In other news, Sen. Nickey Browning comes out of the closet

Sen. Nickey Browning (R - Pontotoc)

Sen. Nickey Browning (R - Pontotoc) consummated a long-simmering and seldom-hidden love affair with the Mississippi Republican Party today, announcing his party switch to the surprise of no one at the Capitol (but perhaps to some folks back home).

As for the reasons for the switch, there is speculation that former Gov. Musgrove's recent support of equal rights for LGBT citizens was the cause. If so, it just goes to prove the adage: If it's intolerance you're looking for, the Mississippi Republican Party is a great place to start.

Well, Browning was never much of a vote for Pontotoc anyway, but he's been a pretty steady vote for Wall Street.  He'll fit in just fine.

P.S. - Does this mean that Sen. Browning's coming out party will include the following quote: "I'm here to be a straight, conservative Republican?"

Former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove (D) announces his support for equal rights for the LGBT community

Here's some good news today.  From the Clarion-Ledger:

Former Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove did something no other person to hold his office ever has – he openly supported equal rights for the LGBT community.

The Clarion-Ledger story is covering a blog post Gov. Musgrove wrote on the Huffington Post concerning Republican Senator Rob Portman's (R - Ohio) personal conversion on the issue. Here's an excerpt from the Huffington Post piece:

The issue of equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender individuals has vexed politicians for decades. I have my own cloudy history with the issue, having supported a law in Mississippi that made it illegal for LGBT couples to adopt children. I believed at the time this was a principled position based on my faith. But I no longer believe it was right. 

Now, can we get Gov. Phil Bryant (R) or Gov. Haley Barbour (R) on record as to where they stand on equal rights for LGBT individuals?