Barbour lashes out in debate
Musgrove ignores scolding by Republican
By Julie Goodman
jgoodman@clarionledger.com
CLEVELAND — Things got ugly at an already rowdy gubernatorial debate Tuesday night when Republican Haley Barbour scolded Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove for airing a television ad which accuses Barbour of "helping poison our children."
Reactions from voters on the gubernatorial debate
"I thought (Barbour) did great. I think he just proved it to me once again how much he deserves the office. He looked extremely sure of himself. He had his head on straight. When he was accused of stuff, he wouldn't look away. He would always look at the opponent. He didn't look like he had anything to hide."
— Laura Lee Griffin, 21, a Delta State University senior and Haley Barbour supporter
"I think Ronnie did a better job. I liked the issues he was talking about as far as employment, education and how he was going to go about putting the people back to work. I also like the idea of him putting his priorities in order, like education and jobs. The economy is not good in Mississippi, but it's not good in other states as well."
— Jerry Cox, 44, manager of a downtown Cleveland clothing store and Gov. Ronnie Musgrove supporter
"I thought it was interesting that both of them were so negative toward each other and each other's record. Gov. Musgrove is talking about Barbour's ties to Washington and Mr. Barbour is talking about Musgrove's record. I wish they had spent more time talking about their plans ... I think they got too caught up in the negative. It's unfortunate because I think they both bring positive things to the table."
— John Cox, 29, Cleveland lawyer and undecided voter
"Hey," Barbour said to Musgrove, who had looked downward while on stage to reach for a cup of water. "You want to look at me?"
"That's the lowest, dirtiest most despicable but desperate thing I've ever seen any candidate ever say in a campaign. My son is sitting right there and he (Musgrove) tells me that I have helped poison our children?" Barbour said during the candidates' third post-primary debate. He pointed to his son Reeves, 24, who joined the crowd of about 1,200 people at Delta State University's Bologna Performing Arts Center.
Musgrove ignored Barbour.
"I think what you can see tonight is a clear choice for governor," he said to the audience.
"We can continue on the road of opportunity, helping and working together to improve our schools and creating better jobs or we can go down a different path, a way of governing that's going to line the special interest pockets. I believe the choice is clear," said Musgrove, prompting roaring applause and cheering from the crowd.
The hourlong event, sponsored by WABG-TV and The Delta Business Journal, was marred by an outburst from Green Party gubernatorial candidate Sherman Lee Dillon, who had to be taken away by security after he bounded on the stage and demanded to be part of the event.
The debate, limited to the two major party candidates, was interrupted twice after that by Dillon supporters who cried out, "Sherman Lee Dillon for governor!" and made disparaging comments about Barbour.
Barbour, who was fuming, used his closing statement to criticize the Musgrove campaign ad, which begins, "Why would Washington lobbyist Haley Barbour help Mexico steal Mississippi jobs and tobacco companies poison our kids? And why would Washington lobbyist Haley Barbour work for giant drug companies to stop prescription drug coverage for Mississippi seniors?"
Musgrove has repeatedly accused Barbour of working against the interests of Mississippi as a lobbyist whose firm represented pharmaceutical and tobacco companies. Musgrove has also said Barbour supported trade policies harmful to the state.
"He knows that's not true, just like he knows it's not true when he says that I've lobbied against a prescription drug benefit. I've lobbied for a prescription drug benefit. I didn't lobby for the passage of (the North American Free Trade Agreement)," Barbour said.
"But this is as far as you go, Ronnie. I'm gonna just tell you, be a man and say that to my face."
Jo Lynn Harris, a DSU student and a Barbour supporter, said she thought Barbour's comments were inappropriate, but said she couldn't blame him because Musgrove seemed to egg him on.
"I think he pushes Barbour's buttons on purpose," said Harris, 22, who is studying elementary education.
Gyrone Kennil, a 48-year-old Charleston bus driver, said he had not made up his mind before the debate whom he would support. But after hearing Barbour's comments, he decided on Musgrove.
"I think Barbour at the end was feeling he was losing the debate and felt he had to do something ... so he lost his control and his composure a little," he said.
Kennil said he was most disturbed by a comment Barbour made regarding Barbara Blackmon, a Democrat who is trying to unseat Republican Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck.
"I thought Barbara Blackmon ... had stooped as low as you could go," Barbour said, referring to Blackmon's challenge to Tuck to sign an affidavit saying she had never had an abortion.
Musgrove and Barbour also sparred over education, economic development and voter identification.
The final debate is scheduled for Oct. 20. in Biloxi, two weeks before the Nov. 4 general election.
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