GOP’s 11th command is out the window

The Clarion-Ledger Editorial, 3/17/8

Republican politics used to be so simple and boring. The GOP leaders got together, decided on a candidate and put all their money and effort behind him. Primaries were foregone conclusions.

These new competitive primaries are getting quite complicated, and certainly fun to watch.

The race for the GOP nomination for the 3rd Congressional District, an open seat due to 3rd District U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering not seeking re-election, started out as a group of largely undistinguishable candidates saying the same things to a limited audience. It turned out to be a political knife fight before it was over, with flying accusations and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Heck, they acted like a bunch of Democrats.