This will be the last time we respond to the Barrett campaign’s “honest differences” emails unless they send out something that really differentiates the candidates. The charge that Nikki Haley voted to accept the Obama stimulus was first made by the Barrett campaign last month. The misleading accusation was thoroughly debunked with the following letter from Marianne Pecoraro published June 1, 2010 in the Aiken Standard:
"Earlier this month, I attended the Aiken County Republican debate, which three of the gubernatorial candidates attended. I was happy to see that the mood among them was congenial and respectful. Each candidate explained his/her positions, and in the end it was clear that voters have very distinct choices.
Unfortunately, that positive feeling was not to last. As Nikki Haley has risen in the polls and become more of a threat to her opponents, so have the attacks against her. This week, one of her opponents launched a media campaign claiming that Nikki Haley voted for South Carolina to accept Obama stimulus funds.
I support Nikki Haley’s campaign and think she is the best candidate for governor, but was concerned. Yesterday I poured through SC House journals, a laborious and confusing task. I was finally able to conclude that the vote on which her opponent based his accusation was a procedural vote when the issue was first brought to the floor in March and which was inconsequential to any outcome.
The actual vote to accept the stimulus came to the floor on May 12 and Nikki Haley voted against it. Subsequently, the SC House voted on the state budget which included acceptance of the stimulus funds. Nikki Haley also voted against the budget, in essence a second vote against the stimulus. She was in favor of the alternative budget proposed by Sens. Tom Davis and Greg Ryberg, which totally funded state government with no stimulus dollars. Even further, the budget bill came to the floor only two hours before it was to be voted on, and Nikki Haley proposed a 24-hour waiting period before the vote so legislators could understand what was in it, although this proposal failed.
This accusation is being made by an experienced legislator. Did he misunderstand the events logged in the House Journal, or more likely think that voters would not understand the arcane and complex legislative rules and could be misled? This itself is a reason voters are tired of political games, career politicians and political insiders. Instead we need to elect people who will fight for openness and transparency in government. Nikki Haley is one of these people, and I urge people to vote for her on June 8."
As I read Marianne's letter again I realized that there was a real difference between the two candidates on the stimulus issue. Gresham's vote was an easy call. He was voting the way House leadership directed, and it was also the right thing to do. However, when the stimulus came to the state, the SC GOP leadership was determined to use it for current expenses rather than debt reduction, which was the wrong thing to do. Nikki displayed her unfailing courage and will to do the right thing by voting against the stimulus and the budget in opposition to her leadership.
Please pass this email on to your friends and encourage them to vote for Nikki Haley in the June 22nd Primary.
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