Possibility: HAley Barbour for president in ‘08 (Move over Hilary)

The Yazoo Herald ^ | 01-04-04 | http://www.yazooherald.com

[WKB]

Trent Lott’s fall from political grace a year ago dashed the hopes of Mississippians who saw the then-Senate majority leader as presidential material.

A Mississippian has never occupied the White House, and in Lott — a polished, handsome politician with national name recognition — many in the state saw a native son who would finally break the presidential drought.

In the fall of 2002, when Lott suffered a rare lapse of judgement and decided to wax nostalgic about the 1940s segregationist candidacy of Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond, a second prominent Mississippian had long been harboring — and pursuing — his own presidential ambitions, Republican insiders suggest.

Haley Barbour was sworn in Tuesday as Mississippi’s 63rd governor, but it’s the possibility of a much grander inauguration that motivated the Yazoo City resident’s re-entry into electoral politics after two decades as a successful lobbyist and Republican power broker.

Haley for President. In 2008.

No joke.

Three prominent Mississippi Republicans, none of whom claimed first-hand knowledge of Barbour’s presidential plans, told this columnist that all signs point to a Barbour run to succeed a term-limited President Bush, who is heavily favored to win re-election this year. Contacted Friday, Barbour spokesman Quinton Dickerson discounted the presidential talk, saying the governor-elect is focused on serving Mississippians for the next four years.

Barbour’s own actions, however, are consistent with a presidential aspirant.

There was the nagging question two years ago, when Barbour’s name first surfaced as a possible gubernatorial contender, of why he would leave the prestige and wealth of a multimillion-dollar Washington lobbying firm that he built from scratch, divest himself of its substantial profits, and take a job in Mississippi that pays less than $200,000 a year. I’m not doubting Barbour’s sincerity about serving the people of his home state. One of the many failed components of Gov. Ronnie Musgrove’s re-election campaign was trying to cast Barbour as a Washington outsider who came home to Yazoo City only to run for governor.

Fact is, Barbour never left. As publisher of the weekly newspaper in Yazoo City during the late 1990s, I’d often go to the office on Saturday mornings to catch up on paperwork. A familiar site was Barbour strolling up the sidewalk, dropping his quarters in the coin-operated rack and pulling out his weekend copy of The Yazoo Herald. When the work week ended on Friday, Barbour was on a plane to Mississippi to be with his wife and kids, who’ve never lived in Washington.

Barbour’s affection for his home state is genuine, and voters rightly rejected Musgrove’s suggestion that Barbour decided to re-embrace his Yazoo City roots for political expediency. That said, there are many wealthy native sons — from John Grisham to Jim Barksdale to Bob Pittman — who are passionate about their home state and its success but who aren’t giving up millions to run for governor. If Barbour indeed has presidential ambitions, he needed an elected platform from which to make the jump. The jump from lobbyist and national party chairman to presidential candidate is improbable, if not impossible. Southern governors, on the other hand, have beaten a relatively smooth path to the White House over the past quarter-century.

See Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. For Barbour, the timing is right. A Bush re-election victory this year leaves the GOP nomination wide open in 2008 with no obvious front-runners. The president’s brother, Jeb, wants the job, but the GOP is unlikely to nominate consecutive Bushes. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani — and, to a lesser extent, New York Gov. George Pataki — have star power in the wake of Sept. 11, but a pro-choice New Yorker is unlikely to fare well in GOP primaries, where conservatives dominate. Barbour’s biggest competition could be former U.S. Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, who has kept a high profile by pinch-hitting for conservative talk-show host Bill O’Reilly on the Fox News Network. If the circumstances are right for a Barbour presidential bid, so are his credentials.

Barbour shattered all fund-raising records in claiming the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion. Imagine how much he could raise on the national level. The contacts Barbour built as national Republican Party chairman and as a successful lobbyist extend around the world. In addition to his fund-raising prowess, Barbour, in just a few hours on the telephone, could put together volunteer networks in all 50 states, much like he did on a county-by-county basis in Mississippi. After years on the Sunday morning and weeknight talk-show circuits, he’s got good name recognition from coast to coast.

He’s as skilled a campaigner and strategist as any Republican out there. Barbour charted new territory during his recent gubernatorial campaign by utilizing the latest technology to help turn out a record number of voters. (When’s the last time we ordinary Joes got a phone call from the president of the United States asking us to vote for a Mississippi gubernatorial candidate?)

Barbour is comfortable before any audience. His Southern charm and easy mannerisms play well on television. As party chairman in the 1990s, Barbour plotted a middle-of-the-road course that served Republicans well with swing voters. He’s conservative enough to pacify the party’s right wing, but not so strident as to turn off moderate Republicans and so-called Reagan Democrats.

Having not held elected office in Washington, Barbour won’t have a voting record for opponents to dissect. In Mississippi, the issues Barbour will deal with as governor won’t offer much fodder for a national campaign.

His biggest challenge will be defending some of his lobbying associations, from Big Tobacco to the Mexican government. But Barbour got good practice on that front, fending off Musgrove’s relentless attacks during the fall.

The best Barbour scenario is a good four years as governor, fueled by a rebounding economy, setting up a presidential announcement in 2007. Look out, Hillary.

Steve Stewart is former editor and publisher of The Yazoo Herald and is presently editor and publisher of the Clarksdale Press Register.

[WKB]

Missippy ping

[EggsAckley]

Maybe it's something in the water there.

[WKB]

Wishful and delusional thinking.



I post you decide

[itsahoot]

Not with his Southern drawl (about like mine by the way)

[YaYa123]

I think it's the possum sauce.

[JohnnyZ]

Haley Barbour and John Kasich the leading contender for the 2008 nomination.

Well, it's a new one, I'll say that!

[putupon]

TANCREDO '04

[Chi-townChief]

His first name is Haley and last name sounds French. Hmmm ... doesn't sound like a sure thing.

[Cousin Eddie]

Any Mississippian who ever thought that Lott had a shot at the WH has as much political savvy as Lott himself.

[xcong_1]

This guy's for real! Have just returned from Haley Barbour's inauguration ceremonies. First class all the way. Gov. Barbour will lead Mississippi out of its image problems of the past. He will use his political savvy and inclusion to convert the great mass of state employees away from the old courthouse gang democrat mindset, and thereby solidify the Governor's Office for Republicans for many years into the future. He has the ability and talent to do great things and it would not be a surprise to me for him to be elected President.

[bourbon]

He will use his political savvy and inclusion to convert the great mass of state employees away from the old courthouse gang democrat mindset,

Wow! I don't know if he can do that, but I'd sure love it if he would!!! Thanks for your glowing report on our Gov.

[donozark]

Matt Blunt. Soon to be Governor of Missouri and son of Congressman Roy Blunt. Barbour/Blunt?

[onyx]

I can see Governor Haley Reeves Barbour as our GOP nominee in '08. I've thought he belonged in the White House since the first time I laid eyes on him when he was RNC chairman. There's not a finer more wholesome man in politics today than Haley Barbour. I'm thrilled he's governor.

I sure want one of those buttons.

[onyx]

Wishful and delusional thinking.

Unwarranted and stupid posting.

[sinkspur]

There's not a finer more wholesome man in politics today than Haley Barbour. I'm thrilled he's governor.

So am I. But even Southerners would sooner elect a scalded dog than a Jerry Clower look-alike to the Presidency.

[onyx]

Tancredo? Isn't that the same guy who promised to term limit himself, but recently changed his mind? Thought so.

Nice fellow and good Republican, who is NOT running against his president, but his word is looking a bit shabby. Oh well, democrats do the same thang.

[onyx]

Well, I'm going to be living in Vicksburg right soon, so if Governor Haley tries for the nomination in '08, I'll be on hand to help his campaign. Maybe my CA accent can lessen his drawl that some folks here have negatively mentioned.

I really do not know how anyone cannot like Haley Barbour and he's as smart or smarter than any politician alive. Remember, under his leadership, the GOP took control of the House for the first time in forty years.

I'll not underestimate Governor Barbour. Over sell him, maybe, but I'm partial. :)

[NewLand]

I give him no chance and equal amount of support.

[TASMANIANRED]

Republicans actually have some attractive people out there right now. Just elected the first Republican governor in Ky in over 30 years.

He has good credentials. He was a fighter pilot, is an MD, served in the Ky senate for a few years. I have heard him speak and his oratory skills are pretty good.

The 5 of the last 7 presidents have come from the ranks of governors as opposed to the senate .

The Republicans have a fine talent pool for the future. The Democrats have socialist retreads....

[NewLand]

The Republicans have a fine talent pool for the future.

Agreed. Gov. Owens of Colorado...Gov. Benson of NH...Sen. George Allen of VA...Gov. Jeb Bush of FL...Marc Racicot...

Personally, I don't see Haley Barbour as a POTUS candidate...

[Verginius Rufus]

A Mississippian has never occupied the White House...

Unless you count the one in Richmond, Virginia...

[Torie]

Good luck, but I am skeptical as well. He looks and sounds like a Southern good ole boy. But with intense media exposure, that will either gain traction or fade. I don't think Barbour would run for president in any event, but that's just a guess. Just who does have what it takes however, I am not sure. I don't know some of the Pubbie governors well enough to handicap, but governors do have an advantage.

[Walkingfeather]

dont be so quick to judge.... he might have a point that the post is delussional. One word. HALEY. We will not have a president named Haley unless its a girl. Sorry but that is politics.

[WillRain]

Stranger things have happened, and given the increasing importance of money, he's got at least that as an advantage on everyone else. I doubt things like his name or his accent (James Earl Carter anyone?) will be big factors.

I'll tell you what will be the deciding factors, IMO:

1. Who will be the competition? If it's the likes of Kasic, he'll run, be nominated, and likely win (as it would take a really bad GOP effort to lose to Hillary).
I love John Kasic but he doesn't have anything like the visual media presence to carry the ticket - he's just doesn't have the genes (although he's ideal for a VP).
All of the other mentioned names just don't measure up.

Jeb isn't fool enough to run right as GW goes out;
Powell won't run and can't get nominated if he does;
Rudy can't get nominated and I don't think Barbour would duck a race against Rudy anyway;
Condi Rice would be an attractive candidate if she can get out of some of her previously stated positions such as pro-choice (and if she does she'd be far and away the best choice for VP);
Some other guys are very good but might come off as a bit green such as Watts, Lindsey Graham, etc.;
And except for George Allen, none of the other govorners have the national profile necessary;

So, the balance on this factor is favorable to a Barbour candidacy...all the competition is
a. unknown (other govorners)
b. too young or (Watts, Graham, et al)
c. too liberal (Guliani, Ridge, Powell, Rice?)
...with only a few exceptions.

2. Who will GWB endorse? He exibited very close ties with Haley in the Gov race, but he's also very close to Condy, and if Jeb insists on running he has to back him.
This, IMO, is THE factor. If Bush wins big in 2004 he's the gorilla in the room in terms of steering the 2008 nomination process...and name or no name, if Barbour can marry his contacts with Bush's (presumed) influance the nomination will be exceedingly hard to deny him.

OTOH, IF Bush's second term is quite unpopular, then Haley may chose to lay low - run for re-election in 2007 and let the GOP waste it's time on a "middle of the road" loser like Ridge and come back strong in 2012. The caveat here though, is that the GOP dare not conceed 2008 to Hillary...if they can't fdamage her before the 2008 cycle then, no matter how bad Bush might slip, they HAVE to take their best shot at her.

In any case, I'd like to see him run for re-election here (or hand pick a quality successor not named Amy Tuck) so that if for whatever reason he doesn't get the nomination, we're not stuck with some Bozo for 4 years because of his attempt.


Oh, and as an aside, Trent Lott DID look like a man on his way to the White House before he got to be Majority Leader. His flaws (which are noteable) were not nerely so well exposed until then.

[TheAngryClam]

Yeah right.

Because Barbour will totally deliver the South!

Bill Owens for President, 2008.

[CyberAnt]

No way!!

[bourbon]

Excellent post (#26). You make an excellent case for a "Haley moment."

BTW, I wish you'd post more often on MS threads! IMHO, you always make good contributions when you do.

[onyx]

One word. HALEY. We will not have a president named Haley unless its a girl. Sorry but that is politics.

Are you serious? Think "Haley's Comet," and not some over-the-hill English actress who starred in Disney films three or four decades ago.

Names do matter in politics which is why I knew GORE would not win. But a first name of Haley is a girl's name and an impediment to the presidency? No way. I'll grant you some "modern day parents" have taking to naming their girls Haley, but they've not hi-jacked the name to feminism entirely.

His full name is Haley Reeves Barbour, and I'll bet that were he a democrat governor, many babies would be named after him. Heck, some smart parents still might.

Now, I'll grant you we'll not ever elect a president or a mayor named walkingfeather. :)

[onyx]

He looks and sounds like a Southern good ole boy. But with intense media exposure, that will either gain traction or fade.

He looks and sounds Southern 'cause he is. He's charming, he's smart, he's from the humblest of beginnings, and there's not a finer or more wholesome, self-made man in politics today.

I agree with you, however, "he'll either gain traction of he won't." If folks give him a chance, they'll love him. Haley is one pol, whose life is a open book and its pages are all clean.

[onyx]

Bill Owens for President, 2008.

WHO DAT?

[TheAngryClam]

Governor of Colorado.

National Review called him "The Best Governor in America."

[onyx]

Governor of Colorado.

National Review called him "The Best Governor in America."

---

Sounds good to me, but give Haley a year and National Review will select him. You just wait and see. :)

[Republican Wildcat]

What about Governor Fletcher? Is he in the running?

[oceanview]

if Barbour is the best we've got, Hillary is in.

[onyx]

A tie between the two would suit me fine. :)

[onyx]

if Barbour is the best we've got, Hillary is in.

You have the mindset of a democrat. Barbour and Rice would be unbeatable or vice versa.

[onyx]

I hope yall realize that Haley's Southern accent is the elephant in the livingroom that his detractors here are afraid to mention.

Funny, 'cause I find that New England, Yankee accent of JFK and the like, absolutely unbearable.

[Walkingfeather]

I would never vote in any country that had me as president

[onyx]

LOL! Like Groucho Marx saying he'd never want to join a club that would have him as a member.

[bourbon]

My wife and I are having a girl...maybe we should name her Haley? ;-)
(Wait! Isn't that the name of Eminem's kid too? On second thought....)

[onyx]

bourbon, CONGRATULATIONS! to you and Mrs. bourbon. I am thrilled for yall.

YES, Haley would be a fabulous name for your little girl. I'm certain "our" governor would be delighted.

[bourbon]

thanks for the congrats. we are very excited.