Mississippi Politics, by Jere Nash and Andy Taggart
ConservativeBookstore.com -- Mississippi Politics documents shift in political power. It may be difficult for anyone who follows current-day politics to think of Mississippi as anything other than a conservative red state with Republican leaders at every level. Yet in 1976 Mississippi's governor, both senators and three representatives, and all but five seats in the state legislature were occupied by Democrats. In fact, beginning in 1890 and continuing for more than 70 years, "if you were not a white Democrat in Mississippi, you had no power," say authors Jere Nash and Andy Taggart in their new book Mississippi Politics: The Struggle for Power, 1976-2006 (University Press of Mississippi).
Since 1976 the political landscape of Mississippi has drastically changed. Governor Haley Barbour, four out of the seven statewide elected officials, both U.S. Senators, and much of the state legislature are all members of the Republican party.
Nash, a liberal Democrat, and Taggart, a conservative Republican, in "Mississippi Politics", examine the changes associated with the shifting political climate in Mississippi. The authors explore issues associated with the power shift, including Mississippi-education reform, highways, casino gambling, business, healthcare interests, and the tobacco industry.
Nash and Taggart describe the recent political history of Mississippi with meticulous attention to detail as well as with humorous and poignant memories that make for a reader-friendly approach to the complex topic of state politics.
"Mississippi Politics: The Struggle for Power, 1976-2006" includes 115 interviews with public officials, candidates, lobbyists, legislators, and other figures who have helped shape the political structure of Mississippi. The book features a foreword by novelist and former Mississippi legislator John Grisham.
Jere Nash has served as a campaign consultant for a number of Democratic candidates in Mississippi for the past 13 years. Previously he was director of Common Cause in Mississippi, executive director of Mississippi First, deputy state auditor, and director of policy and chief of staff for Governor Ray Mabus. Andy Taggart practices law in Madison, is a partner in a business development firm, and serves on the Madison County Board of Supervisors. Previously he was executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party, chief of staff for Governor Kirk Fordice, and president/CEO of the Mississippi Technology Alliance.
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