[Tom D.]

Haley Barbour should be somewhere in the 2012 Republican ticket. He is as smart and crafty as they come. He is the antithesis of Obama. He is well known and he is well respected in nearly all Republican circles.

It is telling that some of the smarter Democrats are scared to death of him:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_susan_estrich/watch_out_for_haley_barbour

He and Mitch Daniels, Governor of Indiana, or Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, or Paul Ryan, Congressman from Wisconsin, or a number of other Republican bright lights, would smite the Dems in 2012. They could not only run against the lame ideas of the Dems, but they could bring a much needed positive program for the Republicans.

[Islander7]

Magnolia State Ping!

Haley can tell you go straight to hell with twinkle in his eyes leaving you feeling like you should thank him.

As much as I admire him, I don't want to see him seek national office.

[traderrob6]

Sorry, but Tim Pawlenty is not a “bright light”.

[Maine Mariner]

Great Post!

Perhaps he could use some of that money to help elect Secretraries of State as well. As the past few elections, especially in Minnesota, have shown, who holds that position can make a big difference in who wins elections.

[clintonh8r]

"...numerous Republicans describe Barbour as the de facto chairman of the party"...

...because Michael Steele is an idiot and AWOL.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Yawn. Southern version of GWB.

[originalbuckeye]

I really don’t know much about Barbour. I have only seen him a few times on TV and he did not impress. He sounded dozey. Just a first impression but he didn’t sound like a national politician.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Barbour has no chance for 2012.

He may control the GOP beltway establishment, but who controls the voting GOP grassroots crowds?

[Clock King]

No, we need Barbour in charge of the RNC, herding the cats and getting the national party back on track and in focus. Put him out front on the National stage and he will lose. The MSM will tear him apart 24/7 with racial fear-mongering. It’s not just the top ticket that we need to shoot for, it’s a sea-change across the board. A Repub President with a Democratic Congress still leads to hell.

[mrsmith]

When the Dems told Politico what to write: ‘he runs the risk of attracting legal challenges after the 2010 race.’
Of course a Politico article is propaganda.

Barbour is a very good man.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Haley Barbour should be somewhere in the 2012 Republican ticket. He is as smart and crafty as they come. He is the antithesis of Obama. He is well known and he is well respected in nearly all Republican circles."

Put him in as the Carl Rove on a Palin/Jindal ticket. The article is right on the effect of tobacco/lobbying background on the public in general.

[SuziQ]

IIRC when Haley ran the RNC, it was extremely successful in fundraising, and keeping on message.

[FreeStateYank]

And Mitch Daniels isn’t a bright light either. If Lugar is the one singing his praises, it does not impress...

[deport]

It's way too early for knowing who will eventually throw their hat/purse in the ring. However some get mentioned at various times around the media. Once we get beyond this fall election things should begin to focus a little better for those that are truly interested.

Speculated Candidates