South Carolina Gov.-elect Nikki Haley won't remain neutral during her state’s crucial early 2012 presidential primary.
The Republican, who is set to take office in January, told The Associated Press Thursday that she will definitely make an endorsement.
"Absolutely!" Haley said, before adding that she’d make her pick "only after every one of them has had the opportunity to go out and meet with the constituents of South Carolina and hear their concerns. ... What I want to do is let the people of South Carolina see them without any sort of emphasis on who I think is right."
It could be a difficult choice for Haley, an Indian American who is the state's first female governor, as she's already received support from more than one likely 2012 candidate.
During her competitive primary with three more well-known state lawmakers, she received early support from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, but it was former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s endorsement that GOP observers within the state credit with her sudden skyrocket to the top of the polls. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee endorsed Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s losing bid.
Haley’s predecessor, outgoing Gov. Mark Sanford, endorsed John McCain in 2000, but he was then a Charleston-area congressman. When Sanford was in the governor’s mansion during the 2008 primary, he chose not to endorse.
Incoming Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad also said earlier this week he wouldn’t rule out making an endorsement in his state’s caucuses.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45916.html#ixzz2H5Zba3GK
The Republican, who is set to take office in January, told The Associated Press Thursday that she will definitely make an endorsement.
"Absolutely!" Haley said, before adding that she’d make her pick "only after every one of them has had the opportunity to go out and meet with the constituents of South Carolina and hear their concerns. ... What I want to do is let the people of South Carolina see them without any sort of emphasis on who I think is right."
It could be a difficult choice for Haley, an Indian American who is the state's first female governor, as she's already received support from more than one likely 2012 candidate.
During her competitive primary with three more well-known state lawmakers, she received early support from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, but it was former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s endorsement that GOP observers within the state credit with her sudden skyrocket to the top of the polls. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee endorsed Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer’s losing bid.
Haley’s predecessor, outgoing Gov. Mark Sanford, endorsed John McCain in 2000, but he was then a Charleston-area congressman. When Sanford was in the governor’s mansion during the 2008 primary, he chose not to endorse.
Incoming Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad also said earlier this week he wouldn’t rule out making an endorsement in his state’s caucuses.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45916.html#ixzz2H5Zba3GK