FROM THE "DUH!" DEPARTMENT

The Associated Press ran a story Tuesday quoting Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour as saying he would not run for president in 2008, seeking reelection instead next year.

Some political pundits had been touting Barbour for several reasons. His leadership in the wake of Hurricane Katrina has been highly admired, but his close friendship with President Bush and "insider's feel" as former political director for the Reagan Administration and chairman of the Republican National Committee were also considered major advantages.

Barbour said that his time continues to be occupied with Katrina recovery efforts along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, having travelled to the nation's capitol several times to lobby for federal assistance.

Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said Barbour would’ve had to abandon duties as governor to run for president.

“As it turned out, the recovery from Katrina is his calling and his legacy,” Sabato said. “If he does a good job of it, he will be remembered as one of Mississippi’s greatest governors.”

While I may not agree with much of Barbour's conservative philosophy, I have to give credit where credit is due. I'm a native Mississippian first, and he's done a fine job in getting resources available to help the Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast...even as much of the national attention has gone to New Orleans and the Louisiana coast. He's doing the right thing to speak out now against a possible White House run.