Jackson Free Press

Minutes after Gov. Haley Barbour began his prepared speech at the Neshoba County Fair last week, a transcript of the speech arrived in the Jackson Free Press' e-mail box.

Starting with the fourth sentence, the transcript read: "How did you like that last speech by
John Arthur Eaves, Junior? You know what it means when a candidate's campaign message is nothing but negative attacks on his opponent; no substance or solutions. It means that the candidate has nothing to offer."

Considering that Barbour was then speaking and that Eaves had spoken moments before, it was clear that Barbour's transcript was written before Barbour could have heard Eaves' remarks. In fact, the Word document was created at 4:09 p.m. the day before, on July 25.

The speech also left out a quip that has become the most quoted part of Barbour's speech. When Barbour introduced his wife, Marsha, he said, "That's right, I got my trophy wife the first time." This was a clear reference to the much younger, and quite lovely, wife of his opponent, Angel Eaves.

"The comment made by Barbour was insulting not only to my family, but to all women in Mississippi. I think it speaks for itself," Eaves said Tuesday.

According to Wikipedia, "Trophy wife is a pejorative term, usually applied to a physically attractive younger woman married to a man who has obtained a high level of success, be it physical, financial, or otherwise. Usually, the Trophy Wife is not the first wife of the man and has had little to do with the achievement of that success."

Of course, one could argue that it is also perjorative to Marsha Barbour, who ends up as the de facto butt of her husband's political barb.

David Hampton of The Clarion-Ledger reported that Barbour's staff had decided to insert the line into his prepared speech just before he took the stage.

But Angel Eaves herself had the last word when Associated Press asked for her response to Barbour's insult. "I can't and still be a lady," she told the reporter.

Previous Commentsshow

When Barbour introduced his wife, Marsha, he said, “That’s right, I got my trophy wife the first time.” You have got to be kidding me! Marsha can't be called a "trophy" by any definition. Haley shoulda probably stuck to the script instead of trying to call out somebody else's wife, especially when his wife ain't no prize.

honey2me

Aug 1 2007

If Barbour thinks that Marsha is a "Trophy Wife; then, who is he? I know that Eaves' wife is very attractive and with a body that a lot of women have done all types of diets, exercise and surgery for: I also know that she can back it up with intelligence, grace and with such a caring disposition with respect for and to others. Haley will say a whole lot of things to keep the real issues from surfacing. I'm sure that Eaves, if elected to represent the Democratic ticket, will stay on subject and bring MS' real issues to the table.

justjess

Aug 2 2007

Dang, ya'll just want let this non-issue go away. Barbour is going to wipe the floor with Eaves and it's because of what has been done in this state over the last 4 years. My wife doesn't have an issue with it and I have not heard any other women that have an issue with it. If it was such an issue I'd be hearing about it around the water cooler. I guess when Fred Thompson gets into the Presidential race and CNN starts calling his wife a trophy that will be ok? I hear talk about bringing the real issues to the table well let's do it. Instead of the repeated grasping at straws why not talk about the real issues. I just wonder if some people's dislike for Barbour is just a dislike for Republicans in general. Barbour has done good for this state and will be re-elected.

LakesideRes

Aug 2 2007

I agree that Barbour's going to get re-elected. Lakeside, you have, in fact, heard women objecting to the term Trophy Wife. Right here, on the JFP web site. Real, live women, who don't like the term. Open your ears. I'm not voting for Barbour, for reasons other than the Trophy Wife thing. But, that really did not help my impression of him as a person or as a gentleman.

kate

Aug 2 2007

Lakeside, you are welcome to talk about a "real issue" at any time. In fact, highly encouraged to. At this point, you're repeating the save drivel about the JFP over and over again. And no one cares. Discuss or depart.

DonnaLadd

Aug 2 2007

Kate your are correct. I have heard women here object to the trophy wife term and your opinions do count. I don't doubt that some women are offended by the term, but I still think it's being overblown a bit. I mean no disrespect to women. There are just so many other issues.

LakesideRes

Aug 2 2007

That's a nice post, Lakeside. Thank you. One thought is to talk to people about why they're offended instead of belitting us because we're offended. And the women, and men, here are perfectly capable of discussing this issue and others all on the same blog. We don't have to choose among the "many issues."

DonnaLadd

Aug 2 2007

Bill Minor is quoting the Jackson Free Press today in a great column about Barbour's trophy-wife insult of Angel Eaves. And he gives some needed context. Go, Mr. Minor! The term "trophy wife," according to Internet research by Jackson Free Press editor Donna Ladd, "actually is a pejorative term usually applied to a physically attractive woman married to a man who has obtained a high level of success." By that definition, Ladd said, "Marsha Barbour ends up as the de facto butt of her husband's political barb." Becky Gillette, of Ocean Springs, vice-chair of the Mississippi Sierra Clubs and chief birddog uncovering formaldehyde in the thousands of FEMA trailers, says: "It (the 'trophy wife' term) demeans all women when people relegate them as a mere appendage." While women's groups were incensed by Barbour's crack, their major concern is that the state is last overall in status of women categories ranked by the non-profit Institute for Women's Policy Research. In the 2006 index, Mississippi ranked 47th and got a grade of F in its composite score on women's employment and earnings. Only four women are among 52 state Senate members, and of 122 House members only 10 are women. And since relatively few women are running for the Legislature this year, those numbers won't change much. Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck is the lone statewide elected official, only the second woman in state history to hold that office. She is term-limited out of office at the end of this year, to be replaced by one of two men vying for her job. Mississippi remains one of the very few states in the nation which has never elected a woman to its congressional delegation, in either the Senate or House. State women's groups are still seething by a remark Barbour made at the beginning of his gubernatorial term when he said he would appoint women to cabinet posts "if I find one who is qualified."

DonnaLadd

Aug 10 2007

Amazingly, Sid Salter—who can always be counted on to carry water for Barbour—blogged back that the co-called "rest of the story" about the "trophy wife" insult was that it was in return for Eaves saying in his speech dignity should be restored to the Governor's Mansion. Two problems with that: 1. Salter may have been the only one who heard Eaves say it. (Report in if you did.) 2. Who IN HOLY FRACKIN' TOLEDO would a comment about "restoring dignity" justify Barbour directly insulting two women (his wife and Eaves') within spitting distance, as well as women in general? I really cannot believe that Salter would even attempt such a faulty and insulting argument. Like many men around here, Salter just doesn't get it. I mean REALLY doesn't get it.

DonnaLadd

Aug 10 2007