It has been an interesting week in the world of Mississippipolitics. Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck comes under pressure to identify thesource of prior campaign loans, and Rep. Chip Pickering lets it beknown he thinks maybe there are other things in life besidespolitics.

For Mississippi Republicans, the announcement by the ThirdDistrict Congressman that he is considering resigning his positionto become a lobbyist is particularly troublesome. It was just thistime last year when Pickering was battling Democrat Ronnie Showsfor the newly-redrawn district seat. It was a rough-and-tumblecampaign with national implications. Even President George W. Bushmade a visit to Jackson to support Pickering. Over $4.4 million wasspent between the two candidates in the most expensive campaign instate history. It was the fifth most expensive mid-term election inthe country.

To say Republicans are miffed is an understatement. Some I havetalked to think Pickering has a two-year contract, and they expecthim to fulfill that contract. One campaign donor told me, “I wantmy money back!”

Few can criticize someone for looking out for his family. Withfive children to feed, a million dollar salary would take care ofthe grocery bills. Pickering currently earns $154,700 per year. Butsome say he knew what the job paid when he ran for it last year –why is that not enough now?

Chip Pickering is, or was, considered the golden boy ofMississippi Republican politics. He is, or was, considered the heirapparent to Trent Lott’s Senate seat should it come open. Dependingon Pickering’s decision this weekend, he may find himself replacingour own Mike Parker in the Republican doghouse.

Amy Tuck brings a new wrinkle to the Republican lawmakers’wardrobe. A Republican for less than a year, her admission that sheowes $460,000 of a $510,000 loan to Gulf Coast attorney and formerBrookhavenite Dickie Scruggs has undoubtedly caused some rumblingsamongst the party regulars.

As a Democrat running for lieutenant governor, she courtedScruggs’ backing for loans in her 1999 campaign against Republicanopponent Bill Hawks. Scruggs said he agreed to the loans becauseHawks “was running on a lawyer-bashing platform.” Scruggs, awealthy plaintiffs’ attorney, has made his fortune in asbestos andtobacco litigation.

The loan is an interesting development for Republicans in thatdespite Tuck’s efforts to help Tort Reform pass the legislaturelast year, some may wonder just where her loyalties are reallyplaced.

The revelation of the source of the lieutenant governor’scampaign loan also opens new debate on campaign finance reform. TheFBI is already investigating secret campaign loans to severaljudges, including a Supreme Court justice. Amy Tuck’s loan will addfuel to the fire to further tighten campaign laws inMississippi.

Write to Bill Jacobs at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, Miss.39602, or send e-mail to bjacobs@dailyleader.com.