That's the choice Charlie Mitchell gives in
The Sun HeraldIt may not be the key issue on voters' minds, but a key consequence in selecting Mississippi's next lieutenant governor is whether the state Senate will become an echo chamber for Gov. Haley Barbour, who most believe will get the nod Nov. 6 for a second term.
At the national level for much of recent history, voters have seen to it, purposely or not, that the president was from one party and majorities in Congress were from the other. The result has been a combative imbalance, often called gridlock, but, hey, people seem to prefer that arrangement. Indeed, it is often good for the public when new laws either aren't passed or follow hard-fought compromises.
Anyway, the deal is this: Barbour wants a Republican House, which would be a first, and a greater Republican majority in the Senate. While he has been more effective in managing the Legislature than any governor in memory, the fact remains that lawmakers run the state.
If voters want to see how Barbour's policies would work for Mississippi if unfettered, electing Bryant would be a big part of making that come true.
If, however, they want to see the agenda of a second- term governor challenged, they'd have to go with Franks.
This whole column is assuming that Barbour will be elected of course. I'm not sure that will be the case. But any serious student of how government is SUPPOSED to work would recognize the reasoning behind three branches of government: the best laws are passed with much deliberation and discussion. So, my vote would be for independence in the Lt. Governor's office -- for Franks. It would make for much more sound public policy.
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