Baria is bringing new life to Senate

Sen. David Baria of Bay St. Louis is a much-needed shot in the arm for Senate Democrats. His latest stand comes against Barbour's newest Medicaid proposal.

From this Clarion-Ledger article:

Fourteen Democrats in the Mississippi Senate filed court documents today, arguing that only lawmakers can decide how state programs are funded.

“The circumstance that the legislative process has not yet produced full funding, or that the governor’s preference in the method of funding has been frustrated in the Legislature, does not grant the governor constitutional license to bypass the Legislature and impose his tax plan by executive degree,” State Rep. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, wrote.

The Senate is an unfortunate place for Democrats. It's not that we don't have good Democrats over there. In fact, we have some of the greatest Democrats this state has to offer sitting in the Senate. Some of the smartest, some of the toughest, some of the most seasoned.

It's that they are missing cohesive, strong, visionary, unafraid leadership in the Senate. If they had that, then Democrats would control the Senate right now. After all, there are more Democrats than Republicans, and the Democrats could have voted to change the rules and vest the power normally given to the lieutenant governor in the president pro temp.

Some of those guys over there are beaten down. They've tried and tried to make change, but when they look to some of their colleagues, they get no support. That's the case with many in the Black Caucus, who feel that some of their rural white fellow senators cave on important issues because of fear of political retribution from their home district. Those are legitimate fears, but it's still frustrating to watch.

But Sen. Baria, whose district I would not describe as rural, is proving that he's not scared of standing up and taking a risk for what he knows is right. His district is not an overwhelmingly Democratic district. He could -- and most likely will -- face stiff competition in 2011.

That said, Baria's not acting as someone who fears the future. If his stances mean political retribution is around the corner, I suppose he's preparing for that fight when it comes.

Baria is a man who has seen real tragedy in his life. If you think he's scared of a few partisan hacks calling him names or some weak-as-water colleagues coming down on him, you better reconsider quickly.

Here's hoping that Baria can re-energize some of the old guard Dems in the Senate who once were filled with the same fight as he is showing now.