(CNN) - In his final state of the state address Tuesday night, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour took a swipe at a number of President Obama's policies and legislative accomplishments.
The speech was closely watched by political insiders as Barbour ponders a possible bid for the 2012 Republican nomination for president.
On health care reform: "If the Obama administration's health care mandates actually go into effect, employers don't know what their costs and responsibilities will be, so it impedes hiring," Barbour said.
On energy: "The Obama administration's energy policies are driving up the cost of energy…the administration's energy policy can be stated in one sentence: Increase the cost of energy so people will use less of it."
Barbour also rebuked President Obama's energy secretary, Steven Chu, who said in 2008-before being tapped for Obama's cabinet-"Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe."
Chu later walked back that comment.
Barbour used the majority of the nearly 40 minutes he spoke to tout his proudest accomplishments. He opened by making light of how much has changed since he took seven years ago.
"To start with, I did this speech on my new iPad. In 2004, iPad is what Marsha [Barbour's wife] called what I did to my weight during Christmas."
From CNN Politics
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The Governor is a skilled politician who, no matter how much he slams Obama policies, STILL won't get elected President. I'm as conservative as it gets, which means I'd never vote for someone who spent this much time on K-Street. Mississippi may be taken in by his Southern charm, but America is rapidly becoming more discriminating after the Obama experiment into the far reaches of Liberal Government. I just hope to all that is Holy and Good that a rational conservative who isn't out to screw America for profit will step up and beat the President in 2012. Gov. Barbour–You ain't it.
Perhaps his decrying the Obama health care plan would hold more credibility if he didn't think his morbid obesity is a laughing matter.
What does Barbour care about health care reform, he looks like he's eaten the whole hog and a heart attack waiting to happen. If I want to know anything about health I certainly wouldn't look to someone to advise me who needs advice themselves.
This, from a governor who was either too stupid or too distracted (by the political drama of leaving office–"sniff, sniff") as declare a State of Emergency during the ice and snow emergency. Mississippi–a "state of emergency" if anyone ever saw one will be well rid of Uncle Cornpone.
Why so angry Haley? This from a State that gets more federal assistance thatn any other.
Haley Barbour should be talking about why his state takes more than twice of what it sends to Washington each year in aid. I get sick of hearing these welfare state governors (ironically most are red states) slamming the President and talking bad about all of the blue states that have been carrying them for decades.
Amazing that a long-term Governor of a state that exists at the bottom of virtually every education, health and economy benchmark would even think about running for President.
State of the State? What does that have to do with federal laws? I know they affect the state but talk about the problems of that state not the federal debate, what a tool.
Yes. This is what we need. A President that will implement all policies that make Mississippi such a great state....
Also, we take away oil tax subsidies and let the price of oil increase to its natural market value. Then, people will understand the value of the product they disgustingly waste.
Haley Barbour would be better served explaining why after 8 years with him as governor, his state is last or next to last in every measure that counts, education, health of the people of the state...............
This guy has done nothing of any merit. To think he is qualified for the office of the President puts him in the same dreamland file with Palin. Do something, accomplish something besides putting on weight before you try to put down others good works for the nation.
"Boss Hog" Barbour has swallowed the corporate lie...Companies can hire, they just don't want to because that will force them to actually be creative and work hard to make money instead of pass every single possible cost they can on to the consumer in an attempt to make absolutely as much profit as they can.... They don't HAVE to pass any alleged energy costs on to the consumer, they just CHOOSE to because they want to make more profit. They are more concerned about profit than providing customers with the products they need at a fair price (because they themselves are in debt, have actually already spent money they don't have and now need to keep the same profit margin to maintain their lifestyle). Instead of cut back in areas like corporate executive salaries bonuses and lobbying, they figure they'll just raise the price and then scream "We HAD to raise prices because of Obama"...No you didn't you CHOSE to raise prices instead of find savings elsewhere.
And what is Boss Hogg's solution to help free us from dependence on a mineral slime, the bulk of which is held by our enemies?
Excuse me, I can't hear his answer over the crickets chirping and sucking sound of contributors kissing his ample behind.
Pathetic.
You have to take his comments with a truckload of salt, and remember the type of person it's coming from.
its the blame game from the fat guy from mississippi. cannot blame the prez for all of your states ills
Mississippi accepted 2.8 billion dollars in federal stimulus money and it's still a mess. Leave it to a Republican to take the money and then throw a few cheap shots at the administration that helped provide it.
Where is the dig? He is stating the obvious about Obama's policys.
And Mississippi is such a thriving state that everyone wants to move there!!!!!! It will be interesting to see if he and those chins of his throw their hat in the ring for 2012.
Just one more good old boy that likes to hear himself talk!
Oh, Haley. Your state is dead last in every ranking imaginable. I really don't believe you have anything to teach us. I really don't think you have any wonderful ideas to share.
Barbour once again looks clownish, speaks in an exaggerated drawl (even for here), and embarrasses Mississippians even more.
These nebulous and effectively without supportive facts, just fear mongering on Health care, are part of the current problem in politics.Ask Mr. Barbour if a proposed 59% INCREASE IN A PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES premiums in California " impedes business hiring or not .
Energy Oh Mr Barbour a question? As oil becomes more scarce and more is demanded by BRICS what pray will happen to the price? Chu is right, Tax it now up to $5/6 a gallon and invest 75% of the revenue in alternative energy and Infrastructue updates. My god High speed trains have been around in Europe and Asia for decades and Maglevs are clearly ( America's vast size) the way to go and America is one of the few countries that has land and space to develop that and leave the rest behind it also much more eco friendly.
If thats the level of his intellect he just lost my vote for his Presidential ambitions.
Regards,
Hodgson
Gee. What a typical republican response.
Obamacare is bad, no alternative. I guess we don't want cancer survivors to be able to buy health insurance.
Obama's energy policy is bad, no alternative. I guess we should just keep buying foreign oil, and going to war so we can continue to buy it. If the costs of the Iran and Afghanistan wars were factored into the price of gasoline, we would be approaching the gasoline costs in Europe.
Go back to revising history, and saying how good your integrated high school and college was, while it is easily shown that both schools desegregated well after you had graduated.
Typical republican. Tear down what democrats have done, offer no alternative, and revise history.
if barbour knew any thing about energy he would know that its going to run out in the near future or at least become scarce enough to command a very high price. our dependents on oil runs deeper than puting it into your car tank. we depend on these kinds of fuels to dry our food crops for storage as well as to fertilize our food crops . we need to make our national goal to find other ways to make energy because running our cars won't be the problem it will be food which can't be replaced with some thing else. barbour seems to be from the party of short term fixes and goals! i guess when the time comes when food becomes an issue his party will just say that to fix the food problem we just need another tax cut!
What in Earth makes this Man/Cow believe anyone would vote for him?