2012 Election TL (Gameplay Thread)

[Del Tachi]

All Actions by Haley Barbour (R-MS) for December 2010

Haley Barbour, under tha capacity of RGA chairman, makes a visit to New Jersey to meet with Governor Chris Christie, Christie's Cheif of Staff Richard Bagger, and NJ GOP State Chairman Jay Webber over lunch to discuss the growing role of the GOP in the state.  After lunch, Barbour and Christie tour a manafacturing plant in Trenton, NJ.  At the end of the tour Barbour makes a speech to the employees and members of the community who have come to hear:

"My top concern for the economy right now is creating quality jobs for the American people.  The Obama administration has done nothing to help the average, working-class American since he took office in 2009.  He's spent billions worth of borrowed money that has indebted future generations of Americans.  He did not extend all of the Bush-era tax cuts and most of all he has not provided the nessecary push that our economy needed to start growing again.  Let's make 2012 the last year for Obama's radical left-wing agenda by voting him out of office and putting a few more Republicans in govenor's seats across the country".

Later in the month, Haley Barbour speaks via video to troops stationed in Afghanistan on behalf of the RGA to deliver a Christmas message.  This is an excerpt from his message:

“On this Christmas, our nation remembers the men and women of our military, your friends and comrades who paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom. We ask for God's blessings on their families, their loved ones and their friends, and we pray for your safety and your strength, as you continue to defend America and to spread freedom.

Each one of you has answered a great call, participating in an historic moment in world history. You live by a code of honor, of service to your nation, with the safety and the security of your fellow citizens. Our military is full of the finest people on the face of the earth. Merry Christmas and may God bless you all.”

With that, the rest of the month for Barbour is pretty uneventful.  Except for his annual appearence at the RGA Christmas fundraising dinner. Also, there is growing impatience about knowing his plans for 2012.

[Del Tachi]

Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi is set to address a crowd of some 5,000 Mississippians from the steps of the State Capitol Building in beautiful, historic Downtown Jackson, MS.  He steps to the microphone and delivers the following speech:

“Friends, neighbors, and fellow Americans I come to you today to deliver a speech that will, hopefully, mark an end to an era in this country.  For the past four years, Americans have been at the mercy of one of the most liberal Presidents this country has ever known.  In the past four years, this President has increased our national debt by over one trillion dollars, this President and his buddies in Congress have passed unpopular Health and Energy bills, and the President who have failed to revitalize our economy.  Now this President is seeking reelection and wants you, the voter, to give it to him.

I stand here today to say no more!  It is time to return to the values that have made our country great before and can make our country great again.  It is time to return to the common-sense economic policy that says ‘you can’t prop up the economy on borrowed money’.  While the American economy has continued to struggle, President Obama has been spending hundreds of billions of dollars which has only allowed our international competitors to fly by us in the ever-changing world economy.  In a generation or two, our children and grandchildren will not be paying taxes to Uncles Sam, but instead will be paying taxes to satisfy Chinese and Indian creditors.  How does this economic policy make sense?

Not only does Obama want to spend money that isn’t ours, he also wants to nickel-and-dime the American people out of having a chance.  Under this administration, taxes (either directly or indirectly) have increased on every single American.  Later last year, the Democrats in congress lat the Bush tax cuts expire for some Americans.  Taxes have also increased on small businesses, mainly due to the new health care policy which requires them to face strict fines if they don’t provide their employees with health insurance.  

The bottom line is, the Obama/Pelosi/Reid/Geithner/Bernanke monetary policy hasn’t worked!  And it won’t work!  Why don’t we start by lowering our spending.  Stop spending money on failed stimulus and government take-overs of the health care industry?  We also need to lower taxes, taxes are the oppressive force of government pushing down the brow of the laborer.  We need to especially lower taxes on small businesses, this way we would put more money in the hands of business owners, allowing them to hire more workers and supply more jobs!  To me, this just seems elementary.  

I know what your saying, your saying ’this is all find and dandy, Haley, but we need someone to directly challenge Obama and stand for true conservative principles’.  I understand, the American people need leadership.  That is why, today, before you I announce by candidacy for President of the United States of America as a Republican.
(riotous applause)  

I stand for the true conservative principles that have made this country great.  I respect myself, my country, and God and as President I will work diligently on the behalf of every single American.  Now, let’s hit the campaign trail!!!”


After Barbour’s remarks, former Mississippi Senator and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (who was at the event) speaks: It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I endorse Haley Barbour for President of the United States.  I believe that of all of the announced Republican candidates, he has the best ability to lead this country to greatness.  I will be working with him on the campaign trail up until the very end, and I wish him the best of luck. ‘

Rudy Giuliani, who addresses the crowd from New York via video, says: I would also like to endorse Haley Barbour for President in 2012.  Ever since becoming the governor of Mississippi in 2003, I have had the privilege to get to know him and work with him.  In fact, in 2008, if I had won the GOP nomination, I would have most selected Governor Barbour as my running mate (chuckles).  I will be working closely with Haley Barbour and his campaign over the next few months.  

After the speech, Haley Barbour attends a fundraising event for his campaign sponsored by the Mississippi Republican Party.  He also schedules appearances on Meet the Press, FOX News Sunday, and Larry King Live.  

Later, Haley Barbour’s website for his PAC becomes his official campaign website (www.HaleyBarbour2012.org).  On the website he announces his official campaign slogan, “Barbour: The Time is Now”.  He also announces through his campaign manager, former White House employee Rhonda Keenum, that he will begin a month-long tour of CO, IN, NJ, and VA.  

[Del Tachi]

BARBOUR’S TRIP TO COLORADO:

Haley Barbour begins his four-state tour in Colorado.  He hosts several town hall meetings, answering questions asked by the participants.  His largest town hall meetings are those in Littleton, Arvada, Boulder, Greely, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction, and Craig.    

At these town hall events Haley Barbour stresses his conservative credentials and executive experience saying:

“I was elected Governor of a state in which the Democratic Party controlled more than 60% of the seats every single year, yet I still managed to get my conservative message across to the electorate and the legislature.  I responded quickly and satisfactorily to both Hurricane Katrina and 2010 Gulf Oil Spill.  Also, I worked to offset Mississippi’s budget deficit and refunded the Rainy Day Fund. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but that‘s a pretty good resume”

Also in Colorado, Haley Barbour speaks at a Tea Party meeting in Denver.  He says:

“On ideologically grounds, I do not associate myself with the Tea Party.  However, I do believe in some principles that the Tea Party stands for and those include lower spending and taxation, smaller government, and a ‘hands-off’ approach to economics”.

While conducting an interview with KUSA, Denver’s largest television station, he is asked about his experience working as a tobacco lobbyist (an issue that has come up frequently throughout his political career).  He responds:

“The next president on January 20, 2013 is going to start lobbying, He's going to be lobbying Congress, he's going to be lobbying other countries. He's going to be lobbying the business community. He's going to be lobbying the labor unions, the governors, because that's what presidents do, and I feel like it's an advantage for me to have the chance to do that."

While in Colorado Springs, Barbour also speaks to the National Rifle Association of Colorado saying:

“I believe that the most essential amendment to our Constitution is the Right to Bear Arms.  For no man can be free from oppression, both domestic and foreign, unless he can arm himself.”

Barbour also spends an afternoon building houses in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity in Pueblo.  After the events he speaks of the importance of charity and community interest, and lays out a possible proposal for welfare reform which includes a large increase in tax breaks for charitable donations and community service.  


He concludes his Colorado visit by speaking to the Colorado Republican Party at a fundraising party in Denver.  He says:


“Over the past few days, I have gotten to know the people of Colorado at a level that I thought I never would.  I have learned that they face very real struggles and very harsh realities.  They are upset with the way that our government has been conducting itself for the past couple of years, and they want to take back their rightful place in this democracy.  I tell the people of Colorado that they stand for a noble cause, and so do I.”


At the end of Barbour’s speech, Colorado Senator Ken Buck addresses the crowd:

“I have come here to tonight to endorse Haley Barbour for president of the United States.  I believe that Haley has the know-how, the intuition, and morals needed to win the Republican Nomination and go on to defeat Obama.  However, most of all he has the ability to govern this great nation and lead it to brighter, better days.  I plan on staying on contact with Mr. Barbour throughout his campaign and will be helping him with the campaign here in Colorado.”

[Del Tachi]

Newt Gingrich, on his website, officially endorses Haley Barbour for President of the United States.

Gingrich:
“I hereby endorse Haley Barbour for President of the United States.  I know that campaign season just started, but I believe that Haley Barbour’s attributes make him very qualified to be the next president.  Haley Barbour’s conservative credentials resonate with the party base and he knows how to wage a good campaign against Obama next fall.  I plan on appearing with him in public shortly, and we have already planned several speaking events together”

[Del Tachi]

The next stop on Haley Barbour’s four state tour is Illinois. 

He arrives at Chicago’s Midway Airport early one morning and is greeted by a crowd of campaign supporters and concerned members of the community.  Before deporting for more campaign events, Barbour makes an unplanned announcement to the group that has assembled.

”I would to thank the people of Chicago for their warm welcome.  The polls say that I’m polling at less than one percent in Illinois, but I believe that after campaigning here over the next few months the people of Illinois will see me for what I truly am: a bonafied, concerned conservative who is fighting to retake control of America from the big-government Obama regime.”

After his impromptu speech at the airport, Haley Barbour attends a business lunch with David A. Herron and his associates at CHX Holdings Inc. (who own the Chicago Stock Exchange).  The breakfast is not open to the press, but apparently Barbour and the CHX associates discuss business matters relating to the newly passed Financial Reform bill.  He concludes his breakfast by speaking to the investors on the floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange only a few minutes after the opening bell:

“President Obama has done nothing to stabilize the American economy ever since he took office in 2009, he and his buddies in Washington have only temporarily pacified the business community by handing bailouts.  However, these bailouts increased the nation debt and are now leading to a decline in the value of the American dollar.  How can Obama expect American businesses to compete in today’s international business market if the money that our nation produces isn’t worth the paper its printed on?  Obama and the Democrats have also suffocated the American business community under their new finance laws.  Mr. Obama, how can you expect our businesses to succeed if you surround them with miles-and-miles of regulatory red tape.  The Obama economic policies make no sense.  In voting for me, you are voting for a clear alternative to these failed policies.  I propose that we reduce the amount of regulation on our businesses, which will allow them to flourish in the ever-changing global economy.”

Barbour’s speech to the C.S.E. is well-received.

Barbour’s next stop is a Town Hall meeting in Rolling Meadows, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago).  The main purpose of this town hall is health care.  Governor Barbour delivers the following words:

[/i]“If elected president, I will work with the Congress to make sure that we repeal the Obama-led takeover of the health care industry that was adopted in March 2010.  Obamacare was a step in the wrong direction.  I believe that we can achieve health care reform and near universal coverage, but we can do it through encouraging competition among health insurance providers.  However, the most important we need to do is encourage the people of this nation to make healthier lifestyle choices.  As governor of Mississippi, I started the ‘Let’s Go Walking, Mississippi’ campaign, made physical education a compulsory requirement for all children in Mississippi public schools, made school lunches healthier, and through a series of public service announcements encouraged Mississippians to become more health conscious.  As a result, recent research shows that rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease are all starting to fall in Mississippi.  We need to start doing this at the national level.” [/i]

Barbour spends the rest of his afternoon attending several events, including a stop to help work at a soup kitchen at a church in Arlington Heights, a tea party rally in Joliet, and speaking to some 500 students and 1,000 community members at North Central College in Naperville, IL. 



Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday arrives in Chicago later in the evening to conduct an interview with Haley Barbour:

Wallace: On behalf of all of us on Fox News Sunday, I would like to welcome you, Mr. Barbour, to the show. 

Barbour: Thank you, its very nice to be here and have a chance to get out my message to the people of this great nation. 

Wallace: So, first things first Haley…why did you decide on running for president?

Barbour: The decision to run for president was not an easy one for me, Chris.  The truth is, Chris, I almost decided to run in 2008--

Wallace: Well, why didn’t you?

Barbour: I realized that my first priority was to be the Governor of Mississippi.  In 2007, I had just be reelected as governor and I felt it was my duty to serve in the role.  Also, my wife didn’t want me to then! (chuckles)

Wallace:  Back to question, so, why did you choose to run this year?

Barbour: Like I said, the decision was not an easy one to make.  However, after I saw how the American people voted in the 2010 midterm elections my decision was pretty much clear.  It was apparent that the American people had rejected the Obama/Pelosi/Reid policies and were looking for a return to government by the people, for the people, and of the people.  That’s why I decided to run.  I believe that Obama and his Democratic friends have taken this nation on a borderline-Socialist veer to the left, and the American people have rejected that.  I’m running to give those Americans a clear choice.   

Wallace: So believe that you best represent the voters who are fed up with the Obama agenda?

Barbour: That’s what I would like to believe.  I stand for smart, fiscal-conservatism and I think the voters will reward me at the ballot box come their respective primary days.

Wallace: What’s your opinions of the other Republican candidates; specifically Marsha Blackburn and Romney?

Barbour:  I have a great deal of respect for both Representative Blackburn and former governor Romney.  They have both stood up for what they believe in and are respectable candidates.  However, I think that Ms. Blackburn might be just a bit to inexperienced to be ready for the highest office in the land.  She has less experience than Obama had in 2008, only serving as representative for about 8 years.  Romney, I think, might just be a bit too liberal for the mainstream Republican Party and I question his stances on health care, gay marriage, and some other issues key to winning against Obama this year.  However, it’s not my job to judge the candidates.  It will be up to the voters to ultimately decide.

Wallace: Thank you so much for being hear, ladies and gentlemen: Haley Barbour.

Barbour: Thank you.

Barbour spends the rest of his time in Illinois at various town halls and rallies (both for himself and the Tea Party).  He stops at town halls in Oak Lawn, Aurora, Crystal Lake, Rockford, Moline, Joliet, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur,  Belleville, and Carbondale.  He concludes his Illinois visit in Springfield where he is endorsed by Illinois governor Bill Brady.

Brady: After having the opportunity to see what Governor Barbour truly stands for, I officially endorse him for President of the United States.  I encourage all Illinoisans to support Mr. Barbour is he campaign for U.S. president.  I will be staying touch with him and will continue campaigning for him throughout the state up until primary day.   

[Del Tachi]

Haley Barbour announces that he will temporarily suspend his campaign for the presidency until after the 2011 Mississippi Gubernatorial election in November.