When news began to circulate that Gov. Haley Barbour had decided not to seek the Republican nomination for president, blogs, barbershops, bars and boardrooms were elevated with conversation and speculation as to why and what he would do in the future.
The Mississippi Link was no exception to that conversation and decided to expand it to find out what others were thinking:
State Sen. John Horhn (D), who represents parts of Madison and Hinds Counties said, “Haley Barbour has tremendous political skills and savvy. He will definitely be in the mix of things in 2012, and in the room when the decisions are made.”
Political Operative Walter Zinn said, “I’m in political shock just like the rest of the country. I think Barbour has been consistent with his message, but I never thought he had a real shot at being president, but I certainly think he’s a major organizer and will play a vital role in helping to shape the agenda for the Republican Party.”
State Rep. George Flaggs (D), who represents Vicksburg, said, “It would have been exciting to see someone from Mississippi in the race, but I think Gov. Barbour is smart and realized that it would have been an uphill battle. I also think that perhaps he [Barbour] underestimated the strength of President Obama. Obama will be hard to beat.”
State Sen. Willie Simmons (D), who represents Bolivar, Humphreys and Sunflower Counties said, “Gov. Barbour is one of the smartest strategist that there is when it comes to politics. I think he [Barbour] surveyed the land and decided that he needed to take another road. I do think that it would have been interesting to see someone from Mississippi in this race; given the fact that little to no attention is paid to Mississippi when it comes to presidents. Barbour would have generated a lot of attention and focus on our state. I also think that his future is bright, and we certainly have not heard the last from Gov. Barbour once his term as governor ends.”
Lisa Smith, a small business owner in Jackson, said, “There isn’t a Republican out there that can touch President Obama, not right now anyway. I believe our governor knew his past gaffes and southern drawl would not play well in the national spotlight.”
Barbour said, via his published statement, that he would work harder now than before to elect a Republican president in 2012.
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