Barbour plans GOP meetings in early primary SC

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who's considering a 2012 presidential run, is scheduled to have two private meetings with Republican leaders Wednesday in the early primary state of South Carolina.

South Carolina political consultant Chip Felkel said he has known Barbour through the GOP for more than 20 years and is organizing the events. Felkel told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he expects 25 or 30 people at each of the meetings in Spartanburg and Greenville.

Felkel said he hopes Barbour will run for president.

"I think he's got an excellent record there as governor of Mississippi," Felkel said in a phone interview. "He's got common sense. He's got conservative credentials."

Felkel said the meetings aren't fundraisers but will give Barbour a chance to meet influential business people, officials and party insiders.