Grooms-Haley Spat Intensifies
A spat between two of the more conservative S.C. Republican candidates for governor intensified over the weekend, with sources close to S.C. Rep. Nikki Haley (R-Lexington) accusing a consultant for State Sen. Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley) of orchestrating an attack on one of Haley’s female counterparts in the S.C. General Assembly.
Neither Haley nor Grooms has made significant inroads in the GOP gubernatorial contest, which has been dominated by three establishment Republican candidates – U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the two campaigns from sniping back and forth at one another.
For example, sources with ties to the Haley campaign tell FITS that a bizarre political attack mailing sent to Spartanburg County voters two months ago – a mailing detailed here – was orchestrated by Grooms’ top campaign consultant, Chris Sullivan.
Among other curious accusations, the mailing alleged that S.C. Rep. Rita Allison – rumored as a potential candidate for Lt. Governor – had been given a high-paying job from Gov. Mark Sanford in exchange for “sexual favors.” Allison – who is old enough to be the governor’s mother – held a press conference days later, which only served to amplify the accusations.
Most Palmetto politicos simply laughed at the rumors, although the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) was called into investigate.
Additionally, these pro-Haley sources alleged that Sullivan had been dismissed from the Grooms campaign as a result of the dust-up.
These reports were first published Sunday by The Garnet Spy, one of the Palmetto State’s emerging political websites.
Sullivan flatly denied the rumors to FITS, stating definitively on the record that he had nothing to do with the Allison attack mailing and that he had not been contacted regarding any investigation of the incident.
Both Sullivan and Grooms also confirmed to FITS that Sullivan is still affiliated with the Grooms campaign.
Comments
By Fred Guy on November 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Great story, but when the dust settles on this he (Grooms) said, she (Haley) said debate, neither of them stand a chance in hell of being competitive in the Primary.
At least they can both blame Sanford.
Fred
By Matt on November 9th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
This would certainly be in-line with recent reporting up here in Spartanburg on Chris Sullivan:
From political reporter Jason Spencer at the Sptg. Herald-Journal:
“A Republican source recently mentioned to me that Chris Sullivan…was looking to recruit a slate of like-minded Republicans to challenge every GOP House member in Spartanburg.”
http://crazyworld.blogs.goupstate.com/10319/2010-watch-bright-campaign-manager-spreading-wings-in-upcoming-gop-house-races/
This would certainly add motive and fuel to the fire that Sullivan was involved in the Allison hit-piece.
By Todd on November 9th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I agree with Fred.
By Liberty For Me on November 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster.Names that make you blush with patriotism.How long befoe they are making Reublican socialists for cap & trade commercials?
By Ynot on November 9th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
From Sept 17 comments on fitsnews.com
“”Even though Rita was a former staffer for the Sanford administration she is generally lumped in and sides with what some might describe as the “establishment wing” of our county delegation and not the “reform/Sanford wing” (Millwood, Bright, Martin).”"
That explains it doesn’t it?
There is a war going on inside the Republick party.
By Genomic Repairman on November 9th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Two irrelevant candidates go toe to toe and no one really cares. It is kind of like watching two midgets slugging it out, fun but eventually you have better things to do than pay attention to it.
By columbia insider on November 9th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
When is Tom Davis getting into this race?
By beentook2 on November 9th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
If Haley’s campaign is being run by the same group as her web site, she is a dead duck. Contacted them about yard signs, nothing. Contacted them about bumper stickers, nothing. Thought I would wait and see what they did with these two requests before coming up with any more support. At least expected an email acknowledgement of request. Perhaps they have all the help they need.
By Workin' Tommy C on November 10th, 2009 at 8:54 am
^^Yard signs are about to be printed up from what I was told yesterday when I saw Nikki’s supporters at the Statehouse Monday evening. I was given a yard sign there since they had a few on hand. If you’re on the email list, they’re going to let everyone know when they come in and where to pick up, etc.
There are about 7 months and when you spend is often as important as how much you spend in a political campaign.
Folks shouldn’t underestimate Nikki Haley. Her campaign is building slowly at first but she’s starting to rake in quite a bit of money. Remember: she doesn’t have millions left over from other campaigns like bauerbarrettmcmastah has. This is grassroots like her campaign for her statehouse seat.
If bauerbarrettmcmastah’s vote-selling and influence peddling earnings from other offices in their political careers are what determines winners in this state, we’ll never see true reform.
By SC Integrity on November 10th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Yard signs should be the least of Nikki’s worries. Her dream is DOA, according to a bunch of TPers now too. And you’re right, beentook2, Nikki’s campaign has been very poorly managed.
No clue who I’m going to support yet, only know for certain who I ruled out based on my principles and high expectations.
By CNSYD on November 11th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Workin’ Tommy C, has your girl Haley remembered yet what class seat she sat in on the state paid 13 hour Far East flight? No, I didn’t think so. She is just like Sanfraud.
By WorkingTommyC on November 13th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
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QUOTE By AMANDA on November 11th, 2009 at 10:14 am
“Workin’ Tommy C, has your girl Haley remembered yet what class seat she sat in on the state paid 13 hour Far East flight? No, I didn’t think so. She is just like Sanfraud.”
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CNSYD:
She didn’t arrange the flight–why don’t you ask the Commerce Dept. employees who handled it? Why the sick obsession with this anyways?
She was in the first class section but sometimes–and I realize you and some other folks may not know this–those tickets are sold as “BUSINESS class.”
OMG! Isn’t that FASCINATING?
I just KNEW you’d enjoy this learning experience!
And here’s something else you may not know:
When that sleazy reporter was asking the question that you’ve glommed onto, Nikki did not try to pretend she knew nor did she try to evade the question.
Unlike 99% of the other politicians NIKKI HALEY WAS HONEST ABOUT IT!
How about that?! Isn’t that incredible? An honest, frank answer from a politician? That doesn’t happen very often. No wonder the sleazy reporter felt he had to try to twist it into something that he thought was significant.
Nikki was never given a choice about the plane tickets but when she WAS offered a more expensive single room or to share, she shared.
She did what she could under the circumstances it sounds like to me. Not that it’s a big deal, either, but I mention it to you because you seem to be REALLY concerned about these things.
Anyways, WHO CARES????
I never had any idea about the details of the tickets I had for a company trip I took a while back so I can identify with her not instantly recalling nor even being aware of it in the first place.
Maybe you should start a show like, “In Search Of . . . Nikki Haley’s Travel Arrangements.”
Oooooh! I bet you’d think that is FASCINATING! =:>)