South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced on Twitter and Facebook that she will not appoint a “placeholder” to serve in the Senate for only two years. Here is her full statement:
As I continue to consider the impending U.S. Senate vacancy, many have discussed the possibility of a ‘placeholder’ appointee who would pledge to serve for only two years and not seek election to the seat in 2014. While there are some good arguments in favor of that approach, I believe the better case is against it.
I do not want to tie the next U.S. Senator from South Carolina’s hands regarding future office. I do not want to deprive our state’s citizens of the chance to render their judgment on the appointee’s performance by way of their vote. Most importantly, while I am an avid supporter of term limits, I do not want the effectiveness of our state’s new U.S. Senator to be undermined by the fact that he or she will automatically be leaving the office such a very short time after assuming it.
I believe South Carolina will be best served by a U.S. Senator who will work hard day in and day out, and put him or herself before the voters at the soonest possible time. Accordingly, I reject the option of a ‘placeholder.’
Haley’s rejection of a ‘placeholder’ appointee has Twitter abuzz with speculation about what her statement really means.
Good for Scott's chances RT @HotlineJulie: Haley won't put a "placeholder" in DeMint's seat #SCSEN http://t.co/jnUhn2JY
— Reid Wilson (@PoliticsReid) December 10, 2012
https://twitter.com/ali/status/278211281348079616
Having ruled out herself, @NikkiHaley rules out a placeholder Senator http://t.co/VZIoWfX1 Good news for odds of Scott vs McMaster
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) December 10, 2012
I know all y'all think that Nikki Haley statement means Sen. Tim Scott, but I'm even more sure it's Henry McMaster now
— Matt Berry ☘️ (@mttbry) December 10, 2012
Gov. @nikkihaley plans to appoint a @JimDeMint replacement who is not a placeholder. Bad news for @henrymcmaster? http://t.co/6V8Lbo3f
— Andy Shain (@AndyShain) December 10, 2012
Yet…. RT@jacksonjk: Rep. Tim Scott's spokesman says the Congressman has not heard from Governor Haley.
— Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) December 10, 2012
Congressman Tim Scott and former South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster have been viewed as the favorites to receive the appointment since Senator Jim DeMint announced his resignation last week. But, don’t forget about the wildcard.
"Colbert tops SC voters' Senate wish list" That's not me talking. That's SCIENCE. http://t.co/aNYlwEMX Are you listening, @nikkihaley?
— Colbert for Senate (@ColbertforSC) December 10, 2012
https://twitter.com/ezraklein/status/278194003906805760
https://twitter.com/AsheWhi/status/278211564602007553
Twitchy has covered that nonsense. Then, there’s this:
Nikki Haley presser in CHARLESTON noon Tuesday > RT @RobGodfrey Check out @NikkiHaley's public schedule for the week: http://t.co/IB0PMmHQ
— Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) December 10, 2012
RT @smkeyes: Nikki Haley holding presser tomorrow in Rep. Tim Scott's district. Hmmm….
— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) December 10, 2012
Interesting! Twitchy will be on top of this story.
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