Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has ruled out a possible run in the Republican primaries. Widely expected to be a contender he said he lacked the "absolute fire in the belly" to pursue the nomination. He talked of a "10-year commitment to an all-consuming effort" that is now expected of potential presidents and that he could not offer it with certainty when "total certainty is required." After thanking his family for their support he expressed regret if he had disappointed any of the volunteers that had pledged to support him.
Barbour was a 2-term governor who was in office when Hurricane Katrina struck who obtained billions of dollars of Federal money to fund the clean-up and rejuvenation of the state. He was a Washington lobbyist and former National Republican Committee chairman. His candidacy seemed a dead cert after the national exposure he received during the Katrina disaster and unlike current confirmed runner Gary Johnson he already has very high name recognition.
The stage seems set for Romney, Pawlenty and Co. to declare their official candidacy for the Republican nomination. However, Barbour is far from done with the election as a whole as he remains chairman of the Republican Governors Association and will undoubtedly provide some commentary during the media coverage.
Barbour was a 2-term governor who was in office when Hurricane Katrina struck who obtained billions of dollars of Federal money to fund the clean-up and rejuvenation of the state. He was a Washington lobbyist and former National Republican Committee chairman. His candidacy seemed a dead cert after the national exposure he received during the Katrina disaster and unlike current confirmed runner Gary Johnson he already has very high name recognition.
The stage seems set for Romney, Pawlenty and Co. to declare their official candidacy for the Republican nomination. However, Barbour is far from done with the election as a whole as he remains chairman of the Republican Governors Association and will undoubtedly provide some commentary during the media coverage.
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| Photo by Atlantic Sentinel. |
