She’s met privately with backers of the University of South Carolina’s failed “Innovista” boondoggle … a RINO legislative operative who weeks ago worked feverishly to destroy her political career is now suddenly praising her “outreach” efforts … she wants to cut corporate taxes (which account for just 1.3 percent of the state budget) but not individual and small business taxes (which account for 14.1 percent of the state budget).
Oh, and she wants to bring back the tax on groceries … one of several “revenue enhancements” proposed recently by a legislatively-created tax commission.
Seriously … who is this woman running for governor of South Carolina?
And what has she done with Nikki Haley?
Since capturing the GOP gubernatorial nomination over a field of uninspiring, establishment candidates two months ago, the darling of the Tea Party movement in South Carolina has moved methodically toward the “center” of the South Carolina political spectrum. It’s been a bumpy ride, too, as embarrassing tax disclosures have exposed a candidate living beyond her means – and failing to pay her taxes on time (despite Haley touting her fiscal responsibility and expertise as an accountant on the campaign trail). In the process, she’s also surrendered the one issue that led to her meteoric rise – government transparency – while cozying up to some of the state’s biggest “Republicans in Name Only.”
Seriously … Mack Whittle? Knox White? Burnie Maybank? No wonder she’s currently advocating a tax policy that would stick it to small businesses and individual income earners while giving tax breaks to companies like this.
Basically, the woman who rode a transparency-powered wave of reformist zeal (and righteous indignation over “personal attacks”) is now looking suspiciously like one of the insiders from whom she vows to “take government back.” She’s reportedly also looking to “settle scores” from the primary campaign – in true good ‘ol boy fashion.
Good luck with all that, lady …
Haley supporters argue that the Republican gubernatorial nominee is doing what she has to do in order to solidify “Republican” support behind her. Specifically, she wants to make sure Democrat Vincent Sheheen doesn’t make significant financial inroads with the RINO crowd that she ostensibly”vanquished” back in June.
Frankly, we think that’s a ridiculous excuse. Haley has consistently led Sheheen by double digits in an election cycle that’s looking better and better for Republicans every single day. Not only are independents flocking to the GOP banner in South Carolina, but the party’s base is energized and expected to turn out in droves. Plus, Democrats have an anchor weighing down the top of their ticket in the form of Alvin Greene – which will only make it more difficult for Sheheen to break through, assuming he’s able to get past his uber-liberal voting record.
Translation?
In this electoral climate (both nationally and here in S.C.), Nikki Haley is poised for a landslide of unprecedented proportion. That means she doesn’t have to cut a deal with anybody – and there’s literally no fiscal policy that’s too far to the right for her to embrace. Accordingly, she should be pressing the gas pedal to the floor on behalf of S.C. taxpayers, not pulling an ideological U-turn.
This is her moment … and she should capture it, not sell it (and us) down the river for a few hundred thousand dollars in campaign contributions.
Despite our founding editor’s recent, um, “history” with Haley, we endorsed her in the GOP runoff. Obviously, at the time we knew better than anyone that she wasn’t as honest (or smart) as we originally thought she was, but we never doubted for a second that her fiscal conservative credentials were authentic – and that she would fight for her beliefs with every ounce of her rapidly-expanding political strength.
“This election (at least to us) isn’t about whether Haley is telling the truth … it’s about the hundreds of millions of dollars that will likely be saved as a result of her winning the general election in November,” we wrote back in June.
We still believe that … and we’re holding out hope that the “Less Talk More Jobs” nonsense Haley rolled out last week is not the extent of her tax policy. We’re also hoping that she is merely lulling these RINOs into a false sense of security, neutralizing them in the short term so that she can turn on them when she assumes office (i.e. what they’ve been doing to the taxpayers for years).
Having said that, the early indications don’t look good … giving us the impression that Nikki is undergoing a regrettable transformation from a true Tea Party goddess into a typical politician guided by corporate money, status quo solutions and petty vengeance.
Let’s hope that Haley recognizes – and reverses – this unfortunate metamorphosis.
At this fragile point in our state’s history, South Carolinians simply cannot afford for her to fail us like Mark Sanford did … particularly when there has never been a better opportunity to push for, pass and prosper from long-overdue tax and spending cuts.
By Watching from Afar August 18, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Dude, she’s a fraud. Just like Palin. When the dumbasses of this state wake up to see that, we may actually get a decent chance of electing quality people to office, but as long as liars, cheats, adulterers, and guns and gays are on the ballot…we will continue to be backwards. Good news for FITS is you get to keep writing about it.
By CNSYD August 18, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Hmmm. Lets see. Sic Willie was in bed (figuratively speaking (as far as we know)) with Sanford years ago and goes to work for him. Sanford turns out to be a fraud. Sic Willie was in bed (literally (or so he says)) with Haley and now she appears to be a fraud. Anyone notice a pattern here?
By thesushi August 18, 2010 at 12:48 pm
This all about winning now. Get the money now at the cost of later. After all, it’s retail politics.
By yarrrr August 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
“she wants to cut corporate taxes (which account for just 1.3 percent of the state budget) but not individual and small business taxes (which account for 14.1 percent of the state budget).”
The corporate income tax is the tax that collects the least amount of money and the tax that requires the most amount of resources to comply with per dollar collected. There is a 1 billion shortfall in next years budget, so any changes in the tax policy are about guaranteed to be at least revenue neutral… and I don’t think she has actually given up on reducing the small business taxes…
By No Name August 18, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Go slow….do a lot of retail and very few State based media calls as every paper in the State wants you destroyed.
No one gives a shit what the Snooze says so visit the UpState Monday through Thursday and no one will read the Snoozes anger….just the weekend sports scores count.
Use national Fox as much as you can in later September and all of October….ask Gowdy to stand with you…..Scott will stand by you…..all of Cola wants you dead….. so let Fox national get through to the folks that actually vote.
At the end of the day ……stay connected to the voters who vote and not with the statists who you scare shitless…there are just not that many of them numerically…..angry voters out number them.
Most teachers will not vote for you….. so be careful here…..The State…the newspaper that is …..will do everything it and “Brad the brooder” can…. to take you down…. because Cola will not be the same if you and Loftis make it in…..the State should just be frozen out to make them prematurely do the big pout and Vote Vinny declaration more a given dud when they do it.
One day at a time….trust no one.
Mark……you can do the smart thing just once by continuing to use up news cycles with everything and anything you can think of to take the news cycle pressure off of her………tuition…..go for it…..2012 ……go for it by hosting a bunch of these wannabes guys and let them write about that….hell that takes up a good 14 days by itself……..you are a bullet catcher now….a media body guard…use your body and the pulpit you have left to keep her alive and fresh.
I do not give a shit what you say to get in or who you fucked….get in there and cure this State…..that is all that is important…..because we are facing 10 years of depression and this State has to get ready now.
By Old Bike Dude August 18, 2010 at 1:18 pm
She will fall. A hollow character cannot stand.
By CAE Native August 18, 2010 at 1:32 pm
So, let’s consider the alternative to Haley: A Democrat? I think NOT!
By Silence Dogood August 18, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Watching from Afar, you had noted:
“Dude, she’s a fraud. Just like Palin. When the dumbasses of this state wake up to see that, we may actually get a decent chance of electing quality people to office…”
While I agree with you in large part, I think more to the point, when the dumbasses of this state wake up to see what a fraud she is, she will be in her 7th or 8th year in office, and everyone one will be saying, “Well an endorsement from that adulterous bitch would be like the kiss of death” but then WHOEVER she endorses will be the next governor for 8 years.*
*For examples see Mark Sanford and Nikki Haley.
By Liberaltarian August 18, 2010 at 1:59 pm
crazy eyes.
By Jonathon Hill August 18, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Sorry FITSNews, but I just don’t believe you guys anymore. After doing your royal best to bring Haley down before, I view you guys like a tabloid magazine.
By fitsnews August 18, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Jonathon-
That’s fine … facts are stubborn things, though.
For example, Haley’s tax plans are what they are, and at this point that “ain’t enough” for S.C. taxpayers.
We welcome your opinion, though, even if you think we’re full of it.
-FITS
By bottomline August 18, 2010 at 2:21 pm
She’s as evil as they come. Not to mention she looks like she’s summoning the devil in that pic…
By Slinky August 18, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Only one thing need be said: cast your vote for Vincent Sheheen.
By eggaday August 18, 2010 at 2:34 pm
sanfraud in a dress… yessiree
and for the record, old die hard Republicans do not like and support her.
By Dixie August 18, 2010 at 2:44 pm
That is a bad picture of her … What has she got on her hand ??
It looks like … Well, do do.
By Alphonse August 18, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Silence Dogood seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Very rational guy.
By Florida Watching August 18, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Sharp teeth. I bet she loves a good corn cob.
By Gary August 18, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Although I do not agree that she should support Grocery sales tax ( which by the way is what a commission has recommended and not her idea), cutting corporate tax which is minuscule in overall scheme of things, will be a good selling slogan for bringing in companies to set up shop here. I think it is a smart move but unfortunately it will be portrayed as rich corporations vs the poor people of the state .
By Florida Watching August 18, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Tim – About those hospital CONs??? Any truth to it?
By George August 18, 2010 at 3:19 pm
I only come in here to read Balsak’s posts. Balsak makes this website worth reading.
By Stinkbait August 18, 2010 at 3:22 pm
– looks to me like Johathon about has you pegged. Regardless of Haley’s tax plan or allegedly jumping in the sack with you, you’ve self-destructed any credibility you ever had with this reader – & you once had alot of it. You publicly betrayed a trust for no believable reason, then declared yourself a Southern gentleman. Horseshit!
By fitsnews August 18, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Stinkbait-
You say that like we’ve ever cared about “credibility.”
Deo Vindice,
-FITS
By Matt August 18, 2010 at 3:30 pm
A sales tax on unprepared foods would not be the first tax that a true pro-growth politician would choose to cut or eliminate. BUT…the grocery tax was already eliminated, and no conservative Republican should ever really advocate a tax increase.
Now…if she wanted to propose a bold plan like eliminating the individual state income tax across the board (like Tennessee or Texas) and couple that with an increase in the general state sales tax from, say, 6% to 7%, then that would be another story, one that she could sell.
By Stinkbait August 18, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Yeah, my bad. SB
By Florida Watching August 18, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Good Point – BALSAK!!!! Hey, FITS is being kinda hard on your Goddess………………….NIKKI NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!!!!
By Florida Watching August 18, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Dixie – That is a stain. She was wiping up some……….., you know, considering she is always knee deep in it.
By Florida Watching August 18, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Well…..tabloid…..GOP porn………whatever!!!! Just waiting for Balsak. He’s kinda tired from that last article.
By patriot in sc August 18, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I will buy her book …SC Politics and I How I Slept My Way To thne Top. At first I thought , with the way that she cannot seem to give a straight answer, well, I though she might have ADD (attention deficit disorder). Then I thought maybe she was just in way over her head. I mean, she did not graduate highschool til she was 19. Really, less talk, more jobs. Now I realize that she’s a really great con artist, a Jim Jones and the poison koolaid type. What an actress. Next stop Hollywood, or maybe Bollywood.
By Gen. Longstreet August 18, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Centrist? You NEVER hit the center of the enemy’s line! Yet another reason why I hope Bobby Lee is now rotting in hell.
By patriot in sc August 18, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I will buy her book …SC Politics and I How I Slept My Way To the Top. At first I thought , with the way that she cannot seem to give a straight answer, well, I though she might have ADD (attention deficit disorder). Then I thought maybe she was just in way over her head. I mean, she did not graduate highschool til she was 19. Really, less talk, more jobs. Now I realize that she’s a really great con artist, a Jim Jones and the poison koolaid type. What an actress. Next stop Hollywood, or maybe Bollywood.
By patriot in sc August 18, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Just spoke to a newpaper reporter who shall remain nameless. I said, “you know people in Lexington can’t stand Haley, and she knows it”. He said he was aware, and that the votes would come from the other towns, the towns that don’t have a clue about her.
By patriot in sc August 18, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Niiki is never seen wthout her gold pinky ring (her right hand). This is a piece of sikh jewlery, called the khanda ring. This sikh ring protects you from the evil eye. Did you ever think we would have a governor worried about the evil eye?
By John Steinberger August 18, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Grocery taxes are “small potatoes” compared to the 7% personal income tax, which most families and small businesses pay. The South Carolina FairTax Act eliminates all state income taxes and will truly get our economy moving!
By Gary August 18, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Patriot in NC
Since i have a good friend in NC who is Sikh, and have read little bit about Sikhs, I can tell you that they do not believe in any lucky charms, “Sikh ring”, evil eye, good or bad omen or any superstitions.
You seem to have no clue, but you will make up any thing to spread your stupidest nonsense because of visceral hatred for Haley which is transparent in your trashy postings.
By ArtVandelay August 18, 2010 at 6:36 pm
You see gentlemen…this is what happens when you crown a King (queen in this case) without figuring out if they are worthy/ready for that title..they assume the throne and all the perks that go with it and forget those who put them there.
Congratulations Mr. Folks, I can’t say I feel bad for you. You and the rest of SC had the signs, you just chose to ignore them.
By PandaChris1 August 18, 2010 at 6:51 pm
When I received the first FITS News statements via email back when the story was breaking regarding your so-called affair with Nikki broke, I paid attention and took your side. There are many posts by me during the period defending you to proove it.
As more and more can out, none of which proved a thing, I realised that you might not be telling the truth.
Now I see that you are just pimping the Haley candidacy…even your critcisms are really criticisms and when the time comes, you will endorse Haley.
Fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice, shame on me.
I do not believe a word you say and hope that you are getting something out of all of this besides more hits on your site.
6 months from now, Haley will be governor and your rapidly deteriorating credibility, noever much to begin with, will be gone.
Hope it was worth it for you!
By Yowzer August 18, 2010 at 7:47 pm
LOL..This republican is voting Democrat this time. I learned my lesson the hard way last time.
By Sid's Mama August 18, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Isn’t this what Republicans do? Raise taxes on the poor (groceries) and lower them on the rich (corporations)? Why are all of us jumping ship on Haley? Sleeping around and tax evasion — big fin’ deal.
By sljam August 18, 2010 at 9:15 pm
“Isn’t this what Republicans do? Raise taxes on the poor (groceries) and lower them on the rich (corporations)?”
Ever worked for a “poor” person? If yo have, I have a good piece of ocean front property here in the upstate to sell ya. Lower taxes on the rich means more hiring power….Economics 101.
By Old MSgt August 18, 2010 at 9:38 pm
The problem with the Tea Party is that they will desperately embrace anyone who panders to them. Haley is Sanford in a skirt.
By embarrassed in lexington August 18, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Haley is a fake and a phony, at least to the people of Lexington, SC. The conservatives of our town cannot stand her and she knows it. She does not campaign around here for good reason. We have seen her for what she is for a few years now. Maybe I cannot speak for everyone, but the old Lexington conservatives are repulsed by her ,shall I say loose behavior. We believe that your personal life is a good indicater of your professional life. If the voters want you, there is nothing we can do. We can only hope South Carolina votes for Sheheen, not because he would be great, but because you will be so much of a disappointment.
By patriot in sc August 18, 2010 at 10:32 pm
The gold pinky ring she always wears is a piece of sikh jewelry called the khanda ring. It provides protection from the evil eye. Nikki, you do not have to worry about all the negative, but mostly true, press. You are protected….from the evil eye. Let’s just go from the luvgov soul mate addicted governor to a sex addicted governor who wears khanda jewelry. She claims to be a strong christian (methodist). I am methodist. Why weren’t we warned about the EVIL EYE? Why wasn’t I warned?????
By Elizabeth August 19, 2010 at 12:43 am
Again…HOW ON EARTH DID SHE WIN THE NOMINATION????? OTHERS WERE MUCH MORE QUALIFIED!
Voting for Sheheen!!!
By sober rover August 19, 2010 at 1:23 am
Sic Willie, plea:
Start taking orders for your as-yet-to-be-finalized book. They will purchase, if you come forth.
in just under five months, by my tommyonenote reckoning,
the Comet will be inaugurated and Sic Willie’s Book will come out.
I believe there will be pictures(not naughty ones, just close proximity in differing venues and such) AND those all-enlightening heretofore unreleased emails will come forward. I do not believe Governor-to-be Haley can release the ones with Sic in them, but Sic can and will, I posit, relishingly release at his publication party, very highly personal emails about non-political topics. that is, I believe Sic totally,though I disagree with him almost daily about non-Comet issues. I for one WILL buy his book and my take again:
haley wins in Nov
haley inaug in Jan
Sic’s book in Feb(valentines would be rather inappropriately appropos of everything) makes it clear the newly elected(at that time) Love Govinda II did NOT remain hundred percent faithful, she is today’s modern politico.
haley partially ‘fesses and stays in off ice
and Sic becomes instantly credible again.
I believe Ms Haley has a capacity to love and fell for Sic;
office romances Do happen amongst consenting souls.
I do see how her hubby feels being cuckolded, though: in his photos he routinely wears a grimace. I believe his spouse has been told “Tell me the real truth: did you or didn’t you?”
then they probably had a big argument(been there myself),she sorrowfully through sniffling and tears said “Yes…I AM SO SORRY baby…”
and then he agreed to be her first husband and all. This is all just my personal forecast. THEN SIC WILLIE will be redeemed and all the naysayers and SC boobears will go ‘Ooops!”
Plus, this topic is sooooo innocent and healing in contrast to the latest very mentally deranged young mother to murder her own children, a sad SC second.
By Gomer Pile August 19, 2010 at 4:45 am
The worst thing a Republican can do is the move toward the center. I hope she will realize it is not necessary. She needs to stay far right. Sheheen is projecting an image of a moderate, which will earn him votes from idiots.
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 6:04 am
Strong christian??? She hasn’t been to Mt. Horeb……..in forever. Noone ever sees her.
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 7:47 am
She can …… “Oh sorry baby……I have screwed a few guys along the way…….., I lied”…….to George on the ABC Morning News…..
Then that night I can just hear Brian Williams on NBC….”And now, yet another GOP sex scanda. this one involving Nikki Haley of South Carolina, running for Governor.
This is a crystal ball lock. It’s gonna happen. No doubt. How can the SCGOP think this won’t happen???
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 7:52 am
Ok, you’re right. I am beating a drum. The GOP didn’t make this mess. Nikki and Tim did. However, the GOP should have stopped this before the primary. But they failed. Now…….the GOP should stop this before the General Election. Will they??? Nikki is hanging tight (excuse the pun). It’s the GOP leadership up to bat at the moment.
By Old Bike Dude August 19, 2010 at 8:37 am
Rings to ward off the evil eye, next life as an insect, she’s fucked. Oh wait…not a good choice of words.
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 9:30 am
Sic Willie – Ok, tell us. What is up with the brown stains on her hand and wrist??? At first……I thought it was some sort of shadow??? Picture defect??? Birth mark?? Burn scar??? Rushed it in the powder room???
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 9:32 am
Old Bike Dude – Perfect choise of words, in both the L & F way.
By embarrassed in lexington August 19, 2010 at 9:34 am
Hey Floridawatching…Maybe the GOP needs a khanda ring…you know, to ward off the evil eye. And hey old bike dude, I find your choice of words quite fitting. No need to apologize. I would imagine Nikki is starting to get nervous, don’t you think? She should take a couple of days off to chant(ohmmmmm) and do some yoga. Sikh religion…the perfect marriage of ISLAM and hindu. I can see Islamabad from Lexington.
By embarrassed in lexington August 19, 2010 at 9:39 am
To Floridawatching, the GOP will not stop this mess. They need to shift their support, and they know it. I have it on good authority that they will not intervene. As they have said, the voters have spoken. What a broken political system SC has!
By republican for sheheen August 19, 2010 at 9:43 am
Was it worth it, you know, sleeping with Sanford? How do you accept Jenny’s support? You have no shame. My friend had an affair with Gov. Beasley a few years back. I could never respect her again. The voters must know that you are corrupt to the core.
By Pam in SC August 19, 2010 at 10:03 am
Maybe Palin will come back to SC to re-endorse Haley. HLN said Palin was 0 to 5 in candidates she has endorsed.
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 10:05 am
Oh………but, but, but……….
Dear Carol is on the record asking Alvin to step down, and look what he did. Nothing in comparison. I hope it goes to a jury trial and college grads are on the jury. What a joke fest that would be. That is nothing compared to the Nuckie. The GOP needs to make it official…….save face and grace….ask her to step down due to the breath and depth (excuse the pun) of the accusations.
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 10:43 am
Hey Palin, come on back to South Carolina……….Nikki needs a BIG HUG!!!
By republican for sheheen August 19, 2010 at 11:07 am
Did you hear than if elected, Haley will declare a new state bird? It’s the spread eagle.
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 11:13 am
Ooooo Dang. Sarah, while you are at it ……… Mitt wants to make another visit…..but Nikki is afraid of getting caught. You may need to service the Mittster this time. Sorry
By republican for sheheen August 19, 2010 at 11:24 am
What is Nikki’s favorite brand of chips? Lays. Sandford and Nikki had a favorite game. Swallow the leader. Some one asked Sandford if Nikki was lying? He responded…no, she was on her knees. Sandford and Haley flew to China. As the flight ended, the captain said, “Governor, would you please return Haley to the upright position and prepare to land”. Why did Mark Sandford vote for Haley? Because he did not want to be the worst SC governor in history. Bazinga!
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 11:30 am
Yeow……I hadn’t thought of the phrase “spread eagle” till this morning when I read that Dr. Laura has that kind of nude pic on the web.
Now if Dr. Laura is spreading it for our view, what about Nookie?
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 11:34 am
Ok, how to place three of the best terms of the week into one sentence????
If that “assclown” Tim doesn’t let Nikki resign, there is gonna be a “shitstorm” when her “spread eagle” pics hit the net.
Just ask Dr. Laura………..
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Rep – Bada bing……..bada boooom. Hahahahahahahahahaha
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Please don’t let Nookie speak to students….I can hear it now…
“If you must engage in unsafe sex, take time out before hand to hope for the best.”
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 12:27 pm
And then, after polite applause from the teachers………..
“Do not blow dealers for crack; blow regular citizens for cash, then buy the crack directly.”
By Florida Watching August 19, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Ahhhhhh…I don’t think anyone is reading this article anymore….
“Nikki wanted to travel by bus to the pet cemetery with the remains of her cat. As she boarded the bus, she whispered to the driver, “I have a dead pussy.” The driver pointed to the woman in the seat behind him and said, “Sit with my wife. You two have a lot in common.”