Barbour gathering information, but quiet on 2012 until after midterm
Newton, Ia. — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said he is doing some preliminary investigation about whether to seek the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, but does not plan to begin a thorough discussion of a campaign until after Tuesday’s midterm election.
“We’re trying to gather some information, and that sort of stuff,” Barbour said in a Des Moines Register interview after headlining a rally in Newton for Republican candidate for governor Terry Branstad. “And I’m flattered that people come up to me and say if you run, I’ll help. But after Tuesday, we’ll sit down and see if there’s anything to think about.”
Barbour, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, has put his focus on campaigning for GOP candidates for governor this year.
Unlike Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Barbour has not traveled to Iowa, expected to host the leadoff presidential nominating caucuses in about 15 months, often since the 2008 election.
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Despite his low profile, Barbour has made his influence felt in Iowa during the midterm campaign. As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, he has approved contributions from the campaign organization totaling $1.6 million to Branstad’s campaign.
Barbour’s own federal political action committee has also recently contributed $5,000 to the Iowa Republican Party, state GOP Chairman Matt Strawn said.
Des Moines Register
10/28/10
Magnolia Tribune
