Barbour to back GOP in Iowa, N.H. He's emerging as party leader

The Washington Times ^ | June 16, 2009 | Emily Wagster Pettus and Beth Fouhy

[Scanian]

JACKSON, Miss. | If the Republican Party is in danger of being marginalized as a conservative, white-male Southern enclave, is Haley Barbour - the longtime Washington power broker and current Mississippi governor - the best person to turn things around?

Many rank-and-file Republicans and party leaders say yes as the 61-year-old Mr. Barbour prepares to ramp up his national profile this month with back-to-back trips to the early presidential voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

Mr. Barbour will headline fundraisers in both states but says the visits are part of his duties as incoming chairman of the Republican Governors Association. Both states have gubernatorial races next year.

"I've told everyone I know that every Republican ought to be focused on governors' races in 2009 and the 2010 elections," Mr. Barbour told Associated Press.

A former chairman of the Republican National Committee, Mr. Barbour has emerged as a leader of his party's efforts to retool for the future. His allies think he could be a formidable presidential contender if he chooses to play.

"Haley's unique in that he's a brilliant strategist who led the party and has also run in and won a competitive governor's race," said Ed Gillespie, a former RNC chairman. "He commands a lot of respect from rank-and-file Republicans, as well as the leadership of the party and many Democrats. He's a happy warrior who stands up for conservative principles."

Mr. Barbour typically sidesteps questions about his presidential aspirations, saying he will wait until after next year's elections to decide.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

So whose interests is he serving?

Looks like steak and seafood, according to the menu.

[3D-JOY]

Closed primaries are the only way to get a true representative of the party in question.

Other overhaul ideas? Schedule of primaries?

[Friendofgeorge]

I have already picked mine, Sarah Palin.

[3D-JOY]

Read the article. Actually I reacted to the “bourbon” comment most.

I guess so very many investors does make the intent a little less upsetting to me. It does make the lobbyist point very clearly, however.

[LibLieSlayer]

Haley is my Governor and he has been 93% Conservative... but I will ONLY back him as Palin’s running mate... for Palin could teach Haley a thing or two about cleansing DC from his veins.

LLS

[3D-JOY]

Accent can be effective with Northern Women. Sexy and Gentlemanly can be appealing in the rough political world.

Restaurant ownership and bourbon comments seem questionable, but not terrible. ( see comments by Covenator posted above)

[JohnLongIsland]

We got Bobby Jindahl next door to him, and we’re talking about Haley Barbour?

[Friendofgeorge]

I love Haley, always have! Sarah is my gal!

[3D-JOY]

I can be a reluctant voter to stop “O”...but can the party continue without the $ from all of us?

The 40% conservative poll of the country may start to get the “old boys” of the party thinking.

[who knows what evil?]

Same-day primaries wouldn’t break my heart, either...

[3D-JOY]

I am going to hate myself for saying this...

Would he add GRAVITAS to her ticket?

[LibLieSlayer]

Yes... we won when he was GOP chair... steele can’t even lick his boots.

LLS

[Friendofgeorge]

That would be fine, but doubt he is interested in being VP??

[ejonesie22]

LOL...

Beat me to it...

[MamaB]

Everyone makes a mistake once in a while. I won’t hold that against him. He could have gone to a better school like Miss. State.

[Retired Greyhound]

Then I say the southern states just secede already and I’ll move there from CA.

Then Haley can run.

[moose2004]

I think he’d make a great potential VP candidate in 2012. Unfortunately I think his former lobbying is too large a political target for the dems if he runs for POTUS.

[Brookhaven]

Haley’s only real problem is his old time Deep South accent.

Nah, his real problem is that he’s business partners with Terry McAuliffe and a few other dems and lobbyists in the Washington DC restaurant, the “Caucus Room” since the Clinton years.

So whose interests is he serving?

---

And he beleives emminent domain should be used to take private property for use by a private enterprise (such as a shopping center or manufacturing plant.)

That’s a deal killer for me.

As someone said, we got Bobby next door and we’re talking about Haley Barbour? That’s like nominating Gerald Ford over Ronald Reagan. What kind of idiots would do that? Oh wait, the Republican idiots.

[ak267]

He is smart, articulate and does not back down.
He is a bulldog....!
********************************************

lets team up a bulldog and a pittbull :)

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Haley Barbor is one of America’s best governors and a strong conservative. Unfortunately his time may have past. He would have been a better choice in 2008. There are youthful, new blood conservatives out there like Palin and Jindal that can and need to be the new face of the Republican Party. This comes from someone who voted for and financially supported Fred Thompson in 2008 so I don’t mind a seasoned candidate, it’s just that the Republican party needs a new look at this point in time. I’m fully behind Sarah unless she decides not to run.

I to voted for Thompson, as did about 70% of Freepers.

Haley could be to Sarah as Cheney was to Bush. Political ballast.

Palin/Barbour 2012.