Según The Birmingham News, periódico de mayor tirada de Alabama, varios republicanos están animando al ex Gobernador Bob Riley (2003-2011) para que presente su candidatura a Presidente.
(...) Bob Riley, who three weeks ago completed eight years as governor, is being encouraged to seek the GOP nomination for president in 2012 and is actively considering the possibility, sources inside and outside Alabama said.
"I don't know right now which way the governor is leaning, but I can tell you he is being encouraged by various people at important levels in the party to seek the nomination," said Mike Hubbard, chairman of the state Republican Party and the new speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives.
(...) One important opinion leader and player on the national political stage encouraging Riley to run is Joe Scarborough. The former Florida congressman and popular host of the MSNBC program "Morning Joe" said he has talked with and encouraged Riley to get into the race.
"I believe there is a great void in the Republican Party still to be filled," Scarborough said. "I still believe that the eventual Republican nominee and just maybe the next president has not yet declared an interest in running."
Asked why he thinks Riley could stand out in a crowd of candidates vying for the GOP nomination, Scarborough said because he has a record of accomplishments in Alabama.
"Look at what Bob has done in Alabama. He's been able to attract thousands of manufacturing jobs into the state when other states are losing them," Scarborough said. "Automobile, ship building, aviation jobs. Right now across much of this country the issue is job creation, lowering the unemployment rate, putting people to work. Bob has done that and he's done it while keeping taxes low and running a state for eight years without a hint of scandal." (...)
