Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour’s surprise decision on Monday not to run for president set off a scramble inside the Republican Party for pieces of his financial and political network. It also raised questions about the challenges the party may face in trying to unseat President Obama. So far, the GOP race has been notable for its slow start and the absence of a front-runner.

With the economy continuing to improve, I doubt many are going to want to drop a bill(ion) to be a proverbial sacrificial lamb.