Last week the speculation was just what was Governor RonnieMusgrove running for: Governor or President of Delta StateUniversity? Musgrove quelled the rumors Wednesday afternoon – hiseye is on four more years as Mississippi’s chief executive.

It turns out the rumors were true as Musgrove admitted hisinterest and made an inquiry to members of the State College Board.He was serious enough that he even made a trip to Cleveland to lookfor a home. The final decision was made Tuesday night during dinnerwith his children at a Madison restaurant. Even his aides wereunsure until the final hour what his decision was going to be.

The latest rumor now floating around is that he is working adeal for the State College Board to keep the Delta State slot openuntil after the November election, just in case the governor issuddenly job hunting!

Turning down a job that doubles your salary is a tough decision,but you have to hand it to the governor for his dedication toMississippi.

One issue that might have helped Musgrove make his decision wasthe realization that had he chosen to be the next President ofDelta State University, guess who would have been the new governorof Mississippi for the remaining months of his term? His archrivalRepublican Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck!

That scenario would have brought an even more interestingsituation as Gov. Amy Tuck would have then been spending her summerrunning for Lt. Governor!

While Musgrove was busy making his decision, back in the wingswas John Arthur Eaves, Jr. making good on his threat to challengethe governor for the Democratic nomination. Eaves qualified onMonday.

Eaves is a very successful plaintiff attorney with a worldwidepractice in personal injury lawsuits. A solid supporter of Musgrovein the past, he was angered by the tort reform special session andblames Musgrove for its passage last year.

This will be Eaves’ second shot at public office. He ranunsuccessfully in 1996 for the Democratic nomination for the ThirdCongressional District seat that was eventually won by ChipPickering. He follows in the footsteps of his father whounsucessfully ran for governor in the 70s and 80s while promoting a$10 car tag.

A Musgrove-Eaves Democratic primary will be interesting and maybe bloody as Eaves has been slinging mud since December. Wealthyenough to finance his own campaign, Eaves will still suck triallawyer donations away from Musgrove, financially weakening thegovernor’s campaign war chest.

Waiting on the sidelines will be Haley Barbour, smiling — witha pot full of cash and counting the days to face his opponent inthe November general election.

The race is on!