NATCHEZ &045;&045; Introduced by a children’s choir and followed by former Gov. Kirk Fordice’s rally cry to get out the vote, Haley Barbour celebrated his 56th birthday in Natchez Wednesday.

At a campaign stop at the Ramada Inn, the Republican talked about ways to create jobs as well as what differentiates him from his opponent, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove.

&uot;I’ve tried to run a campaign on the issues,&uot; Barbour said. &uot;I think that’s what voters want, that’s what they deserve.

&uot;My opponent hasn’t run a TV ad in the last six weeks that has mentioned his name,&uot; Barbour said, referring to Musgrove ads that have criticized Barbour’s efforts at lobbying for NAFTA and other issues.

Barbour hit on a point he has made throughout the campaign, noting that Mississippi has had a net loss of 37,000 jobs under Musgrove, while the state gained jobs under Fordice &045;&045; even while NAFTA was in place.

&uot;We need less whining and more performing&uot; from a governor, Barbour said.

Among his plans to help create jobs in the state: hold off tax increases and pass more tort reform legislation.

&uot;We need genuine and effective tort reform,&uot; Barbour said, eliciting a cheer from the crowd of mostly Adams County residents, many of whom have pushed for tort reform for several months.

While the Legislature did pass medical malpractice reform last year, the state needs more laws to protect businesses from lawsuit abuse, Barbour said. &uot;Small businesses are one lawsuit away from bankruptcy,&uot; he said.

As far as what can help southwest Mississippi specifically, Barbour said he wants the Mississippi Development Authority to devise economic strategies for different regions of the state. &uot;It is crucial that MDA work with local and regional leaders,&uot; Barbour said following his remarks to the crowd. &uot;Economic development is a team sport.&uot;

Barbour said he has been working with former MDA director Jimmy Heidel &045;&045; now Vicksburg’s

economic development director &045;&045; and others on prospects.

Asked what the strategy for southwest Mississippi would be, Barbour mentioned his work to &uot;reinvigorate&uot; the timber industry and cut down on illegal trade practices.

Barbour also said he is aware of a manufacturing prospect that could move to a county east of Adams County, but he could not give specifics.

&uot;There’s not a silver bullet,&uot; Barbour said. &uot;We’ve got to have people who are focusing on this thing; that’s important.&uot;

Barbour said he would support the state’s involvement in incentives for an employee-driven venture to buy the old International Paper mill in Natchez, a plan Musgrove has endorsed. The governor has pledged to call a special session to seek a $20 million loan to aid in the purchase of the mill, provided the ESOP &045;&045; employee stock option plan &045;&045; is able to raise $64 million for the project from banks and investors.

Barbour said he would support such efforts as well, although he noted there are &uot;big hurdles to overcome.&uot;

In addition to job creation, Barbour noted the state needs more funds for crime prevention &045;&045; specifically, enforcement of drug laws. He blamed Musgrove for cutting the drug task force budget by 40 percent.

Barbour also talked about his basic vision for the state and refuted critics who say he is a &uot;Washington lobbyist&uot; who has been away from Mississippi for too long. Barbour noted that he commuted to Washington from his hometown of Yazoo City.

&uot;Mississippi’s greatest decades are ahead of us,&uot; he said. &uot;We’ve got to have leaders that believe it.&uot;

Barbour was introduced by the Cathedral children’s choir singing patriotic songs, while Fordice later rallied the crowd to &uot;get out the vote.&uot;

&uot;Can you imagine what it’s going to be like with Haley Barbour as governor?&uot; Fordice all but shouted. &uot;It’s going to be a whole new Mississippi.&uot;

Both Fordice and Barbour noted how close the race will be, with Barbour saying his polls show him slightly ahead of Musgrove.