Nevada's new Republican governor said Monday night he particularly likes Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and Haley Barbour as potential GOP presidential candidates.
Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) said Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, and Barbour, the current governor of Mississippi, would each make "great presidents."
"You have Tim Pawlenty, who would be a strong candidate. You have Mitt Romney, who would be a strong candidate. And you have Gov. Barbour, who hasn't announced," Sandoval said on Jon Ralston's "Face to Face" broadcast. "But those are all three folks that would make great presidents."
Barbour is in Nevada on Tuesday to meet with Sandoval, the newly inaugurated Republican governor. Both Romney and Pawlenty have also made stops in Nevada earlier this year.
The state hosts one of the first nominating contests in the 2012 primary cycle, and Sandoval's endorsement could be key for the Republican who hopes to win the Nevada GOP primary.
Sandoval acknowledged he liked the trio of governors and had praise for Barbour ahead of his visit Tuesday.
"He asked for the meeting. Gov. Barbour's somebody that I met as a candidate. He's someone I know and respect; he's done a great job as governor of the state of Mississippi," Sandoval explained. "We were advised that he was coming to the state of Nevada, and wanted to meet with me, so I'm looking forward to that meeting."
