GOP Heavies Want Barbour as RNC Chief

Several influential Republicans reportedly are going to ask Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour to opt for chairman of the Republican National Committee rather than running for president in 2012. A prominent Republican described the “Draft Haley” plan to Politico.

“The view is that he’s not made a decision,” the source said. “We wanted to give him something else to think about.”

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Barbour may be reluctant to choose the RNC over a bid for the presidency, as he’s already viewed as a top potential presidential contender. The GOP bigwigs hope to convince him that he’ll have a bigger effect on the party at the RNC and that if another Republican is elected president, he might get an attractive position in the new administration.