SUN HERALD
Editorial
Sunday, October 21, 2007
MISSISSIPPI NEEDS FOUR MORE YEARS OF BARBOUR'S EXPERTISE
When Haley Barbour ran for governor four years ago he was an expert in politics, but not necessarily an expert politician. He had, after all, lost his only previous political campaign - in the 1980s, he tried unsuccessfully to take away John Stennis' seat in the U.S. Senate.
But having helped so many other Republican candidates obtain public office, Barbour decided to help himself, at least once more.
After careful consideration, the Sun Herald endorsed Barbour's first gubernatorial bid. Here's part of what we wrote in 2003: "While personally untested in elective office, Barbour has achieved an unparalleled level of success working with and for those occupying the highest political positions in the country. The characteristics and skills he has employed so effectively in the past for others ought to be just as effective when he uses them for a constituency that includes all Mississippians.
"Indeed, what is supposedly his greatest flaw - that he is one of the most politically connected individuals in the nation - is arguably his greatest asset.
"Yes, he has lobbied on behalf of tobacco companies. But he has also lobbied for airlines and drug companies and defense contractors. Is there a town or county in Mississippi that would not welcome any one of those clients as a corporate citizen? Indeed, even though he can justifiably boast of a personal relationship with the president of the United States, it may be of more significance to some out-of-work Mississippians that he can just as easily boast of personal and professional relationships with the presidents of some of the nation's largest businesses.
"Not that boasting is a hallmark of the Barbour campaign. In fact, his political advertising has woefully failed to convey Barbour's connections as the potential assets they are rather than the political liabilities they are asserted to be."
That's about as prophetic as editorial writing gets.
Barbour did indeed use his connections in the private sector to improve the state's economy. And he will be hard pressed in a second term to top the Toyota plant that is under construction in North Mississippi.
Here in South Mississippi, Barbour's connections in the public sector were invaluable in helping this region cope with the ravages and ruin of Hurricane Katrina. But after Katrina, Barbour did much more than make a few calls. His Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal set a standard for dealing with disaster that every state in the union should emulate in similar circumstances.
Four years ago, Barbour gave voters a way to access his governorship: "The test," he said, "will be getting the job done... . Success is the best politics."
Four years later, we are convinced that Barbour has passed the test and that he deserves four more years to do even more for Mississippi.
There is a great deal more to be done. ...
Four years ago we could only hope that Barbour was a match for such challenges.
Today, we are certain that he is.
On Nov. 6, please help re-elect Haley Barbour.
For the full story, visit the Sun Herald website: http://www.sunherald.com/editorials/story/168998.html