Mississippi Republican governor Haley Barbour offered his take on the Republican presidential primary Thursday, saying Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain would “sweep the South” if elected.
“If Herman Cain is our nominee running against Barack Obama, I think he’ll sweep the South,” Mr. Barbour said on Laura Ingraham’s radio show.
Mr. Barbour said the Georgia Republican is a “straight-talking person who calls it like he sees it” and who has “attracted a good following.”
“He’s likable. I think if [elections] were today, my wife would vote for Herman Cain,” the Mississippi Republican said, adding that his sons had taken a liking to Mr. Cain’s campaign as well, telling him, “Dad, I like him. I like what he says.”
Mr. Barbour said Mr. Cain’s current standing within the party is due, in part, to his ability to connect with voters. The Republican governor said Mr. Cain’s past experience managing Godfather’s Pizza is likely an advantage as voters look increasingly for a candidate that can create jobs.
“”We need to do things that say here’s what we’re for, here’s why we’re for it, and here’s how it’ll help our country and our communities,” Barbour said. “That is something Herman Cain has made in a real straightforward, simple to understand way.”
Mr. Barbour, who announced earlier this year that he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination, is widely seen as one of the Republican Party’s most influential members. The Mississippi Republican has remained on the sidelines in recent months, saying he will support the Republican nominee.
Mr. Cain’s campaign, meanwhile, continues to gain national attention following a series of successful debates. The Georgia Republican has risen in recent polls, surpassing Texas Republican governor Rick Perry and Minnesota Congressman Michele Bachmann — both of whom were considered front-runners.
