To use an old expression, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove was a day late and dollar short Friday when he finally chose to speak his opinion on the controversial Mississippi flag issue.

For months we had not officially known what Musgrove thought about what is perhaps the most visible and potentially damaging issue facing our state – the future of the state’s controversial banner.

Months ago as a special commission, appointed by Musgrove, heard complaints, threats and bickering on the issue in public hearings, the governor was silent.

When the flag commission reluctantly bowed to legislative pressure and supported an election, Musgrove was mum.

On Friday, we finally heard his thoughts.

Musgrove – flanked by five other Democratic statewide office holders – put his belated support behind the new flag issue minutes after he signed a bill putting the issue to a vote on April 17.

In publicly supporting a new flag, he’s done the right thing – finally. But in waiting so long to stand up and show leadership, he’s let the issue needlessly get out of hand.

The issue which should have been handled by the Legislature will now be at the center of an election war.

Now with battle lines drawn, pre-election lobbying will certainly heat up.

In the same way in which Musgrove teased and hinted at his secret economic development plan last year without actually &uot;selling&uot; the idea to the public until the last possible moment, the governor has again failed to show leadership.

Rather than stand up when the issue first began heating up, Musgrove waited until the issue was set in stone by the election – and there was nothing he can do to change it – before voicing his opinion.

We’re baffled by his delayed opinion.

Was he afraid to move earlier fearing he’d be considered an outcast by the populace?

Or did he honestly not have an opinion on the matter until just last week?

Either way, Musgrove owes it to the people of Mississippi to speak what’s on his mind in a timely fashion and not simply let his opinions come out when it’s safe to do so. That’s not leadership.

We’re happy Musgrove has finally decided to pull his head out of the sand.

We just wish he would have done so months ago.