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Lost in the unsubstantiated accusations of marital infidelity aimed at her -- as well as the ethnic slurs -- is this fact about Nikki Haley: She's Mark Sanford's political and ideological heir.
And yet she's considered the front-runner in the South Carolina GOP gubernatorial primary to replace Sanford that takes place tomorrow (a run-off will occur on June 22 if no one gets more than 50%).
In a way, this is an ironic turn of events given Sanford's embarrassing affair, his disappearance to Argentina, and even his stand-offs with the legislature. The thinking had been that South Carolina voters would opt for Sanford's opposite -- say a backslapping pol like state Attorney General Henry McMaster (R) -- rather than someone like Haley (R) who shares Sanford's views on lower spending and limited government.
Haley has been widely viewed as Sanford's handpicked successor, and Sanford's ex-wife, Jenny, has endorsed her. What's more, unlike other candidates in the field, Haley never asked Sanford to resign from office after the revelation of his affair.
Here's what the State newspaper wrote last year:
State Rep. Nikki Haley, a Sanford ally, urged the governor not to resign for the sake of the reform movement he initiated: limited, accountable government, lower spending and an emphasis on the market. Haley is seeking the GOP nomination for governor and is thought to be Sanford's chosen successor. In a statement Friday, she said, "I have major concerns about the viability of that movement and the direction our government could take under the lieutenant governor should Gov. Sanford resign." She added, "South Carolina cannot afford to go back to the good ol' boy system that so badly serves the taxpayers and undermines our government."
Outside of ideology, of course, Haley does represent significant change. She would be South Carolina's first female governor. She also would be its first Indian-American to win major statewide office. And those characteristics could very well be benefiting her right now.
But make no mistake: Haley winning the GOP primary -- and then the general election -- would almost be akin to Jeb Bush winning the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 -- and maybe even the general election -- after his brother's approval ratings sank to the 20s and 30s.
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Domenico there is a problem with the firstread web. It was absent all weekend and I am still having problems this morning. I had to search for it before it would come up.
More of the same family values you mean?
But of course... the apple doesn't fall far from the GEENOPEE tree!
Haley was endorsed by Palin. That's all anyone needs to know to keep her out of office.
CA it will be most interesting to see how the Palin endorsed candidates will do in the upcoming elections. So far she's not doing very well. Of course this is South Carolina we're talking about here. So Haley just might pull it off.
Nikki Haley will win. I know you DINOS are sitting tight. Your worst nightmare is coming through , the Republicans and the Tea Party will carry the seats in this primary. Don't panic. You had your day in the Obama health care marathon.
Just two adultering peas from the same corrupt GOP pod of liars, cheaters, adulterers and stealers. No wonder Double Tricky Nikki didn't blast Hiker of the Argentinian Tail Sanford for his adultering ways, she's one too! Yep just two corrupt conservative peas from the same lame corrupt conservative party of sore losers. Really surprising that after Sinner Sanford had sunk so low in approval ratings that his handpicked successor wouldn't also suffer low approval, but then it's south carolina we're talking about - one of the most despicable states in our country.
A Vote for Adultress Tricky Nikki Haley is a Vote Supporting Adultery!
Eric from Salinity, Show me the evidence. If you can't. Zip it DINO.
Despicable, and this is coming from someone who lives in a state with no money? Good job Eric, im sure you have done all of your research way out there in CA, you must be one of those people who believes everything you read on the World Wide Web? Crawl out from under your rock Liberal and smoke yourself a fat doobie, oh wait you already have! South Carolina is a great state to live in, I wish you could say the same for yours! Way to go Arnold!
Eric from Salinity, Lets see how Calipornia will fare when the other states boycott them. It will sink in the sea where it belongs. Its all sand and no rock. Truly, I'd like to see a boycott of the Fornication State and see just for the fun of it how it will fare.
So Sanford gets bounced by the people for his screwing around and some how that means his policies on how to run a state should go with him? Come on comcast ..........
It appears Mark Murray and his handful of commenter followers are so entrenched in image politics that they can't see how issues could actually come to the forefront. Isn't it interesting that those "despicable" South Carolina voters are sticking to issues while the NY and CA "What's an issue?"-commenting group can't understand the vote.
Nice Dan... reeeeal nice!
When you got NOTHING else... play the 'slam the moderator' card... LMAO!
Not sure about the voters of SC sticking to issues as much.. as the SC politicians sticking it to anyone they're NOT married too!
Just my observation ;0)
It is disappointing to see people - voters, I presume - unable to separate the evaluation of principles involved in the governing of a state from a governor's personal behavior. What I get from the author, Mark Murray - as well as from the commentators above - is the wild conclusion that the government policies the current governor fosters are invalid because he strayed from his marriage commitment. Further - by extension - that the candidate Haley's governing principles for the state of South Carolina in an economically challenging time are equally bad due to the as yet unsubstantiated claims of a couple of wanna-be guys who must still think that they are in the locker room. These are accusations - no more - at this time. Check out New Testament John 8:7. No mention of shepherding South Carolina out of its current economic shortfall situation there, is there?
Sounds to me like "the reform movement [Sanford] initiated: limited, accountable government, lower spending and an emphasis on the market" is worth considering if not permanently adopting.
Just wondering on your thought pattern and taking it out to its logical conclusion. I would assume Sen Ensign shouldnt be held accountable by voters for his indiscrections since argueably he's doing a good job, or Governor Spitzer shouldnt have had to resign since he did a good job, and John Edwards is VP material, Sen Vitter, Congressman Massa, and a whole host of others. should still be in office. If the they do a good job are you saying personal conduct shouldnt be discussed? It should be separated from performance? Never mind that I'm a despicable person as long as I can be a benefit. Just wondering.
By focusing on the first matter - the state's problems - don't we benefit from simply considering the proposed methods to solve them? Second, "unsubstantiated accusations of marital infidelity" states the current situation with the person's problems. If you had the plug for all the crude now leaking into the Gulf of Mexico, wanted to try to have it used and I claimed to have had an affair with you, should we not listen to you simply because you are despicable?
I'm not talking about Haley, because I don't think anybody has proof of anything. But when a person is caught cheating on their spouse, policies notwithstanding, I think to myself, if their spouse and children can not trust them why in the world should any voter trust them. If your family can't trust you, I can't trust you. If you lie to your loved ones, you will certainly lie to me. If you corrupt your marriage, you will corrupt any situation. That is the political reality as far as I'm concerned. Bill Clinton has forever tainted his legacy with that BS, he earned the caricature of a womanizer, and lost the respect of many people who voted for him.
Just a question, please. How does one, without videotape, or perhaps the evidence of a love child, go about "substantiating" an extra-marital affair? If the other parties' direct statements are not considered "substantiation," then what is? Do they need lurid tweets, too?
If there is a smoking gun I don't want to see it.
now THIS was funny!
Typical family values Republican. I hope she wins. That should make it much easier for the Democrats in November.
Hate to burst your bubble...but nothing is going to make it easier for the democrats in November
Riiight John...
The Republican'ts are doing so great in the primaries now aren't they? LMAO!
I'll give you credit... at least you're not referencing the supposed 'bloodbath'! By the time Nov gets here it's going to be nothing more than a paper cut!
I never thought that it would be a bloodbath, but I also think that calling it a paper cut is an underestimate. Let's compromise and call it a scraped knee and a shaving cut just missing the jugular.
Deal! Scraped knee it is...
See... wasn't that easy? ;0)
Another family values victim ...the gift that keeps on giving...no pun intended !
Given what I've seen of the Lt. Gov I understand why she wouldn't want Sanford to resign. This is the guy who compared poor people to stray animals after all.
File this insipid piece under "Lies Liberals tell themselves to get to sleep as Novemeber approaches..." I'm sure the haters here are benefitting from spewing the hate---it builds up, you know----but their guy in the White House is embarrassing everyone, and his failing Presidency is really their biggest problem.