Posted on 08/21/2010 7:13:40 AM PDT by Tom D.
The Most Powerful Republican in Politics
By JIM VANDEHEI & ANDY BARR & KENNETH P. VOGEL
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is the most powerful Republican in American politics — at least for the next three months.
Barbour, who runs the Republican Governors Association, has more money to spend on the 2010 elections — $40 million — than any other GOP leader around. And in private, numerous Republicans describe Barbour as the de facto chairman of the party.
It’s not just because he controls the RGA kitty but, rather, because he has close relationships with everyone who matters in national GOP politics — operatives like Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie and other top Republicans running or raising cash for a network of outside political groups. Together, these groups are essential to Republican hopes of regaining power because Democrats are cleaning their clocks through more traditional fundraising efforts.
The political class, in particular, is consumed with Barbour’s behind-the-scenes endeavors — this week, with the $1 million he got from Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.
Yet the reality is that Barbour has been uniquely adept at leveraging concerns about President Barack Obama into huge contributions from many others. Bob Perry, the Texas businessman who funded the Swift boat attacks in the 2004 campaigns, has given more than twice as much as News Corp.
Barbour’s stature has grown at the expense of cash-strapped, gaffe-prone Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, and he has funded his various efforts by tapping into broad dissatisfaction with Steele — at one point, Barbour complained to donors that he needs to raise even more money because Steele is stumbling. This past quarter, Barbour’s RGA actually matched the Republican National Committee in fundraising, something that hasn’t been done in at least five years and probably much longer, according to a POLITICO analysis.
“He’s clearly the top political strategist and political operative of his generation,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a former RNC chief of staff. “He is without peer when he is raising money.”
At the moment, Barbour’s power is derived from his ability to tilt gubernatorial and statehouse races with his RGA funds. These races might not be as sexy as some of the star-studded races for Senate or as dramatic as the battle for control of the House. Yet they could prove even more important over the long haul because they will create the next generation of Republican leaders — and set the terms for the decennial redrawing of House seats.
"You never had the sense that Haley Barbour didn't have control of the situation," Colorado GOP Chairman Dick Wadhams told POLITICO. "In terms of his political impact, governorships in 2010 are even more important than most cycles because of the redistricting that will occur in 2011 for 2012 and beyond. So the fact that he's raised massive amounts of money at the RGA to help elect Republican governors will have an impact way beyond the 2010 election."
Barbour’s clout is also derived from his serious interest in running for president in 2012, a point he is making clear in private conversations. His logic, one adviser told POLITICO, is simple: When he surveys what most Republicans consider to be a weak field, he sees no reason he couldn’t easily beat them. He’s a better strategist and fundraiser than any other candidate currently considering running — and just as good on television and in debates, his thinking goes.
“When you look at the five or six factors needed to run a national campaign, there is a lot of strength there,” said GOP operative Rob Collins.
But the obstacles to a Barbour candidacy are substantial. A portly Southern conservative who represented tobacco firms and made millions building a lobbying firm isn’t the ideal profile for a Republican nominee in this or any political environment. In recent polls, Barbour is stuck in low single digits, way behind Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin.
At least one close friend lobbied him strongly to give up on considering a presidential run for this reason but walked away certain he made no progress in swaying Barbour.
“A year ago, he was saying no way, but now he’s saying to [donors and operatives] to keep their powder dry,” another friend said.
Barbour is assembling an elaborate fundraising operation beyond the RGA that would prove essential if he were to run. There is talk in GOP circles that with all the money shifting between the RGA and state parties — and Barbour moving so much cash through his own separate operations — he runs the risk of attracting legal challenges after the 2010 race. For now, though, he’s just attracting a lot of cash.
Barbour operates a federal political action committee, as well as PACs in Georgia and Mississippi, which have raised $800,000 since the beginning of last year.
The Georgia PAC — which, like the RGA, can accept unlimited corporate and individual contributions that the RNC and other federal committees cannot — has become Barbour’s main personal fundraising vehicle.
It hosted a June fundraiser in adjoining hot spots in Washington’s upscale Glover Park neighborhood that pulled in about $70,000 but was perhaps more significant as a marker of fundraising potential. The host committee included Altria (formerly Philip Morris) and Motorola, which have contributed $655,000 to Barbour’s RGA, as well as a raft of savvy politicos whose services will be coveted by contenders for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.
Among them were media strategist Phil Musser and election lawyer Michael Toner — both of whom have expressed early allegiance to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, considered a likely 2012 candidate — as well as Phil Cox, who ran Bob McDonnell's successful campaign for governor of Virginia, and Tony Feather, a top Republican robocall operative.
Barbour also held a March fundraiser for the Georgia PAC in Las Vegas, where donors who contributed at least $5,000 got to take a few laps in a stock car around the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, then attend a cocktail party with Barbour and casino magnate Steve Wynn. His resort contributed more than $5,600 worth of “food, beverage and venue” to the PAC and also $50,000 to Barbour’s RGA this cycle.
The Barbour approach is hardly original. Romney, in the run-up to his presidential bid in 2008, used both the RGA, which he chaired in 2006, and a network of state-based PACs to help form the basis of a highly successful national fundraising operation.
Barbour has a huge advantage over Republicans in Washington when it comes to raising money. The RGA is a 527 organization, which unlike the RNC or the federal PACs, can raise money in unlimited sums from individuals and corporations, the latter of which have been barred since 2002 from giving to party committees. That’s enabled drug makers and energy companies, for example, to give millions to Barbour’s RGA.
Many of Barbour’s most loyal donors have followed him throughout his career, starting from his days as a political operative for Ronald Reagan, through his time as a lobbyist and then RNC chairman and now as head of the RGA and governor of Mississippi.
He has a number of prolific fundraisers and operatives in his orbit, including Fred Malek, himself an influential party presence and one of the most sought supporters for any national Republican. Barbour brought Malek over to the RGA to help expand the association’s executive roundtable, membership of which comes with a minimum $25,000 donation.
Together, Malek and Barbour have grown the membership of the RGA’s executive roundtable from 15 members to more than 500, each of whom is tasked with bringing more funds into the RGA.
“The success of any fundraiser is having a good product to sell and selling it in a convincing and disciplined way,” said Malek.
John McCain plucked Malek to serve as co-chairman of his national finance committee during his 2008 run for president, and soon after coming to the RGA he and Barbour set their sights on some of the same donors who gave big to McCain and the RNC in 2008 but were not active with the RGA.
“First, you go to the low hanging fruit, the people you know. And you work from there,” Malek said of how he and Barbour began targeting donors. “You look at who were the big donors to McCain and the RNC victory committee. Who are the people you know who had interest in Republican politics?”
Then, Malek said, Barbour hit the phones.
“You have to have the discipline to make the calls,” he said. “You have to grind it out and make it a priority.” (See "Mojitos to Blame for Pool Gaffe")
And once he makes the call, Barbour is well-known as someone who gets what he wants. Chris Henick, a former RGA executive director who has known Barbour for decades, said the governor “doesn’t have any trepidation” when it comes to asking for money.
“He knows the importance of money in politics first and foremost,” Henick said.
Being Speaker of the House, third in line to the Presidency, is not exactly a job that leaves you lots of time for the kids.
Good point, Kabar. ALthough the Speaker’s job does not require quite as much travel- unless you are San Fran Nan.
I think Ryan would step up to the plate, if that was the best choice. But would it be? He’s one of the few in the House that actually is good with economics. Maybe he feels that if the balance of power shifts, he could do more good there? Get legislative issues sorted and then there’s plenty of time for a young man to run for Pres.
Seems to me so much hangs on the outcome of midterms that it is really hard for anyone to think too far ahead of election day. [except perpetual candidates like Romney.]
Some R’s have started the obligatory visits to early primary states, which seems especially premature this year. We’ve got a real leadership crisis in Congress. Going to a stinkin’ bbq in Iowa isn’t helping. Have to credit Palin, she’s focusing on the most important target- getting good candidates in Gov’s mansions and Congress. If the composition on the hill does not materially change, it really does not matter what happens in ‘12. Governors are important any time, but with the current Federal overreach, it will take the Governors acting en bloc.
I think Haley and Sarah are in cahoots to some degree. Seem to recall reading something- gee well over a year ago- about the mutual respect. Sarah was a player [not of the money type, though] in the RGA as is Haley.
Unfortunately, that is not the way it works. If you have a window of oppportunity, you take it because you may never get that chance again. If the economy continues to tank and Obama's approval ratings do likewise, then the GOP candidate will have a once in a lifetime chance to win.
Seems to me so much hangs on the outcome of midterms that it is really hard for anyone to think too far ahead of election day. [except perpetual candidates like Romney.]
Regardless of the outcome, the midterms are just the first step. If the Dems retain control over Congress, the Reps will have to double their efforts for 2012. And even if they gain control over the House [I believe the Senate is not possible], the GOP will just be fighting a rear guard action until 2012. Obama will use the Reps as the scapegoat for whatever is wrong and claim credit for whatever goes right.
Have to credit Palin, she’s focusing on the most important target- getting good candidates in Gov’s mansions and Congress.
McCain was a monumental blunder on her part. And she failed to back people like Buck and Devore. On balance her endorsements have been good, but she may regret some of them later on, especially McCain when he starts backing amnesty and cap and trade.
Governors are important any time, but with the current Federal overreach, it will take the Governors acting en bloc.
Governors will become especially important re the redistricting following the 2010 census.
To you point about windows opening for a narrow opportunity, I’d agree, but would be more impressed with someone who made a decision for what was best all around for the nation, rather than their chance at the brass ring. I realize most don’t think this way, that’s why I really respect the few who do. That’s really serving the public, rather than self.
Agree with the situation on the ground for November and beyond and why I do not admire potential Presidential candidates who spend more time sniffing around for ‘12, rather than working their tail off for the mid-terms.
Don’t know about Buck, but I understand why Palin didn’t back DeVore and agree with her Fiorina endorsement. McCain was payback. Notice she’s not on the campaign trail for him? Notice her comments about favoring contested primaries? I realize the McCain endorsement is a HUGH bone of contention. Thing is, there are good reasons on both sides of the issue. The main thing is to get the worst nutters out of congress and put in as many fiscally sane constitutional supporters as possible. Also, if the balance of power swings and the nation continues to show conservative preferences, it will enable centrists to shift right without being eviscerated in the media and by their constituents.
He isn't an attractive man ...but he is sharp as a tack.
Look at Mississippi after Katrina...and the eye of Katrina hit Mississippi.
They aren't mutually exclusive. You can make a decision on what is best for the nation and realize that you have an opportunity to achieve a position that allows you to achieve your objective.
Don’t know about Buck, but I understand why Palin didn’t back DeVore and agree with her Fiorina endorsement.
And why is that? Devore was the clear conservative in the race.
McCain was payback.
Payback for what? And what does putting that bastard back into the Senate do for the country and the promotion of the conservative agenda? I guess "payback" trumps principle and the good of the country.
The main thing is to get the worst nutters out of congress
Maverick McCain is among the worst. He is a Specter-like Rep who is more interested in getting elected than any loyalty to party or conservative principles. A defeat of McCain would send hugh shockwaves throughout the Rep establishment. McCain is spending close to $20 million to win a primary and he is using every dirty trick in the book to win. This is the same guy who would allow people to use Obama's middle name or to use the Reverend Wright connection. He is the symbol of what is wrong with the GOP.
We will continue to get RINOs using that flawed logic. Why is Palin supporting the conservative for governor in MD who has absolutely no chance of winning rather than the moderate Erlich who is tied with the Dem in the polls? There is no rhyme or reason to Palin's picks.
For bringing her to the National stage. Sarah has done far, far more good on the National stage. If not for her, we'd be stuck with an entire nation of primarily RINO candidates,
BS. The Tea Party is what has made the difference, not Palin. McCain used Palin. She would have made it to the national stage without him. And she would have finished her tour as governor and not been tainted by the stench of McCain. He has damaged her political fortunes more than helping them.
He's not won the primary yet. You'd have a better argument, IMO, if Sarah was out running around AZ on the stump for him, which if she really, really thought he was the best choice and in a tight race [which he is] she'd be on the campaign trail. She isn't.
She has made multiple appearances with McCain on the stump. Where are you getting your information?
If you want every candidate to pass every purity test which you determine appropriate, I suspect there will be very few humans who will pass muster.
Here we go again. The same old refrain from the moderates who want conservatives to hold their noses and vote for the RINOs like McCain, Snowe, Collins, Specter, etc. When does it ever work the other way?
I don't demand purity but when it comes to key issues like amnesty, which will destroy this country with the stroke of a pen or cap and trade, then I draw the line.
PS: Learn how to use paragraphs.
I hope she takes her rightful kingmaker place as, either the head of the RGA when Haley steps down, or as the head of the RNC.
In either role, she would be da’ bomb!
Paragraphs are our friends.
Let’s get past Nov 10 before we get too embroiled in 2012. Ryan is indeed an articulate spokesman for Conservative ideas. Let’s see what role he gets in a Republican led Congress and how well he captures the imagination of the public in that role. There will still be time to mount a serious campaign fourteen or fifteen months from now. Who knows, Haley Barbour may even be Chairman of the RNC by then(my hope). Our focus now needs to be retaking both the Senate as well as the House.
We can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Well aren’t “we” clever.
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