Haley Barbour Joins Karl Rove’s American Crossroads

Haley Barbour (R)
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The biggest outside GOP organization in the 2012 election just got bigger.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour is joining Karl Rove’s two unlimited donation groups, American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, to help raise cash. And the two organizations are raising expectations to coincide with his arrival: according to a press release, they plan to more than double their goal of raising $120 million through 2012.

Barbour is in a class by himself among Republican operatives and fundraisers, so his joining up is significant on its own. But there are also implications for the Republican primary. Rove has an antagonistic relationship with Rick Perry these days and has been taking potshots at him ever since his campaign began. Some observers have speculated that if Perry wins the nomination, American Crossroads would quickly go under, as Perry donors might take their money somewhere more hospitable.

By lending his face to the project, Barbour may offer some reassurance to Perry backers that the organization is worth preserving. Perry and Barbour have a friendly relationship and Barbour’s nephew, Henry, is a major Perry supporter.

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