Ross Wants Stubborn Leadership; Franks Wants A Diverse Mississippi

In the Mississippi Press Association debate (like it should be and not a Barbour demanded forum) the candidates differed greatly on how they would choose committee chairman, arguably the most important thing a Lt. Governor will do in their term.

Republican Charlie Ross promised to appoint chairmen who share his views. He also made a point of saying that his views shouldn't be influenced by others' opinions when making the decisions over committee chairmen. He's either showcasing his ability to be as stubborn as a goat in not taking into consideration others' opinions or he's not being completely truthful. I hope it's the later because we don't need another in office as stubborn as our president.

Democrat Jamie Franks promised diverse leadership that represented Mississippi. He promised that both black and white senators would be represented amoung the chairs. In a great show of bi-partisanship and his desire to make government work he also indicated that if elected Republicans would not be shut out of those seats. Franks was most specific when he stated that Sen. Tommy Robertson would NOT be returning as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Roberson has been very much a lapdog of Haley Barbour and after early support for the tax swap was instrumental in killing it.

Republican Phil Bryant declared his intention to include many groups, specifically including teachers (who by his own admission have been ignored by many Republicans), in the decision making process. This is just a cop-out. He could have indicated the kind of people he would support, but instead he indicated that he'd wait till after the election to decide.

Source Material included this Hattiesburg American Article.