Let’s see here … am I happiest that I broke Nikki Haley’s heart? Or that I helped steal her gubernatorial “mandate?”
Or will my joy ultimately be derived from the piles of money I’m going to make by (deservedly) dragging her name through the mud one last time?
Honestly?
I’m not happy about any of it. In fact, in the relative calm that has followed a stormy time in my life (and my family’s life) I’ve been able to take a little personal inventory and start appreciating how not happy I am with all of it.
Six short months ago – when Nikki was beginning to shoot to the front of the GOP gubernatorial pack - I was proud of her. And to be honest I was a little bit proud of myself, too. Not only did I play a small role in guiding her political career as it took its first steps onto the statewide stage, but given her flawless legislative record she was one of the few Palmetto politicians that I felt deserved praise here on FITS. And please, by all means you should ask her and other reformers like Tom Davis, Tim Scott and Mick Mulvaney about the value of being praised by this website.
Or just look at their electoral successes – which we won’t take credit for, but which we undeniably helped position them for.
Oh, and then ask the scores of South Carolina politicians who are chastised … or even worse, ignored by FITS.
Why did we choose to advance her career? Simple. Because politicians like Haley, Davis, Scott, Mulvaney (and Eric Bedingfield, Phil Shoopman, Jeff Duncan and a handful of others) have consistently voted to protect taxpayers.
It’s a funny thing that happens when you start holding your leaders accountable – a few of them who run on certain promises actually do the right thing and keep those promises.
Anyway, although I ended the physical relationship with Nikki in 2007 (and she ended our professional relationship in February of 2008), we remained very close. In fact, in April of 2009 she approached me about serving on her gubernatorial campaign – an offer I had to decline due to the fact that this website had suddenly taken on a life of its own.
You’re probably thinking I’m crazy, right?
Wrong … I’ve worked on several statewide campaigns. And I worked in the governor’s office for two-and-a-half years. Both are friggin’ prison sentences.
Still, despite the fact that I didn’t respond to Haley’s April 15, 2009 email inquiring about my availability to work on her “project,” for months this website mercilessly bashed her three status quo opponents. Meanwhile, FITS cast Haley in a comparatively favorable light – to the point that I was accused on more than one occasion of being in cahoots with the Lexington Republican.
Obviously, all of that changed on the morning of May 24, 2010 – when after several weeks of being threatened by Haley’s political enemies and stalked by reporters – I simply told the truth about my past relationship with her.
What did that get me?
Smeared. Ridiculed. Nearly destroyed … which caught me completely off guard considering how hard I had worked with Haley’s campaign to keep the story under wraps, as well as the wide avenue my purposely-vague acknowledgment afforded her in dealing with the admission.
Of course not everybody was pleased with Nikki’s strategy.
“I’ve fought this at every turn,” Haley campaign manager Tim Pearson texted me on the evening the story broke. “Including all day today.”
Pearson added that the attack against me was “not what I want(ed).”
But it was what Nikki wanted …
After the barrage I took it’s a miracle that this website is still standing, although I’m reliably informed that Nikki “isn’t done” with me yet. Which is fine … because I’m obviously not done with her, either.
But here’s the imbalance in that equation … I have absolutely nothing to lose. Not a damn thing. For example, I don’t wake up every morning wondering if today is going to be the day that the truth finally catches up with me. I don’t fear affidavits, court depositions, lawsuits or political threats because there is literally nothing that anybody is holding – or could hold – over my head.
Like I did every day before … and as I’ve done every day since … I told the truth. And my conscience is clear.
And while FITS has emerged from the shadow of this election with a larger, more loyal audience than ever … Haley dramatically underperformed expectations at the ballot box (although that obviously has more to do with her dishonesty in other, more important areas of her life). She got just 51.3 percent of the statewide vote, which was the second-lowest total of any Republican on the ticket. Also, Haley’s 4.4 percent margin of victory over Democrat Vincent Sheheen was the slimmest of any GOP candidate.
That’s no mandate. A schmandate maybe … but no mandate.
With good reason, people just don’t trust her … and in any other year (even in reliably red South Carolina) you could have stuck a fork in her.
Still, even after everything that has transpired over the last six months (and the last four tumultuous years) … it doesn’t make me happy that Nikki Haley has been weakened by her own inability to tell the truth.
South Carolina needs a reform movement … and that movement needs leaders. And who knows? Maybe Nikki Haley will be one of those leaders … a path that is still available to her if she takes the right steps.
Of course it’s not the steps that Haley takes from this point forward that will trip her up … it’s the ones she should have taken when she still had the chance.
Pic: via Daylife
By Waterwings November 16, 2010 at 5:24 pm
When you do things to take somebody down, or to hurt them, it’s called Karma when it’s back around.
You, Folks, looked like a big old stupid goober. Still do. Are you so proud of your failed attempt that you now are making a living trying to stir up crap?
I didn’t vote for Haley, but not because of you. I am a DUMOCRAT
By Dakota November 16, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Aside from the near brilliant campaigns of Mulvaney, Scott, Loftis and few others, a retarded monkey with “R” following name was enough to win in 2010, agreed … There is no mandate but there is still opportunity for Haley to redeem if not force in fact many of us to look the other way for a bit …
By You had a chance.... November 16, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Poor Will…you had a chance to make Haley take it up the ass and didn’t seize it when you had the opportunity. (or did you? where does the kiss and tell stop for you?)
Little did you know at the time she was gonna strap one on and do it to you later….
:)
In the end(I know, bad pun) I suppose you should learn if nothing else that you should have “deny, deny, denied” to the bitter end…regardless of the proof thrown around.
You of all people Mr. “political consultant” know that if you repeat a lie enough that many people start to beleive its true…and when it comes to affairs, politics, and family- lieing is truly best as it hurts everyone around you less and let’s face it…at that point what integrity do you have left anyway?
Hopefully next time you won’t be so weak spined and douchey.
By Red November 16, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I believe the three HMFICs of the legislature are going to play her like a violin.
Or a yo-yo.
I wish her the best because they will NOT concede any authority to any governor and will work overtime to preserve status-quo.
By John Ritchie November 16, 2010 at 7:09 pm
I predict this website will be virtually defunct from lack of use by the 2012 election. Viewpolitik Part Deux.
This post has more influence on SC politics than you do.
By Gary November 16, 2010 at 7:25 pm
WILL FOLKS
>>Still, even after everything that has transpired over the last six months (and the last four tumultuous years) … it doesn’t make me happy that Nikki Haley has been weakened by her own inability to tell TRUTH”
These “moral musings” about truth, coming from some one who trades in smears, innuendo and rumor mongering” ?
>>What did it get me
Smeared. Ridiculed. Nearly destroyed … which caught me completely off guard considering how hard I had worked with Haley’s campaign to keep the story under wraps, as well as the wide avenue my purposely-vague acknowledgment afforded her in dealing with the admission<<<<
like a spurned woman, you are cooking up all these things in your own mind. Not One time were you told anything by Haley or treated the way you have mentioned. In fact she has handled this whole thing by merely calling it " a distraction". Haley has stood tall and strong against the avalanche of indignities and slime which has been relentlessly directed towards her. She has handled this whole thing with dignity, poise and class which is rare to find.
You only have to look in to the mirror and your own postings/ 'moderated comments" for the last few months to see the truth as to how low you have dived in to the gutter. You have crossed all limits and did every thing possible to destroy another human being. You have tried to damage her entire family in a way, which even a worst enemy in his widest dreams would not imagine to do. Even now your vindictiveness and your intentions are crystal clear when you are boasting "" because I’m obviously not done with her, either ""
I wish you had really reflected on this whole thing honestly and openly and apologized for your doings. WILL, eschew your ego and self righteousness . I assure you it will make you a much happier man and take the load off of your head. You will feel blessed and relieved . But it is your choice- use your talents to make a positive change or still continue to regurgitate your fantasy a million times more and become a mental wreck.
By Alphonse November 16, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Truth is not only stranger than fiction, it is more interesting.
By Scheherazade November 16, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Will,
I hope you don’t hold anything back in your upcoming book.
Let the ink flow and tell it all.
If you don’t and it’s just a big tease, nobody’s gonna buy it.
I would like to read the d-e-t-a-i-l-s, like the Monica Lewinsky transcript that was published in the New York Times.
THAT DAY, EVERYBODY I KNEW went out and bought a copy of THE NEW YORK TIMES.
Do a NEW YORK TIMES for us, Will.
Your humble servant, etc.
By Shlomo November 16, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Sic, I think you ought to start taking suggestions for book titles.
Here, I’ll offer a few:
BLOWN WITH THE WIND: My Inappropriate Physical Relationship with S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley
**********
A CURRY RUNS THROUGH IT: My Sex Affair With South Carolina’s First Female Indian-American Governor
**********
EAT, PRAY, SCREW AND THEN EAT, PRAY AND SCREW SOME MORE
**********
ALL THE GOVERNOR’S MEN: Nookiegate and the Men Who Were Swallowed up by It
**********
THE PARKS OF RICHLAND COUNTY
**********
I CAN SEE INDIA FROM MY HOUSE: My Inappropriate Good Times With Nikki Haley with a Forward by Larry Marchant
By Good Ole Boy November 16, 2010 at 9:26 pm
I think you learned two lessons.
1. Don’t kiss and tell.
2. Don’t admit to anything scandalous unless there is “real” proof. You admitted to the affair — which was a rumor because of your bragging — when the only proof they had was the rumor that you created.
By ...and the winner is... November 17, 2010 at 1:19 am
{DING DING DING DING DIIIIIIIINNNNGGG!!!} …IT’S GOOD OLE BOY BY THE LENGTH OF THE NON-STOP WAGGING TONGUE OF SLICK SIC WILLIE!!!!! please report to the governors mansion after january 11th of 2011 to claim your grand prize of… CABANA BOY SERVICE BY GOVERNOR… DARLING… NIKKIIIIIIII!!!!!!!
By Reply November 17, 2010 at 4:11 am
Book title Can Be: The Re-Fucked-Lican Governor of SC.
By Reply November 17, 2010 at 4:36 am
GOP (The re-fucked-lican party) cannot deny the fact that their nominated governor has been fucked in Utah and then and re-fucked in the parking lot. (Or maybe fucked in parking lot and re-fucked in Utah, sorry I don’t remember the exact chronology.)
By Prevert November 17, 2010 at 7:28 am
Isn’t it time for the pictures? Every married women I’ve had an affair with loved to document it…… I know they’re out there.
By 1patriot November 17, 2010 at 7:39 am
Folks, you need to give it a rest. I for one began visiting this site to get informed about politics and other things happening in SC and NOT your personal life, day after day, after day. For example, you were doing a great job of reporting on dirty politics in Chesterfield County, until you started dragging Haley through the mud. Since then, nothing on our crooked Chesterfield County politicians. I am this close to blocking FITS.
By Male Sapphist November 17, 2010 at 8:37 am
How about trying to separate the personalities from the policies and reserving comment for the universal issues.
I can see how this is a crap sammich but I am sure that you can make it though until the last bite.
By MJ November 17, 2010 at 9:12 am
Will, Will, Will, Will. Never kiss and tell young man. Hell has no furry like a woman’s scorn. I have learned that the hard way over the years and you will learn it over the next couple of years I am afraid. Let this be a lesson to never let politics ruin a good thing. Not worth it in the long run.
By Mike November 17, 2010 at 9:34 am
Fits:
This website is entertainment, but you have hit a nerve. For anyone who has an IQ over 80, there was never any debate about the fact that NH is a liar. I am a die-hard Republican and conservative, but I could not vote for someone who looked into the camera and lied so boldly.
Never once in all the released texts did anyone from Haley’s side say “Why are you doing this, because there was no affair.” ALL of the texts were “don’t tell and no one can prove it.”
The SC public likes weak governors who spew political pablum to their lobotomized followers.
I know you took some bullets for the truth, but it needed to be said.
NH’s political career will end badly–it always happens to someone as rotten as her. She is evil at her core–willing to cast aside truth (and a pretty f-ing major truth) for her political career.
By Ed November 17, 2010 at 9:45 am
Two points: One, her “flawless legislative record” was because she rarely showed up and her one bill on regulating hair washers….who cared.
Two, I believed it from the start. I believed it when LM came out with it, I believe there are at least 2 others. If the book makes you ridiculously rich, so be it. I am not saying you deserve it, but if she is going to lie her ass off about it, then fuck her! (figuratively, not literally..you are married now).
By conservative1 November 17, 2010 at 10:16 am
Little boy goes to his dad and asks, “what is politics”? Dad says, well, I’m the breadwinner, so let’s call me capitalism. Your mom is the administrator of the money, so let’s call her the government. We’re both here to take care of you, so let’s call you the people. The nanny will be the working class. And your baby brother, we’ll call him the future. Now think about that and see if it makes sense”. So the little boy goes to bed thinking about what his dad said. Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that his baby brother has a huge poopy diaper. He goes to his parent’s room and finds his mom sound asleep. He then goes to the nanny’s room and finds the door locked. He looks throught the keyhole only to find his dad in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed. The next morning, he says to his dad, “I think I understand the concept of politics now”. Dad says, “Good. Now tell me in your own words what politics is about”. Little boy replies, “Well, while capitalism is screwing the working class, the government is asleep, the the people are being ignored, and the future is deep in poopy”.
By conservative1 November 17, 2010 at 10:24 am
Haley supporters: Embarrassed yet?
By Com November 17, 2010 at 10:47 am
Will, please provide the date of release of your book soon… Or as you said, there will be a brochure (reformer in name only) before the book. Provide the date of release of that brochure… Please include every detail in the brochure that how you fucked her, don’t skip the details by assuming that we already know everything…
By Alabaster II November 17, 2010 at 11:05 am
Will, you seem to be unable to or do not want to give Nikki up like Mark Sanford with his Maria.
By conservative1 November 17, 2010 at 11:21 am
I think Will gave up Nikki when he a “Nice” girl, who became his wife. It must be difficult to know you’re telling the truth and some do not believe you, while the other person is lying, and many believe that person. What an insult to one’s character. Larry Marchant felt the same way, and he will take the situation to court.
By Alabaster II November 17, 2010 at 12:10 pm
I’m glad to know that he did give up Nikki for Mrs.Sic, but why does he keep harping on the old news that may never come to fruitation?
After all this publicity, Nikki will be sure to stay straight and be true to her husband. She couldn’t take a chance and embarress SC like the other Governor did.
By Com November 17, 2010 at 1:13 pm
“”"”Alabaster II wrote: After all this publicity, Nikki will be sure to stay straight and be true to her husband.”"”"
Well the only reason why Nimrata Haley will stay straight in future is because now she will not find anybody who will fuck her without making a video.
By Zornorph November 17, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Dude, you are the Corey Clark of SC politics. You threw out this crap to try and gain prominence, but it was a big, fat FAIL. Now all you need to do is release a really bad song where you sing about how mean the Gov-Elect was to you. Cry me a freakin’ river, you loser.
By Wilber Force December 19, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Showdown Day is coming soon to South Carolina.
The teams will be: Folks and Truth vs Haley and Power.
I wonder what Folks will do with the Trophy!