South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is accompanying her candidate-of-choice Marco Rubio on his S.C. campaign stops this week, is asking voters to donate money toward their "fight for conservative reforms," which to Haley means "limited government and cutting debt to Washington." Haley, the state's most popular GOP politician in polls and a rising national GOP star, was South Carolina's most coveted Republican endorsement in the 2016 presidential race.
"We cannot afford to waste another moment, our country deserves and desperately needs Marco Rubio as our next president," Haley wrote in an appeal letter distributed Friday.
Stating that the United States "can't thrive without conservative reforms," Haley said Rubio has shown his ability to fight for important reforms in the Senate, such as bringing some degree of accountability to the Veteran's Administration.
"As a mother, I agree with Marco that the family is the most important institution in our society. We need our next president to be one who values families and creates opportunities for them to grow rather than burdening them with unfair taxes," she said.
"Marco has been a stalwart fighter for families and will keep up that fight as president."
Haley said she wants the next U.S. president to be one who values all Americans, and who takes conservative messages to them. "I know South Carolinians do, too. I know no better leader to do that than Marco Rubio," she declared.
Haley said she made her decision as a mother who wants a safer, more prosperous nation for her children, and as the wife of a combat veteran who wants more support for the military. She has not said why she didn't choose others candidates running in Saturday's GOP primary.
Born and raised in Bamberg, S.C., Haley is a Methodist. Her self-professed mission as governor is that while the state faces great challenges, it also is a world of opportunity and that with a renewed commitment to the principles that have made America great, the state can be transformed.
But the majority of posters on Haley's Facebook page are not in agreement with her support to Rubio, or for spending time to campaign for a national candidate, for that matter.
Nancy Stevens Siau asked who was paying for all of the campaigning and travel. "Shouldn't the governor be doing the work of the state and not working for one candidate?"
Randy Smith asked who is operating the state of South Carolina while Haley is traveling around to campaign, as well as who is getting (the state's) roads fixed. "Not Marco, NOT Nikki Haley either," was his answer.
John Gezzi posted he was very disappointed in Haley. "I can't believe you drank the establishment's Kool-Aid. Just like Tim Scott and Trey Gowdy and Graham."
A few posted they would not support Rubio, the son of an immigrant.
However, Maure Bond posted support for Rubio on Haley's page because he is "smart, quick and a great orator, and as they say, the only republican this year who can beat Hillary."
Some online posters suggested Haley was Rubio's choice for vice president, which is the reason she is supporting him.
"I want a president who understands they have to go back to Washington, D.C., and bring a conscience back to our Republicans," Haley said earlier this week, according to The State. She continues to state she wants a president with "fight, passion and conviction."
