Presidential Chatter Encircles Governor Barbour of Mississippi

NY Sun ^ | May 2, 2005 | BY JOSH GERSTEIN

[WKB]

When President Bush heads to Mississippi tomorrow(today) to tout his Social Security initiative, some Republicans hope voters see two men of presidential caliber: Mr. Bush and the state's governor, Haley Barbour. A small but influential group of GOP insiders are urging the former national party chairman to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2008. "I would handicap the Haley thing seriously," a GOP lobbyist in Washington, Mark Isakowitz, said. "Republicans around the country like him. They just like him. He's been the face of our party for a long time. He's built up a lot of goodwill. Now that's he's governor, it's plausible," Mr. Isakowitz said. "The keys to the kingdom always lie in being trusted by the base." Talk of a Barbour candidacy has increased decidedly in recent weeks, thanks in large part to the efforts of Ed Rogers, a partner in Mr. Barbour's former lobbying firm. Mr. Rogers declined to be interviewed for this story, but he acknowledged that he recently registered two Web addresses - www.haley2008.com and www.haleyforpresident.com - to help keep Mr. Barbour's presidential options open. "There's certainly a lot of Beltway chatter about it right now," the executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Matthew Brooks, said. "The level of volume has certainly been picking up." Mr. Barbour has been coy about the matter, disclaiming any interest in the presidency but stopping well short of an outright refusal to consider the job.

[Reagan79]

sweet!

Go Rebels!

[MississippyMuddy]

Mississippi in da White House, LOVE IT!!!!


Jeff

[WillRain]

Actually, I'd argue that the complete lack of Plastic is a point in his favor. Voters like a candidate with the "common touch"

[Sybeck1]

Is he Kartina's Rudy bump?