unions

GOP, Dems Square Off Over NLRB Case Against Boeing

Susan Crabtree | June 17, 2011, 4:17PM

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)

Republicans and Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee repeatedly clashed Friday over the politically charged National Labor Relations Board complaint against Boeing Co. and its decision to locate a nonunion plant in South Carolina.

Even before the field hearing in Charleston, S.C., got underway, Democrats were accusing Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) of trying to intimidate the NLRB by hauling the agency's top lawyer, Lafe Soloman, before the panel.

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Pres '12

Dem Group Makes Quick Use Of Gingrich's Words About Medicare (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | May 20, 2011, 12:11PM

Newt Gingrich's declaration that any ad quoting his words about Medicare would be "a falsehood" is clearly not stopping Dems from making just such a spot.

Priorities USA Action, the new big-money independent expenditure "Super PAC" launched by former Obama White House spokesman Bill Burton, has a new plan taking on big-name Republicans over Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) proposal to privatize the program.

"Newt Gingrich says the Republican plan that would essentially end Medicare is too radical," the announcer says. "Governor Haley thinks the plan is courageous -- and Gingrich shouldn't be cutting conservatives off at the knees.

"Mitt Romney says he's 'on the same page' as Paul Ryan, who wrote the plan to essentially end Medicare. But with Mitt Romney, you have to wonder: Which page is he on today?"

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Labor

Harry Reid Tells GOP To Stop Pressuring Independent Labor Agency

Benjy Sarlin | May 11, 2011, 11:24AM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) defended the National Labor Relations Board on Wednesday amid a concentrated attack from prominent Republicans around the country, accusing conservative critics of meddling with an independent federal agency.

"We need agencies like the NLRB to be able to operate freely and without political pressures," he said in a floor speech. "We need to keep our independent agencies independent. This case is for them to decide, not us."

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Boeing

After Appeal From Nikki Haley, Newt Gingrich Jumps Into SC Boeing/Labor Fight

Benjy Sarlin | May 11, 2011, 9:58AM

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)

Newt Gingrich became the latest prominent Republican to take on the National Labor Relations Board over its suit against Boeing, writing an open letter in Human Events on the issue one day after South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) called on President Obama and the Republican presidential field to get involved.

"It is clear that President Obama is packing the NLRB board with left wing ideologues as a payoff to his union boss allies, so that the fix is in with regard to this case and others like it," Gingrich wrote. "The move is consistent with an ongoing pattern in the Obama administration, in which they use the apparatus of big government to reward their allies and punish their opponents."

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Labor

Union Advocates Accuse GOP Of Interfering With Independent Labor Agency

Benjy Sarlin | May 11, 2011, 8:57AM

Labor allies are defending the White House from attacks by South Carolina Gov. NIkki Haley (R) and other Republican lawmakers over a union dispute with Boeing, accusing them of interfering with an independent federal agency.

At the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Haley and other Republicans called on President Obama to condemn the independent National Labor Relations Board, which is tasked with enforcing labor laws, for suing Boeing over a production line in South Carolina that it says constitutes illegal retaliation against unionized Boeing workers in Washington State. Obama has no direct control over the agency, but does choose its members, and Republicans have sought to block appointments they consider too pro-labor.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued a statement accusing the GOP of an "overly dramatic response" to a "routine unfair labor practice charge." He added that it was unfair to target the White House when it has no say in the NLRB's lawsuit.

"That's what this all comes down to: powerful corporate interests are pressuring public officials to interfere with an independent agency, rather than let justice run its course," Harkin said. "And we should not tolerate this interference. Instead, we should turn our attention back to the issues that really matter to American families - how we can create jobs in Washington, South Carolina, Iowa, and across the country?"

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Mitt Romney

Nikki Haley, Former Romney Supporter, Says He Needs To Clarify Position On Health Care

Benjy Sarlin | May 10, 2011, 12:43PM

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R)

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), a co-chair of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in her state in 2008, told TPM on Tuesday that Romney needs to firmly address Republican fears that he'll use his health care law from Massachusetts as a national model.

Her comments come ahead of a speech from Romney this week on health care, which is widely considered his biggest vulnerability with Republican voters. President Obama has repeatedly credited Romney's health care law as governor of Massachusetts, which included an individual mandate now despised by conservatives, as a model for his own Affordable Care Act.

"I think what we don't want is for states to have mandates on them like what President Obama's done," Haley told TPM when asked about the governor's speech. "Massachusetts made a decision within their state and they decided that was right for them. It certainly is not right for South Carolina, it's not something I want to see, so what we want to hear from him is that this isn't something he's going to impose as President across all states in the country."

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Labor

South Carolina Emerges As Next Labor Flashpoint In Boeing Dispute

Benjy Sarlin | May 9, 2011, 9:56AM

An ugly spat between a huge corporation, organized labor, the White House, and a Tea Party governor whose union-busting rhetoric would make Chris Christie blush, is becoming the next national flashpoint in this year's ongoing war on unions.

The dispute centers around a planned Boeing airplane production line for its 787 Dreamliner in South Carolina using nonunion labor. The National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint earlier this month looking to halt operation of the new plant after members of the International Association of Machinists at Boeing's Washington state production line claimed the decision to expand outside the state was retaliation for previous strikes. The NLRB is demanding that Boeing open a second production line in labor-friendly Washington state.

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Nikki Haley

SC Governor: 'I Absolutely Applaud' Gov. Walker's Tough Decisions

Andrew Jones | March 2, 2011, 3:44PM

Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC)

Gov. Scott Walker (R) has another friend in his fight over union rights - Republican governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley.

On Fox and Friends Wednesday morning, the South Carolina governor spoke about her continued fight against the health reform bill, and was then asked by co-host Gretchen Carlson for her thoughts about events talking place in Madison.

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SC-GOV

Republican Nikki Haley Wins Race For South Carolina Governor

Jillian Rayfield | November 2, 2010, 10:43PM

Nikki Haley

Republican Nikki Haley has won the South Carolina gubernatorial race against Democrat Vincent Sheheen.

With 78 percent of precincts reporting, Haley leads by a margin of 52-47, with MSNBC and Fox calling the race.

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SC-GOV

Poll: GOPer Nikki Haley Leads By Just 2 In SC-GOV Race

Marc Kilstein | October 20, 2010, 2:05PM

SC Gov. candidates Nikki Haley (R) and Vincent Sheheen (D)

A newly released poll of the South Carolina gubernatorial race supports the emerging narrative that Republican nominee Nikki Haley's once-sizable lead over Democratic state Sen. Vincent Sheheen has significantly dwindled. The findings show the Republican leading the race by a mere two points, 43%-41%.

The survey, conducted by left-leaning pollster Crantford & Associates, shows Haley's narrowest lead through recent months' polling. When the same pollster looked at the race on September 30, Haley had a slightly greater four-point lead, 45%-41%. In past polling, Sheheen was seemingly out of this race -- he trailed by double-digits in every poll before the late-September survey.

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SC-GOV

Sheheen And Haley Make It Personal In SC-GOV Debate

Jillian Rayfield | October 20, 2010, 11:52AM

SC Gov. candidates Nikki Haley (R) and Vincent Sheheen (D)

The debate between South Carolina gubernatorial candidates Nikki Haley (R) and Vincent Sheheen (D) got pretty heated last night, with Haley attacking Sheheen's background as a trial lawyer, and Sheheen painting Haley as the second coming of Mark Sanford.

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Nikki Haley

Polls: Dem Sheheen Closing In On Haley In SC-GOV Race

Jillian Rayfield | October 7, 2010, 8:46AM

SC Gov. candidates Nikki Haley (R) and Vincent Sheheen (D)

In two new polls out of South Carolina, Democrat Vincent Sheheen is running close behind Republican Nikki Haley in the race to replace disgraced Gov. Mark Sanford (R).

One Hamilton Campaigns (D) poll of likely voters shows Haley leading Sheheen 49%-44%. Another by pollster Crantford & Associates' puts Haley ahead by only four points.

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SC-GOV

Poll: GOPer Nikki Haley Leads By Only 4 In SC-GOV Race

Marc Kilstein | October 4, 2010, 1:53PM

SC-GOV Republican candidate Nikki Haley

A new poll of the South Carolina gubernatorial race finds Republican nominee Nikki Haley just barely ahead of Democratic state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, 45%-41%.

The latest survey is pollster Crantford & Associates' first set of numbers on the race. When Rasmussen looked at the contest on September 22, a drastically different result was produced, as Haley led 50%-33%. The four-point margin produced by the newest survey is the narrowest point spread seen in the race through recent months' polling.

The TPM Poll Average shows Haley still up double-digits in the contest, leading 47.6%-37.4%. The margin of error for the latest survey is ±3.9 percentage points.

2010 elections

Kingmaker: Why Sarah Palin's Endorsements Really Are That Big A Deal

Christina Bellantoni | August 26, 2010, 12:27PM

Former VP candidate Sarah Palin (R)

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has used her Facebook page and Twitter feed to make high-profile and often winning endorsements in the 2010 cycle. But more than her 'batting average' for picking winners -- which many commentators have focused on -- it's her ability to totally change the dynamic of a given race that sets her apart not only from current GOP rivals but even most other politicos in recent memory. Whereas others can provide an incremental push to unknowns and incumbents alike, only Palin has demonstrated the ability to pluck a candidate from virtual obscurity and rocket them to political stardom -- and, often, to an unexpected win.

The three most prominent examples are Nikki Haley in South Carolina, Karen Handel in Georgia (though she eventually lost her runoff) and Joe Miller in Alaska. Each benefited from national media attention after Palin declared them the better Republican candidate using chirpy verbiage as only she can. Others, such as Carly Fiorina in California and Rick Perry in Texas, were more straightforward, and the candidates were likely to win anyway.

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SC-GOV

Rasmussen Poll: GOPer Nikki Haley Up 14 In SC-GOV Race

Thomas Rhiel | August 2, 2010, 11:57AM

SC-GOV Republican candidate Nikki Haley

Rasmussen has new numbers from South Carolina's governor's race -- the first in over a month -- and they show Republican nominee Nikki Haley still out in front with a considerable lead over state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, the Democratic nominee.

Haley's up 49%-35% against Sheheen, which gives her a slightly larger lead than she had in Rasmussen's June 23 survey of the race, which put her ahead 52%-40%. Her current margin isn't quite as big as the one she enjoyed during her primary runoff campaign, when Rasmussen showed her up 21 points over Sheheen.

The TPM Poll Average of the race has Haley with 50.0% and Sheheen with 35.8%. The margin of error of the latest Rasmussen poll is ±4.5 percentage points.

Nikki Haley

Haley Rips SC Chamber After It Backs Dem In GOV Race

Eric Lach | July 9, 2010, 3:59PM

Nikki Haley

There's no love lost between Nikki Haley and the South Carolina chapter of the Chamber of Commerce. The state Chamber had never made an endorsement in the governor's race before this year, but it picked Haley's primary challenger Gresham Barrett (Haley walloped him). The chamber also endorsed Vincent Sheheen on the Democratic side during the primary. So with the primaries over and Haley facing Sheheen in the general, a pro-business group goes with the Republican, right? Wrong.

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SC-GOV

Poll: Haley Leads Dem Sheheen In SC-GOV -- But Margin Narrows

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2010, 1:10PM

SC Gov. candidates Nikki Haley (R) and Vincent Sheheen (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of the South Carolina gubernatorial race gives Republican state Rep. Nikki Haley a double-digit lead over her Democratic opponent, state Sen. Vincent Sheheen. Interestingly, though, this poll suggests that Haley may have gotten the opposite of a bump from her landslide win in last week's GOP primary runoff -- with her lead against Sheheen narrowing.

The numbers: Haley 52%, Sheheen 40%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous poll from two weeks ago, during the runoff campaign, Haley led Sheheen by 55%-34%, a greater margin than her opponent Gresham Barrett's 46%-38% lead over Sheheen.

The TPM Poll Average gives Haley a lead of 50.3%-36.0%.

SC-GOV

Haley Wins GOP Nod In SC-GOV

Eric Kleefeld | June 22, 2010, 8:27PM

SC-GOV Republican candidate Nikki Haley

State Rep. Nikki Haley has won the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina in tonight's Republican primary runoff, the Associated Press projects -- capping one of the most bizarre primaries of the cycle so far.

With 36% of precincts reporting, Haley leads Congressman Gresham Barrett by 62%-38%. Haley will now face Democratic state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, who won his primary outright on June 8, in the race to succeed term-limited and scandal-plagued Republican Gov. Mark Sanford in this red state.

The outcome of tonight's runoff was never much in doubt. In the first-round primary two weeks ago, Haley very nearly clinched the nomination outright with 49% of the vote in a four-way race, just shy of the 50% needed to avoid a runoff, with Barrett in a distant second at 22%.

What makes this very interesting, of course, is the sheer number of sleazy attacks that Haley faced throughout the race -- ranging from allegations of infidelity to outright racist attacks on her Indian Sikh background, and on the sincerity of her conversion to Christianity as an adult. But in the end, the Republican electorate rallied behind Haley, despite or perhaps even because of the attacks that were lobbed her way.

SC-GOV

Is The GOP's SC-GOV Primary The Sleaziest Race Of The Year?

Eric Kleefeld | June 22, 2010, 8:24AM

South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley (R)

The South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary might just be the sleaziest race of the whole cycle -- with one personal attack after another being flung right at state Rep. Nikki Haley.

Haley is favored to win today's primary runoff against Congressman Gresham Barrett, but it's sure been a rough ride along the way. The first notable wave of attacks came when two separate men accused Haley of having extramarital affairs with them: First it was Republican blogger Will Folks, and then it was lobbyist Larry Marchant. It is interesting to note that Marchant had been a paid consultant for one of Haley's rivals, Lt. Gov. André Bauer, until a day before he publicly spoke about the alleged affair. Haley publicly vowed that if she were elected governor and the affair accusations were proven true, she would resign.

Marchant took a lie detector test on the allegations, which came back "inconclusive." Bauer also took a lie detector test, in order to prove that he was not behind the allegations. Bauer ultimately came in fourth place in the first round of the primary.

Interestingly, Folks has made it clear that he supports Haley, even as he says she's lying when she denies the alleged affair. With supporters like these...

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SC-GOV

Tuesday's Big Race: SC-GOV Republican Runoff

Eric Kleefeld | June 21, 2010, 6:08PM

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R)

Tomorrow's Republican gubernatorial runoff in South Carolina will easily be the most-watched result of the night -- not necessarily because there is tremendous suspense about the outcome, but because it ends one of the most dramatic and dirty races of the cycle.

In the June 8 first-round primary, state Rep. Nikki Haley came in first with 49%, just short of the 50% needed to avoid a runoff. She was followed by Congressman Gresham Barrett in a distant second with 22%, state Attorney General Henry McMaster with 17%, and Lt. Gov. André Bauer with 12%.

The race was interesting from the get-go, with four Republicans competing to succeed scandal-plagued Gov. Mark "Appalachian Trail" Sanford, whose administration and potential presidential campaign were both destroyed a year ago after it was revealed that he'd had an extra-marital affair with a woman in Argentina. Then things got even more interesting, with personal accusations lobbed against Haley.

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SC-GOV

2012 GOP Hopefuls Court SC-GOV Contender Haley In Key Primary State

Eric Kleefeld | June 18, 2010, 4:20PM

Former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, SC Gov candidate Nikki Haley, and former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin

This Tuesday's South Carolina Republican gubernatorial runoff is shaping up to be a major battle for the GOP -- and a sneak peek at what the 2012 Republican presidential primaries could be like, as the party's wings do battle in this major early primary state.

Assuming that the GOP keeps the governorship of this red state, the new governor will be highly influential with the party's base and various organizations -- and somebody that a national candidate will want to have supporting them. Already, some of the GOP's potential presidential candidates have been involved in the race. Sarah Palin strongly endorsed state Rep. Nikki Haley during the first round, backing her up in the face of scandals when Haley was accused of having extra-marital affairs.

Mitt Romney also supported Haley in the first round, after Haley had supported him during the 2008 primaries. Romney returned to the state today to campaign for Haley again -- and also, as the Politico reports, he's donated $42,000 to Haley's campaign, taking advantage of a loophole that allows him to donate from his national PAC and various statewide PACs.

During the first round, Mike Huckabee endorsed and recorded a commercial for Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who had supported Huckabee in 2008 -- and unfortunately for Huck, Bauer came in fourth place with 12%.

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Nikki Haley

New Haley Ad: No 'Arrogant, Unaccountable Government' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | June 14, 2010, 10:30AM

SC Gov candidate Nikki Haley (R)

South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley (R) released her first ad in the runoff with Rep. Gresham Barrett (R-SC), and uses parts of her primary night speech in which she called for an end to "arrogant, unaccountable government."

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SC-GOV

Barrett's New SC-GOV Ad: He's A 'Christian Family Man Who Won't Embarrass Us' (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | June 9, 2010, 5:59PM

TV ad from SC Gov candidate Gresham Barrett (R)

Gresham Barrett, who is campaigning against Nikki Haley for the Republican nomination for South Carolina governor, released the first ad in the runoff election today. Called "Shake Up Columbia," the ad features a drill sergeant who claims his "grandma could run that place better."

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SC-GOV

AP: Nikki Haley Falls Just Short of Avoiding Runoff In SC-GOV Race

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 8, 2010, 9:51PM

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R)

South Carolina state Rep. Nikki Haley rebuffed multiple charges of infidelity to maintain her lead through the final rocky weeks of the gubernatorial primary to emerge the with the most votes tonight, according to the AP. She came in just shy of the 50% required to avoid a runoff however, meaning she'll face second place finisher Rep. Gresham Barrett again on June 22.

With 88% of precincts reporting, Haley has 49% of the vote. Barrett drew 17%. Despite the huge disparity, South Carolina law means the two will meet again in two weeks.

That Haley came out on top is no surprise. Polls ahead of the election showed her with significant leads over her Republican rivals. Haley was endorsed my many big names in the conservative establishment, including Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and the Club for Growth. All remained by her side as first and one man and otherand then another claimed to have had affairs with her.

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SC-GOV

Teflon? New Poll Shows Nikki Haley Still Running Away With SC-GOV

Evan McMorris-Santoro | June 7, 2010, 8:58AM

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R)

Multiple accusations of extra-marital affairs be damned -- South Carolina Republicans still think Nikki Haley is their best choice to keep the governor's mansion in the Palmetto State. That's the conclusion from a new PPP (D) poll released over the weekend showing Haley with a commanding 20 point lead in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

The poll shows Haley drawing 43% of the vote in the four-way field. The next most popular Republican, Rep. Gresham Barrett, drew 23% of the vote. The poll, taken Saturday and Sunday among 998 likely primary voters, comes amidst multiple accusations of infidelity from men who claimed to have extra-marital affairs with Haley.

The poll suggests South Carolina Republicans are unmoved by the allegations, and have decided to take Haley at he word that nothing happened with either of the men who have claimed inappropriate relationships with her.

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SC-GOV

SC Gov Candidate McMaster: This Race Is 'Embarrassing'

Ben Frumin | June 4, 2010, 9:31AM

South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster (R)

It's been a wild ride the last couple weeks in South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial primary. And at least one candidate says it's "been embarrassing."

"The behavior of my opponents, their campaigns and their supporters over the last few weeks has not served our state well," Attorney General Henry McMaster said in a statement. "In fact, it's been embarrassing."

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SC-GOV

GOP Candidates Unleash Ads Galore In SC-GOV Primary (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | June 2, 2010, 4:26PM

SC-GOV Republican candidates.

The four candidates vying FOR the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina have been airing a variety of interesting TV ads recently, hitting familiar themes -- bread and butter GOP issues like health care illegal immigration and the Tea Party movement, plus the quintessentially Southern theme of "states rights." And, of course, there's Sarah Palin.

Four candidates are vying the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina, to succeed the term-limited (and scandal-plagued) GOP Gov. Mark Sanford. And all four of them have some great ads.

The candidates will meet on the ballot for the first time this Tuesday, June 8. A candidate will need to win more than 50% of the vote in order to be nominated outright. And with the polls showing all of them attracting significant support, the most likely outcome is that the the top two will meet again in a runoff on June 22. The TPM Poll average gives state Rep. Nikki Haley 28.7%, state Attorney General Henry McMaster 17.2%, Lt. Gov. André Bauer 16.7%, and Rep. Gresham Barrett 15.0%.

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SC-GOV

Poll: Haley Still Leads In SC-GOV GOP Primary

Ben Frumin | May 28, 2010, 11:10AM

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R)

A new Insider Advantage/Statehouse Report poll shows that South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley still has a big lead in the June 8 primary -- even after allegations surfaced of a possible extra-marital affair.

The poll shows Haley leading with 31.3%, followed by Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer with 20.7%, Rep. Graham Barrett with 14.1%, and Attorney General Henry McMaster with 13.8%.

The newest poll was conducted Tuesday night -- well after blogger Will Folks went public with his claims of having an affair with Haley. Haley has denied Folks' allegations.

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SC-GOV

Pre-Scandal Poll Gives Haley Big Lead In SC-GOV Republican Primary

Eric Kleefeld | May 25, 2010, 10:46AM

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R)

The new survey of South Carolina by Public Policy Polling (D) says that state Rep. Nikki Haley had a huge lead over the weekend, when the poll was conducted -- just before allegations surfaced of a possible extra-marital affair.

The numbers: Haley 39%, state Attorney General Gresham Barrett 18%, Congressman Gresham Barrett 16%, and Lt. Gov. Andrew Bauer 13%. The survey of likely GOP primary voters has a ±3.9% margin of error. The TPM Poll Average gives Haley 27%, McMaster 19.3%, Barrett 15.7%, and Bauer 14.0%. Keep in mind that this poll was taken before the story came out regarding the alleged affair. As such, it provides a baseline measurement of where Haley was at the beginning of this development, but not any picture of how it might affect her now, going into the June 8 primary.

"Nikki Haley was clearly headed for a first place finish before yesterday," writes PPP president Dean Debnam. "Given the magnitude of her current lead the fallout from allegations of an extramarital affair would have to be huge for her not to at least make the runoff."