Haley Barbour's not-so-lame final year as governor

The Clarion-Ledger, Mississippi's largest newspaper, takes a look at Haley Barbour's seven years as governor and his lame duck finale in the Magnolia State. Term limits prevent Barbour from running for a third term.

Yes, there are criticisms, but the portrait of Barbour, a possible 2012 Republican presidential candidate, is largely favorable.

And the paper doesn't expect a lame year from Barbour.

Said Rep. John Mayo, "The man has a Rolodex that's larger than the New York phone book. I give him credit for what he's brought into the state."

The Yazoo City native has presided over two major Gulf Coast disasters and the aftermath of deadly tornadoes, including one that ripped through his home county.

Barbour said Hurricane Katrina did more to improve Mississippi's image than anything that's happened in his lifetime. "I think that's a huge part of progress. You have to believe in yourself and your state."

He has cut ribbons on some of the state's largest economic development deals, Toyota being the crown jewel. "My vision was to improve the economy and job creation in a way that made Mississippians think this is the place to stay. ... I think we've made some real progress there," he said.

Did someone say "job creation?"

Related posts:

Haley Barbour hubbub defused
Miss. guv Haley Barbour speaks at Ill. GOP unity breakfast
Mississippi bans red light cameras
Marathon Pundit Series: My Mississippi Manifest Destiny

Technorati tags: Republican politics Mississippi Haley Barbour yazoo city mississippi politics jobs economy