A Republican's Lament

Bill Crawford retired in 2020 after working for decades in a variety of roles in both the public and private sectors. Since 2009, he has written a statewide syndicated column. He and his wife Lynn live in Jackson, Mississippi.

A unique perspective. There do not seem to be many 'Gil Carmichael and Thad Cochran' conservatives remaining in this modern-day GOP.--Brian Pugh, author of Chaos and Compromise: The Evolution of the Mississippi Budgeting Process Bill Crawford has preserved a pivotal era in Mississippi political history, and we are in his debt for it. Bill and I viewed the body politic from similar perspectives and often drew differing opinions and took opposing views. But his voice has always been courageous and clarion, and reading his book was a pleasure.--Andy Taggart, coauthor of Mississippi Politics: The Struggle for Power, 1976-2008, Second Edition Bill Crawford's 'Lament' is a cautionary tale of the failure of Republican leaders to get Mississippi off the bottom of every national metric in education, healthcare, and other essential services needed by all people in our state. It is also a clarion call for all Mississippians to heed his cry for responsible leadership, Republican and Democrat. A must-read for leaders in government and business and for all of us who want Mississippi to succeed.--Walter Brown, former state representative from Adams County Crawford's book is a must-read, encapsulating largely ignored conservative principles of governance and documenting the emergence and impact of early Republican candidates in Mississippi.--William L. Waller Jr., former chief justice, Mississippi Supreme Court Readers will be treated to Bill's detailed and thoughtful descriptions of a period when Mississippi emerged from the vestiges of an openly segregated society.--Les Range, former member of the Mississippi Republican State Executive Committee and longtime political activist This is a wonderful book. Crawford's personal experience and command of the 'data' are things no journalist who attempted something like this would have.--Luther Munford, lawyer and author of Mississippi Appellate Practice An intellectually curious thinker unafraid of change and discomforting truth, Bill Crawford is a solution-oriented doer. These authentic attributes along with his breadth of real-world exposure to community and state leadership are revealed in A Republican's Lament. My friend since our Millsaps College days, Bill has also earned my admiration as a good man and as a leader.--Terry Winstead, past chairman of the Mississippi Real Estate Commission Bill Crawford's A Republican's Lament shines a light on the shadowy political realm where 'Mississippi's schizophrenia' thrives. As Crawford gently affirms, our state--and, frankly, our world--needs more kindness, more wisdom, more transparency, more grace. And I would add another: more books like this one.--Neil White, author of In the Sanctuary of Outcasts If you are interested in the history of our complex state, you should read Bill Crawford's A Republican's Lament. Crawford--a fine writer, experienced political leader, and dedicated education proponent--walks the reader through victories, and disappointments, of our much-loved, and often-maligned, state of Mississippi. Crawford's evocative approach, combined with a journalist's eye, crystalizes a lengthy reluctance to change through courageous leadership.--Robert Khayat, author and chancellor emeritus at the University of Mississippi