Wicker for Senate

Monday, at the monthly luncheon sponsored by The John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State University and the Capitol Press Corps, former Democratic Governor Ronnie Musgrove spoke to reporters about his campaign for U.S. Senate against Republican Senator Roger Wicker, who spoke last month.

In his speech, Wicker never mentioned Musgrove and only briefly even acknowledged the election. His was the speech of a Senator absent campaign rhetoric and dwelling more on wonkish policy than political swipes. On the other hand, Musgrove mentioned Wicker by name (or by "my opponent") ten times, essentially repeating his campaign stump speech from the Neshoba County Fair. Each discourse fit the respective candidate's style: Wicker implementing a Cochranesque gentlemanpolitik; Musgrove a campaign street fighter always ready for a political Pier 6 brawl.

Wicker discussed Senate accomplishments, legislative items in the pipeline, and his future policy priorities. He spoke about the Wicker Amendment that extended the start date for GO-Zone qualifying post-Katrina construction, and listed his goals for the remainder of the session including $350 million for the restoration of the barrier islands to pre-Camille levels, and acting on a commitment by Senate leadership to address all perils insurance.