When Nick Ayers, Haley Barbour’s right-hand man from his Republican Governors Association days jumped to Tim Pawlenty team, there was quite a bit of speculation that Ayers’ decision meant Barbour presidential bid wasn’t in the cards. But at least in the near future, Barbour is maintaining the schedule of an aspiring candidate.
Tomorrow he’s attending a reception in Bow, New Hampshire; Thursday a breakfast in Manchester, a meet-and-greet in a gun shop in Hooksett, and another reception at the Greater Manchester Federation of Republican Women.
Then it’s off to another key early state, South Carolina. He’ll address the Charleston GOP convention Friday, the Lexington County GOP convention Saturday morning and the Richland GOP Convention later in the day.
Maybe Ayers is jumping ship to a candidate with twice the support that Barbour has (Pawlenty with 2% vs. Barbour with 1%.)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI generally like Haley Barbour, but I think he would be a disastrous nominee against Obama. He just about epitomizes virtually every stereotype of the GOP in being a white governor with a thick southern accent. I’m not saying it’s fair that he should be disqualified for that reason, but it’s hard to see how he would be competitive in critical purple states. Sure, he’s been a fairly competent and popular governor and has a certain charisma that may resonate with someone like me, but I’m not the sort of person he will need to win over.
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