In the style of a true southern-debutant, Mississippi has arrived.

She’ll don her elegant gown on Sept. 26, 2008, and make her appearance to the world from a glorious stage at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Mississippi campus.

And it’s likely that even Hilary Clinton will attend.

Ole Miss was chosen this week as the site of the first 2008 presidential debate.

No, they aren’t going to Florida or Ohio, states famous for election year headlines. They didn’t choose Chicago or New York City where the electorate is most populous.

The debate won’t be in California under Arnold Schwarzenegger’s careful leadership.

Nope, they are coming to the state famous for barefooted, backwoods, under-educated, un-air conditioned glory.

And it’s about time.

Mississippi isn’t what it used to be.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina our state looked good. Gov. Haley Barbour led beautifully and our citizens pitched in at just the right times.

We attracted national attention for all the right reasons.

And though we still claim the 50th spot on several national rankings, Mississippi is improving.

It’s an honor that our state was chosen for this debate, and we’d better all be ready for the attention.

But that’s no worry. We are Mississippi — we know how to have a coming out party.