GOP Prez Field Whittled Down: Gov. Haley Barbour Out

JACKSON, Miss. (AP/THE BLAZE) -- Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour isn't running for president in 2012. The Republican issued a statement Monday saying he "will not be a candidate for president next year."

Barbour says it was a difficult, personal decision. But he said that it would have been an all-consuming effort to the exclusion of all else. He says he cannot offer "absolute fire in the belly" and "total certainty" that a presidential candidate should have.

Barbour says he will continue his job as Mississippi governor and help elect governors across the country.

The governor's full statement is below:

"I will not be a candidate for president next year. This has been a difficult, personal decision, and I am very grateful to my family for their total support of my going forward, had that been what I decided.

"Hundreds of people have encouraged me to run and offered both to give and raise money for a presidential campaign.  Many volunteers have organized events in support of my pursuing the race.  Some have dedicated virtually full time to setting up preliminary organizations in critical, early states and to helping plan what has been several months of intensive activity.

"I greatly appreciate each and every one of them and all their outstanding efforts.  If I have disappointed any of them in this decision, I sincerely regret it.

"A candidate for president today is embracing a ten-year commitment to an all-consuming effort, to the virtual exclusion of all else.  His (or her) supporters expect and deserve no less than absolute fire in the belly from their candidate.  I cannot offer that with certainty, and total certainty is required.

"This decision means I will continue my job as Governor of Mississippi, my role in the Republican Governors Association and my efforts to elect a new Republican president in 2012, as the stakes for the nation require that effort to be successful."