The New York Times says that the choice of a bona fide working man as the Democratic nominee for Mississippi governor “illustrates to some degree the forlorn state of affairs for Democrats in the South.”
State Democratic Party officials were “stunned.” The news media were “stunned.” The other candidates for the Democratic slot, both women, were angry — and, I assume, stunned — because they spent money and time campaigning, which Robert Gray, the winner, did not.
Boy, oh, boy. What an exclusive club public service has become. I think the reaction to a truck driver’s victory in a Democratic primary says more about “the forlorn state” of politics in general than it does about Democrats in the South.
Like almost everyone else in Mississippi, I’d never heard of long-haul truck driver Robert Gray before his victory. I didn’t vote for him.
But I will.
And I believe a smart working man can learn the mechanics of governing a lot faster than most smarmy professional politicians could learn how to earn an honest day’s wages.
So, maybe Gray’s victory was as much an accident of ballot placement — his name was listed first — as anything else. I call it a happy accident. I like his manner. I like his positions. I like his humility.
“People complain about our governor,” Gray told The Times. “I’m basically going to do the opposite of what he’s doing.” I can support that.
Gray wants to expand Medicaid and spend more on infrastructure and education. Incumbent Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant does not. It’s a no-brainer.
Gray is keeping his pitch simple, and there’s nothing like plain talk to confuse politicians and political commentators. In this day and age it’s, well, stunning.
Gray is black, but he doesn’t talk that much about race. He talks about the poor and working class, whatever color they may be.
After giving some interviews about his unexpected victory, Gray got in his big rig with a truck full of sweet potatoes and drove to a potato-chip factory in Pennsylvania. Wonder what Phil Bryant did the same day? Raised another million dollars? Ate a fancy dinner with big donors? Cussed the feds?
Robert Gray won’t win in Mississippi unless voters change overnight, and I don’t see that happening. But his candidacy already has won a major victory, and I don’t mean the nomination.
Gray’s unexpected win has illustrated vividly how far this country has strayed from government of the people, by the people and for the people: not for the rich people. Not for the status quo. Not for the big lobbies and big business. He has stunned all the right folks.
If only lawyers, professional politicians or the rich or infamous — remember Lester Maddox? Remember Jesse Ventura? — are considered legitimate candidates for public office, what does that say about us, the voters?
I, for one, wish Robert Gray could drive that truck right into the driveway of the fancy governor’s mansion in Jackson and park it for four years.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.