We are thrilled with Senator John McCain’s announcement today that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will join the Republican ticket as his running mate.  The reveal of the first Republican female running for national office folds nicely into this week’s national celebration of the 88th anniversary of women’s right to vote.

Sarah Palin’s small-town background is one understood by Mississippians.  Like many children in your own communities, she was a teacher’s kid, a basketball player, and a hunter.   Governor Palin’s personal history suggests that she built upon the basic tenets learned from those first experiences to dictate how she would journey to the highest office in the State of Alaska; tenacity, fairness, sincerity, compassion.   

Her personal background is note-worthy, her record of accomplishment as the Governor of Alaska is vote-worthy.  She is the only candidate with Executive experience on the national ticket.  Palin is the Commander-in-Chief of the Alaskan National Guard and has a son soon to be deployed with the Army in Iraq.  She has a record of governmental reform, and knows all too well as the mother of five, how to account for the “least” of us. 

There is no doubt that Governor Palin’s appearance will offer additional excitement and enthusiasm to the Republican Convention - stay tuned Mississippi!!

In response to the selection, Cochran’s Communication Director Natalie Buchanan says, “I congratulate Governor Sarah Palin as she is the first female Republican Vice-Presidential nominee. It is a historic moment as Senator McCain’s selection falls during the week we celebrate the 88th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guarantees women a right to vote.  Governor Palin, a conservative leader with executive experience, is known for her pro-life, pro-gun, and fiscally conservative policies which are values important to Mississippians.  She will compliment Senator McCain well in the White House.” 

Rose Flenorl, FedEx Manager of Social Responsibility and Ethnic Outreach, introduced Senator Thad Cochran at the Bridging the Gap event in Columbus, MS.  The event brought residents and leaders from across the Golden Triangle area together to speak with Sen. Thad Cochran, Sen. Roger Wicker, and Gov. Haley Barbour on important state and national issues. 

Rose is a recipient of the Memphis Women Magazine’s “50 Women Who Make A Difference Award,” the National Society of Fund Raising Executives’ Crystal Award for Philanthropy, the Black Business Association Benny Award for Outstanding Community Involvement, the Urban League J.A. McDaniel Award, and the Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South Character Award.  A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Rose was the first black female named to the student Hall of Fame and was chosen by Glamour Magazine as one of the top 10 college women in the United States. 

Senator Thad Cochran, Governor Haley Barbour, and Senator Roger Wicker attended the “Leadership Bridging the Gap” breakfast in Columbus, MS, on August 20.  The event was a forum for local political officials and business leaders of North Mississippi to gather and discuss significant issues facing Mississippi.  Cochran, Wicker, and Barbour delivered remarks at the event.  View Senator Cochran’s remarks from the event which focused on ”Bridging the Gap.”

 

View video highlights below of Senator Cochran’s speech at the monthly luncheon of the Lafayette County Republican Women’s Club on Wednesday, August 13.  Click here for more information and to view photographs of the event.

On Saturday, August 16, South Mississippi Field Representative Michael Janus attended the Pearl River County Republican Party Rally. The featured speakers at the event were John McKay, Republican candidate for Congress in District 4, Senator Roger Wicker, Cory Adair, the official liaison to the Mississippi McCain campaign, Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison, State Representative Mark Formby, and State Representative Michael Janus representing Senator Thad Cochran. The Pearl River County Republican group gathered for a fish fry in hopes of rallying residents in the area to come out and show support for the Republican candidates for this year’s election.

State Representative Michael Janus speaks as a representative of Senator Cochran at the Pearl River County Republican Rally.

View video excerpts from Senator Cochran’s speech at Lafayette Middle School.  Senator Cochran spoke to approximately 550 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students on Thursday, August 14. Cochran spoke about his tenure in public office, described his duties as a Senator, and talked about the importance of an education.

Senator Cochran also talked about the upcoming presidential debate in Oxford and other issues including the economy and the November presidential election.

The Thad for Senate Campaign is coming to a football game near you!!

THAD FOR SENATE FOOTBALL TOUR 2008

Sept. 13            Mississippi State University V. Auburn
                        -The Mississippi State College Republicans will have a tent set up in the Junction, so stop by, visit, and get some Thad gear to wear at the game!

Sept. 13             Pig Pickin’ Festival @ Delta State – Delta State University V. Arkansas-Monticello
                        -Senator Thad Cochran and Senator Roger Wicker will participate in the Pig Pickin’ Festival at Delta State University, and both will then attend the DSU football game at 6 p.m.

Oct. 4.              Ole Miss V. University of South Carolina

Oct. 11             University of Southern Mississippi V. Boise State
                        -Senator Thad Cochran will be introduced on the football field at half-time.

Oct. 25             Jackson State University V. MS Valley – JSU’s Homecoming

Please take time to read the Commercial Dispatch article covering the “Bridging the Gap” event in Columbus, Mississippi, on Wednesday.  Senator Thad Cochran, Senator Roger Wicker, and Gov. Haley Barbour all spoke at the event recognizing the great success and growth of our great state.  They also recognized the challenges that we as Mississippians continue to face.  The overall theme of the event was “teamwork” and how working together as Mississippians is what truly matters.

Also check back for pictures and possible video footage from the event.

GOP leaders tout leadership, growth

By Kristin Mamrack
kmamrack@cdispatch.com
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
 
Local and state community and business leaders this morning were treated to breakfast with two United States senators and the governor at the Trotter Convention Center.

Sen. Thad Cochran and Sen. Roger Wicker, both R-Miss., joined Gov. Haley Barbour and special guests for a “Leadership Bridging the Gap” breakfast.

“Columbus is a viable and growing city,” Mayor Robert Smith said in introducing special guests. “There is something inherently good about rallying together for the community good.”

“We’re proving we’re close together,” Cochran said. “I don’t think that gap is as big as some people think. By our example, we can be an influence to the rest of the country. I am convinced we have a record of achievement and accomplishment in reaching out and working together that should be the envy of every state in the nation.”

“I really feel at home here,” Wicker said of visiting Columbus. “We’ve got a long way to go, but maybe we could pat ourselves on the back for a community (able to assemble) a diverse group of leaders.”

Click here to continue reading in our “In the News” section.

Read an article that was written by Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal after an Editorial Board meeting was held with Senator Cochran.  Senator Cochran shared his views and concerns about several issues throughout the hour long interview with the paper.

LLOYD GRAY:Cochran remains consensus builder
Sunday, August 17, 2008 - Daily Journal
8/17/2008 7:26:22 AM
Daily Journal 
 

It’s not exactly top of mind, but there’s another U.S. Senate race in Mississippi this year besides the one between Roger Wicker and Ronnie Musgrove.

Thad Cochran, Mississippi’s senior senator who 30 years ago became the first statewide elected Republican official in a century, is up for re-election. Former state Rep. Eric Fleming of Jackson is his Democratic opponent.

Unlike the Wicker-Musgrove race, this one’s not in doubt. Cochran will win handily.

At 70, Cochran signed up for another six-year term after a period of deliberation last fall. Trent Lott’s resignation was a factor, though not the primary one, in his decision. Cochran acknowledged in a meeting with the Daily Journal editorial board last week that returning to Washington for another six years was less attractive than in the past because of the extreme partisanship now the rule at the U.S. Capitol.

Click here to continue reading the article.

On Thursday morning of last week, Senator Cochran visited the Lafayette Pediatric Clinic in support of the Reach Out and Read program.  Cochran read to a group of young patients in the clinic’s waiting room, emphasizing the importance of reading aloud to children. 

Below: Pictures from the event

Senator Cochran receives a round of applause after reading “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.”

Farryn Davis hugs a new book that was given to her after a visit to the Lafayette Pediatric Clinic.  Clinics who are involved with the Reach Out and Read program give every child a new book each visit until they reach the age of 5. 

Reach Out and Read’s National Center issued a news release which stated the following:

The program has gained broad bipartisan support in Congress, and Senator Cochran has been a leading advocate in Washington for the program’s federal funding.  “Senator Cochran has been a terrific champion for Reach Out and Read,” said Dr. Barry Zuckerman, founder of the program.  “We’re grateful for his strong leadership on behalf of young children in Mississippi and across the country.”
Lafayette Pediatric Clinic participates in Reach Out and Read (ROR), a national children’s literacy program that focuses on young children at risk of entering school unprepared to learn. At every checkup, clinicians in ROR guide and encourage parents to read aloud to their young children every day, and give each child a carefully selected new, developmentally and culturally appropriate book. 

Also, Click here to read a great article written by the Oxford Eagle about the event.

Click here for more pictures from the event or check in our Events section.