Mississippi law, whenever the governor is out of state, Mississippi must pay the lieutenant governor a salary differential as acting governor.
Barbour has reimbursed the state for a handful of flights, but he has more often scheduled obscure official business to coincide with the business of politics, according to the manifest and logs, which were obtained from the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration under a Mississippi Public Records Act request by a Democrat who has worked in the state, who provided them to POLITICO.
Barbour's spokesman responds by suggesting that Mississippi is more in need of national attention and federal largess and that the jet is an "an effective marketing tool in a state that really needs it." The Politico article goes on to detail some questionable flights that seem to have been solely to raise money for Barbour's campaign chest and that weren't reimbursed to Mississippi.
Who does this help the most? I'm gonna go with Sarah Palin, who most notably told the 2008 GOP Convention that she put Alaska's gubernatorial jet up for sale on eBay. (She managed to sell it through an aircraft broker.) However, other 2012 hopefuls are also demonstrating fiscal responsibility by curbing expensive flights, including Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Posted by: Gabriel Malor at
08:03 AM
| Comments (73)
Post contains 477 words, total size 3 kb.
Oh, the State Media will get to them too - they just don't want to throw all their mud at once...
Posted by: 18-1 at December 27, 2010 08:08 AM (bgcml)
Yes, we should allow Ben Smith and Politico to choose our candidate for us. Shit why not? We allowed the NYT to chose the Republican candidate last election.
Anyone who pays any attention to Politico is a dumb ass. So yes, for the second week in a row Politico attacks Barbour. Perhaps next week they will go after Palin again.
Posted by: Vic at December 27, 2010 08:09 AM (M9Ie6)
The trips, according to a POLITICO review of the CessnaÂ’s flight manifest since 2007, have mixed state business with both pleasure and national politics.
I take it that soon Politico will have a hard-hitting expose' on Nancy Pelousi's jumbo-jet crusings? Thought not.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 27, 2010 08:10 AM (9hSKh)
Really? Well, we'll just have to expose that evil corrupt racist Barbour so that the Tepid Air readers can see the CFL light of Pawlenty!
Posted by: Admiral Ed at December 27, 2010 08:11 AM (vdfwz)
Posted by: Uncle Phucknuckle at December 27, 2010 08:12 AM (0ba8c)
Posted by: George Orwell at December 27, 2010 08:14 AM (AZGON)
It's not what you think, wingnut! Ben always asks me for advice before he chooses the GOP candidate that doesn't scare the vast moderate reasonable middle voters
Posted by: David No Labels Frum at December 27, 2010 08:14 AM (vdfwz)
Posted by: Uncle Phucknuckle at December 27, 2010 08:14 AM (0ba8c)
Posted by: Air Force One at December 27, 2010 08:15 AM (AZGON)
Posted by: justin cord at December 27, 2010 08:16 AM (c0+w5)
Posted by: George Orwell at December 27, 2010 08:17 AM (AZGON)
Posted by: Air Force One at December 27, 2010 12:15 PM (AZGON)
And business is good...
Posted by: The Won at December 27, 2010 08:17 AM (bgcml)
I'd probably buy a newspaper to read about that.
Posted by: toby928™ at December 27, 2010 08:17 AM (S5YRY)
Posted by: MFM at December 27, 2010 08:18 AM (GwPRU)
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 27, 2010 08:19 AM (IEJ4J)
Posted by: cali grump at December 27, 2010 08:20 AM (hL0k8)
Posted by: Buzzsaw at December 27, 2010 08:20 AM (tf9Ne)
which were obtained from the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration under a Mississippi Public Records Act request by a Democrat who has worked in the state, who provided them to POLITICO.
Posted by: justin cord at December 27, 2010 08:20 AM (c0+w5)
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 27, 2010 12:19 PM (IEJ4J)
We've got a lifetime supply of cherry chapstick now and some official presidential knee pads. You ain't seen nothing yet!
Posted by: The State Media at December 27, 2010 08:20 AM (bgcml)
Posted by: George Orwell at December 27, 2010 08:22 AM (AZGON)
Barbour's spokesman responds by suggesting that Mississippi is more in need of national attention and federal largess and that the jet is an "an effective marketing tool in a state that really needs it."
Yes, Mississippi ain't near the top in a lot of things, when I lived in Arkansas and national rankings would come out for this and that, frequently Arkansas came in at #49, and people would say "thank God for Mississippi". However, Mississippi is not a third world nation, and doesn't need the Federal government to fund development. It is counter productive anyway.
I want to see candidates that while not eschewing Federal dollars completely, that isn't realistic, have shown they get it, and the era of the Federal gravy train needs to stop.
It's not the expensive flights that bother me, its the mentality that his job is getting Federal money for Mississippi. That's going to be hard to change but what's good for the country is good for Mississippi too.
Posted by: Kazinski at December 27, 2010 08:23 AM (HPhbp)
Posted by: George Orwell at December 27, 2010 08:26 AM (AZGON)
You can pretty much expect any Republican candidate to get the Palin treatment. It's difficult to say whether you announce early, and try to overcome the onslaught of negative press, or jump in late and hope the MFM hasn't the time and resources to smear you enough to drag the opinion polls down.
Oh, and palin-steele is a goat-buggaring, pimpled-ass, needle dick! That is all.
Posted by: Uncle Phucknuckle at December 27, 2010 08:27 AM (0ba8c)
Posted by: Dan at December 27, 2010 08:29 AM (1jzSs)
I can't find that in the article.
Posted by: toby928™ at December 27, 2010 08:29 AM (S5YRY)
Posted by: justin cord at December 27, 2010 08:30 AM (c0+w5)
Posted by: Count de Monet at December 27, 2010 08:31 AM (XBM1t)
Posted by: MFM at December 27, 2010 12:18 PM (GwPRU)
Just what I needed at lunch time. I've got a picture of a dude getting raped by a dog that's less disturbing than that mental image.
Posted by: ol_dirty_/b/tard at December 27, 2010 08:32 AM (IoUF1)
Successful RNC chairman, Lobbyist and Mississippi governor. Possible good ole boy. And apparently, a threat to somebody.
Posted by: toby928™ at December 27, 2010 08:35 AM (S5YRY)
Oh, wait, wrong Haley.
Posted by: Will Folks at December 27, 2010 08:37 AM (IoUF1)
Posted by: eman at December 27, 2010 08:38 AM (XXyJt)
Do we consider Politico a valid news source?
Posted by: ¤§EZB§¤ at December 27, 2010 08:40 AM (Ty06w)
Seriously, is the need for "federal largess" quote in there and I just can't see it? Or was this editorializing by the cob-logger?
Posted by: toby928™ at December 27, 2010 08:40 AM (S5YRY)
I don't know about that. If anything it seems that the dems are itching for a match-up between Palin and Wannabe Commie Dictator Obumbles.
They seem think Palin is unelectable. They may be right.
Posted by: Rickshaw Jack at December 27, 2010 08:41 AM (zdaIQ)
Posted by: eman at December 27, 2010 08:43 AM (XXyJt)
Posted by: The Mega Indepedent at December 27, 2010 08:43 AM (BHLuE)
Posted by: joeindc44 at December 27, 2010 08:47 AM (QxSug)
Posted by: CoolCzech at December 27, 2010 08:48 AM (tJjm/)
These stories about Palin and Barbour are what I call foundational stories to set the meme for the candidate. I would expect next year both will receive VERY favorable press running up to the Republican primaries and then back to these stories for the general.
Honestly why anyone pays attention to Barbour at all I have no idea. The idea that the republican party would be stupid enough to run a fat, white,. deep southern governor against the first black president is just ludicrous. The only people who take Barbour seriously are the press.
Posted by: Rocks at December 27, 2010 08:48 AM (WxagK)
The Obama's flew commercial to Hawaii right? I mean Michelle surely didn't take a government plane so she could get their early did she? I know there is no way Obama would take airforce one just to go on vacation.
Posted by: robtr at December 27, 2010 08:49 AM (hVDig)
Posted by: eman at December 27, 2010 08:51 AM (XXyJt)
Posted by: drizzler's battlefield buddy at December 27, 2010 08:51 AM (0YS61)
Posted by: Lincolntf at December 27, 2010 08:54 AM (T+5rr)
I feared so. Please don't help them tar our people, whether we back that particular candidate or not. A couple of commentor were becoming incensed by that added implication so I was reading closely, what with Politico known to invent shit and all.
Posted by: toby928™ at December 27, 2010 08:55 AM (S5YRY)
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at December 27, 2010 08:55 AM (9hSKh)
Do we consider Politico a valid news source?
Posted by: ¤§EZB§¤ at December 27, 2010 12:40 PMApparently, "we" do. AoSHQ and TepidAir give a lot of play to what Ben Smith and the others there write.
The problem is basic and systemic. AoSHQ and TepidAir are commentary sites. Very little original research and reporting gets done. For them to survive, they must rely on sources that (supposedly) do follow up on stories and gather facts. That means they get biased material.
The reactions are expected. People jump on "the media" for lambasting Barbour (or anyone else on their hit list) and conveniently ignore the meat of the story, which in this case is that Barbour is a luxury-lovin' establishment political hack who sees himself as entitled to livin' large.
Granted, it'd be nice to see more information put out on the profligacy of all the entrenched fatcats, regardless of party. That should be front and center on any reasonable person's radar.
I think the underlying message should be to get rid of all the corrupt players in politics. But, based on what I know, I have to put Barbour on that list.
Posted by: MrScribbler© at December 27, 2010 08:55 AM (Ulu3i)
Posted by: somegoof at December 27, 2010 08:59 AM (TMB3S)
The liberals always say that but I have never seen any proof of it. They always offer up the old saw about total federal dollars going to "red" States but that includes money going to the military and federal parks.
If we are talking about "welfare" in 2007 Mississippi had 24,000 people on it while NY had 408,000. The big time winner though was CA which had over a million.
Posted by: Vic at December 27, 2010 09:04 AM (M9Ie6)
Of course, I am not the chair of the RNC, so we may be fucked.
Posted by: Unclefacts, Confuse A Cat, Ltd. at December 27, 2010 09:05 AM (eCAn3)
Posted by: eman at December 27, 2010 09:06 AM (XXyJt)
From the second that McCain surprised the MFM by picking Palin, they called an all hands this is no shit red alert to send every garbage picker to Alaska and interview every disgrunted lefty they could find in an Anchorage dive bar.
This while ignoring every red flag that popped up with Chocolate Jesus
Posted by: kbdabear at December 27, 2010 09:08 AM (vdfwz)
I think the underlying message should be to get rid of all the corrupt players in politics. But, based on what I know, I have to put Barbour on that list.
Wow! Excellent response (thank you.).
Posted by: ¤§EZB§¤ at December 27, 2010 09:08 AM (Ty06w)
Why pick on Barbour? Because there's a higher ROI sliming Barbour. Or Pawlenty. Or Romney. Or Pence. Or Gingrich. As for Huck - he's a blimp.
The MSM is gassing on about Obama's "big comeback". That's because Obama, Inc. needs to beef up their guy for the big fight with the Republican House, for starting in January, the House staff will be sticking their noses in every federal bureau, agency, and department. And then the subpoenas will fly. And Obama will defy.
With the political battle lines hardening, the country class won't pick a wheeler-dealer for their 2012 candidate - they will pick a fearless warrior.
Posted by: mrp at December 27, 2010 09:10 AM (HjPtV)
Is that so? They must have sent the money in through the ports in New Orleans, because we haven't seen jack shit
Posted by: Mississipi victims of Katrina at December 27, 2010 09:11 AM (vdfwz)
No shit. You will never hear as much taking the fifth claims of executive priviledge as you will over the next two years if you leave to be 200.
Zombie Nixon will approve.
Posted by: toby928™ at December 27, 2010 09:13 AM (S5YRY)
Posted by: The Mega Indepedent at December 27, 2010 09:14 AM (BHLuE)
It was always going to be that, after they peeled away from him in the run-up to the midterms (so Democrats didn't get completely destroyed).
Posted by: The Mega Independent at December 27, 2010 09:17 AM (BHLuE)
Barbour seems to at least be trying to help his State, what with working ot get Nissan and Toyota to build factories in Mississippi, and his work in trying to keep the state on a even keel financially.
If he were not white, and a viable POTUS candidate in 2012, this would not be in the news.
Oppose teh One, get smeered by Politico. Been there, seen that.
Posted by: Dick_Nixon at December 27, 2010 09:26 AM (kaOJx)
I don't give 2 figs for what Politico has to say about anything. They have been proven on more than one occasion to flat out lie. I have a source that is an anonymous insider at Politico that says they just sit around in their boxers and make shit up. I can't reveal my source, because they fear reprisal from the nitwits running that garbage dump.
My anonymous sources are as good as Politico's, and you should believe them just as much.
Posted by: Steph at December 27, 2010 09:31 AM (CUlig)
Posted by: Liberal Hack at December 27, 2010 09:37 AM (BHLuE)
I am sure that Haley Barbour is a fine man. But ..... I don't see how the first Black president loses to the gubna of Mizz sipi.
I hope Pence does run. I hope Christie runs. I hope Palin runs. I hope the field is so crowded with real conservatives that the RINOs can't even get near the room, much less in it.
Never entrust power to anyone not willing to surrender it.
Posted by: VADM (Red) Cuthbert Collingwood RN at December 27, 2010 09:43 AM (UL/HQ)
Let's not forget the fact that "Federal funding spent in the State of Mississippi" includes Federal money spent at Meridian Naval Air Station, Columbus Air Force Base, on naval construction at Pascagoula's shipyards, the Gulfport naval station, or on the substantial and often-deployed Mississippi National Guard which includes a full MTOE armored brigade.
And yeah, until I see who else formally declares, I'm liking Barbour.
Posted by: SGT Dan at December 27, 2010 09:55 AM (x3vvv)
Posted by: Joe Bidenmytime at December 27, 2010 01:06 PM (3REH5)
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Would have been nice to see analysis of this sort with Obama's sweetheart deal at her "job" or his land deal with that racketeer.
Posted by: 18-1 at December 27, 2010 08:05 AM (bgcml)