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Mississippi Guv says he won’t run for president in 2012 Monday.
More: Why Barbour's decision has blown up the GOP field.
Statement from Haley Barbour:
“I will not be a candidate for president next year. This has been a difficult, personal decision, and I am very grateful to my family for their total support of my going forward, had that been what I decided," Barbour said in the statement. “A candidate for president today is embracing a ten-year commitment to an all-consuming effort, to the virtual exclusion of all else. His (or her) supporters expect and deserve no less than absolute fire in the belly from their candidate. I cannot offer that with certainty, and total certainty is required."
Halperin's Take
The conventional wisdom that Barbour was a weak candidate because of all the recent race controversies was wrong. He had an all-star team of advisers and a capacity to raise tens of millions of dollars. His decision not to run puts a lot more focus/pressure on Mitch Daniels and a lot of money people up for grabs. The parts of the GOP Establishment that don't want Mitt Romney now have to look elsewhere. At the same time, because he was registering at or near zero in the polls, it isn't clear who inherits his voter support. But watch to see who scoops up his aides and his money people.
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