Mississippi voters are one virtuous lot. That’s the only explanation.

Think about it.

If, as the ancient saying goes, “Patience is a virtue,” Magnolia State voters must be among the most virtuous.

This year’s presidential race seems to have been going on for at least a couple of years now and Mississippi voters have had to watch from the sidelines the whole time.

Mississippians are big enough to admit casting a few jealous looks as presidential hopefuls gallivanted their way through the back roads of Iowa and New Hampshire.

A number of candidates have talked about issues such as healthcare for all Americans and working to eliminate poverty.

Yet, ironically, until a few days ago, none of the candidates bothered to come to Mississippi where we’ve traditionally had a high rate of impoverished and uninsured.

Only when the national delegate count appears deadlocked did Democrats Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama make appearances. Republican candidate John McCain hasn’t come either.

That’s a shame.

Candidates should be coming to places like the Nissan plant in Canton or the site of the new Toyota plant near Tupelo, or the rebuilding efforts on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.

If, when today’s primaries are over, the candidates bother to come back and stay a while, perhaps they can truly learn what’s special about Mississippi and why so many international companies are starting to discover it’s a great place in which to do business and a fabulous place to call home.

We’ll give you hint: It’s the patient, virtuous and caring people who call Mississippi home.