Haley Barbour Not Running

Earlier this week, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour announced his intentions for 2012, and stated he will not be running. A successful governor who handled his state's reaction to Katrina very well, a strong former Chairman of the RNC, one of the more consistent conservatives and one of the most intelligent state executives currently serving, his stepping aside is a loss to the Conservative wing of the Republican Party. Barbour, throughout his political career, has shown himself to be an excellent "behind the scenes" man (we saw this with the election of current RNC chair Reince Priebus) and would have been a force to be reckoned with in the primary.

While there are some who believe Barbour's decision not to run benefits Mitch Daniels, we should instead be looking to see how it may help a Huckabee, Palin, Bachmann or Gingrich candidacy. Barbour's constituents were predicted to be Southern, more Conservative and TEA Party supporters. His endorsement choice will provide that candidate with excellent assistance and support going into this wide open primary.