Replies

Excerpts never makes sense. You can get more hits and more thoughtful discussion by just posting it.

****************

Nikki Haley may have been the big winner in South Carolina Tuesday, but she isn’t the only Republican whose star is rising in an early state that is key to winning the GOP presidential nomination.

Both Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska, were also winners in the 2012 sweepstakes. They got behind Haley at critical junctures in her campaign for governor while the rest of the potential GOP presidential field either endorsed another candidate or stayed out of the fray completely.

As a critical early primary state and a conservative bellwether, South Carolina is a good place for GOP presidential hopefuls to have friends in high places—especially friends who owe you one.

And in 2012, if Haley is elected governor in November, there will hardly be a more valuable ally than the 38-year-old state legislator. She would instantly become one of the party’s most prominent faces, likely giving her more sway in determining her party’s next nominee than Gov. Mark Sanford had in 2004—and perhaps even a larger role in the race.

“She will instantaneously be at the top of everyone’s list as a possible [vice presidential] nominee,” said Saul Anuzis, the former chairman of the Michigan GOP, said of Haley.

While both Palin and Romney will have a powerful friend in the governor’s mansion—Haley has made it clear in numerous statements that she is grateful to both for their support—the other Republican prospects will have to contend with the consequences of betting on the wrong horse.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s pick of Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer fizzled, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum’s decision to back Rep. Gresham Barrett was slightly better and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s selection of state Attorney General Henry McMaster didn’t get him very far.

The rest of the field, however, didn’t even suit up.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich all sat out the primary – though Pawlenty is planning to visit the state on June 29.

Of course, there’s still plenty of time to mend fences, and the governor’s imprimatur can only go so far in a primary.

As former state Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson pointed out, “there are plenty of high profile Republicans to go around in South Carolina that will give any well-funded candidate a shot.”

Indeed, Huckabee’s strong second-place showing in the state in 2008 would have seemed highly unlikely two years before.

Then there’s the question of Haley’s tough choice if Palin and Romney both decide to run. As one of the state’s top GOP operatives said in an interview, the question being asked by close observers is: “If they both come stumping through South Carolina in a couple of years, who is Haley going to endorse?”

From Romney’s perspective, the case is clear: big risk should equal big reward.

Excerpts never makes sense. You can get more hits and more thoughtful discussion by just posting it.

I know, I just don't know which media outlets need excerpting and which don't.

Admin, is there a list somewhere?

Mitt’s not a risk taker. He’s his father’s boy. He’s dad wanted to be President, now Mitt is fulfilling his deceased father’s wishes.

Mitt’s idea of taking risks is putting ketchup on his hotdog.

Mitt is a conformist, corporatist institutional man. There is nothing in his record of him taking any bold actions.