… AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR “REPUBLICAN” PRESIDENTIAL WANNABES
|| By FITSNEWS || All of a sudden, S.C. governor Nikki Haley is picking a fight with her “Republican” allies in the S.C. General Assembly. In fact, it’s escalated in recent days to the point where our founding editor felt compelled to devote an entire column to it.
But why is she fighting? What’s driving the middle school drama?
It’s certainly not issues …
After all, Haley’s “ethics reform” bill (the issue which, on the surface, appears to have her most riled up) is a joke. And when it comes to battling over tax dollars, Haley proposed a massive $25.7 billion spending plan two months ago.
Are we now supposed to believe she’s a taxpayer hero for opposing a $500 million borrowing provision? Especially after she supported precisely the same provisions in the past? For even larger amounts of debt?
Please …
Haley has not found religion on spending. During her first term as governor, she advanced a fiscally liberal agenda on taxes, spending, education and (most notably) government-subsidized health care.
In other words, for four years she did exactly as the fiscally liberal “Republican” legislature wanted her to do – vetoing less than one-tenth of one percent of the current state budget, for crying out loud.
Yet now … as national media attention focuses on South Carolina’s “First in the South” presidential primary … Haley wants to assail her former colleagues as fiscal liberals?
Obviously they are … but here’s the thing: So is she.
So … if not issues … what’s driving this battle?
The most convenient explanation is that Haley – who is furiously attempting to reboot her national image – wants to establish a “Me versus Them” narrative in advance of the upcoming 2016 presidential primary election. Specifically, she wants to establish her conservative bona fides (at the expense of liberal lawmakers) in anticipation of endorsing a presidential contender.
Then she wants to profit politically from said endorsement.
Driving that process? Her consultant Jon Lerner … the mastermind of her infamous “Savannah River Sellout” back in 2012 (in which she shamelessly traded our state’s economic best interests in exchange for thirty pieces of silver – and a speaking slot at the Republican National Convention).
The most likely candidate to receive a Haley endorsement? At this point it would appear to be Wisconsin governor Scott Walker … although if he flames out, Haley could latch onto another up-and-coming GOP “flavor of the month.” Or she could do what she did last go-round: Embrace the national establishment frontrunner.
Whatever she decides to do, this time – unlike last time – Haley’s endorsement is shaping up as something of value.
But to what end?
What does Haley hope to get from lending her imprimatur to one of the “Republican” Sixteeners?
The most common rumor is that Haley wants to be vice president – although at this point it should be abundantly clear she would never survive the vetting for such a high-profile position. And we’re not just talking about her multiple affairs, we’re talking about THIS. And THIS.
So … what, then? A cabinet post? An ambassadorship?
We recently spoke with a national advisor to one of the top 2016 campaigns about Haley. This advisor’s candidate is one of many actively courting a Haley endorsement. Offered anonymity to speak freely, though, they invoked an interesting appointment possibility.
“Micronesia,” the advisor said.
What’s that?
“The Federated States of Micronesia,” the advisor clarified, noting an ambassadorship to this sparsely populated assemblage of southern Pacific islands was “about the best (Haley) can hope for.”
Ouch. For those of you not hip on your West Wing trivia, this ambassadorship was referenced on the hit television drama as an example of a low-level executive appointment.
Is that really the best Haley can hope for? Poor girl …
In the run-up to 2012, Haley’s popularity in South Carolina was in the toilet – meaning her presidential endorsement was nothing short of toxic. But her national star was on the rise. This go-round she’s more popular than ever at home – yet her national prospects have taken a beating.
That’s the bottom line: And no amount of pointless bickering with her fellow “Republicans” is going to change it.
51 comments
Excellent article, Will, and you should keep following this line of thinking…
Nikki’s guns are a little flabby these days. She could use some personal training from Catherine Templeton.
Old photo.
That shit looks like it’s ready to beep when backing up.
Please ignore the red hand truck behind her (the Milwaukee 2 in 1 convertible model – (800 lbs load rating w/10” pneumatic tires – $ 87.98
at Home Depot).
Old photo. Michael was in Afghanistan then. Refer to tape of her entering the state of the state address. She was smoking hot.
I offer you a FREE eye exam.
Nice touch with hand cart in background
Always wondered how SLED agents got her around
hah! — beat ya’ to it by one minute!
As requires constant reiteration,As long as the Confederate flag flies in front of the Statehouse,
NikkiHaley,nor ANY Palmetto state politician who supports such,is going to be on a national ticket .
No presidential candidate wants to spend the campaign engaging in lengthy explanations over that silliness.
So let Nikki burnish her “Image.”Its all for naught,but ,hey don’t feel bad she and the rest of you Confederistas still got your
“heritage.”
Five of nine comments are negative about Haley’s appearance in an old photo. Mande is right.
Jesus, you’re a whiney bitch.
It’s the internets, grow some tough skin or go outside and play.
Haha ! Whiney bitches are the ones critical of Haley. At this site, you have to have steel gonads to defend her. Critics take the easy path. I have the toughest skin here.
No one has to have “steel gonads” to do anything on the internets. It’s all made up in everyone’s heads.
lol…do you imagine yourself in white armor riding in on a horse, slaying the evil commenters?
Tough skin / steel gonads? I agree, but you started it.
Started what?
lol
Quote: It’s the internets, grow some tough skin or go outside and play.
Quote: No one has to have “steel gonads” to do anything on the internets.
Same is true about tough skin.
I still don’t get what I “started”.
I responded to your general whineyness, where you rode in like the white knight three separate times to three different people to defend the honor of Princess Nikki via complaint.
I suppose you can claim I’m whining about your whining. Is that your argument? lol
Thing is though, I’m making an observation, not a complaint- which is inherently different, hence making your analogy a bit off.
I don’t care about looks. What I care about is how Nikki LIES. A while back, she told ME that, because PORS was in good shape, public safety retirement benefits wouldn’t be changed. Not too long after that, benefits get cut, costs increase, and even went so far as to reduce benefits to officers crippled on duty by 17%. THEN she has the nerve to whine about the threat to her HUSBAND’S retirement and benefits in the National Guard. WHAT A HYPOCRITE.
BT while you have some interesting comments that I can agree with, I do notice, that while you claim to be fair, you are quick to run to Gov. Haley’s defense regardless of what the topic is. You demand proof, but you give none in her defense.
I’m surprised you haven’t asked Truthmonger to back up his story with sources.
Haley shouldn’t have made the “shower comment” about the legislature.
I tend to be contrarian. I don’t comment unless I disagree with the article or comments, but I’m trying to be more agreeable.
If everybody here at Fits supported Haley, I would be her worst critic. I’m harsh on Will also.
Well here we are certainly alike ;)
” tend to be contrarian. I don’t comment unless I disagree with the article or comments, but I’m trying to be more agreeable.”
As a narcissist, Haley becomes enraged when she does not get her way. She attempted to dismiss the young female reporter at the Post and Courier, and now she has taken a personal shot at state legislators. I doubt this is a strategy as much as a release of anger aimed at people who expose her endless lies.
And you ignore the personal shots in this article and thread. Hypocrite.
It is an observation based on behavior.
Can’t Haley make the same argument. Fits isn’t disputing her comment to the Legislature, only her motives, which he believes he has devine knowledge. Note that Fits doesn’t even quote what she said to the legislature. Do you know was she said?
Your comment is irrelevant to the point I was making. Also, I believe the Haley comment was caught on tape and therefore became a news item.
Give it up.
So she is narcissistic, and a comment that you have never read or heard, reinforces that opinion. I give up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOYRSF-mzBY
Haley is a liar! I don’t fault her for having an affair, I do fault her for trying to fuck up someone else’s life. When people on her campaign get mad because she supports someone else, they talk. Hell, they might even hang up on you, but before they do, they feel inclined to tell you “SHE DID HAVE AN AFFAIR.”
FITS is very unpredictable, you never know his next move. Don’t mistake that for weakness or the idea what he says isn’t true.
Look at the people who have pointed the finger, who have tried to DESTROY his life. Are you taking part in that? Do you work for Gov. Haley?
I do respect your views, but let’s be real here – if you work for her, you KNOW what I am saying is true.
Awww….hush hush now that she is in question? EVERYONE on the inside knows she lied. Most of us have bit our tongue, because she was the “better” alternative. Look at the mess SHE made in her wake. Will was young, she was married. I know how popular it is to blame the “outsider” but let’s be real here.
If you want to say Folks is wrong, don’t forget that he wasn’t married, it was she who took the vows.
Yes, they were both young, but only one person’s career was wrecked. The GOP and TP wanted to distance themselves from the truth.
Traditional? Factual? Yes and No. It is tradition to lie and cover up. The facts are out there, but no one wants to look or question. Ignorance truly is bliss.
I’m a fair person. If an allegation cannot be proven, then you assume innocence. Folks is the one who went public with the allegations. Any damage to his career, he is responsible for. The damage to his career is not because they believe he is a an adulterer, but because they believed he lied. People’s political careers aren’t destroyed by adultery unless it happens in the middle of a campaign. Even lying won’t destroy a career, if that lie is to protect yourself and others. Bill Clinton is an example of both. When your lie is an attempt to destroy others, they are less likely to forgive or forget. Even many who might believe he told the truth, think he was wrong to go public.
Now you want a measurement of what people believe. How many prominent people are willing to have their picture taken with Folks? I don’t even recall T-Rav being willing. Will was invited on Trump’s plane, but no picture. That tells the whole story. He can praise Alan Wilson all he wants, but the man won’t be seen in public with Will.
People can recover from a scandal. Clinton and Lewinsky are examples of that. But recovery can’t happen if their is no contrition. Instead Will repeats allegations he can’t prove that only serve to hurt others and himself. He has continued to threaten Haley if she is considered for VP or Federal appointment, by repeating the allegations.
PS. I never worked for any politician or candidate.
No, actually it was leaked to the best of my recollection from someone on Bauer’s staff. He only went public when forced to.
He did not lie based on what I have heard from some on Haley’s own campaign. Haley’s campaign manager’s lied to cover it up, and not those mentioned in sources I have seen published, but those who work behind the scenes that you never really hear about.
(I have to read up to respond more…)
“He only went public when forced to.”
Oh. I didn’t realize that. How? Did someone hold a gun to Will’s head?
I don’t call Internet rumors, public. Fact is no TV or mainstream media had reported specific allegations.
What you heard is what I call gossip. If you and your sources aren’t willing to go public then it should be disregarded. You and I can make any allegations anonymously. Fair people would never give them any consideration. Your conversation with a staff member means nothing if they do not come forward and can prove what they know. Phone records prove nothing. You can’t commit adultery on the phone and there are no taped admissions.
Even if your so called staff member knew the facts, it would not be appropriate for him/her to tell you which leads one to question their motives. I would suspect your Haley staffer has other differences with Haley.
There is also other evidence against the likelihood of the allegations being true. It is extremely rare for a woman politician to commit adultery, especially with a less powerful man. There are thousands of affairs between powerful men and less powerful women and a few between a powerful women and a powerful man. But it almost never happens between a more powerful women and unpowerful man. I don’t even believe Cleopatra did that. If you don’t believe me, I welcome you to give any examples. It is funny that she is portrayed as a power hungry narcissist, but there is no evidence of using sex to advance her career. Instead, her accusers are losers. I’m not interested in anonymous rumors. You may, however, give your name and the name of the Haley staff member. I’m not interested in excuses. I can’t evaluate the truthfulness if a statement if I don’t know who said it. In fact, anonymity is just what liars prefer.
My sources aren’t – it was spouted in a moment of anger, but it could be taken public in a heartbeat. All I have to do is reach out to media outlets and I have had several ask me to write for them.
Yes, the political pundit who also campaigned for Haley’s first victorious run, was disgruntled, thus the truth came out. Imagine my shock.
Hey, I used to publish Op-Ed’s for Haley, I have no ill will, but the truth sticks. By now you can run back and tell her. You might also mention, if it goes public, I will bring, not one, but two sources who work covertly.
No desire to do that, but they seriously need to back off. Stop trying to destroy this site.
Karma is a bitch!
Believe what you want BT, but I am not lying.
Imagine this, someone on Bauer’s campaign make a leak. He get blamed. Gov. Haley goes after Bauer and endorses Rice. Because Rice was more conservative? No, because there was bad blood there.
The voters have had an opportunity to express their opinion of Haley, Bauer and Gresham Barrett.
They chose not to believe unproven allegations and punished those they held responsible for those allegations. Makes you proud of South Carolina voters. They are fairer than those who post at this site.
You and I both know most voters are uneducated in matters like this. I was, I might have even voted for her, very likely I did – I was one of those who pull straight party ticket.
Call this site what you want, but you and I are having a conversation here. Are we liars too?
Yes I’m a liar too. I don’t actually thump the Bible. But, I don’t introduce facts that are not published by a reputable source. I also know people who know Haley. I have family in Lexington, but any statements I make concerning their support is irrelevant if I am not willing to give my name or theirs. I don’t believe in using information that you are not willing to give others an ability to evaluate and test for accuracy.
Individually the voter may be uninformed, but in the aggregate they are genius. When you pick the most popular car, smart phone or flat screen, you usually don’t go wrong. I have more faith in voters than in you or me. I don’t support Obama, but I respect the voters.
I post facts that were given to me by those closest to her. I can make a reputable source – would that make you happy? No, you want to cover it up.
Are you are political pundit or seeking the truth?
For what it’s worth, I’m not really a pineapple twist either, but some know my name.
For full disclosure BT, I am not a pineapple, but you see that pic? I did grow that ;)
I will look for your fair and well thought out post tomorrow. Sleep on it and be honest, not just with me, but yourself.
I agree not many “prominent” people are, because they used him for political gain.
Hey – I was one of the first to get on the band wagon of how horrible he is, until I spoke with a former member of Haley’s campaign, who told me, YES, Haley had an affair with WF!
WF will never recover from scandal unless he fights back. It is my guess he doesn’t want to do that because he doesn’t want to destroy families. He is now married.
I can prove it if phone records can be retrieved? Either that, or someone on Haley’s staff lied to me? I don’t claim to be right, and I have no skin in the game – but I am fed up with lying politicians who destroy other peoples lives.
The person on Haley’s staff does not care for WF and is damn good at covering tracks, but I promise, I heard those words. I will call this person out on this page and any news source that might listen, if the GOP doesn’t leave WF the hell alone and stop trying to destroy his life. THEY need to grow up.
He was young, not the only person to make a mistake and every fracking political pundit in the state knows it, but has a game to play. One in particular.
Here’s my take on it….she will keep picking fights with the SC General Assembly for two reasons…(1) it makes news and this is the easiest bunch of diapers she can tap to elicit hysterical weeping. She desperately must be in the news at least once a week until she secures her next position…national/corporate/state/international/ whatever. (2) With the looming operation lost trust 2.0, Haley must do this periodically to later say ‘I said so’, and distance herself to mitigate any fallout that might extinguish her future ambitions.
This is definitely carefully crafted, I agree.
Didn’t read the article, let me guess. To obtain a status of ” being the shit ” when it comes to being a pub. President, VP, etc. Anything will be good so long as she’s gone from SC.
You can’t really have a successful plan without having a brain. Haley has no brain. But I still hold the Republican/Tea Party wholly responsible for her re-election. And as I have said before, “I don’t forget, I don’t forgive and any chance I get I will hurt you.
When Will is happy with Haley, we get “hot Nikki” pics. When he’s not, we get “fat Nikki” pics. Ignore the writing and iust check out the photo to see where Will stands on the particular issue…
…..exactly!
Her actions are right out of a playbook. Make someone angry and all sorts of shit is said. Stuff they might want to take back later. It is Offense. Good for her, but I won’t vote for her as POTUS.
So Ms Nookie is in a cat fight mood? Imagine going into Platinum Plus and seeing her in a mud wrestling match with Sarah Palin.The winner gets a paid for with China money roll in the hay with Larry Martin.
So that’s what the Greenville County Sheriffs Department’s investigation is all about.