Posted on 01/14/2011 2:37:44 PM PST by Bigtigermike
Based upon talking to multiple sources over a period of weeks, I've been able to confirm that a deal struck between the Barbours, Henry and Haley, and Reince Priebus, is set to put Nick Ayers in at the RNC as political director to pave the way for Barbour's 2012 Presidential bid.
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is trying to get his southern claws around the RNC as one of his cronies, Nick Ayers, the 28 year old Republican Governors Association Director, is being pumped up to challenge an already embattled Michael Steele. Incoming Republican Governor Association Chairman, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who previously said he is not running for President, already chimed in to endorse the young Ayers.
Weeks ago, knowledgeable RNC sources described Priebus to me as a glad-handing lightweight. That's when I began to question his competence for the slot. That led to some push back from other sources open to Priebus heading up the RNC.
In response to my saying I had solid inside sources telling me Priebus didn't really have the chops for the job, I was told it shouldn't impact my opinion. "So what if he's a lightweight, he's going to be Haley's lightweight," said one source. I filed the remark away and later another source claimed that Priebus was recruited by the Barbours as an acceptable face for their plans, given some resistance within the GOP to the Barbours taking over control of the RNC.
With the Barbours stepping up as an alternate source of power interested in elevating him and with a weakened Steele, it's thought that Priebus sensed his opening and ultimately turned on Steele. If so, it was likely not because he was driven by great confidence and a strong desire to improve the RNC. More likely, it's because the man some claim is an empty suit, one who looked nervous and out of his depth at the recent RNC debate, had simply found a new power base to which he could defer, while advancing himself in the process.
[......]
Priebus is said to have often sought out the spotlight during his tenure in Wisconsin, as opposed to rolling up his sleeves and getting things done behind the scenes. At least now, assuming Priebus wins the Chairmanship, there will be a 28 year-old with a good Barbour or two behind him running the show, should a Steele-like media tour continue for the next RNC Chairman through to 2012.
What? I thought it was Romney’s turn to play candidate. /s
BS.
The ballot box is never the last chance.
Except, of course, for spineless cowards.
Those fully deserve whatever they get.
Reince and spit. The RNC gets no support from me. No more RINOs.
Ouch. I didn't find Barbour a particularly palatable RNC chairman. I don't know how he's done as L.A. governor but if he's been good, he's worth considering.
Boy, you in a heap o’ trouble.
And Palin goes on my 2012 ballot. Doesn't matter anyway. If she doesn't get in, we will probably have a civil war, and it won't matter who the President of the former United States is. If she does get in by write-ins, it'll be contested, and we'll probably STILL have a civil war. So, I am just going to vote my conscience.
bullcrap.
this is the complete opposite to what happened here in WI.
Reince is no RINO.
Haley has lost weight and and is a good looking, handsome, and a fine southern gentleman. Freepers should not stereotype porky southern politicians.
Haley Barbour delivers his final State of the State address
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRJtxsICqSs
He also has done a pretty damn good job of it.
He's not perfect, no one is, but he is good at what he does.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.