Nikki Endorses Mitt
Politico is reporting:
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, one of the most sought-after remaining Republican endorsements, will come out for Mitt Romney Friday morning, POLITICO has learned.
Haley will offer her formal endorsement on Fox and Friends, giving Romney an important boost ahead of South Carolina's primary next month.
Romney is heading to South Carolina this weekend, where he's likely to be joined by Haley at town hall meetings on the coast.
Haley, a tea party favorite who upended South Carolina's GOP establishment by winning last year, has been courted by all of the GOP presidential contenders. As a state representative, she backed Romney in 2008.
Endorsements don't matter much, of course. But when they do, they really do.
This one might. South Carolina is an iffy proposition for Mitt Romney. The state is notoriously tough, and has a large and powerful Evangelical voter base. And Evangelicals have, traditionally, been hostile towards Mormonism.
But South Carolina is important. It's one of the early four contests in January that might just give a candidate the momentum he needs to take the nomination. And it's an important proving ground for Romney, because a good showing here makes him look tough and competitive. The help of a sitting governor means a lot. After being trounced in the Iowa caucuses in 1988, then-Vice President George H. W. Bush relied on New Hampshire Governor John Sununu to deliver the state in the primary, a crucial win that helped ignite his candidacy.
So it matters.
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Jul '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Doesn't the weight of the endorsement hinge entirely on Gov. Haley's popularity? Is she presently popular?
Jul '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
A poll just came out from Public Policy Polling (admittedly a Dem outfit) showing her popularity slipping. There has been some grumbling even among her supporters about a lack of promised transparency in her travel and personnel decisions.
She may not be quite the "get" the Romney campaign thinks.
May '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Color this South Carolinian very surprised. And yes, some of the shine is off Governor Haley, but I think Rob is right - since Senator DeMint declined to endorse anyone this year, her endorsement was the most important in the state.
May '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
The first thought that came to my mind was, "What is she fishing for? What was she promised?"
Traditionally, an endorsement was a good thing because the endorser was lending their good name to the endorsee. A trusted person gave a recommendation.
Now, I think not so much. People have seen too much patronage and too much tit-for-tat. Voters are starting to ask what deal was made for this endorsement and how will it hurt me?
The underlying premise is that too many pols are "in it" for themselves and not for the good of the voters. That is why DeMint's non-endorsement is so telling.
Jul '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Pilli: The first thought that came to my mind was, "What is she fishing for? What was she promised?"
Now, I think not so much. People have seen too much patronage and too much tit-for-tat. Voters are starting to ask what deal was made for this endorsement and how will it hurt me?
Nikki Haley endorses Mitt Romney who endorsed her early. She values political loyalty over conservative ideology. So we know.
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
The interesting thing about this to me is that in about a month Romney has gone from not playing in Iowa or South Carolina to getting in full bore.
Apr '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Michael Tee
Pilli: The first thought that came to my mind was, "What is she fishing for? What was she promised?"
Now, I think not so much. People have seen too much patronage and too much tit-for-tat. Voters are starting to ask what deal was made for this endorsement and how will it hurt me?
Nikki Haley endorses Mitt Romney who endorsed her early. She values political loyalty over conservative ideology. So we know. · Dec 16 at 6:23am
Are there no honest conservative Romney supporters, motivated by ideology rather than personal considerations?
Jun '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
She's under daily attack by the lefty McClatchey News gang and a young reporter at the Post&Courier in Charleston who is trying to make a name for herself. Despite that her approval among Republicans is well over 50% and she would paste any SC Democrat in an election today.
However, her endorsement doesn't count for much. DeMint's the prize-- and he ain't playin'. Gov. Haley's loyal-- Mitt endorsed her when she was running 5th in her primary. Plus Obama/Washington's her problem and she sees Mitt as a winner. Also, Newt's fading so the time is politically right.
People looking in from outside should know that there are over a dozen state-wide offices in SC and not one of them is currently held by a Democrat. That means that all of the action/intrigue is inside the Republican Party. Reading an article that gasps that "some Republicans" are critical of another Republican elicits a chuckle. It's blood sport and it happens inside one party.
Jul '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Also, FYI. Nikki Haley's approval rating is below Obama's.
May '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Terry
People looking in from outside should know that there are over a dozen state-wide offices in SC and not one of them is currently held by a Democrat. That means that all of the action/intrigue is inside the Republican Party. Reading an article that gasps that "some Republicans" are critical of another Republican elicits a chuckle. It's blood sport and it happens inside one party. · Dec 16 at 7:18am
Terry is spot-on. In South Carolina, we have a two-party system: Republicans and REPUBLICANS.
Mar '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
It's not going to help Romney win in South Carolina. If she's endorsing someone that SC Republicans don't like... and they've been pretty vocal about their dislike of Romney... then it's going to sting her, not help him.
BTW, speaking of DeMint's non-endorsement, I think that's a great policy. If you can't find someone you really like, then simply endorse no one and tell the voters "make up your own minds".
Edited on Dec 16, 2011 at 7:34amJun '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Not among Republican Primary voters-- where Obama would be in single digits.
Jun '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Douglas: It's not going to help Romney win in South Carolina. If she's endorsing someone that SC Republicans don't like... and they've been pretty vocal about their dislike of Romney... then it's going to sting her, not help him.
BTW, speaking of DeMint's non-endorsement, I think that's a great policy. If you can't find someone you really like, then simply endorse no one and tell the voters "make up your own minds". · Dec 16 at 7:33am
Edited on Dec 16 at 07:34 am
A month ago Cain had a huge lead on Romney in SC. Today Gingrich leads. But the primary is January 21, 2012-- 5 weeks away. If the field is still crowded on that Saturday in January Romney could win the SC primary.
McCain wasn't "liked" either in 2008 and won with just 33.15% of the vote. He edged out Huckabee by less than 3 and a half points. The Huckster went on to being a well-paid weekend bass player on cable TV. And McCain? He's now a Tweeting nemesis of Vlad Putin's.
Jun '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Terry
Not among Republican Primary voters-- where Obama would be in single digits. · Dec 16 at 7:48am
Bingo! Even if all this does is propel Mitt to a decent second place finish in South Carolina, it will keep Newt from gaining much momentum going into the big prize, Florida (which, as I understand it, is a winner take all primary).
It matters.
Jun '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
James Of England
Michael Tee
Pilli: The first thought that came to my mind was, "What is she fishing for? What was she promised?"
Now, I think not so much. People have seen too much patronage and too much tit-for-tat. Voters are starting to ask what deal was made for this endorsement and how will it hurt me?
Nikki Haley endorses Mitt Romney who endorsed her early. She values political loyalty over conservative ideology. So we know. · Dec 16 at 6:23am
Are there no honest conservative Romney supporters, motivated by ideology rather than personal considerations? · Dec 16 at 7:13am
Good question. Odd how anyone who endorses Mitt is dishonest and compromised, while Newt supporters are pure as the driven snow. Very odd.
Aug '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
I wonder what excuses all you pro Gingrich folks will come up with when Paul Ryan endorses Mitt. You know it's coming
May '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
Nikki Haley would make an excellent VP choice for Romney.
He's going to need to shore up his creds with the tea party base.
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
I'm neither a Gingrich nor a Mitt fan but is this the way to help Romney get past his stagnant level of support?
Dec '11
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
katievs: Nikki Haley would make an excellent VP choice for Romney.
He's going to need to shore up his creds with the tea party base. · Dec 16 at 9:16am
The brand name on the judas goat doesnt matter.
May '10
Re: Nikki Endorses Mitt
tabula rasa
Odd how anyone who endorses Mitt is dishonest and compromised, while Newt supporters are pure as the driven snow. Very odd. · Dec 16 at 9:01am
I agree it's very odd. It's very odd especially considering that there are only two points of total consensus among Republicans just now:
1) Obama must be defeated
2) There is no ideal candidate in the running; each has drawbacks that are serious enough to threaten a loss in the general election.
Since that's the case, is it so hard to imagine that principled conservatives might really judge Romney the best of the lot?
Edited on Dec 16, 2011 at 10:13am