GREENVILLE - It was not too surprising that Magnolia politics caught the attention of much of the national media.
Nasty politics usually stokes interest, especially when it's the brand that emanates from this state. When the picture grows negative, bet the house Mississippi will somehow end up in the center of the controversy. After all, history is on our side.
Let's face it: Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and Republican challenger Haley Barbour spent millions and sickened much of the electorate in the process with their avalanche of negative campaign ads.
Mississippi found itself squarely in the political crosshairs. President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other GOP heavyweights made campaign stops in Mississippi in support of Barbour. Republicans viewed the Mississippi governorship as a prized political jewel.
On the other hand, Musgrove couldn't move fast enough to get away from any connection with the Democratic Party - preferring to call himself "an independent conservative."
But in the end, when the political smoke cleared, Musgrove blinked, Barbour winked, and the majority of Mississippians voted for change.
But it is going to take some time to see whether there are any goodies tucked in that political bag we expect Barbour to leave for us.
Up here in the Mississippi Delta, folks would certainly like to see a fresh infusion of jobs and new industry to make up for the thousands of manufacturing jobs lost over the past three years.
So now Barbour of Yazoo City, former Republican National Committee chairman and acknowledged Beltway insider, becomes governor in January.
Change is good, but I wonder whether the political transformation is going to significantly alter how this state conducts its legislative business.
Right off the bat, Barbour is looking at taking a rather up-close, personal gander at a significant state budget shortfall. And with a campaign pledge of "no new taxes," it is going to be interesting to see how Barbour goes about finding the funds to balance the budget.
We must remember that although some politicians might think they can turn miracles on a whim, none of them carry magic wands nor possess a Midas touch when it comes to fiscal austerity. It takes hard work, planning, luck and a political consensus.
There is a fine science to efficiently living within the confines of a budget. And few government leaders and legislatures have displayed the discipline it takes to judiciously apply public money. Many of them never saw a dollar that wasn't worth spending.
In Mississippi, the budget problem is simply exacerbated because the governor carries little fiscal clout over the state Legislature. But Barbour is a likable enough chap, can handle himself in the trenches and has a Republican ally in Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, who presides over the state Senate.
So perhaps the Barbour-Tuck political team may be able to prolong the political honeymoon with lawmakers to at least the conclusion of the 2004 legislative session.
But during the gubernatorial campaign, Barbour displayed a vindictive, slash-and-burn style. I sure hope it was simply for cosmetic effect and Mississippians will see more of a compassionate leader whom this state so urgently needs.
While Barbour settles into the Governor's Mansion in Jackson, he needs to think of the Delta as more than a convenient sound bite and photo opportunity.
We are waiting for the new governor to bring forth concrete plans to boost economic development and continue the improvement of the public school infrastructure. But most important, he must give Deltans a sense of hope that there are indeed bright economic moments looming on the horizon.
