Newspapers in Mississippi decided Sunday was the day to highlight the 1st Congressional District race between incumbent Republican Congressman Alan Nunnelee and Democratic challenger Brad Morris. And as we noted, it was the tale of two headlines.
So in true Yall Politics form we took another look at this race, just to see if we’ve missed something. Perhaps new rhetoric had emerged to move the needle from R to D. But, just as we thought, things still seem to reflect our previous predictions that barring a Gene Taylor-esque debacle, Nunnelee will win hands down.
However, one thing we did find as we searched recent news clippings and online posts was a video of Morris speaking at Jacinto back on July 4th.
In his speech, Morris begins by talking about his upbringing in north Mississippi. He then says:
“But it’s important for all of us to recognize that that opportunity didn’t just happen. It was the result of conscience policy decisions that our community, our state, and our nation made so that myself, others from the community I grew up in went on to be doctors and lawyers, engineers, self employed business people and teachers, and folks with good jobs working out there in our community. But I can’t help but worry about today’s children. I can look back and I can see the important role that education played in my youth. I can see the important role of those teachers, scholarships and financial assistance for college; the importance of home ownership that allowed my family to be able to own a home and the importance of all these rural grants that help communities grow. All of that helped me succeed and helped my community grow and succeed. I feel like it would be so much harder in today’s environment with a Congress that’s cutting back on vital programs that have helped middle class families and that is not in keeping with our values in north Mississippi.”
Now where have we heard a version of that before?
Oh, that’s right. It sounds an awful lot like President Barack Obama’s “You didn’t build that” speech, now doesn’t it?
But you know what’s funny? This Morris speech was given 9 days before Obama gave his now infamous remarks in Roanoke, Virginia where the President stated:
“If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a business—you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen.”
Perhaps Morris inspired Obama and the President took it and ran with the line of thought. Or perhaps the Democrats are so well organized that they were sending out talking points to down ticket candidates to support Obama’s rhetoric.
Or maybe, just maybe, this is how Democrats think deep down. Yes, even the Mississippi brand.
Mississippi Democrats cannot separate themselves from their natural liberal instincts any longer. The line distinguishing between them and their national counterparts is forever blurred and Mississippi voters know it.
But don’t just take our word for it… listen, watch, and read for yourself.
Magnolia Tribune
