Jackson Free Press

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour seems to be almost anywhere but in the state of Mississippi these days, a fact that hasn't escaped the attention of the state's Democratic Party leadership. Picking up on the quintessential game of "Where's Waldo?" where players have to find the distinctive character on his world-wide hike, the party has purchased banner ads on the New Hampshire Political Report Web site. Barbour will headline a political fundraiser tonight in the Granite State.

Titled "Have You Seen Haley?" the ad's text goes on to say: "He forget to finish his chores. He is out of state raising money while Mississippians may lose their jobs. Please send him home."

National media has been buzzing for months over the possibility that Barbour may be vying for the top Republican spot in the 2012 presidential race. Barbour has denied the rumors, naturally, but his travel itinerary, more than that of any other potential contender, is that of someone who wants a seat at that table.

Last week, he was off to France. On Monday, Barbour was in Washington, D.C., meeting with senior Republican strategists, reports The Washington Post. Today, he's in New Hampshire for a fundraising dinner, then he's off to Iowa for more party moneymaking. Politicians rarely visit those states without a bit of presidential glitter in their eyes.

The official party line is that Barbour is simply preparing for his upcoming role as chairman of the Republican Governor's Association, a job he will step in to next year. But Barbour, former head of the Republican National Committee and a long-time serious Beltway operative and lobbyist, is also being hailed as the guy who can turn the Republican Party around, beginning with state governors. It's support of upcoming governor's races that puts Barbour in the top primary states, say the GOP.

Meanwhile, even at a distance, Barbour is fully capable of intimidating and controlling the Mississippi Legislature. Reportedly, he has shelved at least four budget compromises coming out of a special legislative committee whose job it is to formulate a FY 2010 budget for the state. Barbour refuses to call the full state legislature back to the Jackson to vote on a budget until he gets what he wants from the committee. And, because Legislators were unable to reach agreement during the regular session and unable to agree on a session extension, he has the power to do just that. Barbour insists no state employees will go unpaid, because he also has the power to pay them by executive order.

Previous Commentsshow

And he stepped in as head of the RGA today, apparently a little earlier than expected. If all these politicians would stay at home with their spouses... dang.

Lady Havoc

Jun 24 2009

Talk about fiddlin while Rome burns... Meh, look on the bright side, at least he didn't run off to get fallacio from some Argentine woman like the MIA SC Gov. Mark Sanford just admitted to...

Jeff Lucas

Jun 24 2009

Jamie Franks released the following statement earlier today: Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks today called on Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant to call a special session while Gov. Haley Barbour is out of the state on political fundraising trips. "Our state Constitution says that when a governor is out of the state the lieutenant governor becomes the acting governor, enjoying all the authority of that office," Franks said. "Considering the Senate and House negotiators reached a budget deal over the weekend, I believe Lt. Gov. Bryant should call a special session to pass the budget." Franks said such a move would show leadership by Bryant, something that has been lacking in the current lieutenant governor's term as head of the Senate. "Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant praised the agreement reached over the weekend at one point, but when Gov. Barbour said he didn't like it, Bryant backpeddled," Franks said. "Lt. Gov. Bryant needs to show real leadership and act within the authority of his office to get this budget passed this week." Franks also criticized Gov. Barbour for putting the people of Mississippi after his own political aspirations. "Gov. Barbour doesn't seem to be in any hurry to do the job he was elected to do," Franks said. "Instead, he is too busy testing the waters for a presidential run three years from now by raising money in New Hampshire and Iowa." And Cory Adair, the executive director of the Mississippi Republican Party, responded: The last time Jamie Franks described his vision for the lieutenant governor's office, Mississippians overwhelmingly rejected it and nothing has changed. Democrats need to tell their own House leadership to create a fair, responsible, sustainable budget. Once they do, I'm sure Governor Barbour will call them in to session so they can pass it.

Ronni_Mott

Jun 24 2009

So now Barbour is head of the Republican Governors' Association. What is it with Republicans? They're always cruising for gay sex in bathrooms and chasing the married tail of their campaign staff and running off to Argentina for sexual adventures. My theory is that Sarah Palin has set up all of these honorable gentlemen. If I were Haley Barbour, I would strap myself into a chastity belt and be wary of hussies who think "the South" is any state in the lower 48.

Brian C Johnson

Jun 24 2009

On a similar note, talk-radio is very critical of the trips that Obama takes and claims it represents him not doing his job. Do you think they would apply the same standard to Barbour?

Goldenae

Jun 24 2009