Haley Barbour

The Mississippi governor, in his Southern drawl, describes himself as a "fat redneck" - and he also happens to be one of the most respected strategists in his party. The head of the Republican Governors Association and a former Republican National committee chairman, Barbour has perhaps unsurpassed connections in Washington, which would help with fundraising. Unlike Bobby Jindal, the former tobacco lobbyist largely played down the impact of the Gulf oil spill.

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Credit: AP Photo/Nicole LaCour Young