How Will Economy Impact Mississippi Senate Race?

The Musgrove-Wicker debate was close, slight edge to Musgrove but unlikely to change any minds. Now that the nationwide economic crisis is starting to have effects in Mississippi, it will be important for Democrats campaigning in our state to continue to stress the relationship between Republican economic policies and our current economic situation. Musgrove managed to do this effectively in the debate, but more reminders will be needed. I suppose the real question will be whether Mississippi voters will set aside the various wedge issues (e.g., abortion, gay marriage, etc.) in this election to vote for their economic self-interest.

If there was ever an election where it would be reasonable to expect wedge issues to have less of an impact that usual, it would be this one. Even the Iraq war has moved off of the front page to make room for the economic crisis as the story of the day. Given the Republican role in creating this mess, this should be an excellent opportunity for the Democratic Party to take the presidency and strengthen their Congressional majority.

Mississippi residents who earn less than $250,000/year and are disheartened about what they've been hearing about the economy should vote for Democratic candidates. In previous elections, this has been obscured by many factors, religious "values" being primary among them. This could be the year to do something positive for our country and our state by setting aside whatever desire we might have to legislate our morality and pursue meaningful change.

Tags: Musgrove, Wicker, Mississippi, Democratic Party, Republican, election 2008, 2008 election, debate, wedge issues, economic crisis, economy

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