Stop the presses, people … a national reporter has written a story about S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley that doesn’t just reflexively regurgitate the “rising star” “Tea Party hero” “popular governor” myths.
The report – written by veteran D.C. scribe John Fund and published in The National Review – actually chronicles Haley’s difficult first year in office with some long-overdue objectivity.
And unlike the barrage of negative local press that Haley claims not to read, we know for a fact that the governor read this particular article. In fact, we’ve spoken with several people who received “Nikki Nastygrams” from her and her staff in the wake of their less-than-flattering comments.
Comments like …
“She’s taken her eye off the ball and lost focus.”
- Mark Sanford, Former Governor
“She talked about school choice and zero-based budgeting in the campaign, and now those things have dropped away.”
- Talbert Black, Tea Party Leader
“She hasn’t taken on the power structure like her allies hoped, but rather accommodated herself to it.”
- Ashley Landess, S.C. Policy Council
“She misled a lot of reformers. I regret my efforts to help her get elected.”
- Chris Drummond, GOP political consultant
We can’t argue with any of those sentiments. As we’ve pointed out on numerous prior occasions, Haley’s 2011 agenda was a joke – including no tax relief, no spending cuts, no taxpayer rebate fund, no parental choice … and no real government restructuring.
In fact it wasn’t a reform agenda at all – it was a status quo agenda, an effort on Haley’s part to win brownie points with state lawmakers while fooling the public into thinking that real reforms were being passed. None actually were, of course … although Haley did sign off on record spending increases (including fat pay raises for her staff) while totally abandoning her campaign promise of transparency.
“Nikki Haley remains a political superstar in national Republican circles, and her charm and fighting spirit are undeniable,” Fund concludes. “But it’s increasingly clear that many of the people who elected her are worried that because of either national distractions or an unwillingness to fully confront the power structure she ran against, she is becoming what last year she said she loathed — just another politician.”
Damn … just for that, we’ll forgive Fund for calling our founding editor “sleazy” (wait, that’s true).
Anyway, to read Fund’s piece in its entirety, click on the link below …
NIKKI HALEY’S ROUGH START (The National Review)
***
By Tunes'n'news January 13, 2012 at 5:34 am
At least she didn’t bring pigs to crap in the state house. But that would be rundant in several ways.
By BigT January 13, 2012 at 5:39 am
Those are pretty much Sanford insiders, in addition to Sanford himself….and the Tea Party has been co-opted to too much extent, by the ‘Occupy’ mentality…of hate everybody…even the life’s blood (producers) of our society…(see Amazon)…
I think as we have all had time to Digest Sanford’s 8 years, it’s more clear as to what a TOTAL Waste he was…
He promised so much, and likley had a lot of the intellectual, and political, ability to do it…Instead he “crossed the line” w/ a bunch of women (as he admitted) and eventually wound up lost and befuddled on the Appalachain Trial…
When we happen to believe in an idealist, reformer, and give him the reigns, he turns out to be a liar and a fraud…
Sanford (through his abuse) likely damaged us for a generation or two…so that a Haley is possible..and we’re really not all that surprised that she is struggling to own up to her opportunites. We’ve seen it before…
But Sanford certainlky did not set the bar very high, despite his pious rhetoric.
By Robert January 13, 2012 at 6:55 am
It’s Friday the 13th, and there is a post from T that I agree with……it truly is a weird day.
By Fox watch January 13, 2012 at 8:07 am
What’s weird is Haley is still getting more air time on Fox than Sanford their political commentator!?! I think she was on again last night talking about Romney. And when they did discuss the SC primary they had Liz Cheney weighing in. So far it seems he has no traction.
By Robert January 13, 2012 at 9:21 am
Did anyone see her on Hannity last night???? He wanted her to shut up so bad….she kept blabbering on and on.
And what is up with her constantly saying “I will tell you this”?
By Bogart January 13, 2012 at 10:03 am
Hell has frozen over……I agree with a Big T post.
By same ol' same ol' January 13, 2012 at 10:47 am
I wore all black for the occasion (1st 13th of the year, two more to go, April, July) and a sane post from T, he must be on his meds, or I am, or something like that. He sounds almost reasonable.
By Sailor January 13, 2012 at 11:06 am
Don’t get carried away guys. Even a broken clock is right twice a day!
By Recovering Lobbyist January 13, 2012 at 9:04 am
I suppose Will is going to have to stop quoting that 35 percent approval rating. According to the article, that poll is flawed and her approval rating is “in the 40s.” Not great, but not 35 percent.
By jimlewis,owb January 13, 2012 at 9:11 am
Early Thursday AM, Governor’s Mansion, Breakfast Table, Governor has just finished reading article by John Fund.
Michael get you fat WASP ass down here, now. For God’s sake Michael why are you wearing camouflage underwear. Look Forrest, you do realize you are not really in the Army. Forget it. Here is what you need to do.
Go tell that lyin, cheatin, stealin piece of crap of a Chef of yours to take the names in this story and post them at the Guard House. These people are never, never ever never, to be allowed in My House. Especially that bleached blonde bimbo bitch.
Also get whatever Neanderthal SLED Agent who is not sleeping and have him head to Beaufort. I have already called Mr. Errby at Errby’s 5 to 12 Mercantile and he has a case of Rat Poison waiting to be picked up. Oh, on second thought also tell the SLED Agents if they see the blonde bitch or anyone who looks like her to shoot them on sight. Tell them not to worry, I’ll pardon them like Barbour did to all those killers and rapists over in Mississippi.
Then call the Eunuch and tell him to email every person in this story and let them know that the Queen of Death has Awakened. Tell the Eunuch also to have State Technology ban allf online access to National Review Online on every damn computer in the State. If anyone is caught reading NRO, fire them.
Oh, after you finish with the Eunuch find what bar stool Swati is perched on and tell her that I want everyone with the last name Fund who is working for the State to be fired, yesterday.
Forrest, Forrest you do know what to do, don’t you. Good, now like a good little boy go do what Mommy has told you to do.
Jesus, I got Elmer Fudd’s twin brother poking me up the ass long distance and I just put Forrest Fudd in charge of poking him back.
By STFU January 13, 2012 at 10:07 am
In other words, she is exactly what Romney is and will be.
Fuck the people, or in this case Will, and just get elected. I am sure she will come out of this personally richer, which in most cases is the most important objective.
Mormons love submissive women, as many as can fit in the car.
By ? January 13, 2012 at 11:19 am
“Mormons love submissive women, as many as can fit in the car.”
lol, champion response. You do get some of that shit in Christian circles too though. Many a pastor will preach on the need for women submitting to men, with good Biblical backup btw.
They’ll always “qualify” with exceptions, like beatings, cheating, etc….but it is what it is.
By Bogart January 13, 2012 at 10:17 am
Every time Sanford is on Fox,twitter boards go ballistic with Sanford jokes.Some are ROFL great.Sanford’s future will include bringing laughter to people’s lives.Bet he cracks Chapur up when they’re in bed together(no pun intended).
By same ol' same ol' January 13, 2012 at 10:52 am
For a minute there I though you said he “cracks up” Chapur. Crack up, crack down, whatever it takes.
By Justus January 13, 2012 at 10:25 am
The Republican Party hierachy is definatley controlled by the ELITE!
By Eastbound and Down January 13, 2012 at 11:54 am
I wonder what a nastrygram from the Governot looks like?
By RAS January 13, 2012 at 1:36 pm
She’s been offered the VP slot if she can carry SC for Romney. It makes sense to “balance the ticket”. They’ve got to give her that speaking slot at the Convention to introduce her to a national audience. This lady is about twice as smart as Willie thinks she is. The interesting questions: is she half a smart as she think she is? And are the people of SC really that stupid?
By Fox watch January 13, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Good gosh, why would Romney want to take on that liability? I always thought McCain might have had an inkling about Sanford’s peccadilloes and crossed him out in favor of Palin. Haley seems to have a whole host of difficulties. Of course if true, it really raises the cache of Sic Willy’s book. So, if Paul does not win, he can console himself in that fact.
By SCBlues January 14, 2012 at 5:50 pm
The people of South Carolina are really that stupid.
By Stickler January 13, 2012 at 1:52 pm
For the record, it is National Review, not The National Review.
By RAS January 13, 2012 at 2:34 pm
Bloomburg also has a critique.
By cash January 13, 2012 at 3:46 pm
The main reason that I will vote against Romney, is that Haley endorsed him. Ron Paul 2012
By purpleminded January 13, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Yes!!!
By Tim Peerson January 13, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Please Romney and Huntsman Moroni golden tablets buried in Illinois Jesus, Haley Methodist Sikh its ok to cheat on your husband if he is a bald loser Jesus, Santorum Roman Catholic contraception is a sin Jesus, Cain Church of the Now can I grab yo crotch Jesus, Perry what we really need is a good hangin’ Baptist Jesus, Ron Paul back to the gold standard Jesus, Michelle Bachman heal the homo Jesus and Newt do what ever you want as long as you say you made a mistake and wont do it again Jesus:
PLEASE pick Nikki to be Mitt’s VP.
She is so PRETTY. And SMART. And CONSERVATIVE. And HONEST. And MORAL.
Mitt don’t listen to the critics. She has NEVER been unfaithful I mean they can’t prove it. And she barely knows that sleazy blooger that she talked on the cell phone with for hours in the middle of the night when her husband was living in a trailer.
“If we can keep this under wraps for a few more days, we are going to win, dude.”
By cash January 13, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Living in a trailor? Where? How long?
By cash January 13, 2012 at 4:30 pm
edit trailer
By Mojo January 14, 2012 at 12:12 pm
AND SHE’LL SUCK THE HEAD OF YOUR JOHNSON RIGHT OFF. ADDED BENEFIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Artie January 13, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Haley’s the national news media darling because she’s very pretty, telegenic, has great legs, a great smile and the intriguing fact that she — a second-generation “Indian” WOMAN — beat the good ole boy gubernatorial candidates.
She has upstaged Curtis Loftis, etc.
Crazy, man!!
By mako the sushi January 14, 2012 at 1:01 am
Makes you realize how sold out Geraghty truly is…Red Sea, peace.
By lavenderwolf January 14, 2012 at 8:32 pm
most balanced article yet