If you ever doubted that Gov. Haley Barbour puts little above politics, then you can now set those doubts aside.

Today, friends and family members will pay their final tributes to Rep. Charles Young, a man who dutifully served his state and who won the accolades of Democrats and Republicans alike.

Of course, Rep. Young not being properly laid to rest and his district given time to mourn must have never crossed the mind of our good governor, who last week called a special election for that seat.

I remember in 2006, when the state faced three special elections, Gov. Barbour was in no real rush to call them. Of course, he mistakenly thought he had a chance of winning with a Republican in one of those races, so he took his time and did his homework.

The truth is, a Republican has little chance of winning the seat held by Rep. Young. So the only advantage the governor can muster is expediency. So he ignored common decency — which would have dictated allowing a decent mourning period — and called the election for a soon as he could.

In the end, I trust the election will turn out well for Democrats and the supporters of the late Rep. Charles Young. And you can rest assured Gov. Barbour cares not one flip what people think about his decision.