By FITSNews || Newly-minted S.C. gubernatorial front-runner Nikki Haley wasted little time pressing her advantage Thursday, releasing a statement from her campaign seeking to maximize the impact of a new poll showing her ahead of her nearest Republican opponent by 11 points.
The data comes less than two weeks after most Palmetto political observers had written off Haley’s candidacy given her anemic fund-raising performance and a fourth place showing in various internal polls.
Since then, however, the GOP frontrunners – Henry McMaster, Andre Bauer and Gresham Barrett – have produced several less-than-stellar TV spots, while Haley’s campaign has benefited from $400,000 in television ads from an organization affiliated with Gov. Mark Sanford. Haley’s campaign also received a tremendous boost from the endorsement of GOP rock star Sarah Palin last Friday.
The latest independent poll – conducted by Rasmussen Reports – showed Haley receiving the support of 30 percent of likely GOP primary voters (or nearly three times what internal polling showed her receiving as recently as two weeks ago). McMaster clocked in at 19 percent in the poll, while Barrett and Bauer received 17 and 14 percent, respectively.
Here’s what Haley’s campaign had to say about the polling, courtesy of spokesman Tim Pearson:
This is a huge boost for us because it confirms what you’ve always known – that Nikki is the only true conservative reformer in this race who can bring about real change in Columbia. It comes on the heels of several good weeks for the campaign. From the endorsements of Governor Palin and former South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford to the backing of newspapers in the Third Congressional District to the release of our new television ad this week, our campaign is in the strongest position we’ve ever been.
But we cannot rest on our laurels. Nikki is poised to make the runoff and take this election, but with our momentum will come new attacks and misrepresentations about her record from our opponents. Like Nikki has said before, career politicians and Columbia insiders are running scared because they know she’s the only candidate willing to bring accountability and transparency to the status quo.
Obviously, “running scared” is an accurate assessment. The heat on Haley is intense, as FITS has spoken with numerous sources who are in the process of pulling out the longest of long knives in an effort to sink her chances.
In fact, if we had a nickel for every new Nikki Haley rumor we’ve heard in the last 24 hours alone, well … we’d have a lot of nickels.
Meanwhile, here’s what McMaster’s campaign had to say about the polling, courtesy of its lead strategist, Richard Quinn:
We were in the field Tuesday night with a statewide poll as opposed to the Rasmussen survey, which was completed on Monday. So, our numbers are more recent and we believe more accurate than the automated Rasmussen survey. We show State Rep. Nikki Haley in second position, at 23%, two points behind Henry McMaster at 25%. Congressman Gresham Barrett and Lt. Governor Andre Bauer are tied at 14% each.
There is no question State Rep. Haley has enjoyed a temporary bump in the polls, which is not surprising. After all, Governor Mark Sanford’s PAC spent $400,000 on TV ads promoting State Rep. Haley.
However, our research and experience shows most Republican voters are ultimately suspicious of unknown candidates with slick TV campaigns promising hope and change. A majority prefer conservative reformers with a record of results. We believe the preference for proven leadership will benefit Henry McMaster on election day.
Hmmm … they better hope so.
While McMaster’s pollsters remain optimistic, the only word to describe the response to the poll from Gresham Barrett’s campaign is “delusional.”
Here’s what “Team Barrett” (they didn’t even put a name on this nonsense) had to say:
This morning Rasmussen Reports released a new poll. With just 19 days to go, the race is really taking shape and it looks like we’re headed to a runoff between Nikki Haley and Gresham Barrett.
There’s a couple of key dynamics we should look at here:
1. Henry McMaster’s Campaign is in a Free Fall. Ever since the campaign started, McMaster has been the presumptive favorite in the primary race. How quickly things change. Despite spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in television and internet advertising, McMaster has actually lost ground since the last Rasmussen Poll which was conducted in March. Needless to say, he will be swimming upstream against a wave of momentum in these closing weeks.
2. For Gresham, Strong and Steady Wins the Race. Gresham’s campaign is built on a firm foundation of a positive message and plan for job creation. He was only one of two candidates to gain since March and his numbers are not the result of a superficial endorsement bounce. Despite all the negative attacks from his opponents, Gresham is actually moving up in the polls, and that’s very good news for our campaign.
3. The Palin Factor. There’s no denying it. Nikki Haley got a bounce from Sarah Palin’s endorsement. But here’s the thing – this poll was conducted at the best possible time for Haley, just days after receiving a major endorsement. But now the sands are already shifting. Since the poll was conducted, Haley has received a great deal of negative press for her hypocrisy on the Obama stimulus bailout, her attack ads which targeted every other candidate in the race and the fact that a judge ordered the shadowy third party special interest group ads promoting Haley must be pulled down immediately.
The Bottom Line
Gresham is making strong, steady progress. Henry is dropping like a rock, and Nikki got a temporary Palin bounce. But, all that happened before a judge ruled that Haley and a shadowy third party group may have illegally coordinated, and before damaging revelations of her two votes in support of Barack Obama’s stimulus bailout.
Hmmmm-k.
Clearly, somebody needs to put the crack pipe down. Barrett’s campaign is in full-scale meltdown mode, people. In fact, multiple sources (including some on the Barrett campaign who are looking for new jobs) tell FITS that the Congressman completely lost his composure on a recent conference call with his finance team – screaming at his staffers and at one point breaking down into tears.
That figures. And Barrett obviously has plenty to cry about … particularly given the massive amounts of money his campaign has wasted on such an abysmal showing.
Bauer’s campaign manager Larry Marchant had this to say:
Andre thrives on being the underdog. He always comes from behind. Remember, in 2006, three weeks before the election, the establishment had written him off … but the working people and taxpayers have a way of making their own decisions, regardless of what the polls say.
Obviously, we’ll find out which of these spinmeisters got it right in less than three weeks …
By @PerezHiltonSays May 20, 2010 at 5:08 pm
S.C. Politics once known for its ferociousness is without doubt “in meltdown” as we have seen the TV Ads atrocious to say the least in whole and not to mention the egregious campaign ethics violations on part of the Treasurer’s office…
By BoobQuaker May 20, 2010 at 5:23 pm
I’m still voting for Andre. I’ve met each of the candidates and watched some of a couple of debates. Andre is still the best choice…and I know Gresham personally.
By Robin May 20, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Why does Gresham always cry? Is he that wimpy or is it theatrics?
By Ron May 20, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Gresham is just a little Crybaby.
Crybaby Barret runs to his paid-for-and-bought Daddy Judge crying and whining about how he’s getting his butt whipped by a girl. What a total loser.
Someone tell Crybaby Barret to nut up and learn how to be a man.
Of the two, Nikki has more balls than Crybaby Barret. What a disgraceful little twerp. Are there really people who actually want a whiny little crybaby as governor?
By CNSYD May 20, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Lies, damn lies and then there are statistics. That is what all this polling is. BTW, did Haley’s campaign really brag about an endorsement from Ms. Sanfraud aka Pruneface? Surely you jest.
By 803andy May 20, 2010 at 6:57 pm
***********grabs popcorn************
By Interesting May 20, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Rick Quinn said — However, our research and experience shows most Republican voters are ultimately suspicious of unknown candidates with slick TV campaigns promising hope and change.
Quinn forgot to add, “Republican voters also respond, our experience shows, to shadowy push polls and slick mailers. And that’s our modus operandi.”
By random May 20, 2010 at 7:47 pm
wow…i wonder if the greshman part is true?? I don’t see any traction thus far…
By SC Red Repub May 20, 2010 at 8:27 pm
But Gresham loves Jesus!
By Tunes'n''News May 20, 2010 at 8:32 pm
“E: None of the above” would probably win in a landslide. What a disappointment this entire group is.
By Tunes'n''News May 20, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Bauer’s campaign manager Larry Marchant had this to say:
Andre thrives on being the underdog. He always comes from behind.
HE DID NOT SAY THAT, DID HE? BWAHAHAHAHAHA.
By @PerezHiltonSays May 20, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Hey not like there is anything wrong with coming from behind you homo hating southern big macho guys… hmmm
By vicupstate May 20, 2010 at 9:33 pm
He comes from behind, not in a behind
By Scott's Choice May 20, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Nikki Haley is the best thing to happen to South Carolina state politics since Carroll Campbell.
By WorkingTommyC May 20, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Wow! Even I got the popcorn out for this thread! =:>)
Funny stuff!
By Lourie W May 20, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Haley has promised both of the Sanfrauds a job in state government if she is elected, be carefull what you ask for on June 8th you might get it!!!
By Transparency May 20, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Miss Transparency isn’t so transparent is she?
She should return money to Reform SC. However, she would need a whole lot more Sanford money to do so.
Haley + Anything = Sanfraud.
Let the fun begin.
By WorkingTommyC May 20, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Do people actually get PAID for making up garbage like that above by “Lourie W?”
How do I get a job like that?
I’m sure I can come up with something that, if no less outlandish, is a lot more entertaining.
By Michael Bay May 21, 2010 at 1:19 am
Here we go with WORKING timmy C picking on anyone that bashes Haley, ok we get it you are in love but please keep it to yourself you want be surpressing anyones comments sir…..
By The Colonel May 21, 2010 at 3:34 am
MacMastah’s mouthpiece Quinn said “However, our research and experience shows most Republican voters are ultimately suspicious of unknown candidates with slick TV campaigns promising hope and change.”
Slick TV campaigns promising hope and change just won the White House you big DA. Calling Haley’s ad a “slick anything” is a stretch at best. My son’s elementary school puts on a CCTV show every morning with better production value and 5th graders run the whole thing.
Uh, Mr. Transparency – she didn’t get the money from Reform SC, they just ran the ads.
By Paul May 21, 2010 at 6:09 am
I love watching haters floundering like fish out of water.
By mike May 21, 2010 at 6:36 am
WTC:
I heard Haley will force Sanford into a dunk tank. $5 a a ball and all the money goes to state debt.
By WorkingTommyC May 21, 2010 at 7:26 am
Mike:
I actually LIKE that idea after what Sanford has done to embarrass the state.
Those making out Haley to be a Sanford clone don’t know Nikki Haley. She is her own woman and is light-years ahead of Sanford in terms of energy, organization, and willingness to keep fighting the corrupt establishment apes like the indistinguishable symbiontic good ol’ boy candidate, barrettbauermcmastah.
She’s the only one to stand out from the crowd because she’s the only one with a record of fighting and a plan different from the same old fascist garbage we’ve been fed for decades.
By beentook2 May 21, 2010 at 7:58 am
“Andre thrives on being the underdog. He always comes from behind” says Larry Marchant campaign manager for Bauer.
What a way to cum out of the closet.
By Ynotfirst May 21, 2010 at 8:26 am
I’m going with the E: answer: none of the above.
Disappointing is an understatement.
By V-n-MTP May 21, 2010 at 9:03 am
The more I think about, would it not be a pretty stunning indictment of Haley and her campaign staff (I frankly do not know much about all the inside baseball as to who is running her campaign) if the could not make a move on these three horribly flawed candidates that she is running against? I mean seriously, it is not as though she out there trading paint with Carroll Campbell (RIP) or even a decent retail politician like David Beasley. She is running against three (3) guys that appear incapable of getting out of their own way.
By Meow May 21, 2010 at 9:48 am
Sincere question: Despite the fact that the Republican candidates are “horribly flawed,” would all of you still pick one of them over a conservative Democrat? I realized this is a conservative site, but I was just curious– is the SC gubernatorial election an issue of real-life character and issue assessment in a campaign, or just a simple matter of nomenclature?
By stevetclark May 21, 2010 at 10:15 am
I have a bad feeling this fighting between ourselves is going to cause the worst Secretary of Education in our state’s history, Jim Rex, to win the governorship.
By Pinckney's Ghost May 21, 2010 at 10:18 am
“GOP rock star Sarah Palin” You hit the nail on the head Will,narcissistic, poorly informed, over exposed, and destined to go down in a flaming ball of her own self sustaining delusions.
By Woodrow May 21, 2010 at 10:19 am
If Haley wins the Republican nomination and Sheheen wins the Democratic nomination, I think Sheheen would win in South Carolina. I don’t think SC voters want 4 more years of Mark Sanford.
By dumbo the clown May 21, 2010 at 10:26 am
of the 4 republicans, i would like to see haley win for no other reason than she used to be an indian sikh and i think it would be interesting having a former indian (now camouflaged passer for white) as governor of sc. that being said, whoever she goes up against in the primary will play the race card against her to the max and then we’ll see what the real face of south carolinians have to say about it. they’ll be calling her a hindu who worships 300 million false gods and claiming that if she wins it will be a choice between the hindu and the hezbollah (sheheen) LOL.
By baker May 21, 2010 at 11:30 am
What does it say about Republican voters in SC that they’d be so whooped over a candidate because Sarah Palin, from ALASKA, who QUIT her job as governor of Alaska, endorsed said candidate?
By WorkingTommyC May 21, 2010 at 12:38 pm
V-n-MTP:
Excellent point!
By Crooner May 21, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Dumbo:
The gloves come off in the runoff. Should be interesting to see how obliquely race/heritage/religion is made an issue.
By CNSYD May 21, 2010 at 1:34 pm
You guys think Campbell was a God? Well maybe if you are from the upstate and pocketed BMW money like he did. Go to the lower state and you will hear what a POS he was.
By Neocon May 21, 2010 at 1:57 pm
This website is nothing more than a Haley site; shame Sic I onced loved this site.
By Neocon May 21, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Nikki Haley is the best thing to happen to SC politics since McMaster ran the GOP.
By Brandon May 21, 2010 at 2:17 pm
How much damn debt do you people that are against Haley want? Do any of you honestly believe any kind of spending will be cut by McMaster, Barrett, and especially Andre? We have to elect someone that will actually cut spending now, and for you sorry excuses for human beings that keep complaining that she can’t work with the legislature, TO HELL WITH THE LEGISLATURE. Maybe we can knockoff Leatherman, Knotts, and the rest of the Rinos in primaries in 2012. Rand Paul won in Kentucky, Mike Lee is going to win in Utah (check out Ramesh Ponnurus article on National Review Online)Jim DeMint is a South Carolina Senator. Wake up Rinos your days are numbered.
By Meow May 21, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Keep cutting and before you know it SC is going to be a third-world country. What we need most in a governor right now is the ability to be reasonable and logical– someone who can support programs we have responsibly. Not someone who forces the judiciary to beg the legislature for money just to prove a point. But then again, considering your disdain for the legislature, I suppose you don’t care much for the judiciary either.
By Gen. Longstreet May 21, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Bobby Lee had all the momentum going for him as he rolled into Pennsylvania, but that didn’t stop them Yankee boys from whipping our ass. If the damn fool had allowed me to flank the blue lines like I suggested things would have turned out differently.
By CNSYD May 21, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Brandon, what planet are you from? The Gov of SC has next to zero influence on anything much less spending.
By Cancerman May 22, 2010 at 1:38 am
Tell Randhawa to get back in the kitchen and make me a samich and put that red dot between them eyes and keep her mouth shut them teeth scare me.
By Gene J May 22, 2010 at 1:41 am
Nikki Haley was born in Bamberg, South Carolina. Her parents Dr. Ajit and Raj Randhawa are Indian Punjabi Sikh immigrants from Amritsar and she has an older brother Mitti, sister Simran Singh, and younger brother Charan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikh
Ok so we are getting a Sikh as our new Governor are we? HMMMMMMM IDIOTS VOTERS WILL VOTE FOR ANYTHING IN THIS STATE!!!!!
By mike May 22, 2010 at 8:49 am
I am not voting for the Indian lady.
I am voting for the only true reformer running. A conservative I trust. A person who I hope will rally other conservatives to jump into the political arena and run against the entrenched politicians. That person also happens to be the Indian lady.
We are at the cusp my friends. We can vote more of the same good ol boys running Columbia or we take down the establishment.
By Spok May 22, 2010 at 1:30 pm
That will be 3 rupees I mean dollars sir.. remember what you are voting for on June 8th??????
http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,20060626,00.html
http://www.wingluke.org/pages/sikhcommunitywebsite/SikhPhotos/WLAM%20-%20Sikh%20(Original%20Photos)/Western%20World/2_Amric%20Singh.JPG
By Radhavallabh May 22, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Meet South Carolinas new first family folks!!
http://www.sikhpioneers.org/images/sikh%20family.jpg
Bset Wishes,
Radhavallabh
By veritas May 23, 2010 at 6:50 am
What’s Sheheen hiding?
http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=48221
By Boz Martin May 23, 2010 at 4:15 pm
mike, please put me down for the “take down the establishment” option!
Haley has this Democrat’s vote, for sure!
By George Jefferson May 23, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Whats Nikki Haley Hiding?
http://www.wolfereports.com/tag/nikki-haley/
By lucy May 23, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Why is it noone brings up the bullshit until they see a good candidate getting ahead. Hopefully they can do better than not spending the funds in EXACTLY the right places. At least she’s not taking trips on the states expense.YET
By droc May 23, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Sic Willie
Is it true that you or fitsnews will reveal your sources if someone calls or emails you a story to investigate?
By fitsnews May 23, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Droc,
We don’t reveal our sources under any circumstances, unless they specifically ask for their names to be used.
-FITS
By Weezie May 24, 2010 at 7:24 am
Doesn’t look like Haley’s hiding anything, other than missing some votes. How is that hiding something, GJ? It’s your boy Sheheen that won’t answer some simple questions on where he stands on issues? Abortion, gay marriage, edumacation, etc.