In their first and perhaps last joint appearance of the 2011 election, Mississippi’s top lawyer faced off with Mississippi’s former top cop Monday at the Stennis-Capitol Press Luncheon at the University Club in Jackson. Attorney General Jim Hood (D) and his challenger, former Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson (R) compete in November to serve as Attorney General.
Simpson called on Hood once again to join him in a series of four, one-hour debates in Mississippi’s four congressional districts. Hood declined and said he was always open for any questions from the media which he described as “the best way to get the message out.” Hood claimed he was too busy with his two jobs to debate: one job as Attorney General and one job campaigning for Attorney General. Candidate debates are typically part of a campaign.
Whether he was discussing debates in general, or attacks leveled that day by Simpson, Hood said he was going to follow advice he attributed to John McCain, “You don’t wanna get in a fight with a pig because you get muddy and the pig likes it.”
Simpson asked, “Would you hire a lawyer without the opportunity to interview them? Neither should Mississippi.”
Madison Online
10/5/11
Magnolia Tribune
