Haley Barbour, image via Wikipedia
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is the most powerful Republican in American politics — at least for the next three months.
Barbour, who runs the Republican Governors Association, has more money to spend on the 2010 elections — $40 million — than any other GOP leader around. And in private, numerous Republicans describe Barbour as the de facto chairman of the party. (See "End Run: Romney's Crafty Financing")
The political class, in particular, is consumed with Barbour’s
behind-the-scenes endeavors — this week, with the $1 million he got from
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. (See "Fox Parent's Donation Causes Stir")
Yet the reality is that Barbour has been uniquely adept at leveraging concerns about President Barack Obama into huge contributions from many others. Bob Perry, the Texas businessman who funded the Swift boat attacks in the 2004 campaigns, has given more than twice as much as News Corp.
Barbour, who runs the Republican Governors Association, has more money to spend on the 2010 elections — $40 million — than any other GOP leader around. And in private, numerous Republicans describe Barbour as the de facto chairman of the party. (See "End Run: Romney's Crafty Financing")
It’s not just because he controls the RGA kitty but, rather, because he
has close relationships with everyone who matters in national GOP
politics — operatives like Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie and other top
Republicans running or raising cash for a network of outside political
groups. Together, these groups are essential to Republican hopes of
regaining power because Democrats are cleaning their clocks through more
traditional fundraising efforts.
Yet the reality is that Barbour has been uniquely adept at leveraging concerns about President Barack Obama into huge contributions from many others. Bob Perry, the Texas businessman who funded the Swift boat attacks in the 2004 campaigns, has given more than twice as much as News Corp.
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