Let the campaigns begin

By Staff
March 5, 2003
Now that the qualifying deadline has passed, campaigns for state and local elective office in Mississippi can begin in earnest.
On a statewide level, the big ticket race is between Republican Haley Barbour and one of two major Democratic contenders, incumbent Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and trial lawyer challenger John Arthur Eaves Jr. Voters in the Aug. 4 Democratic Party primary will make the choice between Musgrove and Eaves.
While the campaign season is still young there is a long, hot summer between today and the primary date  it is time to begin paying attention to what the candidates stand for. At least what they tell us they stand for.
It is strictly an opinion at this point, but don't count Eaves out. He will have the money, mostly from his fellow trial lawyers, and, apparently, the time to campaign heavily across the state. And he will appeal to some Democratic voters who believe Musgrove has deserted their interests.
Barbour is already on television with some foundational spots designed to tell voters who he is and from where he got his conservative political views.
We encourage voters to begin examining the candidates' views and records. We encourage voters to come out and hear the candidates first hand as they appear in East Mississippi over the next few months.
This is an important election year in Mississippi with a variety of choices. It's time for voters to prepare for making sound decisions that will carry Mississippi positively into the future.