WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Republican Party chairman Haley Barbour says the fight for the GOP presidential nomination could go all the way to the convention.

The ex-governor of Mississippi says he doesn't think that's likely, but he notes in a CBS "This Morning" interview that none of the candidates has taken control of the race.

Barbour says, "The fact is, there is an outside possibility" the nomination fight might not be resolved until the party's August convention in Tampa, Fla.

He says such a scenario would be "unusual" but that "whoever we nominate, Barack Obama is the great uniter of Republicans."

Barbour also says that "historically, these nomination contests don't start until February, so it's mighty early in the game." He says Republicans should focus on the "anemic" economy.