THE BARBOUR OF CIVIL (OKAY, OKAY) – AT 8:14 A.M. ET:  We've suggested to readers before that they watch Haley Barbour, the Republican governor of Mississippi.  He's one of the most accomplished governors we have, and one of the most politically astute.  He was a successful chairman of the Republican National Committee.  From The Politico:

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is the most powerful Republican in American politics — at least for the next three months.

Barbour, who runs the Republican Governors Association, has more money to spend on the 2010 elections — $40 million — than any other GOP leader around. And in private, numerous Republicans describe Barbour as the de facto chairman of the party.

It’s not just because he controls the RGA kitty but, rather, because he has close relationships with everyone who matters in national GOP politics — operatives like Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie and other top Republicans running or raising cash for a network of outside political groups.

And...

“He’s clearly the top political strategist and political operative of his generation,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a former RNC chief of staff. “He is without peer when he is raising money.”

And now the sweet spot:

Barbour’s clout is also derived from his serious interest in running for president in 2012, a point he is making clear in private conversations. His logic, one adviser told POLITICO, is simple: When he surveys what most Republicans consider to be a weak field, he sees no reason he couldn’t easily beat them. He’s a better strategist and fundraiser than any other candidate currently considering running — and just as good on television and in debates, his thinking goes.

I'd like to see him run, but he has one enormous liability:  Mississippi.  The governor of the state often seen as the symbol of resistance to racial progress facing off against the nation's first black president?  You know exactly how the Dems will use that.  You can write the script.  It won't just be the race card.  It will be the full deck.  The Politico notes:

A portly Southern conservative who represented tobacco firms and made millions building a lobbying firm isn’t the ideal profile for a Republican nominee in this or any political environment. In recent polls, Barbour is stuck in low single digits, way behind Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin.

I think it's uphill, and Barbour might have to settle for being a power behind the throne and a good candidate for White House chief of staff.  As superb as he is, the baggage may be too much in a general election. 

But they said that about Richard Nixon in 1968, didn't they?

August 21, 2010