From a reader:

Does EFM have any comments on the presidential aspirations and supposed fundraising clout of Mr. Barbour?

Let me stipulate the following:
1. I think the world of Gov. Barbour both as a governor and as a strategist.
2. I love bourbon.
3. I believe lobbyists are a necessary and important part of our form of government.
That said, anybody who seriously believes a bourbon-swilling ex-lobbyist will be elected president anytime soon is on something a lot stronger than bourbon.
Gov. Barbour himself is way too smart to believe that.
But he’s sticking his toe in the water because his real goal is to be a kingmaker, and he knows he will have more power if he flirts with trying to become the king. He’s right. He will accomplish that goal. And that will be a good thing for conservatives.
It could even be a good thing for Gov. Romney if Gov. Barbour actually runs, because he would be enough of a force in the Deep South (if nowhere else) that our guy could safely write that region, where he will never run the table, off.