The issue of ballot placement is currently before the courts, which ultimately will decide the case, based upon a judicial interpretation of the law. To my mind, the whole thing is rather silly as a practical matter, given our use of the new touch-screen voting machines which essentially nullifies traditional advantages of appearing “first” on the ballot. Nevertheless, the Musgrove camp, with Hood’s active and eager assistance, apparently wants to fight about it.
Jim Hood is acting as a partisan Democrat. But, hey, in all honesty, I’d be among the last to complain about that sort of thing. For Greg Snowden to accuse Jim Hood of political partisanship would be akin to Trotsky pointing out that Stalin is a Bolshevik.
Still, it is a dangerous game to play. When I first entered the Legislature, in January, 2000, there were seven state-wide elected Democrats, and a lone Republican, state auditor Phil Bryant. The tables are now turned — of the eight state-wide elective offices, the GOP currently holds seven, and Jim Hood, as the sole Dem, is the odd man out.
The critical difference, of course, is that even in 2000, in the “red” state that is today’s Mississippi, Phil Bryant knew that help was on the way. It was only a matter of time. Our Democrat AG in 2008 can’t possibly have that same level of confidence.
Jim Hood has got to be one lonely guy.
Greg Snowden Blog
Clarion Ledger
9/15/8
Magnolia Tribune
