Gov. Haley Barbour will be surprised if we don't have 30 Republican governors elected in November

[flpoljunkie]

Mississippi's Haley Barbour, head of the Republican Governors' Association, was speaking about the mid-term elections last night on a replay of the recent Aspen Institute gathering. His was interviewed by the Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg. This particular exchange begins about 8:24 on the tape and lasts less than four minutes.

If Republicans control the governors' chairs they will be able, in many cases, to literally veto the reapportionment plan for both state and Congressional boundaries. Haley noted that the governors in 39 states have a significant role in drawing the district lines. Haley says he would like to see more competitive seats in Congress, rather than the 'safe Republican and Democratic districts where you get the most liberal Democrats and the most conservative Republicans.'

Another crucial reason to get out the vote in November. Despite what Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said, the Republicans will be drawing safe Republican districts--not the 'competitive' ones Haley insists he prefers.

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/295776-5

[Lint Head]

1. This racist butt wipe wants to get rid of minorities in powerful positions.

In September 2010, Barbour stated "the people who led the change of parties in the South ... was my generation. My generation who went to integrated schools. I went to integrated college -- never thought twice about it."
Apparently he just mentioned it again. He did think twice about it. Why bring it up if you are not concerned about your racist tendencies.

Remember the photos of him in black face mocking African Americans? It has disappeared or been scrubbed from the net.
I wish I had saved my newspaper copy to scan for all to see.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Haley mentioned that he increased his percentage of the black vote to 22% in his last election

Perhaps because of hurricane Katrina. Barbour apparently had a direct pipeline to Dubya that helped him great with his state's recovery efforts after Katrina.

Unfortunately, the loathsome former lobbyist, is a formidable politician. He has done very well for his party as head of the Republican Governors' Association. I hope his prediction of them ending up with thirty Republican governors is off the mark--well off the mark.

[Hawkeye-X]

3. Colorado's staying a firm D

and we'll be doing our best to remove the two pigs that represents nobody but themselves.

[saltpoint]

4. I hope there are no more Republican Governors

than could fill a milk jug.

[ensho]

5. in his dreams

30 - not going to happen

[robcon]

6. That number, 30+, is about what Real Clear Politics projects for governorships...

Democrats 14
Republicans 27
Tossups 9

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/governor/2010_elections_governor_map.html

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

7. How is this possible? Isn't RCP a right-wing polling organization?

[robcon]

10. RCP is neutral.

Look at their list of articles every day. Very balanced.

[FBaggins]

11. They aren't really "neutral"... they just present both sides.

Their internal analysis leans right. I still think it's an excellent site for poll tracking and finding commentary from both sides.

But that isn't very instructive in this case, since 30 is about what the democratic-leaning prognosticators are saying as well.

That is... 30 of the 50 total... not 30 of the races being held this year. That would take a sweep about as substantial as taking the Senate. There are enough races theoretically in play... but they have to win just about all of them.

[Bluenorthwest]

8. 'Projects' sounds so much better than 'predicts' or

'prognosticates' or even 'guesses'...

[depakid]

9. Those would be Nate's numbers, too

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/

Looks at this point like that enable Republicans/bash the base strategy may yield some unfortunate results on state levels too. In a redistricting year.