Politics to ramp up after election
Mississippi has a weak governor system of governance. People have forgotten this under Haley Barbour’s tenure because of his strong ties to the state Senate. The Mississippi Constitution vests most power with the Legislature.
Will Phil Bryant or Johnny DuPree wield power akin to Barbour’s? Or will tradition reassert itself and the inherent powers of the speaker of the House and lieutenant governor re-emerge?
Mix in Billy McCoy’s swan song as speaker and you get a recipe for consternation and confusion among lobbyists and political power players. As the public focuses on final campaigning for the Nov. 8 general election, fervent behind-the-scenes campaigns are already being waged among current and potential state representatives who will choose the next speaker.
Bill Crawford
11/1/11