“She’s a good girl, crazy ’bout Elvis …”
Err, sorry … that’s clearly not a reference to the subject of this post, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley. She’s obviously a bad girl … which is why she’s “Free Fallin,” and not in a good way.
In the four days since a Winthrop University poll showed Haley’s approval rating at an anemic 34.6 percent, the first-year governor of the Palmetto State has continued to step in it at every turn. In fact, she’s suffering through what appears to be her worst media week we’ve ever seen from a South Carolina governor (with the possible exception of Mark Sanford’s “soul mate” show).
Let’s recap, shall we?
Haley’s bad week began with a ferocious 1-2 punch from reporter Renee Dudley of The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier. Not only did Dudley bust Haley wasting taxpayer resources on a bogus health care study, but she also caught the governor’s office being transparently anti-transparent (again).
Here are her stories:
POST AND COURIER: Haley Dictated Panel Finding (By Renee Dudley)
POST AND COURIER: Request Brought Irrelevant Material (By Renee Dudley)
The reports by Dudley – who was once derisively referred to by Haley as a “little girl” – ginned up negative national coverage for the governor, too:
GOVERNOR’S JOURNAL: Haley Unmasked By Email (By GoJo Staff)
THE HILL: GOP Gov. Haley Accused Of Wasting Tax Dollars on ‘Sham’ Study (By Julian Pecquet)
Meanwhile back on the home front, Chris Haire of The (Charleston, S.C.) City Paper – outraged by yet another example of Haley’s “willingness to lie and deceive my fellow South Carolinians” – decided to publish Haley’s actual government email address (nrh@gov.sc.gov) as part of his effort to get people to vent their spleens at her ongoing hypocrisy.
Here’s his story:
CITY PAPER: Wanna Email Governor Haley? (By Chris Haire)
In Greenville, S.C., perhaps the most damaging story of all for Haley deals with the lingering impact of the “Savannah River Sellout” on the governor’s legislative agenda for 2012 … you know, in the event she ever offers one. Specifically, the report notes that Haley’s recent assault on State Senators who investigated her flagrant betrayal of the state’s economic and environmental interests is not likely to be well-received.
Here’s that report:
GREENVILLE NEWS: Gov. Haley’s Words May Affect Agenda (By Tim Smith)
Wow. Given Haley’s incredibly unproductive 2011 legislative session, that’s awful news for the increasingly unpopular governor as she heads into a make-or-break year in 2012.
Oh …and speaking of Haley’s “agenda,” The (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) Sun News reprinted an op-ed article by Cindi Ross Scoppe of The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper which concluded that Haley’s hypocrisy and inability to tell the truth are killing the reform movement in the Palmetto State.
“For someone who claims to want to drag our horse-and-buggy government into the 21st century, Gov. Nikki Haley sure does seem to be going out of her way to keep it mired in the 19th century,” Scoppe wrote.
Here’s that op-ed:
THE SUN NEWS: Haley Sabotaging Her Own Reforms (By Cindi Ross Scoppe)
Oh, and this website reprinted an op-ed article that appeared in The State by College of Charleston professor Chris Lamb, who chronologically lists several of Haley’s “greatest hits” and wonders how in the hell her approval rating is so … high.
Here’s the original version of that op-ed article:
THE STATE: Haley’s Approval Rating Should Be Even Lower (By Chris Lamb)
More bad news for Haley? As we noted in this story, she’s got the environmentalists jumping down her throat over the “Savannah River Sellout” now – and she’s even managed to position them to her right on a spending issue. Amazing …
Take a look:
POST AND COURIER: Haley’s ‘Fantastic Deal’ A Loser for S.C. (By Dana Beach)
Rounding out our recap? A letter to the editor of The (Hilton Head, S.C.) Island Packet by a man named Alex Sineath Jr., who had the audacity to criticize Haley’s “Savannah River Sellout” on her Facebook page.
“On Dec. 2, I posted a lengthy comment on Gov. Nikki Haley’s official Facebook page about the environmental travesty the Lowcountry will suffer because of the decision to allow the dredging of the Savannah River,” Sineath wrote.
Haley’s response to Sineath’s criticism? She deleted his comment and banned him from ever posting on her page again.
Here’s Sineath’s letter:
THE ISLAND PACKET : Haley Doesn’t Tolerate Criticism On Port Deal (By Alex Sineath, Jr.)
Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch …
As if it wasn’t plainly evident before, Haley is clearly dropping like a rock. In fact if this keeps up, she’ll soon reach terminal velocity on the way to a one-term administration … assuming voters don’t find a way to recall her first.
***
By seafan2 December 15, 2011 at 12:55 pm
The woman’s hyprocisy on the state healthcare exchange is stunning. I remember vividly watching her on national TV – naturally – in a governor’s meeting where she stood up and angrily confronted Obama. (The national TV cameras of course pivoted immediately to her.)
She told him SC could not afford the healthcare act and it would bankrupt us and asked for an exemption from the act. He, of course, refused.
She then asked him if SC could create its own exchange – one that the state could afford – would he then exempt SC and allow us to use our own exchange program. He said his staff would look at it and if it offered the same benefits as the national program, he would approve it for SC.
Does anyone else remember this? Apparently she does not.
By Impeach Haley December 15, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Oh hell yes, I remember this and her hogging every media moment she could get to be the tea party darling…well, the tea party’s darling, Mrs. Haley shows her true colors as she appears to be Cinderella’s ugly step-sister.
By rick December 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I was banned AND unfriended. Sounds like a new FB group to me
By Silver Eagle December 15, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Welcome to the club – she keeps banning and unfriending me on Facebook as well. Not only that but she deletes the facebook posts that she does not like or does not make her look good.
By Impeach Haley December 15, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I was unfriended by Haley as well. Awe, she doesn’t like me, sob, sob. Like I really care.
By Eastbound and Down December 15, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Trying to silence the critics, more hits from the Politburo
By jimlewis,owb December 15, 2011 at 1:13 pm
No doubt the Cauldron in the basement of the Governor’s Mansion is boiling over.
If the announcement of a “it’s my money” Foundation ain’t gonna stop the hemorrhaging, then one can only wonder what trick she will try next.
My bet is that Santa Claus is going to be banned from South Carolina, Colonel Cuckold Michael is going to dress up in a baby blue suit, commandeer a 6×6 and deliver Christmas Presents to everyone who donates $100 to the I Love Nikki Foundation. Oh, and all those red pots outside of local businesses Statewide will be repainted baby blue and manned/womanned by Cuckold look alikes. Of course all the money will go to the ILNF.
Yep, that’s my bet.
Roll on Gypsy Queen Dooh Nibor, dammit roll on!
By Skidmarks December 15, 2011 at 1:16 pm
“Request brought irrelevant material”
Well, a jolly damned good to the Post Courier for printing this. Stand up for your little girl reporter.
By A face in the crowd December 15, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Seems to me that Gray Davis, before being recalled, did less damage to his state than Haley has done to this one.
By Cancerman December 15, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Senator wants investigation into DNR head’s departure
State senators are being asked to investigate the departure of Department of Natural Resources director John Frampton, who said last week his resignation was sought by Gov. Nikki Haley’s recently chosen DNR board chairwoman.
Sen. John Land, D-Clarendon, did not mention Haley, but said the state needs to know if the DNR board received outside influence and whether any state laws were broken, particularly South Carolina’s open records law. Land’s office hand delivered a formal letter Thursday to Sen. Glenn McConnell, president pro-tem of the Senate,
seeking the investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/12/15/2081252/senator-wants-investigation-into.html#ixzz1gd6SUU3c
By Cancerman December 15, 2011 at 1:34 pm
State senators are being asked to investigate the departure of Department of Natural Resources director John Frampton, who said last week his resignation was sought by Gov. Nikki Haley’s recently chosen DNR board chairwoman.
Sen. John Land, D-Clarendon, did not mention Haley, but said the state needs to know if the DNR board received outside influence and whether any state laws were broken, particularly South Carolina’s open records law. Land’s office hand delivered a formal letter Thursday to Sen. Glenn McConnell, president pro-tem of the Senate,
seeking the investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
By Bogart December 15, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Sanfords gotta love this.Many posters at Huffington mentioned she is the Gov of South “Appalachian Trail” Carolina.Sanford must love all the attention he gets every time someone screws up……Mark and Nikki sitting in a tree….TIMBER…
By Impeach Haley December 15, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Funny, but so true.
By Alabaster II December 15, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Huff Posts also said if Mark was faithful to his wife, he would be our 45th President. No need to yell “Timber” he has already fallen.
By Naive December 15, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Seriously, I think HuffPo is delusional. The American public really only knew Sanford through sound bites. Even without the infidelity and other line-crossings, I think that tree would have toppled all on its own.
The HuffPo commentary must salve his ego. Now he’ll always have a noble in his mind only excuse (“I fell in love….”) for not succeeding to the Presidency. Although if anything like Newt, he’ll still try to have both.
Wonder if Chapur has any guilt (and if Sanford cunningly uses it) for not only contributing to the downfall of his marriage but thwarting his Presidential ambitions? Well on that last point, we all have something for which to be thankful.
By Gen. Longstreet December 15, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.
By cash December 15, 2011 at 3:12 pm
She’s has a pathological lying disorder. Needs to seek professional help. The first step is admitting that she has a problem. Mental illness is no laughing matter.
By eggaday December 15, 2011 at 3:40 pm
I keep wondering did Nikki piss the Sanfrauds off?
By Impeach Haley December 15, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I don’t know. I’ve heard rumors of “how close she is to Mark Sinfraud.”
By #HaleyScandals HashtagMonger December 15, 2011 at 4:05 pm
Like a snowball rollin’ down the side of hill … no, make that a shitball … it’s growin’ …
By Bogart December 15, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Alabaster…Wonder how Sanford feels about trading that for a BJ?Hope it was one memories are made off.
By Mr. Dixie December 15, 2011 at 4:23 pm
How could Sanford have worked so closely with her and not known she was this sick, or do you think he knew and was pleased with what he saw?? If in my career I had ever been the advocate for someone and they turned out this bad, I would have expected to have gotten fired or worse. I guess Haley was Sanford’s final F U to South Carolina when he left.
By cash December 15, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Wouldn’t you love to hook the gypsy to a liar detector machine? Of course, if she has pathological lying disorder/mental illness, then she may actually believe her own lies. Sad.
By Alabaster II December 15, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Naive, maybe he wanted out of marriage and politics,but did it in the most hurtful way. How can anyone ever vote for a man like him?
Bogart, am sure he has some wonderful memories, the question now, is he still having those memories and making her his lifetime partner?
eggaday, they say revenge is sweet, maybe that’s why Mark endorsed her knowing how she is (all for herself).
By Impeach Haley December 15, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Or rather than memories, Sinfraud may be thinking nightmares.
By Bogart December 15, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Newt said he cheated on all of his wives because he loves his country so much.Maybe Sanford loved SC so much he wanted the state to suffer Haley….Thanks Sparky.
By BigT December 15, 2011 at 7:31 pm
UT OH: FITS:From The State:
South Carolina’s general fund revenue was up 6 percent in November.
Personal income tax collections were up 4 percent while corporate income tax collections were up 118.6 percent. Sales tax collections were up 4.9 percent.
Even before the latest month of better-than-expected state revenues, the Board of Economic Advisers was adding “new” money to the state’s budget for its fiscal year that starts July 1. Last month, the Economic Advisors added an extra $900 million to the 2012-13 budget.
By Impeach Haley December 15, 2011 at 10:41 pm
Shut up Big T
By BigT December 15, 2011 at 7:31 pm
I guess you have to give Haley the credit…
Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/12/15/2081293/sc-revenues-continue-to-rise.html#ixzz1geXQy631
By seafan2 December 15, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Did anyone see the clip of her waiting for the elevator in Charleston today? The media were trying to ask her questions; she kept her back turned to them and did not move or speak. However, the camera caught the “deer in the headlights” expression on her face. Maybe more like a scared rabbit. What kind of public servant behaves that way, especially a so-called Chief Executive. She is sooooooooooooooo far over her head! Unfortunately, the people of this state are the ones who will pay for all her follies.
By Old Bike Dude December 15, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Can’t wait for that day when we’re singing “under the bridge downtown”.
By HashtagMonger December 15, 2011 at 11:03 pm
#HaleyInFreeFall wins out over #HaleyScandals.
By cash December 16, 2011 at 10:29 am
When the Feds and IRS are finished, this will be small potatoes.
By Red in Denver December 16, 2011 at 10:45 pm
Wow! How sad for someone who started out with the voters on such a hopeful note — for her now to have fallen so far in their eyes.
By Chicora December 17, 2011 at 9:15 am
And now the National Media is calling for her impeachment. What an embarrassment/danger she’s become to S.C. Brought on by greed and lust for power. With the light of day on the 1 million $$$$$$$ fraud on health committee exposed for all to see as well as other transgressions….it’s time for us as tax paying residents of this state to engage our elected officials (up for reelection) to vent them on these matters….Either they impeach or we replace them. Just that simple. It now appears to have come to this.
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