Jackson Free Press

Columnist Bill Minor writes: "Looking at the lineup of four white, male, mostly 60-something Barbour Administration appointees named last Friday, several to head socially-sensitive state agencies, two thoughts immediately came to mind:
- So much for racial and gender inclusiveness, so glibly promised by Haley Barbour in the recent gubernatorial campaign.
- If this is 'compassionate conservatism' handed down by the high totems of Republicanism to their man in Mississippi, then there are tough times ahead for the many thousands of poor and disadvantaged who populate this state."

Eric Stringfellow writes: "No one can dispute that Barbour is gifted and has a lot to offer Mississippi. His pledge to make jobs a top priority is encouraging and on point. But his blind spots, as illustrated by the team he's put together to help run state government, are troubling. The governor must know that the most effective way of building a winning team is by employing all of the state's diverse talents and setting that tone early. The world is watching."