Dynamic Tea Party Duo together in Columbia

From Eric Dondero:

Republican sweetheart Sarah Palin made a swing through South Carolina on Friday in support of libertarian-leaning State Rep. Nikki Haley for Governor. Haley early on, showed an economic libertarian streak as a budget cutter in line with Gov. Mark Sanford. (Haley had been a staunch supporter of Sanford in his earlier campaigns.)

Haley has been particularly critical of some of her GOP primary opponents for their past support of bail-outs and the introduction of new revenue sources such as VAT. In response, she's caught criticism herself for her strident libertarian views.

From GreenvilleOn-line:

Greenville public affairs consultant Chip Felkel said Haley, as the Republican with the least name recognition and smallest campaign bank account, may be trying to earn free media exposure and stir up her base, the “Sanford-libertarian wing of the party.”

Palin for her part, told the story of how she herself ran against 4 men of the "ole' boy network," emphasizing tax cuts and fiscal conservatism.

From WCIV-TV Columbia:

Columbia, SC - More than a thousand supporters stood State House (web | news) to hear Sarah Palin endorse Nikki Haley to be the next governor of South Carolina. Palin called Haley a fighter and a winner and also compared the republican candidate for governor to herself. Palin's rally was the end of a busy day for Nikky Haley as she crisscrossed the state.

Halley also has the support of the economic libertarian Club For Growth, and notably Erick Erickson of RedStatewho wrote back in August:

I would say that libertarians and conservatives both need the GOP and need each other. They are not always going to agree. There will be fights over the drug war, marriage, etc. But at the end of the day, both conservatives and libertarians are, or at least must be, committed to smaller government.

I bring this up to point out Nikki Haley. She’s unapologetically pro-life, but she is first and foremost known as a fiscal conservative. She is the type of candidate conservatives claim they want. She is also the type of candidate libertarians claim to want.

A second libertarian Republican is in the race: Lt. Governor Andre Bauer. He is running a race, "against government entitlements."

From The State:

Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer is seeking those who oppose big government entitlements; Attorney General Henry McMaster is a former S.C. GOP chairman and is also opposing the health care law supported by President Barack Obama; Lexington state Rep. Nikki Haley is courting Tea Party activists who want to trim government spending and clean out the good ol' boy network.

Bauer supported such drastic cuts that he was labeled a "Social Darwinist," and garnered national media attention for controversial anti-welfare remarks at a candidate forum.

It is not yet known if the "Sanford/libertarian wing," will rally behind Halley or end up with Bauer. The most recent polls found Bauer in 2nd place to McMaster, with Halley behind in 4th place.

Halley has also picked up the endorsement of Jenny Sanford, former wife of the Governor.

The Republican Liberty Caucus has not made an endorsment in this race.

From the Editor: As with nearly all endorsements, this website follows the lead of the RLC. But we hope for the best for either Ms. Halley or Lt. Gov. Bauer.