Barbour to Bloomberg: Don't run for prez
(CNN) - Republican Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour may or may not run for president in 2012, but he has an opinion about a possible presidential bid by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"I hope Mayor Bloomberg won't even consider that," Barbour told CNN. "But if there were a strong third party candidate there's no question in my mind, that candidate would draw votes away from the Republican." He added a third party bid by Bloomberg would be "the best thing that can happen to President Obama."
Bloomberg, the independent mayor of New York City is sometimes mentioned as a potential presidential candidate but recently said he didn't think a third party candidate could win the White House. Barbour said he agreed with the mayor on that point.
Barbour, who is also the head of the Republican Governor's Association, challenged those who said the Tea Party movement would hurt Republican chances in 2012.
"Those people don't really know what they're talking about," Barbour said insisting the economic and spending issues the Tea Party champions will unite voters.
He argued the Tea Party could have been trouble for Republicans if their candidates hadn't folded into the Republican tent.
"If they had run as independents like in the Perot period and divided the conservative vote, divided the anti-Obama vote, now that would have hurt us. But that did not happen."
Instead he said "The Tea Party helped us this year."
As for 2012, he said President Obama is "vulnerable" but points out history favors the incumbent president.
"I believe that Obama's policies are so far to the left that they're even more unpopular than Carter's policies," Barbour said. "I believe there's a real, real chance, but it would be going against history."
And Barbour wouldn't reveal his plans for a possible 2012 presidential bid. He only said, "It's not like I've got to decide by Christmas, or I've got to decide by Valentines, or I've got to decide by any day, but I am going to seriously think about it and come to a decision in the next few weeks or months."
Haley, thanks for having this in writing. It is hard to understand you otherwise. Now I see just where you're coming from-not a good thing!
When did politics become about the republican party instead of the individual Close to Barbour?
If they had run as independents like in the Perot period and divided the conservative vote, divided the anti-Obama vote, now that would have hurt us. But that did not happen.
Just more proof that the only thing these guys care about is getting Obama out of office. They don't care about ANYTHING other than that. Hope they have to choke on those feelings.
I don't think Bloomberg would only pull votes from a Republican nominee. I would never vote for any of the Republicans currently being discussed, but I could easily see myself voting for Bloomberg. Perhaps an independent run by Bloomberg would result in an Independent winning the election. Now, I'm not saying I won't vote for Obama – I probably will, but I can guarantee I will not vote for the Republican nominee, regardless of who that may be. Perhaps Bloomberg sees the world as a place where people should vote for the best person – not a party line.
Sounds to me like someone is worried about loosing what few sane republicans there are left in the party.
The traditional Republican'ts and the faux ones from the Tea Party will soon form a circular firing squad, dooming the election-centered marriage of convenience. My money is on Obama for 2012, and that's not just a figure of speech.
shut up, he can run if he wants to, there goes another white old man try to show his superior manners with others. Jerk!
Obama in 2012, not likely...the road to hell is paved with good intentions!
I can see it now, campaigning on all those promises broken along with healthcare, Stimuless, bailouts and 18 million unemployed!
Palin v. Bloomberg v. Obama
One can dream, can't they?
Gee Haley- worried? Like most Republicans in office- they seem to be worried about competition from anyone. Why is it the slightest chance to vote for another throws to them into a tizzy?
How can anyone take the governor of Mississippi serious when his State is about last in everything that matters?
Reflecting on the standing of the State of Mississippi in the Union, what can the governor offer us as President?
Republicans have failed us yet one more time. Tax cut for billionaires – increased deficit. JOBS JOBS JOBS
How about this, no Republicans run for president because President Obama's GM bailout worked as will everything else. Rush Limbaugh lead the Republican pack (Boehner, yes, the new speaker of the House Boehner, DeMint, et al) to tell Americans President Obama is a socialist for saving GM. If you don't think for one minute the Republicans want apartheid in this country, you are wrong, look at Limbaugh's wealth and he doesn't want it taxed.
I personally would love to see Bloomberg run. The guy actually seems to get the fact that the middle is where true solutions to real problems are forged. Barbour and his ilk are just self-serving jerks.
Can't you just see him unleashing a german shepard at a march 40+ years ago?
Aren't these high and mighty Republicans getting after the Obama Administration for asking senatorial candidates in Pennsylvania and Colorado not to run?
Mr. Barbour, you wouldn't recognize far left policies if they came up and slapped you if you think Obama's policies are far left. There is a reason why there's a significant amount of people who believe that he's too liberal and another significant amount of people who say he's not liberal enough - it's called the political center, albeit leaning left. Just because Republicans are all radicalized conservatives doesn't mean the country is that way.
Is this the same kind of behavior the Republicans accused the Democrats of conducting? Barbour has no right to tell Bloomberg what to do or not to do. The same arrogance that took down the Democrats is starting to appear with the Republicans.
don't listen to him bloomberg! run, run, run! help aide obama's reelection! once he's reelected, i'nn never call you an egomaniac again
If Palin, Barbour, Huckabee, Gingrich, Santorum or Pence are on the ballot for POTUS, you better believe a lot of votes will be going to Bloomberg.
NO, NO, Barbour Boophead. You have no right to run, you will take votes from Humpty Dumpty, or some other idiot in
the Republican Party. Who the h-ll are you to tell anyone whether or not they can run for President.