Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour joins the program to discuss his background and political career (he’s only the second Republican governor of MS since Reconstruction), the current political climate (“unprecedented power in the federal government”) and how he was one of few federal officials to have higher poll numbers after Katrina.

When it comes to spending, Gov. Barbour argues that you can’t spend yourself rich.  America’s problem is not the deficit, it is spending.  Salvation won’t come through tax hikes, rather taxpayers need more taxable income.  This isn’t just conservative happy talk for Gov. Barbour.  He got rid of the deficit in Mississippi even when up against a predominantly Democratic state legislature.  How?  Communicating with the people that the choice is clear: increased taxes or controlled spending.  75% preferred controlled spending.

Political handicappers often include Barbour when listing potential Republican candidates for 2012.  He does have  impressive credentials and strong positions on everything from ObamaCare and entitlements to immigration to the Ground Zero Mosque.  Nevertheless, many agree that being from Mississippi, having a deep southern accent, and likely most challenging, a career in lobbying could hurt his electability.

Gov. Barbour’s response to such criticism?

“Maybe by 2012 they’ll be ready for the anti-Obama.”

Watch the full episode below:

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“A Good Ricochet Point“

The Ricochet parade of governors continues as we are joined this week by Mississippi Governor (and Chairman of the Republican Governors Association) Haley Barbour as well as by John Hinderaker of the Powerline Blog, sitting in for Mark Steyn. We cover health care, Republican prospects for the fall, why governors matter, and if our guest may be thinking of running for a certain higher office.  We also reveal why Morgan Freeman chooses to live where he does and why Rob Long lives deep behind enemy lines. Questions or comments? Contact us at podcast@ricochet.com or become a fan on our FaceBook page.

As the federal government continuously churns out ideas and policies that drive our nation deeper and deeper in debt, citizens and taxpayers are right to be worried. From federal “stimulus” bills that force state governments to change laws, raise taxes and increase spending, to cap and trade proposals that will run our energy industry into the ground, to emerging plans for an unprecedented and unsustainable expansion of government health care, it is clear that the swollen river of our federal government has overflowed its banks.

 Washington is increasingly out of step with folks out here in flyover country who do not share the inside-the-Beltway belief that a benevolent, all-knowing government can expand and encroach without limit, because individual Americans simply cannot be trusted to make right choices.

This mindset has driven the explosive growth of the size, spending and intrusiveness of the federal government. Our founding fathers would be appalled at the way their successors are ignoring individual liberties, contemplating more tax increases and interfering further into private enterprise.

Washington bureaucrats must be reminded that America is not some windowless laboratory where they can tinker with theories with no regard to consequences. Real harm is resulting from policies that are disastrous for America’s future, bankrupting our country, and mortgaging our children’s future. Fear of this emerging future and frustration with an administration run amok are fueling the resurgent interest in the 10^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. “We the people” are standing up and demanding an audience.

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