For my fellow Mississippians

Personally, I think Hilary has made a grave political mistake. In an interview she is quoted as saying, "I was shocked when I learned Iowa and Mississippi have never elected a woman governor, senator or member of Congress. There has got to be something at work here." She went on to say, "How can Iowa be ranked with Mississippi? That's not the quality. That's not the communitarianism, that's not the openness I see in Iowa."

I'm wondering how such an educated woman can make such a careless statement? Regardless of the fact that Mississippi is historically a "red" state, she has managed to not only alienate our state but the entire south along with it. The South tends to link itself together. The deep South is generally though of as backwoods, ignorant, and behind the times. Now, I'll admit we are behind in terms of progressive thinking. Liberals in Mississippi aren't hard to come by, they simply aren't the majority. The issue is that this is the case in most Southern states. Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, sometimes Tennessee, and even the Carolinas are portrayed in the same light by Hollywood. People who have never visited the South are shocked when they come and discover civilization. I worked with a girl from Maine once whose family was completely surprised she had indoor plumbing and electricity and didn't have to drive to New Orleans to shop.

Beyond simply alienating a good portion of potential voters, Hilary has managed to destroy the confidence of people who stand to be under her leadership. Katrina is not a dim memory to those of use who experienced it. Federal response to a disaster of such proportions was sadly lacking, and this from a candidate we helped to put in office (oops). Point is, if "our" chosen leader will ignore our struggles with such careless abandon, what will the South look like if left up to a leader who doesn't even consider us worthy of considerate comments?

Let me also point out that we have never had a female gubernatorial candidate. We have, however, had two women elected to Mississippi's 2nd highest office, one who is still serving. Lt. Governor Amy Tuck is well respected throughout Mississippi, and although she is now affiliated with the Republican party, she was elected into office as a Democrat.

I am used to the disrespectful and ignorant attitudes of the country regarding Mississippi. We have been poorly portrayed for as long as I can remember, this I believe we are all used to. But when the politicians, especially those who stand a possibility of running this country, begin to not only view us in a bad light, but also speak of us in one, I do not see good things.