Posted on 11/13/2008 10:57:02 PM PST by Chet 99
November 13, 2008
Categories: Republicans
GOP governors broach Haley about RNC chairmanship
A group of Republican governors today suggested to Haley Barbour that he reprise his role as RNC chair, but the Mississippi governor demurred.
The idea came in a private meeting in Barbour's hotel suite this afternoon in Miami where a group of GOP governors gathered in between public sessions at the RGA.
A source in the room said that Barbour quickly knocked down the idea, citing his commitment to Mississippi.
Barbour served as RNC chairman from 1993-1997, overseeing the party's capture of Congress in 1994.
The conversation was a casual one, with the governors discussing some of the possibilities that have emerged to take over the party. The election, to be decided by the RNC's state chairs and national committeemen and women, won't take place until the party meets in Washington in January.
Michael Steele and Newt Gingrich were mentioned as possibilities, but no consensus was reached around who to get behind or whether the governors should even make a joint commitment to any candidate.
Numerous party officials have launched campaigns for the job and others are mulling bids. Mike Duncan, the current chairman, is also leaning toward seeking another term.
Interesting assessment, I didn’t know that about Evelyn McPhail.
JC Watts lost my respect when he was publicly saying (on Hannity’s show, maybe others) he might support Obama early in the election. Obama’ radical associations and views have been well known since he started running....for Watts to go on the record as considering voting for him clearly calls into question his conservative credentials, as well as his judgement. Additionally, he comes across to me as a pragmatist (read that “McCainist”), willing to bend to accomodate other points of view. We need someone who is willing to stand up for the conservative viewpoint and issue, and not waiver in the name of compromise or pragmatism.
“...Thing is, Haley was only one piece (and an incredibly important one at that) of the equation in winning back the House in 1994. From my perspective, the GOP is severely lacking in the other pieces - especially a strong and visionary leadership in the Congress like the GOP had with Gingrich and the rest of the team.
Bringing Haley back into the RNC without the other pieces in place as well would be very similar to how Joe Gibbs was brought back to coach the Redskins. People would place too much hope on him being able to solve all the problems and lead the GOP to victory. Expectations would be way too high, and likely to be dashed...”
You make an excellent point. Frankly, I want Haley to stay where he is. He’s been an outstanding Governor for Mississippi after that dofus Ronnie Musgrove and the FEMA disaster the followed Katrina.
We need to focus on the leadership roles in the house and Senate. The house GOP especially tried to out-democrat the democrats. Why vote for a fake democrat when you can vote a real one?
I like Steele. I have been very impressed with his interviews during the election, but confess I know little more about him. Is he tough enough? He’s gonna need a set of solid steel members to fight the RINOs and the dems.
Some folks here are screaming to clean out all the old and bring in totally new young blood. That would be a mistake in many cases. There are a lot of old power brokers who avoid the lime light. Their memory, sense of history and knowledge of where the bodies are buried is a valuable asset. Plus they have access new blood does not.
Agreed with all of your points. The one I cite above especially caught my eye, because I've long believed it to be true. Good catch.
I don't think it's a radical suggestion. Go Rush!!
I was never more disappointed with Rush than when he debated Vladimir _______ on Phil Donahue’s show, the old commie who said that the USSR didn’t have ecological problems, and Rush let him get away with questions like “Where is the proof? We don’t have these problems.”
Barbour was the best. He would go out in the media and unabashedly articulate the conservative agenda. It would be great if he would do it, but he’s good for Mississippi too.
I’m not keen on the idea of an elected governor stepping down to take a party position: it strikes me as being dismissive of the constituents who voted for him or her.
Separately, I was disappointed by Mike Pence in his panel appearance at the governors’ conference yesterday. He didn’t strike me as particularly bright or nuanced, and he robotically listed the defense of marriage as one of five key issues I believe it was, over and over again. I know it has been winning on the ballot where presented, but as a cornerstone of the Republican Party that is definitely a major turnoff to younger voters.
I think even with at least middle-aged voters the marriage amendment is an example of something that people may believe in and vote for in the privacy of the voting booth. I don’t think it’s something that they want the party they are publicly identified with to be stridently advocating, however.
“....I’m not keen on the idea of an elected governor stepping down to take a party position: it strikes me as being dismissive of the constituents who voted for him or her....”
I agree 100%. That is the primary reason I hope Plain remains the Governor of Alaska and appoints a staunch conservative to fill Ted Stevens’ seat. He needs to go, but she needs to stay where she is. She will be more effective rallying the troops from outside the DC crowd.
Yes, I want to see Palin make it as a governor: she’s very much at risk of looking too ambitious right now, and the move to Washington wouldn’t help that at all.
I would love to hear who Haley thinks would be a good RNC chair.
“Barbour served as RNC chairman from 1993-1997, overseeing the party’s capture of Congress in 1994. “
Point in his favor because we need another 1994 like a guy an dialysis needs a new kidney.
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