Priebus Poised To Fast Track Barbour's 2012 Presidential Bid (Back room deal?)

riehlworldview ^ | Friday January 14, 2011

[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.

[Bigtigermike]

Hmmm?

[griswold3]

no haley barbour, sorry

[GeronL]

The RINO Herding instinct has kicked in.

The RNC is not going to change no matter what figurehead they put up.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Just say no the the land grabbing Boss Hogg.

[kbennkc]

That, along with him not being Michael Steele, makes two reasons to be glad.

[Marty62]

One Problem with the “big Plan”.
VOTERS. Sorry Haley.
Great RNC Chair, but Presidential Candidate....NO

[lazypadawan]

Because it’s oh so smart to put an old white Southern man against Obama. Sheesh, why not just re-recruit Bob Dole and get it overwith.

[MNlurker]

Thoughts?

A complete slander of a guy who worked his ass off here in WI to change a State from blue to red.

[OpusatFR]

I thought they would do this, but hey, Barbour already has been gored in the media.

They must Zero for another term at this rate.

[shankbear]

Barbour nor Palin can win in this political climate. There are better choices yet to come to the forefront. jmho

[kabar]

Who the f**k is Riehl and why should we believe whatever crap he is putting out? The GOP establishment wanted Cino, including Boehner and Jeb Bush and Karl Rove. Better Priebus than Cino or Steele.

[DugwayDuke]

I’ll take this talk of Barbour running when I see he has lost 50 pounds.

[OpusatFR]

With the media fixated on Palin for two years and now Barbour volunteering for suicide mission, the media will be focusing on red herrings for months.

Should be very entertaining.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Head's up, gang!

Their continuing problem now is how to separate Palin's legion of supporters from her and to get them to go for Barbour, if this is indeed their plan. I don't see it happening, and they may be taking too much for granted.

[Cicero]

Well, yes. It’s clearly a backroom deal. Barbour said, “I’ll support you for RNC chair if you support me for POTUS.” Barbour may be relatively conservative, but he’s been a political insider all of his life, wheeling and dealing with the best of them.

Let’s just hope it somehow works out for the country’s good. Because this is our last chance.

[Crichton]

Riehl is a Priebus-bashing nobody.

It's shameful that you keep echoing trash like that.

Reminds me of all the blind quotes ripping on Sarah Palin.

[RED SOUTH]

DOESN'T MATTER. BOSS HOGG WILL NEVER WIN THE NOMINATION.

[Brices Crossroads]

“Priebus Poised To Fast Track Barbour’s 2012 Presidential Bid (Back room deal?)”

No GOP operative ever made, or any combination of them, could fast track, slow track or half track Haley Barbour’s way to the GOP nomination. Haley Barbour makes Bob Dole look like Ronald Reagan.

This may be Barbour’s grand strategy, but like so many big plans of the Establishment, it won’t get off the ground. It is a pipe dream, nothing more. This Yazoo City turnip has less appeal than the jalopy he fell off of.

[ez]

There’s a serious lack of useful information on this thread.

[deport]

Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Reince Priebus talks with members during the Republican
National Committee meeting on Friday in Oxon Hill, Md.
Priebus was selected as RNC chairman after seven rounds
of voting.

Wisconsin's Reince Priebus Wins RNC Chair After Steele Drops Out

Updated at 5:23 pm — Wisconsin's Reince Priebus was elected RNC chair with 97 votes.

His victory came after seven rounds of voting and plenty
of wrangling behind the scenes. Priebus, chair of the Wisconsin
Republican Party, is a staunch conservative who's regarded as
a rising star in the party

end snips